When people envision Florida, they first think about Miami Beach, or Disneyworld and Epcot Center. Or, perhaps the wild parties that go on during spring break in Ft. Lauderdale. However, for those traveler’s who want to get away from it all, and enjoy a place to relax, or even a little solitude, they head to Naples in Southwest Florida.

There are many things to do in Naples, Florida. From open air shopping in Venetian Bay, to art galleries, to seven miles of quiet, white sandy beaches and seashore, there’s something for everyone. However, Naples Zoo is a must see for Naples visitors.

Naples Zoo is a nonprofit, nationally recognized zoo. It spans over 40 acres, and is a favorite with all tourists who visit.

Founded in 1919 by Dr. Henry Nehrling, the area was first home to a botanical garden. Dr. Nehrling was a fervent conservationist, who helped raise and protect wildlife and a multitude of plants. Located just across from Coastland Center, Naples Zoo still sports a large botanical garden, and many rare animals.

Naples Zoo Program Highlights

Safari Canyon Presentations

A combination of videos and clips of animals in the wild, which features Planet Predator. You get a chance to see carnivorous animals. Watch them hunt on the big screen, and then see some of the same animals live.

Leopard Rock
Nothing but an inch of glass separates you, and your family from both spotted and black leopards. This is your chance to get up close and personal with these beautiful, but dangerous cats. This is a really great experience for kids to be so close to such animals.

Primate Expedition Cruise
This is probably the highpoint for many at Naples Zoo. You take a boat ride to see the primates. There are monkeys, apes and lemurs. The primates are all situated on small islands in a natural habitat setting. They are free to roam, jump, climb, play and relax. The boat slowly circles the islands and gets close enough that you get a great view, and can take really nice photos.

Alligator Bay
This is a nice place to watch alligators in a natural environment without having to take a trip to the Everglades. Watch as they swim, get fed, and lay in the sun.

Serpents: Fangs & Fiction
This show has snakes, tortoises and lizards. Learn all about how these animals live and hunt. The program also discusses people’s fears of some of these animals. You may be one of them

Fish Feeding
The Naples Zoo has many areas designated for feeding fish. Kids and adults can get close to the water and feed the fish as the fish wait for food.

Kids Areas
There are three areas for kids to swing, climb, slide and practice their balancing skills. These are great places for kids to be kids. If they get tired, or bored from looking at all of the animals, these are places to take them and let them unwind.

In addition to the above programs at the Naples Zoo and all of the other animals on display, there are plenty of other animals that walk around the zoo. Ducks, birds, butterflies and others might cross your path while you are there.

Make sure you visit Naples Zoo while you are in Naples, Florida. It’s a day well spent, and who knows, you might come back for a second day.

Go here more information on the Naples Zoo

Location

If you choose to visit the Edison & Ford Winter Estates at 2350 McGregror Road in Fort Myers Florida, you will find yourself transported back to a time of a bygone era. The property has been kept in pristine condition and provides a first hand look at the lives of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison.

Architecture

When you tour the property, the first thing you’ll notice is the early twentieth century architecture. You’ll be surprised to discover innovations which most modern homes still don’t have, which is exactly what you would expect from eccentric homeowners like Edison and Ford.

For you swimming pool buffs, you’ll have an opportunity to see one of the first modern cement swimming pools ever build in Florida by Thomas Edison over 100 years ago. The pool is constructed of Edison Portland Cement, which Edison holds over 40 patents having to do with its development and production.

Gardens

The next thing you’ll notice is the beautiful gardens surrounding the property. Edison’s botanical garden is populated with over one thousand varieties of imported plants from all over the world. He originally created the garden so he could test the byproducts of the plants which he used in many of his experiments. Today, the garden is loaded with tropical plants from all over the world.

Laboratory

For those of you who are more scientifically minded, you’re going to go gaga over Edison’s Fort Myers Laboratory. This is where he and his staff conducted experiment after experiment researching the botanical plants found in his garden. The lab is filled with the original equipment Edison used for his experiments. Oh, and make sure to ask your tour guide about how Edison, Ford and their friend Harvey Firestone collaborated to create latex for tires using goldenrod when the price of rubber soared in the late 1920′s.

Museum

The property offers more than just a walk through of an old home and garden. The price of admission gives you access to their 15,000 square foot, air conditioned museum where you will have an opportunity to see first hand why Thomas Edison is considered one of the most prolific inventors of all time. You’ll see permanent exhibits on display sampling Edison’s work including the voice recorder, x-ray machine, telephone, cement, rubber, telegraph and home appliances including the toaster, irons, light bulbs and more.

