Must Do Naples Marco Island Winter/Spring 2018 visitor guide
At Must Do Visitor Guides we believe the best experiences in life are better when shared, and so we do. Inside this Naples Summer/Fall 2017 issue, you will find over one hundred well-researched and carefully curated standout things to do so you can make the most of your visit. Everything from major attractions to awe-inspiring tours or family activities conveniently arranged in our Top 10 directories. Our dining and nightlife recommendations take the guesswork out of where to find a great meal or drink. You can make your experience here even more spectacular with our valuable deals and savings.
At Must Do Visitor Guides we believe the best experiences in life are better when shared, and so we do. Inside this Naples Summer/Fall 2017 issue, you will find over one hundred well-researched and carefully curated standout things to do so you can make the most of your visit. Everything from major attractions to awe-inspiring tours or family activities conveniently arranged in our Top 10 directories. Our dining and nightlife recommendations take the guesswork out of where to find a great meal or drink. You can make your experience here even more spectacular with our valuable deals and savings.
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JENNIFER BRINKMAN<br />
DAY TRIPS<br />
top<br />
Experience the<br />
10<br />
Worth the<br />
Drive<br />
It’s easy to take a break from the<br />
sun and sand when you’re this close<br />
to some of the most fascinating,<br />
one-of-a-kind destinations in the<br />
country. An escape to one of the<br />
nearby day trip destinations provides gorgeous scenery and nature adventures<br />
for a memorable getaway.<br />
Just a short drive from the <strong>Naples</strong>-<strong>Marco</strong> <strong>Island</strong> area you will find the Everglades<br />
and Everglades National Park. These subtropical marsh and wetlands cover<br />
approximately 1.5 million acres or about a third of the southern Florida peninsula<br />
and are nothing shy of spectacular. Truly a wonderland of historical majesty, a<br />
buildingless horizon greets you, with blades of sawgrass as far as the eye can<br />
see. The Everglades is home to more than 400 species of land and water animals.<br />
<strong>Do</strong>n’t miss an opportunity to snap a photo of an American alligator or American<br />
crocodile in their natural habitat.<br />
When you’ve had enough of the great outdoors and you’re ready for some more<br />
human interaction take a day to explore the Fort Myers area and Charlotte<br />
Harbor, or head south to laid-back Key West. It’s all just a short drive from <strong>Naples</strong><br />
and <strong>Marco</strong> <strong>Island</strong>.<br />
Check It Out<br />
Smallest U.S. Post Office<br />
At roughly 56 square feet, the Ochopee<br />
Post Office is the smallest post office in the<br />
United States and is located thirty miles east<br />
of <strong>Naples</strong> and eight miles west of Everglades<br />
City. For a great souvenir purchase a postcard,<br />
stamp, and get it hand-canceled by the<br />
Postmaster.<br />
38000 E. Tamiami Trail, Ochopee<br />
239.695.2099<br />
38 WINTER | SPRING <strong>2018</strong> <strong>Must</strong><strong>Do</strong>.com<br />
Coupon<br />
Ave Maria<br />
5076 Annunciation Circle, Ave Maria<br />
239.352.3903 • AveMaria.com<br />
Start your visit by stopping by Ave Maria’s<br />
New Home & Welcome Center for a town<br />
map. Explore the award-winning Oratory<br />
architecture and Ave Maria University, the<br />
first U.S. Catholic university built in 40 years.<br />
Shop, dine, and experience “Old Florida”,<br />
nature, and wildlife on a 90-minute narrated<br />
eco-adventure with Orange Jeep Tours.<br />
Special events throughout the year,<br />
see website.<br />
Captiva Cruises<br />
11401 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva <strong>Island</strong><br />
239.472.5300 • CaptivaCruises.com<br />
Offering scenic narrated cruises to the<br />
islands of Cabbage Key, Useppa, Boca<br />
Grande, and Cayo Costa State Park for<br />
over 30 years. Captiva Cruises’ crew share<br />
their in-depth knowledge and passion for<br />
the area as you cruise through Pine <strong>Island</strong><br />
Sound taking in the fresh sea air and<br />
abundant wildlife. Cruises depart from<br />
McCarthy’s Marina and South Seas <strong>Island</strong><br />
Resort. Reservations are required.<br />
Everglades Excursions<br />
1010 6th Avenue South, <strong>Naples</strong><br />
239.262.7300 • Everglades-Excursions.com<br />
Experience the natural world of the<br />
Everglades with a half or full-day eco-tour.<br />
Journey through Big Cypress State Preserve<br />
and discover the 10,000 <strong>Island</strong>s. See wildlife,<br />
learn the history of the Everglades, and visit<br />
Everglades City, Museum of the Everglades,<br />
or Smallwood Museum. Full-day tour includes<br />
lunch. Daily departures from <strong>Naples</strong> and<br />
<strong>Marco</strong> <strong>Island</strong>. Reservations are required.<br />
Fishermen’s Village<br />
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda<br />
800.639.0020 • FishVille.com<br />
Its location on pristine Charlotte Harbor<br />
makes this a top stay and play waterfront<br />
