What Happened to Fall?!?!

So it's FREEZING. I don't know what happened the the nice cool sunny fall weather, but it has been replaced by chilled days rainy days and super cold nights. :( Makes me sad. Also makes me want November to get here even faster so we can go on vacation! CAN'T WAIT!! SUPER EXCITED!! I created a list of all the top places in Naples, food, and places to go so that maybe when we're down there hubby and I can go and do things that we haven't done before. :) I also added a little blurb about Naples, and some interesting facts. Here is the list......

Ritzy Naples is located in Florida's near-tropical southwest corner. With white beaches, ample water access, and upscale restaurants and shops, this is an ideal place for those seeking a splash of summer in January or for business people in search of a hospitable setting for corporate meetings. The city's swank shopping districts, Third Street and Fifth Avenue, boast some of the top boutiques and specialty shops on Florida's Gulf Coast. Naples also features a potpourri of fine dining options, where award-winning chefs dazzle diners with fresh, innovative cuisine. Want to get back to nature? The parklands surrounding Naples, including Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, offer numerous opportunities for recreation and exploration. But the big draw here is the wide, sandy beach. Ranging from the exciting bustle of popular Naples Pier to the less-congested Barefoot Beach or Clam Pass, no trip to Naples is complete without a stop along the scenic coastline.

Interesting Facts

1. Naples received its name in the late 19th century when advertisers boasted that it rivaled the bay of Naples, Italy.
2. In 1887 Kentucky newspaper owner Walter N. Haldeman and a group of his colleagues purchased Naples and built a T-shaped pier that extended into the Gulf of Mexico .
3. The opening of Naples Hotel drew many of the rich and famous, including Thomas Edison, Rose Cleveland and Harry Firestone, and jumpstarted the town's real estate market.
4. Bill Cosby and numerous other world-class performers have graced the stage at the Philharmonic Center of the Arts, a cultural gem of the Naples area.
5. Think green.... Over 80 championship courses make Naples a desirable golfing destination for both leisure and competition.
6. Well known residents of Naples include Jane Seymour, Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Capriati, Mike Ditka and Don Shula.
7. From lizards to lions to lemurs, numerous fascinating creatures in an enchanting botanical garden greet visitors at the nationally accredited Naples Zoo. Highlights of the park include the tiger forest and the primate exhibition cruise.
8. Explore the Everglades! Naples is surrounded by natural wonders that are easily accessible on an airboat tour through the island habitats of alligators, dolphins, manatees, bears, and birds.
9. Need a break from the sand and sunshine? With cutting edge architecture, a glass dome conservatory and 15 galleries of fine art from a variety of cultural backgrounds, the Naples Art Museum adds a cosmopolitan dimension to this popular vacation spot.
10. Fond of furry friends? The Teddy Bear Museum of Naples whimsically displays 5000+ bears of all kinds including crystal, wood and marble forms of the beloved critter.


