Let me guess, you’ve been to Southwest Florida before and want some, dare I say, unusual things to do in Naples Florida?
So, if you’ve been to Naples countless times, or if you’re visiting for the first time and want to avoid some of the more traditional Naples points of interest, then this is the post for you.
Like everyone else, you’ve maneuvered the crowds at the Naples Pier, braved parking for sunsets at the Naples City Dock, taken a catamaran cruise, enjoyed the more authentic Old Naples, and snorkeled off beautiful beaches. Are you ready for something a little more offbeat?
We’re gonna get off the Naples tourist trail and look at some of the best non-touristy things to do in Southwest Florida. Here is our list of some of the cool and unusual attractions you can see during your visit to the thriving city of Naples. From the tiniest post office in the United States to the Skunk Ape Research Center, we have something weird for everyone who wants to avoid the typical tourist spots.
Book your stay with Naples Florida Vacation Homes and read on for our guide.
1. Everglades Rod & Gun Club
- Distance from Downtown Naples: 37 miles
- Address: Everglades Rod & Gun Club, 200 Riverside Dr, Everglades City, FL 34139
There’s only one real reason to stay at the Everglades City Rod and Gun Club: To feel like you’re stepping back in time. This relic has been hosting visitors to this small town at the end of the road since the 1870s and it is remarkably unchanged.
Just a short drive away from Naples, the Everglades Rod and Gun Club has seen more than a century of history, including five presidents and plenty of other notables like Ernest Hemingway and, weirdly, Mick Jagger.
2. Nike Missile Site HM-69
- Distance from Downtown Naples: 131 miles
- Address: HM69 Nike Missile Base, Research Road, Homestead, FL 33034
The Nike Missile Site HM-69 is ground zero for Cold War history. Also called Hole in the Donut or Everglades Nike Site, this former Nike-Hercules missile base has been certified as a historic site. Located on Long Pine Key Road in the Everglades National Park, HM-69 opened in 1965 and closed in 1979.
Today, missile barns, a guard dog kennel, and two Nike-Hercules missiles remain among the buildings in the area.
3. Skunk Ape Headquarters
- Distance from Downtown Naples: 38 miles
- Address: Skunk Ape Headquarters, 40904 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL 34141
Owned by Everglades native Dave Shealy, the Skunk Ape Headquarters is dedicated to exploring local rumors about a hairy, Sasquatch-like cryptid that walks on two legs but smells like a skunk.
This unusual research center documents everything to do with the elusive Skunk Ape, including photographs, audio recordings, and footprints. Interactive displays will help immerse visitors in the quest for the creature.
4. The Revs Institute
- Distance from Downtown Naples: 6 miles
- Address: The Revs Institute, 2500 Horseshoe Dr S, Naples, FL 34104
A must-see for car enthusiasts, The Revs Institute seeks to preserve vintage and rare automobiles in their original conditions.
More than 100 automobiles in the Collier Collection are divided into four thematic galleries: Automobility, Vitesse, Revs, and Porsche. With a few exceptions, all vehicles are fully operational and displayed without protective barriers to allow visitor access.
5. Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch
- Distance from Downtown Naples: 44 miles
- Address: Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch, 1215 Roberts Ave W, Immokalee, FL 34142
The longest-running ranch in South Florida, the Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch was once home to cattleman Robert Roberts and his family.
Today, this 13-acre historic site and museum uses interactive exhibits to show visitors what life was once like on a Southwest Florida pioneer homestead and citrus grove.
6. Historic Palm Cottage
- Distance from Downtown Naples: 0.8 miles
- Address: Naples Historical Society, 137 12th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102
Located near the Naples Pier off of 12th Avenue South, Historic Palm Cottage is considered the oldest houses in Naples. It was originally built in 1895 by Walter N. Haldeman, who was one of the founders of Naples and also behind the initial construction of Naples Pier, which helped to promote commerce in the area.
Now owned by the Naples Historical Society, Palm Cottage is now open to the public for tours, held every Tuesday through Saturday from 1 pm to 4 pm. A reservation for the tour of the cottage isn’t required, however, there is a $13 admission fee per person, which includes the 45-minute guided tour of the cottage along with time to yourself to visit the Norris Gardens out back.
7. The Collier County Museum
- Distance from Downtown Naples: 3 miles
- Address: Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL 34112
Located off of Tamiami Trail East in the heart of the Collier County Government complex, the Collier County Museum houses a diverse range of interactive exhibits and historic artifacts that retell not only the history of Naples, but the history of Collier County and of Southwest Florida as a whole.
The tour through the Collier County Museum is self-guided and requires no admission fee. You start your tour through Exhibition Hall, which shows artifacts from Southwest Florida’s prehistoric past, to its Pre-Columbian origins, to its early days as a Spanish colony to the rise of Naples and many of the surrounding cities as major, pioneer boomtowns.
The tour ends with a look at the modern history of Collier County and Naples. From there, go outside of Exhibition Hall to see the authentic train, a replica of a Seminole village, and an actual 1926 cottage that was saved from demolition and moved to the museum for preservation purposes.
