Things To Do In And Around Marco Island
If you’re considering Naples Fl homes for sale or Marco Island real estate, here’s a sampling of pleasures to come!
Do you like water sports, golf, animals, plants, boating, fishing, windsurfing, or lying in the sun on a white sandy beach? Then you'll love the lifestyle that comes with buying a Naples Fl home for sale or Marco Island real estate.
You’ll find plenty to do on Marco Island at any time of the year! If you are a bird watcher, you’ll delight in over 200 species of birds including the American Bald Eagle. Boaters and beachcombers will enjoy spending endless hours gazing at shimmering azure waters trying to decide whether to fish, read or just relax! There is also shelling, snorkeling, windsurfing, ecotours and shopping. There is something here for everyone!
Animal Life
You’ll love the tremendous variety of plant and animal life here. Marco Island is world-renowned for its diverse population of bird life, which extends from the beaches into a breathtaking array of inland wading and migratory varieties. Local waters are bursting with frolicking dolphin, gentle manatee, and an abundant variety of fish species. The Marco Island area is also home to outstanding national and state parks and first-rate nature centers. Big Cypress National Preserve is an important watershed area for Everglades National Park, which encompasses nearly 730,000 acres of Florida wilderness and is home to a fascinating range of native plant and animal life, including pine hammocks, hardwoods and prairies mixed with palm trees, mangrove and orchids. White-tailed deer, bear and Florida Panther also inhabit the Big Cypress Preserve.
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Let’s Go to the Beach
Come on in: the water is fine in Southern Florida! There is nothing that compares to the sugar-fine, white sand beaches of Marco Island and surrounding areas. View fine Naples real estate as you roam 10 miles of sandy shoreline from Gordon Pass north to Seagate Drive. Marco Island real estate and Marco Island condos are accessible along miles of beachfront property. Marco Island is famous for its crescent shaped beach. Let the sparkling azure water relax and invigorate you. Come to the beach! (...Read more about Marco Area Beaches>)
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A Day at the Beach |
Big Cypress National Preserve
Imagine going to the beach in the morning, and heading into the forest in the afternoon. Big Cypress National Preserve is the National Park System’s first national preserve. You’ll be enthralled by its amazing blend of sweet smelling pines, hardwood trees, prairies, mangrove forests, cypress strands and domes. White-tailed deer and bear are here amid the royal palms and cigar orchids. (...Read more about Big Cypress National Preserve>)Canoeing & Kayaking
You will enjoy paddling into the maze of canals and bays of Marco Island, where mangroves and saw grass are filled with exotic and domestic species of birds and other wildlife. Ask your Marco Island REALTOR® about the more than 110,000 acres of uplands, islands, and estuaries from Gordon Pass at Naples to Everglades National Park waiting for you to explore!
Caribbean Gardens
Many of your favorite rare and exotic animals can be found at this wonderful zoo and garden in Naples. A nearly mile-long path will take you wandering past lions, kangaroos, monkeys, African wild dogs, Asian deer and more within a 52-acre tropical jungle of exotic greenery first planted in 1919. Nature programs, information, exhibits, play areas, gardens, and so much more are featured here.
Collier County Historical Museum
From ancient fossils and Indian civilizations, to the rustic charm of trading posts and early settlements, you’ll enjoy learning more about the daily life of pioneers who shaped Florida’s last frontier. First set up in 1977, museum depictions in this five-acre historical park preserve and interpret history, archaeology and development. Ten thousand years of local history is traced through artifact displays, videos and dioramas.
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Briggs Nature Center |
Collier-Seminole State Park
This 6,400-acre park showcases the vegetation and wildlife typical of the Everglades. Explore mangrove and cypress swamps by land or water via boat tours, canoe rentals and hiking trails or camp in the park with a tent or RV. Collier-Seminole State Park lies at the junction of southwest Florida’s great mangrove swamp and the south edge of Big Cypress Swamp. It’s named after Barron Collier, a wealthy entrepreneur and pioneer developer who played a part in the early history of Marco Island.
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Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s Briggs Nature Center
Enjoy a half-mile stroll on a boardwalk through rare plant communities marked by educational, interpretive signs. The butterfly garden is dense with native plants specifically selected for attracting more than 27 species of Florida butterflies and an abundance of birds. Enjoy guided tours or rent a canoe or kayak and float into the center of the Nature Center on your own.
The Conservancy's Brigg's Nature Center at Rookery Bay
Located about eight miles north of Marco, the Center features an elevated boardwalk to view a variety of wildlife, including over 150 species of birds. You can wander through the Center on your own or enjoy a tour boat guide.
Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s Naples Nature Center
This 14-acre oasis just south of the Coastland Center Mall is packed with recreational activities, including guided tours, nature trails, boat tours, canoe and kayak rentals, and a nature store.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Meander along a 2.25-mile boardwalk through the nation's largest old-growth cypress forest and tropical jungle of ferns, orchids and wildflowers. This wetland preserve is world famous among photographers, birders and other wildlife watchers for its astounding variety of alligators, bobcats, deer and bird species, including the endangered wood stork, the only stork native to North America. An unsurpassed 11,000 acres makes this nature preserve the "crown jewel" of the National Audubon Society's sanctuary system.
Everglades City Museum
This museum displays artifacts and photographs that highlight Southwest Florida’s rich history. Human habitation of the Florida Everglades is detailed, including the ancient Calusa, the Seminole Indians, settlers and entrepreneurs. The lives of all who passed through have been affected.
Everglades National Park
A visit to Southern Florida isn’t complete without a stop at Everglades National Park. This world-renowned park covers the Florida peninsula’s southern tip and most of Florida Bay. It is North America’s only subtropical preserve, and the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles co-exist. Distinctive animal and plant life, such as alligators, crocodiles, turtles, manatees, snakes, black bears, deer, cougars, ibis, pelicans, white and blue herons and a host of other exotic life live here. (...Read More About Everglades National Park>)
Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve
"Strand" is the local term for the unique type of swamp forest that grows out of the flat, gently sloping limestone plain here. Water, flowing slowly into mangrove swamps bordering the Gulf of Mexico causes the soft stone to dissolve into sloughs or channels, accumulating organic soil breeding forests of cypress trees. And if you are able to visit the Fakahatchee Strand in June, you may see the very rare Ghost Orchid as it begins blooming! Just one more reason to start looking at Naples Fl homes for sale and Marco Island real estate today!
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Fishing, Fly Fishing and Deep Sea Fishing
Anglers of all levels will enjoy fishing opportunities galore around Marco Island. Is your goal to fish offshore for grouper or back in the bays and creeks for snook or tarpon? You’re in for a memorable experience! Naples and Marco Island are known for world-class sports fishing, whether you plan to battle offshore deep-sea predators or stalk fish on the flats or in the backwater. Bring your own rod and reels, or plan to use the high quality, rigged tackle provided by many charter companies. (...Read More About Fishing in the Marco Island area>) |
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Florida Sports Park (of Swamp Buggy Racing Fame)
A swamp buggy is a vehicle with balloon tires, gun racks, and a name like Dirt Dobber. In the 1930s, locals would enjoy preparing for the big buggy race, just before the first official hunting season of the year, by gathering to share engineering tips. Soon hunters were challenging one another to race through local potato patches and merchants were offering prizes (usually a new shotgun) to the winner. Townspeople gleefully gathered to congratulate the winner. The first Swamp Buggy Queen was dunked in the muckiest part of the track in 1957, and this tradition lives on, now known as the Swamp Buggy Queen's Annual Mudbath. You can join in the festivities by visiting the Florida Sports Park Race Track in January, March and October.
Frank E. Mackle, Jr. Community Park
One of Marco Island’s first REALTORS®, Frank Mackle played an important role in Marco Island’s historic beginnings. The park is on Marco Island and includes a community center, covered basketball courts, volleyball courts, shuffleboard courts, tot lot, exercise/jogging trail, open play area and a picnic area around a lake.
Golf
Welcome to Golf Central! With more than 100 outstanding golf courses to choose from, it’s easy to see why pros from all over the country choose Southwest Florida as their golfing destination. There are more courses here than any place else in the world! Our list of golf courses in the Marco/Naples area is the most comprehensive and up-to-date of any you’ll find on the web. (...Find out more about Golf Courses and Golfing in the Marco/Naples area>)
Immokalee Pioneer Museum
This 15-acre site highlights the interesting story of Southern Florida’s cattle ranching pioneers, one of the region's oldest industries. Daily life on an early 20th century homestead is portrayed. Admission is free!
King Richard’s Medieval Family Fun Park
Go-Carts, bumper boats and batting cages are just the beginning of the good time to be had at King Richard’s. You’ll enjoy the area’s only permanent roller coaster, water play area and rides for all ages.
Marco Island Racquet Center/Collier County Racquet Center
Want a traditional American workout? This public owned community facility features 2 hard tennis courts, 6 clay tennis courts and 2 indoor racquetball/handball courts. There is a pro shop available too!
Naples Museum of Art
Do you like art? The Naples Museum of Art is a three-story collection of world-class art. Sitting adjacent to the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, the museum features 15 galleries, a glass dome conservatory, and a spectacular entrance chandelier.
Naples Pier
No fishing license is required to fish off of Florida’s longest no-fee pier because the city of Naples covers everyone with a blanket license. And if that weren’t good news enough, this 1,000-foot pier is open 24 hours! This Southern Florida landmark attracts anglers, strollers, sunset watchers, pelicans and dolphins too.
