15 Can’t Miss Hidden Gems in Naples, FL

Naples is a spectacular city on the Southwest Florida coast, attracting around one million visitors yearly. Many tourists stick to the city’s main highlights, such as Naples Pier, Tin City, and Naples Depot Museum, or may even use it as a jumping-off place to visit nearby Miami. 

Once you delve a little deeper, you’ll discover Naples is jam-packed with off-the-beaten-path activities just waiting to be explored. Here are 15 can’t-miss hidden gems in Naples.

1. Otter Mound Preserve

• Address: 1831 Addison Ct, Marco Island, FL
• Opening hours: 7 am – 7 pm daily

For hundreds of years on what is now Marco Island, Calusa Native Americans piled up the discarded shells of the clams, oysters, and other shellfish that made up a large part of their diet. 

Over time, this created a staggeringly large shell mound covering 80 acres. Then, a settler named Ernest Otter moved on to the mound and used the shells to create decorative walls on his property. Visiting this unique site provides a glimpse into the rich history of Naples and the surrounding area.

2. The Remains of Cape Romano Dome House

Address: Dome Homes, 1527 Buccaneer Ct, Marco Island, FL 34145

Prior to Hurricane Ian in 2022, tourists flocked to see the abandoned white dome houses that were built by millionaire Bob Lee in 1981. The properties were abandoned in the 1990s when the beach they stood on eroded, and then Hurricane Ian swept them into the sea thirty years later. Today, it’s possible to see the stilts and the top of a dome or two on a Cape Romano boat tour — it’s an eerie and powerful reminder of what Mother Nature is capable of.

3. The Key Marco Cat Statue

• Address: 180 S Heathwood Dr, Marco Island, FL 
• Opening hours: 9 am – 4 pm Tuesday to Saturday

In the 1890s, a Smithsonian expedition to Marco Island found the Key Marco Cat, a well-preserved six-inch wooden carving of a cat/man. The carving is thought to have been created by the indigenous Calusa people and is currently on display at the Marco Island Historical Museum — a collaborative site by the Marco Island Historical Society and Collier County Museums. Don’t miss the chance to pay homage to this fascinating relic.

4. Tigertail Beach

• Address: 430 Hernando Dr, Marco Island, FL 
• Opening hours: 24/7

With a myriad of beautiful Naples beaches on offer, Tigertail Beach often goes overlooked. And, for a true hidden gem experience, a secret lagoon can be accessed from this beach by wading through a shallow lagoon. When the tide is at its lowest, it’s easy to walk across the lagoon. However, at high tide, the water can reach chest height, so be sure to plan ahead if you set out in search of this sliver of pristine, private beach. Those who want to err on the side of caution can hire a kayak or paddleboard to stay out of the water altogether.

As well as being a tranquil place to relax, visitors can also expect to see bald eagles and pelicans hunting and maybe even a dolphin or two splashing around close to the shore.

5. Everglades Rod & Gun Club

• Address: Everglades Rod & Gun Club, 200 Riverside Dr, Everglades City, FL 
• Opening hours: 24/7 for guests staying over

Step back in time to the turn of the 20th century and walk in the footsteps of five US presidents, Ernest Hemmingway, and Mick Jagger, at the Everglades Rod & Gun Club. This perfectly preserved former playground of the rich and famous was opened in 1922 by Barron Collier, for whom Collier County is named.

Guests who choose to visit or stay today can expect original furniture and the same ambiance that has attracted well-heeled visitors for over 100 consecutive years.

6. Nike Missile Site HM-69

• Address: HM69 Nike Missile Base, Research Road, Homestead, FL 
• Opening hours: varying; check the website to plan your visit

This former missile base is an important historic site for the Cuban Missile Crisis and Cold War history and is close to Naples in the Everglades National Park. The site is almost identical to how it appeared when official military use of the site ended in 1979. Visitors can explore three missile barns, a missile assembly building, barracks, and various other structures and artifacts. It’s a can’t-miss experience for those interested in modern history.

7. Celebration Food Truck Park

• Address: 2880 Becca Ave, Naples, FL
• Opening hours: 11 am – 9 pm Sunday to Thursday / 11 am – 10 pm Friday & Saturday

For a fun and casual alternative to the world-class fine dining in downtown Naples, head to Celebration Food Turck Park. There are typically 6-12 food trucks onsite each day — all of which are hand-picked by owner and restaurateur Rebecca Maddox. Once you’ve filled up on tasty fare, challenge your friends to a game of cornhole or head to the bar and take in stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico with a refreshing drink in hand.

8. The Wonder Gardens

• Address: 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 
• Opening hours: 10 am – 4 pm daily

The Wonder Gardens is located around 15 miles north of Naples and is home to various species of rescued, rehabilitated, and non-releasable animals. Expect to see flamingos, macaws, Amazon parrots, alligators, and even pythons as you explore this superb alternative to Naples Zoo. The Wonder Gardens also have a fantastic environmental conservancy program that breeds endangered Florida panthers.

Fans of Naples Botanical Garden and Caribbean Garden in Naples will appreciate this lesser-known botanical site. Here, you’ll see the orchids, African mahogany trees, and fruit trees that bloom in South Florida’s tropical climate.