8. The Naples Depot
- Distance from Downtown Naples: 1 mile
- Address: Naples Depot Museum, 1051 5th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102
Located in the heart of downtown Naples near Fifth Avenue South and Tin City, The Naples Depot was originally a train station.
It is now a museum connected with Collier County Museums; it includes exhibits by local artists, classic cars, and a train museum featuring train cars, cabooses, railroad tools, Naples Depot memorabilia, antique boats and marine memorabilia, and artifacts from the Naples Army Air Field.
The Naples Train Museum is also located on this site, which is a privately run museum geared towards children. This museum includes an interactive model layout of a train and also a special train ride for the kids every Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm.
9. Tin City
- Distance from Downtown Naples: 1 mile
- Address: Tin City Shops, 1200 5th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102
Even though this site is often frequented by tourists, the reason why it is on our list is because of its ‘70s vibe and bohemian shops featuring local crafts and art.
For a more off-the-beaten-path experience of Tin City, come here to buy souvenirs by local artists and craftsmen at shops like the Artists Boutique at Tin City and the Naples Soap Company. For great bohemian style shopping, visit Caribongo, Tin City Magic, and Peace Frogs.
For a yummy local treat for you and the kids, get a cone of homemade ice cream from M&M’s Café or homemade monkey bread at the Monkey Bread Factory. For a nice treat for the adults, stop by The Naples Winery for a wine bottled and aged in Punta Gorda for you to bring home as a gift or to drink at your accommodations after a long day of sightseeing!
10. Collier-Seminole State Park
- Distance from Downtown Naples: 17 miles
- Address: Collier-Seminole State Park, 20200 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL 34114
Located off of 41 about 15 minutes south of East Naples and minutes away from Marco Island, Collier Seminole State Park offers a great natural getaway with great opportunities to see local wildlife and ancient cypress forests. Come here to see some of the historical exhibits like the Bay City Walking Dredge and the Seminole buildings.
Take a hike along the many trails, or take your kayak, canoe or paddleboard with you for a prime experience along with the waterways in the park. If you don’t have a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, visit Everglades Adventure Tours, which will hook you up either with a rental or give you a guided kayak or paddleboard tour of the park’s waterways.
There is also a nice playground for the kids, as well as a picnicking area with on-site provided grills and picnic tables. If you are looking for an experience to camp, see about booking a few nights at the full-facility campground on-site.
General admission into the park is $5, with the use of the campground costing more according to your needs and how long you plan to stay. If you want to book a tour or rent a kayak or paddleboard with Everglades Adventure Tours, either call them directly at 800-504-6554 or book a tour with their kiosk located inside of the park, in front of the children’s playground, picnic area and dock area.
11. Naples Botanical Gardens
- Distance from Downtown Naples: 0.7 miles
- Address: Naples Botanical Gardens, 482-498 9th St S, Naples, FL 34102
Located off of Bayshore Drive in East Naples, the Naples Botanical Gardens is a great place to take the whole family for a nice walk and an educational experience to learn about local and exotic plants.
The Naples Botanical Garden has several themed gardens, including Brazilian gardens, Children’s gardens, and Caribbean gardens. Each of the themed gardens within the property offers the visitor an educational understanding of different kinds of plants, but also a unique atmosphere for a nice walk with the family, your friends, or even your pets!
The Children’s Garden also features fun activities, led by their dedicated volunteers, to help teach children about the food they eat, how plants grow and to see how gardening can be fun! Before you visit, make sure you purchase tickets online to the gardens or purchase your tickets on-site.
12. Marco Island Mystery and History Tour
- Distance from downtown Naples: 18 miles
- Address: Bistro Soleil at Olde Marco Inn, 100 Palm Street, Marco Island, FL 34145
Led by guide Martha Hatta, Marco Island Mystery and History Tour is an unforgettable experience for any history buff. The tour will take you past reportedly haunted stops like a cemetery, an inn, and an Indian burial site that dates back more than 300 years.
Public tours take place from October through March, while private tours are scheduled depending on availability.
13. The United States’ Tiniest Post Office
- Distance from downtown Naples: 37 miles
- Address: 38000 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL 34141
If you think you work in a small office, imagine working here! This building is only 7 by 8 feet in size and is smaller than a lot of closets. It used to be a tomato farm’s shed for their irrigation pipe.
But after a fire at the Ochopee general store, where the town’s post office was also housed, it was changed into the US’s tiniest post office back in 1953. The tiny town of Ochopee, which only has a population of about 11 people, has loved their tiny post office ever since.
Take a Trip Off the Beaten Path in Naples
Now that you’ve discovered 13 cool and unusual things to do in Naples, Florida, it’s time to book your trip.
Just remember to set aside a day or two to check out some of the other hidden gems we didn’t have room to cover here, like the Naples Art Institute, the Gordon River Greenway, and the Baker Museum.
Reserve your stay with Naples Florida Vacation Homes and get ready to explore these unusual attractions close to the Naples area.