destination. Enjoy boutiques and shops,<br />
fine dining, spacious villa vacation rentals,<br />
marina, Military Heritage Museum, live<br />
entertainment, and special events. Offers<br />
an array of water recreational activities<br />
including harbor cruises, fishing charters,<br />
and boat and kayak rentals. Open daily.<br />
Historic Matlacha<br />
Pine <strong>Island</strong> Road NW, Matlacha <strong>Island</strong><br />
MatlachaChamber.org<br />
Pronounced “mat-la-shay” this once was a<br />
tiny “Old Florida” fishing community. Today<br />
this highly regarded artist’s community<br />
showcases Southwest Florida’s artists, many<br />
of whom live here. Art lovers and collectors<br />
will find brightly colored galleries filled with<br />
bead and other craft jewelry, colorful Floridian<br />
paintings and prints, painted furniture,<br />
Native American art, and jewelry.<br />
Key West Express<br />
Fort Myers Beach • <strong>Marco</strong> <strong>Island</strong> • Key West<br />
877.348.5316 • KeyWestExpress.net<br />
The fast and fun way to visit the<br />
southernmost point in the USA. Leave in<br />
the morning and be in Key West by lunch<br />
when you travel aboard the jet-powered<br />
vessels of Key West Express. Sundeck,<br />
flat-screen TVs, full bar, and food service<br />
available. See website for ferry schedule,<br />
rates, and reservation information.<br />
Muscle Car City<br />
10175 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda<br />
941.575.5959 • MuscleCarCity.net<br />
A plethora of pure automotive-viewing<br />
pleasure for Classic Car and Hot Rod<br />
lovers. Over 200 antique and GM muscle<br />
cars from the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s including<br />
Caminos, Camaros, and Corvettes fill<br />
99,000 sq. feet of museum space. Stock<br />
up on memorabilia and collectibles at the<br />
store, then enjoy all-American fare at the<br />
‘60s style restaurant. New location opening<br />
January <strong>2018</strong>, see website for details.<br />
Closed Monday.<br />
Pure Florida Fishing Trips & Charters<br />
1200 5th Avenue South, <strong>Naples</strong><br />
239.263.4949 • PureFL.com<br />
Offers fishing experiences for anglers<br />
of all ages. Deep sea, calm bay, group,<br />
private, or specialized charters are offered<br />
daily to offshore, bay area, and inshore<br />
locations. Catch grouper, snapper, kingfish,<br />
shark, and more. Trips include expert<br />
<strong>guide</strong>, license, bait, tackle, fish cleaning,<br />
and packaging. All fishing trips and charters<br />
depart from Tin City.<br />
See Manatees Guaranteed<br />
525 Newport Drive, <strong>Naples</strong><br />
239.642.8818 • See-Manatees.com<br />
Join Captains Barry and Carol for a<br />
family-friendly and fascinating 1 ½ hour<br />
private eco boat tour into a remote<br />
Everglades manatee hideout for a<br />
guaranteed up-close and personal visit<br />
with these amazing, gentle creatures. If<br />
you don’t see a manatee, your tour is free.<br />
Fully covered, maximum six-passenger<br />
boats. Reservations are required.<br />
Wooten’s Everglades Airboat Tours<br />
32330 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee<br />
800.282.2781 • WootensEverglades.com<br />
Watch for alligators and other wildlife<br />
on a thrilling Everglades airboat tour or<br />
swamp buggy ride that is safe and fun for<br />
all ages. Combine airboat and swamp buggy<br />
tours for the ultimate Everglades experience.<br />
Tours depart daily between 9 a.m. and<br />
4:30 p.m. Reservations are not required.<br />
Also offers private airboat tours and<br />
features an animal sanctuary and alligator<br />
park. Handicap accessible. Open daily.<br />
Manatees<br />
Guaranteed 365 days a year<br />
Max. 6 Passengers Per Boat • Covered 90 Minute Eco-Boat Tour<br />
No See-No Pay Policy • Reservations Only • No Waves<br />
Brilliant Nature Tour. We have toured<br />
10 times with our friends.<br />
–Charles-Jersey, UK<br />
We enjoyed the manatee<br />
encounter each time.<br />
–Graham and Sue, London, UK<br />
Alles gesehen, was versprochen<br />
wurde. Manatees in Gruppen, mit<br />
Kalb, Aligator, Fischadler.<br />
–Wolfgang , D-Berlin, Germany<br />
Get<br />
$20 off<br />
group<br />
fare!<br />
Mention code<br />
MDNPL MDNPL<br />
YOUR KEY TO<br />
Since 1999<br />
$<br />
125<br />
GET AWAY<br />
ROUND<br />
FROM ONLY TRIP! *<br />
Enjoy a tropical drink from the bar or bite to eat from<br />
the galley as your adventure begins. Sit back and relax<br />
within one of the air conditioned cabins or take in the<br />
sun and soft ocean breezes from the sun decks. You’ll<br />
arrive in comfort and luxury within walking distance<br />
of all there is to see and do on this idyllic palm lined<br />
island surrounded by crystal blue waters.<br />
Call Captains Barry & Carol<br />
239.642.8818<br />
www.see-manatees.com<br />
525 Newport Drive • <strong>Naples</strong>, Fl, 34114<br />
Call for<br />
Gift<br />
Certificates<br />
877-348-5316<br />
keywestexpress.net<br />
*Minimum 8 day advance purchase, non-refundable fare. Cannot be combined with other offers. Weekend fee applies to any travel Friday thru Sunday. Expires August 31, <strong>2018</strong>. Online purchases.<br />
MDNPL
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