Only twelve years under my belt, and I still have a tough time finding things to do in Naples. It has nothing to do with the actual city because there is always something going on. I guess you could blame it on my fear of venturing out from what I know.
So, what better place than Facebook to ask for recommendations in your hometown? Thank you to all those who were a part of creating this guide. So, if you're a local or visitor, look no further before establishing weekend plans.
1. Naples Botanical Gardens
I'm embarrassed to say, but the first time I visited was three weeks ago and boy, was I missing out! Only three miles away from downtown Naples, the botanical gardens fill 170 acres with a variety of flowers. One of my favorite areas was the butterfly garden, which is everything to dream about. And absolutely perfect for photo ops! Definitely, add this as one of the top places to visit!
2. The Bowl
I didn't know I was missing one of Naples' best-kept secrets until I found The Bowl. With a chalkboard menu describing every kind of combination you can imagine, their Açaí bowls are what they are known for. Another specialty is kombucha and local cold brew coffee, which both fit nicely with your choice of Açaí bowl. If you want to see what you're missing out on, look at their colorful feed on Instagram.
3. Kunjani Craft Coffee & Gallery
This is one coffee shop that screams "authenticity" to every foot that steps through the door. A mother-daughter duo created Kunjani, which serves the best variety of coffee, tea, Farm-to-Table food, and handmade crafts by local artists. Not only are they bettering the community of Naples with their originality, but they have also created a non-profit called Kunjani Project. Their non-profit focuses on improving housing in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa. Running a coffee shop and a non-profit?! Talk about leading ladies in the community!
4. Downtown Naples
Imagine walking down a street so colorful that you pinch yourself to make sure it isn't a dream? Bingo! Downtown Naples consists of the sweetest shops and the tastiest restaurants. The gorgeous blooms make the area that more inviting and perfect for an obligatory photo shoot. Some of my favorite places to visit are Kilwins, the delicious shop filled with candy and ice cream galore. There are also delicious restaurants like Ocean Prime, Tulia, Truluck's, Yabba, and a handful of others. If you have an allowance that forbids extra spending, it's just as fun to window shop down Fifth and Third Street.
5. Naples Pier
If you want to see the most beautiful sunset, then this is your stomping ground. During the months of January through May, this place is packed with seasonal guests taking in every sunset before heading back up North. Along with the glowing sunset, are locals fishing and often catch all types of fish and even sharks. If fish isn't your thing, Cosmo's is a pizza restaurant along the Pier.