Reservations

This is one of those, “Can’t Miss” trips you’re definitely going to want to make while in Southwest Florida. Having an opportunity to walk back in time and get into the heads of two of the most influential men in history is priceless.
The property is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day of the year except for Christmas and Thanksgiving Day. Admission fees change based on age and venues, and they even offer group rates for those traveling to Fort Myers with a group.

To find out more, you can contact the Edison and Ford Winter Estates directly at 239-334-7419 or ask the people at Regal Car Rental about their experience with the Winter Estate when you call to reserve your rental car.

Naples is a popular destination in Southwest Florida. It’s also popular for its spas, fishing, sailing, and long beaches.

Naples Museum of Art
One of the most popular attractions in Naples is the Naples Museum of Art. The Naples Museum of Art is situated on Pelican Bay Blvd., next to many shops and restaurants. This three-story museum is spread out over 30,000 square feet, and houses unique art collections from around the globe.

The Naples Museum of Art shows temporary exhibitions from galleries around the world, and also has many permanent collections. From sculptures to paintings, drawings and lectures, the Naples Museum of Art is a first class museum.

Many eye catching chandeliers hang from the ceilings, including the remarkable Red Chandelier by Dale Chihuly, which has over one thousand pieces of individual glass. You can view this piece in the museum’s Figge Conservatory. The Red Chandelier has been on display since the museum opened its doors in 2000.

Between October and May, the museum offers free guided tours from Tuesday-Sunday. You can also reserve group tours of 15 people or more at just about any time of the year by phoning (239) 254-2620.

The Naples Museum of Art also has a gift shop located on the first floor, where it is possible to purchase various souvenirs. It’s not necessary to purchase a museum ticket to visit the gift shop.

Philharmonic Center for the Arts
The Philharmonic Center for the Arts showcases some of the world’s top opera, orchestras, singers, musicians and speakers.

The 2011 calendar spotlights the top Broadway musicals, Dreamgirls, and 9 to 5. Comedian Bill Cosby heads a list of comedy entertainment, while Bill Clinton Steve Forbes and Jane Goodall head an A-List of speakers. Soul crooner Michael Bolton is also slated for concert.

For Latin music lovers, Gilberto Santa Rosa is scheduled to perform in 2011. Whether you like cabaret, soul, jazz, or rock and roll, the Philharmonic Center for the Arts has something for your musical ears.

Naples Philharmonic Orchestra
Under the direction of Mexican born, Maestro Jorge Mester, the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra has been recognized as one of the best regional orchestras in the U.S for nearly 30 years.

The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra has twice appeared on PBS music specials, and has played with tenor legends, Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli, and soprano great, Kiri Te Kanawa.

The orchestra is comprised of 49 world class musicians. Their interaction with their audiences and their stylish elegance has made them not only popular in Southwest Florida, but around the state and region.

If you take your holiday when they are scheduled to play, don’t miss out on their performance.

As you can see, the Naples Museum of Art and the Philharmonic Center for the Arts offer a lot for this quiet town. If you are headed to Southwest Florida, it would be a good idea to book your tickets well in advance, because many events are sold out months in advance. Welcome to Naples, Florida.

Read what other visitors to the Naples Museum of Art have to say about it on TripAdvisor

The historical buildings have just been through a four year renovation and now are ready to receive visitors all year long.

This attraction combines a beautiful botanical park together with natural conservation of butterfly species. It is a very peaceful, quiet place, where you can walk and enjoy being surrounded by thousands of magnificent butterflies, in every possible size and color!

The main attraction is a 3,614 sq. foot Glazed Glass Butterfly Conservatory, with waterfalls and tropical nectar plants, flowers and trees, imitating the natural habitat of butterflies. This experience is the first one of its kind in the downtown Fort Myers River District. It is ideal for calming down and taking a break from all the urban surroundings.

While visiting the Butterfly Estates, you get the chance to learn the interesting facts about butterflies’ life cycle and how they positively impact the environment. If you are a lover of butterflies, and you wish to see them more often in your garden back home, here you can also recollect facts about which kinds of plants yous should grow in order to attract specific species.

Are you a nature photographer? Odds are you won’t be able to find a better place in the country to photograph butterflies from around the world on any day of the year. Start a digital butterfly collection while in Fort Myers.

