A Local’s Guide to What’s New on Florida’s Paradise Coast Near Naples

May 30, 2024 | Read Time: 3 minutes

While the events of last summer were challenging for Southwest Florida, the greater Naples area has rebounded with fury. From stunningly beautiful natural landscapes to its world-class shopping and dining, residents within this coveted section of Florida’s Paradise Coast enjoy a warm and relaxed seaside lifestyle filled with refined comforts. Consistently ranked as one of Florida’s best places to live, Naples’ popularity has led to the continuous growth of entertainment opportunities throughout the region. Here’s a local’s guide to the newest hotspots waiting to be discovered.

Best New Naples Restaurants

As a mecca for foodies from around the world, the greater Naples area and Southwest Florida enjoy new restaurants joining the culinary scene daily. In Downtown Naples, Fifth Avenue South has seen the addition of numerous restaurants, including Del Mar Naples’ Mediterranean-inspired coastal cuisines, and Ichi Togarashi’s authentic Thai flavors. Fuji Sushi Bar & Asian Bistro opened its second location in The Pointe at Founders Square. In Bonita Springs, The Bohemian embraces a melting pot of global cuisines, with locally sourced ingredients and a hardwood oak grill providing a depth of flavors.

Favored State Parks Reopen

After four months of closing for rehabilitation, one of Naples’ premier beachfront accesses reopened to the public in February. Lowdermilk Park is renowned for its powder-soft white sand, refreshing Gulf of Mexico waters, and warm coastal breezes. Just a short stroll away, Sanibel and Captiva Islands provide even more options for gathering seashells, surfing, snorkeling, and relishing in the area’s breathtaking sunsets. The greater Naples area is also known for its lush nature preserves popular for hiking, biking, and birdwatching adventures. The Rookery Bay Preserve is a favored choice, where visitors can explore over 110,000 acres of pristine mangrove forest and protected waters, or visit the two-story, hands-on Environmental Learning Center. In January, Rookery Bay also announced the addition of a Farmer’s Market every Sunday morning, providing local goods, arts and crafts, and live music from more than three dozen vendors.

Naples Botanical Gardens

Only closed for a month for restoration, the Naples Botanical Garden reopened in November to rave reviews. This 170-acre garden features cultivated gardens reflecting the plants and cultures of Florida, Brazil, Asia, and the Caribbean. More than 60,000 square feet of water features throughout the grounds are filled with hundreds of species of waterlilies, with lotus and papyrus as well. The Naples Botanical Garden also features a 90-acre preserve, where hundreds of animal species and more than 250 native plant species thrive.