Well, here it is again already…the first day of summer, and I am about to write what has become my most popular annual blog post: Cool things to do in Naples Florida during your Summer vacation! But, whether you are here on vacation or not, the locals also love this time of year–less crowds, great sales, amazing restaurant specials…May I suggest a few activities that will surely make the long summer days and nights a bit ‘cooler‘!
How about summer golf? For 17 years, the South Florida PGA Golf Pass program has been providing golfers the opportunity to play on hundreds of local courses at discounted rates….only $48 per individual! Look for GOLFPASS on the menu bar on their home page.
Do you want to be entertained? The Naples Beach Hotel’s 26th Annual Summer Jazz on The Gulf concert series kicks off on Saturday June 25th from 7-10PM on the resort’s scenic Watkins Lawn (see photo inset) with a local favorite group, Pocket Change. Circle the dates for the other concerts on July 16th, August 20th and September 17th. Also, don’t forget the Evenings On Fifth as they continue all summer on the 2nd Thursday of every month. There you will find a wide variety of musical entertainment, side walk sales and excellent restaurant promotions. Or, click on this link to see what is happening at The Phil.
If Art & Culture is your thing, how about a day wandering through the 15 exhibit halls at The Jay and Patty Baker Naples Museum of Art, or perhaps the beautiful von Liebig Center downtown? Peruse the galleries on Fifth Avenue, or gallery Row off Third. Another hidden treasure are the working studios and galleries of The North Naples Arts Alliance in the Pine Ridge Industrial Park….my personal favorites are The Rosen Gallery and Studio, and The Sweet Art Gallery.
Maybe getting closer to nature is what you are hoping to do…Did you know that Naples residents can go to the Naples Zoo for free on the first Saturday of every month? If you haven’t been there lately, the bear exhibit is wonderful, as are the giraffes–but I absolutely love Monkey Islands (probably as much as my grandkids)! A favorite way to spend a morning this time of year is wandering the trails and boardwalks at The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Maintained by The Audubon Society, it is alive with color during the summer months…you might just get lucky enough to view the rare and breathtaking ghost orchids. Why not rent a jet ski or a boat for the day? The backwaters in Naples lead directly to The Ten Thousand Islands and some of the most pristine beaches and mangrove islands in the world. It’s the Summer of Sharks at Rookery Bay. Kids 12 and younger get in free on Fridays when accompanied by an adult, for stories, crafts, live animals and much more. Call ahead for more details: 239.417.6310.
Don’t miss the Fourth of July Parade from 10:00 a.m. to noon. The parade begins at Broad Avenue South to Third Street then marches down Fifth Avenue South. Get a good spot early…there’s always a nice crowd in front of The Coldwell Banker Previews office at 550! Later that same day, the downtown fireworks is a show not to be missed. This tradition begins at 9 p.m. when a remarkable pyrotechnics display appears off the Naples Pier…set to patriotic music, it is one of the best shows I’ve ever seen…and what better setting than watching it from the beach as the rockets soar over the gulf waters! Call 213.7120 if you are interested in parking and shuttle info.
Last but not least, summer is a great time to buy Naples Real Estate…In fact, I think that might be the coolest idea of all! Please call The Harris Peppe Team today to get a list of some of the areas very best buys and excellent values. We would be happy to prepare a list specific to your needs and wants. We’ve been selling the Naples lifestyle since 1981 and we would consider it a privilege to assist you or someone you now with a Summer Sale in Naples.
Thank you and have a great summer!
The Naples Real Estate Blogger
