I am a Fort Myers/Sanibel Island native now living in St. Louis. I hope you enjoy your trip to Naples. Everglades City is an interesting place, it reminds me of what Southwest Florida was like before it became a tourist and retirement destination. Definately try to take an airboat tour of the Everglades, it is a very unique way of seeing this massive National Park and all of its inhabitants. If you can convince your husband to forgo the Corkscrew swamp tour in leiu of a trip to Sanibel to see the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge that would be a bonus. Unless you really want to see Sloths. I agree with several people that Tin City is a miss but 5th Avenue is a must for shopping. If you visit Fort Myers a visit to the Edison/Ford estates are a must. These were their winter homes and the grounds, homes and laboratory are amazing.

Barefoot Beach in Bonita, Vanderbilt Beach in Naples, Bowman Beach on Sanibel and the few public beaches of Captiva are my personal favorites. It would be a shame to miss a sunset on Captiva while having cocktails at the Mucky Duck (don’t spend your money eating here).

Food wise I can’t comment to much on Naples food. If you are on Captiva the Key Lime Bistro is not to be missed - less touristy. You will be in the land of fresh seafood, so get all you can. If it is Snook season and someone offers to cook it for you, take them up on it. Try Alligator, it is pretty darn good. I’m not sure but Stone Crab may also be in season, if it is then try those tasty morsels too.

If you are flying in and have a rental car, check out Norman Love chocolates, it is on the north side of the airport off of Gateway. What this man does with chocolate will make you weep. You can carry his goodies on the plane with you as they’ve been TSA blessed.

I hope you enjoy your trip.

I am a St Louis native, now living in Naples. I’m not a shopper, but the art galleries on 3rd Street and the upscale shopping on 5th Avenue are not to be missed. All the beaches here are very good and easy to get to, but my favorite is Clam Pass, which is near the Naples Grand Resort. The water is shallow for a long way out and it never seems to get too crowded. There are restrooms and concessions there too. You take a free tram from the parking lot through the mangroves to get to the beach. While I agree that Tin City is touristy, that is where you can get a ticket for the Double Sunshine, a catamaran that tours the Naples area, Gordon River and out to the Gulf. It is about $25-30 but you will see dolphins, beautiful estates, pelicans, beautiful estates, possibly eagles and did I say beautiful estates? Driving to Everglades City is like the road to Hana in Hawaii (okay, not quite) but the drive is the experience. If you decide to go, the Rod and Gun Club is worth seeing in Everglades City. The food isn’t great, but the pictures all over the walls go back many years. It sits right on the water, and you can see the air boats go by while you enjoy your key lime pie. Enjoy your visit and have fun.

I don’t believe anyone mentioned “The Best of Everything” which is behind Mel’s Diner on 41 going north from Old Naples. It’s really packed during season but should be a fun place to shop, now. Basically, it’s jewelry but not high priced jewlery and the quality is great for what you pay. The prices are really good and you never know what you might find there. Love the purses, too. Someone mentioned Amodor’s and yes, he has moved and it’s in the shopping center which is very close to Airport Pulling and Highway 41. It use to be a pizza place and I believe there’s a Sezchaun restaurant next door. Amodor’s food is wonderful. Truluck’s is also a fun place to go for drinks because they have a piano bar and there are usually several people dancing and having fun in the bar. We’ve had our condo in Naples for 6 years now and we still haven’t seen or done everytning there is to do. We have so many choices when we go for season so I’m sure you’re not going to be bored. You can’t beat Naples Beach and 2 years ago it was voted as the all round beach in the country and that was on the Travel Channel. Have a great time and enjoy your trip to the max!!!

1. Collier-Seminole State Park

2. Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park