Naples may once have been considered a sleepy beach town, but it’s become one of the Sunshine State’s most desirable vacation destinations for families.
There are lots of great things to do in Naples, Florida with kids. Look for beautiful beaches and opportunities to explore nature, but even then, you’ll only scratch the surface of what the Paradise Coast has to offer.
Things to do in Naples with Kids
Explore Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Take in the local flora and fauna at the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary as you make your way along a 2.25-mile boardwalk that takes you through marshes, cypress forests, and wetlands. This 13,000-acre preserve is managed by the National Audubon Society and is home to one of the largest old-growth bald cypress forests in North America.
Keep your eyes peeled for alligators and turtles alongside the path. Wood storks, roseate spoonbills, and red-shouldered hawks are some of the avian life to be seen. Volunteers are often available to help identify birds and other wildlife in the swamp.
Trekaroo tip: Visit early in the morning for a chance at spotting more wildlife activity and cooler temps. Be sure to bring bug spray and water.
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
Set within a lush, tropical oasis that dates back to the 1910s, the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens has plenty of shaded pathways that are perfect for families with kids of all ages.
Kids can watch as alligators are fed in Alligator Bay and take a short boat cruise to see monkeys and apes, and listen to keeper chats scheduled throughout the day. You can also feed giraffes and spot big cats like tigers, lions, and leopards.
Take a break at Cub Kingdom or Cub Corral, two shaded animal-themed play areas at the Naples Zoo.
Stroll Through the Naples Botanical Garden
Families will love exploring multiple gardens at the Naples Botanical Garden, one of the most popular attractions in the area.
The Brazilian Garden has vibrant colors and a mosaic reflecting pool. The Asian Garden features bamboo trees, rice paddies, statues, and temples. There is also a Florida Garden, Caribbean Garden, and Succulent Garden.
The Children’s Garden is also not-to-be-missed. Highlights include dancing fountains, tree houses, and Nature Bingo, an interactive way for kids to learn more about the garden’s herbs, plants, and flowers. They have a W.O.N.D.E.R. program (Walk, Observe, Navigate, Draw, Explore, Read) with nature-focused activities tailored for young visitors.
Take a Cruise on the Dolphin Explorer in Naples with Kids
Just down the road in nearby Marco Island, dolphins and shells are the name of the game. Book a two-hour tour to explore the waters with a certified Florida Master Naturalist Guide and see all sorts of wildlife including dolphins, sea turtles, bald eagles, ospreys, herons, egrets, pelicans, alligators, roseate spoonbills, and numerous species of fish and shorebirds.
Kids will also love getting off the boat to collect shells and splash around at the beach.
Trekaroo tip: Book a morning experience June through October to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.
Go on a Manatee Sightseeing Tour
Manatees are gentle giants that are spotted in Florida’s waterways. Seeing them in the wild is a classic Sunshine State experience. Book a tour on a covered boat and check out the Everglades and waterways around Naples as you spot manatees as well as alligators and a variety of water birds.
Bring the Little Ones to the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples
Kids will love the hands-on activities and creative ways to play at the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples. This museum is designed for kids up to age 10 and has 14 interactive galleries as well as an outdoor play space and is great for escaping the afternoon heat.
Learn more about Florida by exploring Journey Through the Everglades, complete with wildlife sounds and a mangrove exhibit. Mother Nature’s House will teach children all about the weather and seasons and the At the Beach room allows children to explore shells, pelicans, and turtles. There is also an art studio, building area, and a farm.
Paradise Coast Sports Complex
Sports travel is becoming a big part of family travel and the state-of-the-art Paradise Coast Sports Complex might even be the reason your family is visiting the area. In addition to synthetic turf fields which host all sorts of tournaments there are a variety of attractions within the park that have made it a major destination.
The Cove at Paradise Coast is a lakefront boardwalk with shaded picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, and kayak and paddleboard rentals. There is also a bar and food truck pavilion in this area as well as free lawn games like cornhole, bocce, and ping pong.
The Factory is an open-air workout facility that has a Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course. This facility is only open to those 13 and up but it is great for active teens. They also have an event lawn where they host outdoor movies and other family-friendly events throughout the year.
Take Your Pup to the Bonita Beach Dog Park
Bonita Beach Dog Park is a dog lover’s paradise. Not only is it a great beach with beautiful white sand, but it’s the place to go if you’re traveling with a dog or if your kids love dogs.
It’s an off-leash beach. You’ll find plenty of furry friends chasing Frisbees, splashing in the water, and taking a snooze in the sand. There’s even a doggie shower station for pups to clean up after a saltwater swim.
Play a Round at Coral Cay Adventure Golf
When you’re ready to take a break from shelling, splashing, and sun-seeking, head to Coral Cay Adventure Golf for 36 holes of miniature golf. Kids will love the tropical flowers, waterfalls, and palm trees that beautify the course.
With two separate courses, it’s a great place to spend the afternoon or to enjoy as an after-dinner family treat.
Spot Alligators at the Everglades
No trip to Florida is complete without a visit to the Everglades. Enter at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City, which is less than 45 minutes from Naples. You can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet, watch a short park video, and talk to park rangers.
Be sure to book an airboat tour out of Everglades City. There are several tours operating in the area, and most offer several one-hour tours a day. Reservations are recommended and early tours tend to have the best weather.
If you are looking for a more active experience with older kids try a guided kayak tour. You will have a chance to spot lots of gators and turtles as well as a variety of water birds and you paddle the mangrove tunnels and cypress forests.
Eat and Vibe at Celebration Park Naples
Celebration Park Naples is a laid-back waterfront food truck park where you can eat and listen to live music.