9. The Naples Players

• Address: 701 5th Ave S, Naples, FL 
• Opening hours: Check the website for showtimes

For an evening of theater that you won’t soon forget, check out The Naples Players. This nonprofit treater troupe performs over a dozen shows per year at the impressive Sugden Community Theater. This European-style auditorium is set back from Fifth Avenue South and is the perfect way to start your evening before heading to one of the many bars and restaurants on the strip for late-night dinner and drinks.

10. Big Cypress National Preserve

• Address: 3100 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL 
• Opening hours: 24/7

Stroll along the boardwalk at Big Cypress National Preserve for an educational journey into a breathtaking cypress dome (without getting your feet wet in the surrounding mangroves). Or, for a unique experience without ever leaving your car, take the 45-minute Loop Road within the Preserve. 

This is the farthest you can go by car into the Everglades, and your journey will be rewarded with sightings of birds, turtles, river otters, and more alligators than you’ll be able to count.

11. Swamp Buggy Races

• Address: 8520 Rattlesnake Hammock Rd, Naples, FL 34114
• Opening hours: Check the website for scheduled races

If you happen to be in town during the Swamp Buggy Races, you’re in for a wild time! Head down to the Florida Sports Park to see participants race their modified swamp buggies. Expect silly-looking modifications and lots of loud excitement. Races have been held 3-4 times per year since 1940, and the winner used to receive a shotgun as their prize. Today, the prize is a safer check for thousands of dollars.

12. The Tiniest Post Office in the United States

• Address: Ochopee Post Office, 38000 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL Opening hours: 8 –10  am & 12 – 4  pm Monday to Friday / 10 – 11:30 am Saturday

At just 7 by 8 feet, this post office is smaller than most closets and has been the smallest structure of its kind since 1953. The building started life as a tomato farm shed but was turned into a post office after a fire at the community’s general store. There are only around 11 people living in Ochopee, but they are mighty proud of their famous post office. Go check it out and send a postcard bearing the coveted Ochopee 34141 ZIP code to your family back home.

13. Experience Naples’ Best Hidden Foodie Treasures

Naples is a mecca of fantastic restaurants and cafes. Here are some of the best hidden gems that go beyond the (admittedly fantastic) Italian fare that many visitors stick to.

Jane’s Cafe On Third

• Website: janesgardencafe.com
• Address: 1209 3rd St S, Naples, FL 
• Opening hours: 8.30 am – 3 pm daily

Jane’s is home to some of the best American and British breakfast dishes in the city, and the kitchen only uses the freshest ingredients. This charming cafe has an enviable al fresco setup that includes a koi pond and fountain and makes the most of Naples’ stunningly sunny weather.

The Catch Of The Pelican

• Website: naplesgrande.com/dining/catch-of-the-pelican
• Address: 475 Seagate Dr, Naples, FL 
• Opening hours: 5 pm – 10 pm Wednesday to Saturday

The weekend brunches at this spot draw a loyal crowd of Naples locals with a weekly changing menu and seasonal, fresh, local ingredients. Book a spot for the Brunch “A La Kitchen” to have the opportunity to watch the chefs at work before you dine.

Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar

• Website: baysideseafoodgrillandbar.com
• Address: 4270 Gulf Shore Blvd N, Naples, FL 
• Opening hours: 11.30 – 9.30 pm Monday to Saturday / 10.30 am – 9.30 pm Sunday

For a fantastic seafood dinner with phenomenal views, look no further than Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar. This refined waterfront restaurant offers the freshest catches and often has live music, too.

Regina’s Ice Cream

• Website: fifthavenuesouth.com/business-directories/reginas-ice-cream
• Address: 824 5th Avenue South, Naples, Florida 
• Opening hours: 11.30 am – 10. 30 pm Monday to Thursday / 11.30 am – 11 pm Friday & Saturday / 12 pm – 10 pm Sunday

Naples residents will tell you that Regina’s is the best spot in town for ice cream. The 1950s Americana decor and jukebox classics take you back in time as you pick from over 50 mouthwatering ice cream flavors. Expect ice cream sodas and sundaes, plus homemade waffle cones and smoothies.

14. Collier-Seminole National Park

• Address: Collier-Seminole State Park, 20200 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL 
• Opening hours: 8 am – sunset daily

Naples is home to many incredible national parks, including Clam Pass Park and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. For off-the-beaten-path camping and hiking, check out Collier-Seminole State Park instead. There is a playground and picnic area, several well-marked hiking trails, and the opportunity to swim, kayak, or paddleboard.

15. Skunk Ape Research Center

• Address: Skunk Ape Headquarters, 40904 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL 
• Opening hours: 7 am – 6 pm daily

For more than a century, a rumor has been circulating that there is a large creature in the Everglades that smells like a skunk. The rumor gave birth to the skunk ape theory, and a research center was set up to study it — or at least confirm its existence. 

Dave Shealy, owner of the Skunk Ape Research Center, claims there are 7 to 9 of the man-sized creatures roaming the wetlands. Visitors can learn about the skunk ape on a day trip, or you can stay overnight at the campground to try and spot one for yourself.

Experience Naples’ Hidden Gems

Naples is one of the most popular places in the USA for white sand beach vacations and fascinating sightseeing tours. As you can see, there are plenty of hidden gems to discover — which ones will you tick off on your next trip?