Naples Grande Road Trips

Planning your Florida road trip can be complicated— there’s just so much to see and a large area to cover. From Everglades National Park to the can’t-miss sights in Orlando to the burgeoning Cape Coral-Fort Myers metropolis, there are big-city attractions and small-town charms around every corner. To make sure you hit all the sights, cities and restaurants in a timely fashion, we’ve outlined day trips from the Naples Grande, as well as charted routes through regional major cities, so you can feel confident you’ve seen the best of Florida.

Branching beyond the Naples area is simple. You and your family can experience a plethora of enriching and exciting adventures within a couple hours of the hotel. That’s plenty of time to grab take a short drive, catch some uniquely-Florida attractions and cuisine, and return for a relaxing night swim or beach stroll. Plan to see some or all of these memory-making adventures on your road trips to and from the Naples Grande.

A Day Trip Heading North (Cape Coral - Fort Myers - Pine Island)

On the Caloosahatchee River & Pine Island Sound, you’ll find blossoming cities full of sights and attractions. See the homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford at their neighbored Winter Estates in Fort Myers. Visit the Pine Island Aquatic Preserve, which contains numerous plant, water, and wildlife preservation and monitoring sights. Recreation possibilities include fishing, kayaking, birding, and beachcombing at Cayo Costa State Park or Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. When you’ve worked up an appetite, stop over at Umi Sushi House or Luciano’s Pizza in Cape Coral for an amazing meal. From either dinner spot, mosey over to the highly-rated Wicked Dolphin Rum and join a family-friendly tour of the distillery.

A Day Trip Heading South (Marco Island - Big Cypress - Everglades)

If you’re looking for a deep-sea thrill or a relaxing educational experience, head south. Within an hour of the Naples Grande, you can find fishing charters at Marco Island or ranger-led tours at Big Cypress National Preserve. It would also be a shame to miss one of the most stunning natural features in all of Florida, Everglades National Park. The Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City is the closest entrance to Naples, at about an hour away. Tours in the park include a 90-minute Everglades-Gulf boat tour, see 10,000 Islands by kayak, or explore the Mangrove Wilderness by canoe. Top-off the day with fine dining like no other at Fin Bistro or a favorite spot for local cuisine, Leebe Fish Inc.

A Day Trip Heading East (Miami Area)

See the sights of Miami when you head east of Naples through lush national forests. Start your morning off right at the Surfside Tennis Center, Miami New Times’ Best Public Tennis Courts. Grab some lunch at a Miami Beach favorite Spora Café and Smoothie Bar. Head to the city center for some shopping on the historic pedestrian, Lincoln Road. Relax on the beach, visit the Art Deco District, cruise over to Key Biscayne, or the Miami Seaquarium with the kids. Don’t miss Ball & Chain for Cuban food and flare before stopping at one of Miami’s top museums on your way back to Naples, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

From Jacksonville

There’s plenty to see on your 5 ½ hour journey exploring the eastern coast and central region of Florida, from Jacksonville to Naples. Start your day early with a round of golf at the second best public golf course in the state according the Golf Digest, TPC Sawgrass or make a pit stop at the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary to see big cat rescues. Stopover in Orlando for a tennis lesson at the U.S. Tennis Association’s National Campus and have tapas at the ever-popular Chroma before you get back on the road. For a relaxing road trip through nature, spend a few hours kayaking or fishing at Lake Kissimmee or take a swamp buggy eco-tour through Babcock Ranch Preserve and taste some southern cuisine at the Gator Shack. After a full day of fun, you’ll be happy to know you’re just over an hour from your comfortable bed at the Naples Grande.

From Tallahassee

With some careful planning, you can add treasured memories to your 6 hour road trip down Florida’s stunning western coast, from Tallahassee to the Naples Grande. Enjoy a trip to the Tallahassee Museum for a quick dive into natural history, the Mission San Luis de Apalachee for a glimpse at the life of 17th century Spanish Florida or see landmarks and attractions on your guided Segway tour. If you’re a golfer, hit the road early so you can stop at World Woods Golf Club in Brooksville, named one of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest. Before you reach the Naples, you’ll have the opportunity to stop in Tampa. This lovely city offers many activities, but you won’t want to miss the scenic Tampa Riverwalk or The Florida Aquarium. When you’re feeling peckish, hop on The Brew Bus to sample some local flavors or head over to Wright’s Gourmet House. Your exciting road trip is coming to a close, but luckily, you’re less than 3 hours from your home-away-from-home, the Naples Grande.

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