Find something for everyone to eat (like tacos, bbq, and lobster rolls) and then listen to music while you sit at picnic tables and chow down. Kids will enjoy watching locals in boats coming and going and there is space for them to get the wiggles out.
Here are a couple other restaurants in Naples we can recommend:
Gumbo Limbo: Choose from a variety of casual seafood options and tropical drinks at the Ritz-Carlton’s own Gumbo Limbo. Stay for sunset and ring the bell when the sun dips below the horizon.
Truluck’s: Go into downtown Naples and make a stop at Truluck’s for the popular half-price menu between 4:30-6:30 pm. Look for Oysters Rockefeller, Baja Ceviche, and Sweet Potato Fries.
Be sure to walk around downtown Naples before or after dinner and top off your meal with a stop at Kilwin’s for an ice cream cone.
Spend the Afternoon at Clam Pass Beach Park
You’ll find fine white sand and plenty of room to spread out at Clam Pass Beach Park. Take the multi-rider golf cart out to the beach or walk along the .6 mile boardwalk through mangroves to get to the public beach, which is shared with the Naples Grande.
Free nature walks are offered in the winter and spring, providing a great way to learn more about the local scenery and conservation efforts. This is a great place to have a beach day on the gorgeous white sand.
Kayak Your Way Through the Rookery Bay Reserve
Take a guided tour of Rookery Bay Reserve either by boat or by kayak to explore the bays, mangrove forests, and wildlife. Families will also enjoy several short walking trails (1/4 mile each) that are marked to help visitors learn about the trees and flowers native to the area.
In the summer, look for free kids programs complete with story times, touch tanks, and crafts.
Still want more? Here are great things to do in Marco Island which shares space with Naples on the Paradise Coast.
Check out the Classic Cars of the Revs Institute
If you have car lovers in your family you definitely do not want to miss the Revs Institute which is home to more than 100 rare and historic automobiles. Touchscreen displays and videos help engage kids as they learn about these vehicles.
Some of what you will see includes a Porsche 550 Spyder, Jaguar XKSS, Ferraris, Bugattis, and McLarens. There are also cars from the early 1900s and behind-the-scenes engine and mechanical displays.
Trekaroo tip: Advance reservations are required and the museum is only open on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Gumbo Limbo: Choose from a variety of casual seafood options and tropical drinks at the Ritz-Carlton’s own Gumbo Limbo. Stay for sunset and ring the bell when the sun dips below the horizon.
Truluck’s: Go into downtown Naples and make a stop at Truluck’s for the popular half-price menu between 4:30-6:30 pm. Look for Oysters Rockefeller, Baja Ceviche, and Sweet Potato Fries.
Be sure to walk around downtown Naples before or after dinner and top off your meal with a stop at Kilwin’s for an ice cream cone.
Easy Day Trips from Naples
Sarasota
Just two hours up I-75 from Naples, plan to spend an afternoon at Siesta Beach, which consistently ranks as one of America’s top family beaches. You’ll also want to make stops at Mote Aquarium and Save Our Seabirds, which rescues and rehabilitates wild seabirds.
Venice
Bring along a pail and hit the beach in Venice, the Shark Tooth Capital of the World. You’ll find loads of shark teeth on the beaches, along with lots of great shells. Before you leave, make a quick side trip to Ciao Gelato for tasty treats and people watching.
Fort Lauderdale
Ninety minutes from Naples, it’s worth a trip across Alligator Alley for stops at Butterfly World, the EcoDiscovery Center, and the Museum of Discovery and Science. Or, simply chill out on a land and sea Duck Tour. Here are our favorite things to do in Fort Lauderdale with kids.
Where to Stay in Naples with Kids
There are a variety of family-friendly hotels in Naples and Marco Island. Here are a few of our favorites:
Naples Grande Beach Resort: Enjoy a short walk along the boardwalk behind the hotel, then hit the beach with pails and shovels for everyone. Take on the only water slide in Naples before splashing down into one of three pools. Look for the kids club and pizza-making classes on Saturdays.
Ritz-Carlton Naples: Kids will love the Nature’s Wonders program led by naturalists that teach children about marine life and ecosystems in Florida. Walk out to the beach and build sand castles before capping off your day with a perfect sunset.
Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort: Located in the heart of Marco Island, kids can become junior explorers at the Tiki Tribe Discovery Camp. Kids will love staying here as they swim, play, and even take a tour of the hotel bakery to design their own chef hats and decorate cookies.
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I was first attracted to the world of blogging because I was a mother of infant twins and I wanted to show others that if I could travel with two young kids and expose them to many adventures that would shape their lives, then so could they! I received my degree in Communications from UC Davis in 2000 and have had a passion for writing since I learned to use a #2 pencil many moons ago.
I am proud to have been featured as a top family travel writer by USA Today and have been featured in the Orange County Register, Huffington Post, CBS LA, MSNBC, Backpacker Magazine, and countless other publications over the years. I have also had the joy of working as a writer for some of my local tourism bureaus, Destination Irvine and Visit Anaheim, as well as providing my expertise on many projects including building family travel tourism in Peru and family-focused articles for Vail Resorts.
I have worked with the biggest players in the family travel industry including Disney Resorts, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Marriott, Hilton, Adventures by Disney, KOA, Visit Britain, Visit Norway, Visit California, Visit Florida, and so many more amazing organizations than I have space to list.
I currently live in Orange County, CA with my husband, twin son and daughter (who are now Seniors in high school!), three rescue dogs, and one rescue cat. My favorite things (besides travel) are the San Francisco 49ers, animal rescue, Mexican food, being outside, being crafty, and my ridiculously large crystal and mineral collection.
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