Naples Princess and Marco Island Princess
Enjoy sightseeing, lunch, sunset hors d´oeuvres, or sunset dinner cruises on two of the areas most luxurious sailing vessels. The Naples Princess is a 93-foot air-conditioned luxury yacht that carries up to 149 passengers. It regularly travels out of Naples Bay and into the Gulf of Mexico. The Marco Island Princess is a 74-foot air-conditioned luxury yacht that sails out of Marco Island.
Naples Trolley Tours
Travel back to the time of Ponce de Leon and the Calusa Indians by hitching a ride on the Naples Trolley. You’ll learn about more than 100 area points of interest while sitting in an authentically styled all-weather trolley. Trolleys visit attractions, shopping centers and resorts and passengers may board or disembark at any time. An excellent idea for touring, getting around town, or learning more about this fascinating place!
Palm Cottage
One of the last remaining "Tabbie" homes, the foundation and walls of Palm Cottage are formed out of a mixture created by burning local sand and seashells. On the National Register of Historic Places, Palm Cottage is home to the Collier County Historical Society, and is furnished with period pieces and photos of early Naples life.
Philharmonic Center for the Arts
If you’re in the mood for a cultural experience, visit the home of the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, and the west coast home of the Miami City Ballet. "The Phil," as it’s known locally, opened in 1989 with a 1,221 seat main hall and a 200-seat black box theater. More than 400 events are scheduled annually, from opera to touring Broadway shows. Events are hosted year-round, although the heaviest schedule is between October and April each year.
Rod & Gun Club
Once a sportsman’s club attracting the likes of John Wayne, Chuck Connors and Ernest Hemingway, this historic Bed and Breakfast restaurant sits on a quiet waterfront tract. Rich wood paneling, newspaper clips, artifacts and taxidermy adorn the interior. Delight in a meal of succulent frog legs, fried mullet and other down home delights served to you inside an old-fashioned, screened-in porch overlooking the river.
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Rookery Bay
View more than 150 species of birds in this Research Reserve in Rookery Bay. This 16,500-square foot visitor center and marine laboratory opened to the public in 2003, and now is the estuarine research reserve home of bald eagles, ospreys, reseat spoonbills, black skimmers, and terns. Fabulous!
Seminole Gaming Palace
Perhaps indoor gaming is more to your liking. You’ll enjoy the continental dining room at the $4-million Seminole Gaming Palace where games of bingo, low-stakes poker and video gaming machines offer countless opportunities for fun!
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Shelling
Shelling is a popular hobby in Southwest Florida. Walk the sparkling white sand beaches in search of tulips, olives, welks, conchs, scallops and many other varieties of shells that are commonly found here as well as a few that are less frequently spotted. Don’t forget your camera or your mesh bag! |
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Teddy Bear Museum of Naples
Whether you are an arctophile (teddy bear collector) or not, you will be astounded at the variety of bears housed at this uniquely inspired museum. More than 5,000 teddy bears from one-inch tall to larger than life, in fabric, crystal, wood, marble and bronze are exhibited here. It all started with a single M&M teddy bear, given to Frances Pew Hayes in Christmas 1984 by her grandson. Ms. Hayes went on to amass more than 1,500 bears, which she donated to the museum in 1990. Today, there are more than 800 books stored in the Li-Beary, including "Drawing the Line," a cartoon published by the Washington Post depicting President Theodore Roosevelt declining to shoot a defenseless bear tied to a tree. A Russian immigrant couple saw the cartoon and, with permission, named their hand-made bears "Teddy’s Bears." Profits from teddy bear sales later became the Ideal Toy Company. The museum draws 50,000 visitors a year.
Third Street South and Fifth Avenue
While you’re enjoying the fine shops, galleries, restaurants, and sidewalk cafes of Fifth Avenue South, don’t forget to view the assortment of historical buildings disguised as modern offerings. For example, the Mercantile Building, which dates back to 1903, is now an Italian Bistro. The Naples Depot, built in 1930, is now a community center. Restored Cracker cottages provide a rare opportunity to experience Naples’ earlier days.
Wilderness Adventures
Come face to face with panthers, Florida cracker cattle, birds and dozens of wild alligators on a Florida Wilderness Ranch Adventure. Travel through unspoiled pinewoods, fresh water marsh, and sections of the swamp and mangrove areas in pursuit of the great Florida Wilderness Adventure!
No matter what you love to do, you'll find it here. Why wait to live this tropical lifestyle? Find out about Naples Fl homes for sale and Marco Island real estate. Contact Lisa Gandy, your Marco Island REALTOR®, today!
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