Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens (www.caribbeangardens.com) is a 43-acre historic tropical garden and nationally accredited zoo featuring animal exhibits from around the world. Founded in 1919, the tropical garden showcases approximately 3,000 plant species, including live oaks, palms, ferns, Bird of Paradise and tropical trees. The zoo houses more than 70 animal species and has a one-mile-long main path shaped like a loop. On this loop, visitors see animals in habitats mimicking their native homes. The Primate Expedition Cruise features a catamaran ride in which visitors see different primates, many listed as endangered species.
Collier County Museums (www.colliermuseums.com) features two museums in Naples -- Collier County Museum and Naples Depot Museum. Located in the Collier County Government Center, Collier County Museum sits on a five-acre spread with tropical Florida plants. Visitors see exhibits dating back to prehistoric times to the present, including Native American artifacts. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Naples Depot Museum is located at the Seaboard Air Line Railway passenger station and chronicles Naples railroad history, which dates back to the 1880s. Exhibits include transport mediums such as canoes, wagons and rail cars.
Naples offers year-round saltwater fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as freshwater fishing in its nearby backwaters and canals. Fish species include tarpon, snook, snapper, trout, sharks, mackerel and pompano. Naples City Pier allows fishing in the Gulf of Mexico without a license. The pier has a concession stand and a bait shop, and it features sunset viewing in the evening. Hatcher's Guide Services charters half- and full-day fishing trips in Naples, Marco Island and the 10,000 Islands. Fishing packages include fresh- and saltwater license, fishing gear, bait and tackle and a fishing guide.
Naples and the surrounding area presents a plethora of sights for wildlife and nature lovers. The 11,000-acre National Audubon Society's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (corkscrew.audubon.org) is a bird watcher's paradise, with its 125 bird species. Other animals that call the sanctuary home are alligators, more than 500 butterflies, snakes and bats. Collier-Seminole State Park (www.floridastateparks.org/collierseminole) sits on a 6,400-acre property 17 miles south of Naples. It features native plants of the Everglades such as swamp cypress and mangrove trees. The state park has walking trails, boat tours and overnight camping; it also provides canoe rentals for swamp exploration.
