Tell me about Naples, FL with 5 & 3 yr olds

[Anonymous]

My parents, out of the blue just bought a condo in Naples. We are planning to visit this summer. What are the must dos with kids and any other recommendations you may have (restaurants, beaches, parks). Thanks so
Much.

[Anonymous]

We just had a great trip to Naples last winter. There's the beaches, boat tours to see manatees, dolphins or Keewaydin Island, shopping and restaurants on 5th Ave as well as 3rd St. South (make reservations early, severals days in advance, especially for popular places like Tommy Bahamas restaurant which btw would be great with kids if you go early in the evening.) Those are nice areas to stroll, shop, and after dark enjoy the strings of lights in the trees and people watch.
You can visit the Everglades or do national park boat tours of the 10,000 Islands.
We took a very slow, gentle manatee tour out of Port of the Islands that didn't scare the wild manatees like the big tour boats do and would be good for little kids.
There's the Naples Zoo and Caribbean Gardens (which we did not do) The Children's Museum of Naples, a waterpark called Sun N' Fun Lagoon, Imaginarium Science Center, and several park nature centers around. The Naples Botanical Gardens has a LEGO exhibit.
I don't know if you plan to go to a hotel but the waterslide pool at the Waldorf Hotel is fun. You could, ah hem, sneak in there - drive up, tell the valet you are staying at their sister property the Edgewater Hotel, park in the underground lot and walk out to the pool. And there is a trolley that takes people to their beachfront through a mangrove lagoon.
Clam Pass Beach offers trolley ride to a beach with a snack bar and rentals. http://www.naples-florida.com/beach.htm

It's beautiful there. I wish my parents would get a condo in the area!

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for all the wonderful information. We are excited to explore!

[Anonymous]

Summer in Naples is very very hard, especially with small children. I am from there and all my family still lives there. It will be super hot and in the summer it rains predictably every afternoon. I wouldn't plan on doing much outdoor stuff or being outside for long periods of time. Best times to visit grandparents with condos is definitely October through May. We love going over thanksgiving and christmas when the weather up here is starting to get cold and yucky. Children's Museum is great.

[Anonymous]

I could not agree more with the PP. My inlaws live and Naples. Stay away during the summer but it is great to visit during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Take the tiki boat tour thru Tin City.
Otherwise, Naples, FL....the average age of a person is like, what,....82? So expect early lunch crowds, early dinner crowds, and the pitter patter of soft-soled shoes.

[Simon123]

We just got back from Marco Island which is 30 mins away from Naples, and had an amazing time. We stayed at Marriot right off the beach, and it's a beautiful resort. Our 4 yr old loved it so did we, it's was a slam-dunk.

[Anonymous]

Bumping this up. Considering a trip in early July with a 5 year old. Is that a bad idea with heat? last summer we went to Miami area in late August so I know how hot it can be, but we like to lounge in the pool. I'm just worried that it will be even hotter than Miami in August (as I have heard West Coast is hotter).

[Anonymous]

I don't know about August weather but the waterslide pools at both the Marco Island Marriott (beachfront) and the Naples Waldorf (now the Naples Grande Beach Resort) (trolley through mangroves to the beach) were both really fun. Edgewater Hotel was beachfront and good staff/service but boring pool and condition of the building was underwhelming for the price. I would also check out Naples Bay Resort (lazy river) Naples Beach Resort (nice location) Bellasera (Italian themed, suites in heart of walkable fun part of town.)
If you REALLY wanted to get away and fish/hit the Everglades everyday the village of Port of the Islands is a TRIP. Weird little development at the edge of civilization! Watch out for bears and alligators.

[Anonymous]

Just FYI, the Botanical Gardens have a spray fountain, so if you go bring suits, towels, etc. I didn't know that when we went.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this up. Considering a trip in early July with a 5 year old. Is that a bad idea with heat? last summer we went to Miami area in late August so I know how hot it can be, but we like to lounge in the pool. I'm just worried that it will be even hotter than Miami in August (as I have heard West Coast is hotter).

We used to live on Marco Island. I always found it cooler than the Miami area due to breezes off the Gulf and lack of heat generated by the sheer density of Miami/Lauderdale development. You will get afternoon rains a lot of days, although the gulf breezes often hold them back over the mainland so plan beach time for earlier in the day. When we go back we rent a house with a pool which is perfect for swimming/lounging and you can just head inside for a few minutes to cool off with an iced drink if you are sensitive to heat.

Marco also puts on a great July 4 celebration if you will be there then.