The butterflies are certainly the main attraction. However, once you are there, it is worth visiting the southern style restaurant Flutterby’s Cafe, which was built in 1913. After spending a wonderful afternoon with the butterflies, you can enjoy a nice warm cup of organic coffee or tea, together with some delicious treats. They offer a great variety of sandwiches and some fresh, healthy salads.

Of course, if you have a sweet tooth, you won’t want to miss the lovely Old Fashioned Ice Cream & Sweet Shop called Caterpillars Ice Cream & Fudge Factory. There you can taste some of the delicious homemade fudge and fresh ice cream flavors. The outdoor porches date from 1914.

Finally, a stop at Mother Natures Gift Shop is highly recommended. All gifts are nature oriented, such as soy based candles and gorgeous framed butterflies (it is worth noticing that no butterflies are harmed, since every single piece of art is obtained from naturally diseased insects). By purchasing a souvenir, you can take home a little piece of this wonderful little world, which is the butterfly sanctuary.

The Butterfly Estates opens every day, and you can visit the outdoor gardens for free. However, you should definitely visit the glass encircled conservatory, so be ready to pay an admission. It is $15.00 for adults over 17 and $9.00 for children between 3 and 16. Children under 3 are free. Definitely worth it!

For more information about the Butterfly Estates, please check out their website. If you visit, please come back and leave a comment for the rest of our readers to see.

The park is an extremely significant area for biodiversity preservation, and it is a World Heritage Site, a Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance.

Size of Park

Everglades National Park is easily accessible from the Fort Myers, Naples area. It is spread out over an area of 1.5 million acres of land, making it the third largest national park in the United States.

Weather

Winter and early spring marks the dry season for the area, and temperatures can be chilly during this time. Late spring until late fall is the period of the wet season, which is characterized by very humid and very hot weather.

Visitors to Everglades National Park should be sure to keep well hydrated, particularly if they plan on participating in physically intensive activities.

Wildlife

Some of the more famous animals in Everglades National Park include: the panther, the manatee, the python snake, the American alligator and the crocodile. Only about one thousand crocodiles remain in Florida, and Everglades National Park is one of the few places where they are easily visible.

Visitors can also see many colorful birds and reptiles in the park. Fans of sea turtles are also in luck; there are four species of turtle in the park, including the endangered Atlantic Ridley.

There are also many endemic tree and plant species. You can find numerous recreational opportunities at Everglades National Park. Camping is available, both in designated sites and in the backcountry.

Visiting The Everglades

Tents and RVs are permitted, and some sites are available for larger groups. Backcountry sites are usually only accessible by boats or kayaks. The western area of the park also can only be reached by boat.

There are many wonderful hiking trails in Everglades National Park, including both short, self-guided nature trails and longer trails for more serious hikers. The park includes two boardwalks that wind through beautiful cypress forests; the boardwalks also allow hikers to access a lookout that provides excellent views of the whole park.

Activities

Fishing is permitted with a Florida Fishing License, and fish are plentiful in the park. Bicycles are available for rent, and provide a good way of navigating trails. Canoes and kayaks are allowed, and are also available for rent. Boat tours are conducted by park rangers, and provide the perfect opportunity for seeing manatees and crocodiles.

Tours are available every day. Don’t miss the Everglades National Park Visitor Center, which has a monthly art exhibit featuring local art. The art featured often includes images inspired by the natural beauty of the park.

Conclusion

Everglades National Park is certainly one of the most incredible places in the United States. The density of endangered species within the park, and its incredible beauty make it an important site for the heritage and biodiversity of the U.S. and the world.

Families, individuals, and groups should not miss the opportunity to visit the park if they are going to visit Southwest Florida.

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Want to learn more about the Everglades from a local? Ask the people at Regal Car Rental when you reserve or pick up your rental car at the Fort Myers Florida Airport.

• May 28,2012: Memorial Day
• May 19,2012: Sauce
• May 19,2012: World Vision Woman of Vision 2nd Annual Breakfast
• May 23,2012: Fifth Third Bank “Drives” Financial Wellness
• May 18,2012: Performance - ABBA: The Concert
• May 24,2012: Partner4Performance - Naples
• May 23,2012: Christian Science Wednesday Evening Meeting
• May 30,2012: Christian Science Wednesday Evening Meeting
• May 20,2012: Christian Science Sunday Service
• May 27,2012: Christian Science Sunday Service