Hyatt House Naples/5th Avenue

Naples Botanical Garden conserves the plants and habitats of the tropics, cultivates beauty, offers knowledge, and inspires the protection of nature. 4820 Bayshore Drive Naples, FL 34112 239.643.7275

Historic Tin City Area waterways were the birthplace of Naples, the catalyst for growth in this place we call paradise. Thousands of years of oyster and clam shell deposits laid a foundation for our first known inhabitants – the Calusa Indians. In the 1500s they were the area’s first shellers and fishermen. In the late 1860s a few hearty pioneers, Roger Gordon and Joe Wiggins, ventured in by boat before the Civil War and set aside their nomadic ways and built camps to serve the needs of travelers and settlers. Today, two key waterways still bear their names – Gordon Pass and Wiggins Pass. By the 1880s, news of the waterfront’s beauty began to draw wealthy tourists and investors and in 1886 “Naples” was founded. In those days passengers had to disembark at Back Bay, now called Crayton Cove. In 1887, a group of wealthy Kentuckians, led by Walter N. Haldeman, worked to make access more convenient. They built a pier 600 feet into the Gulf of Mexico. Soon after, Naples became a winter playground for industrialists and celebrities including Harvey Firestone, Thomas Edison, Greta Garbo, Gary Cooper and Hedy Lamarr. In the 1920s Tin City’s tin roofed buildings were the hub of economic development and transport which was made possible by the construction of the Seaboard Airline Railroad. As a result, this stretch of the Gordon River became the heart of Naples’ fishing industry, including clam shelling, oyster processing, boat construction and maintenance operations. In the 1970s, seven of Tin City’s sturdy old buildings were transformed to become “The Old Marine Marketplace at Tin City” – a colorful maritime-mix of shops and eateries. Today, Tin City still holds its historic, old Florida charm, and is home to over thirty unique boutiques, two waterfront restaurants and a variety of water and boating adventures that are fun for all ages!

Fifth Avenue South is an irresistible mix of glamour and laid-back ease. Historic and modern architecture blend together in eclectic sophistication; tropical blooms and lush greenery grace its pedestrian-friendly promenades; and each storefront is filled with wonderful finds and delights.

This popular destination boasts one of the most pristine stretch of beach in the world. Every day, this tropical beach paradise beckons visitors to partake in vast peaceful views of the Gulf of Mexico, and experience the many shorebirds and wildlife that gather here every year. Visitors arrive to this park to sunbathe, snorkel the reef, hike, bird-watch, fish, picnic, and search for seashells on a daily basis. There are specific areas designated for anglers to drop their lines in the northern areas of the park for trophy catches. Boaters will also find the launch area into Turkey Bay easily accessible for most vessels, in order to experience the delicate natural estuaries of the Cocohatchee River, leading out to the Gulf of Mexico. Guided tours and interpretive programs occur on a regular basis by experienced rangers and volunteers. There is a pavilion available to rent for special occasions, such as weddings and birthdays. A concessionaire, Naples Beach Adventures, is open in parking Lot #4 with food and beverages and rentals that include paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, umbrellas, and beach chairs. Beach wheelchairs are also available for reservation by the Park.

The Naples Fishing Pier is one of the most popular attractions in Naples, Florida. Originally built in 1888 as a freight and passenger dock, the Naples Pier stands as a community landmark. Narrow gauge train rails spanning the length of the pier transported freight and baggage in the early 1900’s. Part of the structure as well as the post office located on the Naples Pier was razed by fire in 1912. Rebuilt after damage by hurricanes in 1910, 1926 and 1960, it remains a public symbol of the area’s history. The Naples Pier, now over 100 years old is moving into the 21st century, in a big way! Stay tuned, this is going to be good…

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a 13,000 acre Preserve and is home to the largest remaining stand of old growth bald cypress in North America. A 2.25 mile boardwalk trail is open to the public daily.

Then you’ve come to one of the best fishing spots on planet earth because the Paradise Coast is home to Ten Thousand Islands, an outstanding national park bursting with wildlife! It’s 22 miles away from Naples, FL and it runs another 107 miles all the way down to Flamingo Bay, the Florida Straits, and the Florida Keys. Fish that live out in the Gulf of Mexico that we target, all originate from our mangroves, estuaries, and reserves. So we can almost guarantee that you’ll feel the rush of a fish tugging on your line. So now the question is “what kind of fishing do you want to do?” - See more at: http://www.purenaples.com/fishing/naples/fishing-options/?gclid=Cj0KEQjw75yxBRD78uqEnuG-5vcBEiQAQbaxSANfPsFLv1vK6k82PqlGtbWYzP-mMf0KnKllsjzg4ooaApAf8P8HAQ#sthash.P8M81Tur.dpuf

Mission Statement: To delight guests with the natural world to inspire the preservation of our planet’s wild areas and their wondrous inhabitants.