Discovering Gay Florida :: Naples

Naples is a gorgeous little town known for its shopping and dining area along Fifth Avenue and the adorable Old Naples area which is an antiques-lover's dream. The perfect place for a weekend getaway, the scenic town has a lot to offer.

This city is very chic and gets a lot of gay visitors. With three local gay bars --

Bambusa Bar (600 Goodlette Frank Rd. N , Naples, FL 34102 ) Snapper's Night Club (2634 Tamiami Trail E , Naples, FL 34112) and Real Macaw (3275 Bayshore Drive, Naples, FL 34112), they offer quite a nightlife and plenty of options if your plan is to mingle with the locals.

Naples has a lot to offer shop-a-holics. Fifth Avenue South offers a large array of upscale shops and award-winning restaurants, adorable caf�s and inns on this popular street; the Waterside Shops has 45 stores that focus on high-end fashion clothing, home furnishings and jewelry; Third Street South is a fantastic destination for the fashionista with clothing stores, art galleries, antique shops and furniture stores; and Tin City Waterfront Shops has seafood restaurants, art galleries and unique clothing and jewelry shops. With these choices, plus many more, it's no wonder that Naples is known as a shopping destination.

Those who are into art and culture won't be disappointed in this adorable town. For example, The Naples Museum of Art, located at Pelican Bay Boulevard, features an impressive collection of world class paintings, sculpture and drawings in an equally impressive building - the museum is three-stories, 30,000-square-feet with 15 galleries, a glass-dome conservatory, entrance gates by renowned metal artist Albert Paley, amazing chandeliers and a Persian Ceiling by artist Dale Chihuly.

The Naples Museum of Art is in the same area as the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts. This space has a full program of music, dance and theater and is the host of over 400 events annually.

Those who prefer history to art and theater will want to check out the Naples Historical Society on 12th Avenue South. It offers a walking tour, gorgeous gardens and the Palm Cottage� house museum.

Naples close proximity to The Everglades makes it the perfect spot for outdoors adventurers to visit. Those who were always fascinated by manatees a.k.a. "sea cows" will love the boat trip from the Port of Marina at 525 Newport Drive, where you can see them in their natural habitat.

The Naples Botanical Gardens is a place that nature lovers won't want to miss. It offers a stunning walkway through various types of gardens, including The Brazilian Garden, The Caribbean Garden, The Florida Garden, The Asian Garden, The Water Garden, The Preserve, The Children's Garden, plus a Butterfly House.

Of course, sunworshippers will also be pleased as Naples has beautiful beaches for you to bask on.

The dining scene in Naples is fantastic. Those who love nothing more than to dine by the water will be pleased with the variety of amazing restaurants with fabulous waterside seating. There are also a few hidden gems that locals swear by. Below, are a few dining establishments to seek out.

The Dock Restaurant at Crayton Cove
845 12th Avenue South, Naples FL 34102

The Dock Restaurant is located in the heart of Old Naples and offers picturesque waterfront dining and an affordable menu of seafood, steak, sandwiches and more. Locals love the burgers and Blue Crab Egg Rolls and their Sunday Brunch always attracts a crowd.

M Waterfront Grille
4300 Gulf Shore Blvd. Naples, FL 34103

M Waterfront Grille offers contemporary American cuisine, live jazz music, a fantastic brunch menu and large wine menu. Their Ashley Farms All Natural "Brick" Chicken and M Classic Key Lime Pie are both very popular. M Waterfront also offers a special gluten-free menu.

Daniela's Restaurant
13500 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, FL 34110

Hungarian, Romanian and Italian dishes are the specialty at Daniela's Restaurant. Beloved by locals, the Transylvanian Platter for two is popular for its array of Traditional favorites. Daniela's is also known for the delicious Sarmale (cabbage rolls) and tiramisu.

Sophia's Ristorante Italiano
3545 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34109

Known for its romantic atmosphere and homemade Italian dishes, Sophia's is a great place for a date. Their catch phrase is "Eat pasta live longer." Their homemade pasta and Filet of Sole are both very popular.

Naples is a great place to get away from it all, shop your heart out and dine by the water.