Top 10 Naples Restaurants
Campiello
Category: International - Naples Restaurants
Address: 1177 3rd St S, Naples, FL 34108
This classy Third Street eatery, located in an old mercantile building, is popular in the Naples area. Inside, you'll find an inviting dining area, spacious bar area, and a large, open kitchen complete with a traditional wood-burning oven. The menu bears a definite Tuscan lilt, and Chef Wicklander offers such...
The Riverwalk at Tin City
Category: American Continental - Naples Restaurants
Address: 1200 5th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102
Located at "Tin City," Riverwalk offers diners a waterfront dining experience. The restaurant was designed with a nautical theme in mind, and waterside tables are available. A variety of seafood specialties are available here, including pan-roasted sea bass, yellowfin tuna, and red snapper. Riverwalk also offers...
Amore Ristorante
Category: International - Naples Restaurants
Address: 4681 9th St N, Naples, FL 34103
This Naples restaurant, located at the Neapolitan Way shopping center, serves excellent traditional Italian cuisine. The atmosphere here is charming and comfortable, and the service is impeccable. Chef Guiseppe Amore's pasta dishes are, in essence, sublime.
Chops City Grill
Category: American Continental - Naples Restaurants
Address: 837 5th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102
Situated near the intersection of Eighth Street and Fifth Avenue, Chops City Grill fancies itself as serving "The Best Steaks in Town" – and there is a good chance their claim is right on. The atmosphere here is fun and upbeat, from the Art Deco décor to the eclectic menu. Dishes range from Pacific cod, Maui bluenose,...
H. B.'s on the Gulf
Category: Naples Restaurants
Address: 851 Gulf Shore Blvd North, Naples, FL 34102-5332
H.B.'s on the Gulf is an upscale restaurant-bar located right on the beach. This is a popular place for people to gather for drinks, and the patio area tends to fill up quickly. Although the menu consists of such dishes as gumbo and salads, the food is not necessarily what attracts people here.
M Waterfront Grille
Category: American Continental - Naples Restaurants
Address: 4300 Gulf Shore Blvd N, Village on Venetian Bay, Naples, FL 34103
Maxwell's on the Bay is one of the Naples area's favorite seafood restaurants. This restaurant is simply, yet elegantly, decorated, the decorators opting to emphasize the picturesque views of Naples Bay en lieu of obtrusive interior furnishings. The menu offers such savory entrées as New England lobster, nut crusted...
Bha! Bha! A Persian Bistro
Category: International - Naples Restaurants
Address: 847 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Naples, FL 34108
Bha! Bha! is an upscale restaurant that is unique in the Naples area, for it specializes in Persian cuisine. The restaurant's interior is noteworthy for its traditional décor, which includes authentic Persian rugs and artwork. Chef Michael Muir wows patrons with such dishes as basmati rice and duck pomegranate. Be...
Bay House Restaurant
Category: American Continental - Naples Restaurants
Address: 799 Walkerbilt Rd, Naples, FL 34110
Overlooking beautiful Osprey Bay and the Cocohatchee Wildlife Preserve, the Bay House is one of the most respected seafood restaurants in the Naples area. This casual restaurant serves fresh seafood dishes, as well as some steak and chicken options. The best tables have views of the surrounding waterways.
Old Naples Pub
Category: Naples Restaurants
Address: 255 13th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102
The Old Naples Pub is located in the thick of one of Naples's leading shopping zones. The lunch and dinner menu strays a bit from the traditional pub fare, offering everything from fish and chips and burgers to Caesar salads and bratwurst. This is a cool place to hang, and patrons are always treated like long-lost...

First Watch Restaurant
Category: Naples Restaurants
Address: 225 Banyan Blvd, #100, Naples, FL 34102
First Watch Restaurant is located just west of the center of Olde Naples, near Lowdermilk Park. The restaurant serves better-than-average diner fare in an atmosphere that is reminiscent of a tearoom. This is a great place to visit for either breakfast or lunch. You have your choice of an omelet, soup and sandwich...


Top 10 Naples Attractions
Barefoot Beach Preserve Park
Category: Best Attractions & Activities - Naples Attractions & Activities
Address: 2 Barefoot Beach Blvd, off Bonita Beach Rd SW, Bonita Springs, FL 34134
For beach fun at its natural, undeveloped best, Collier County's Barefoot Beach Preserve gets top billing thanks to its pristine tropical hammocks, tidal creeks and mangrove swamps. The park's unspoiled quality makes it a thriving location for animals like the gopher tortoise and loggerhead sea turtle. This 342-acre beach preserve features a...
Clam Pass County Park
Category: Best Attractions & Activities - Naples Attractions & Activities
Address: Seagate Dr, Naples, FL 34103
Clam Pass is located near the famous Registry Hotel . Here, you'll find beautiful boardwalks that follow along the beach, over five miles of kayak trails, and acre after acre of mangrove swamps.
Collier County Museum
Category: Best Attractions & Activities - Naples Attractions & Activities
Address: 3301 Tamiami Trl E, Naples, FL 34112-4902
The Collier County Museum is the place to go if you want to find out more about the history of Florida's southwest corner. You'll see exhibits on paleontology, botany, geology, and other disciplines. From the Seminoles to Ponce de León to the frontier families – this museum spans the generations.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Category: Best Attractions & Activities - Naples Attractions & Activities
Address: 375 Sanctuary Rd W, Naples, FL 34120-4865
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is located approximately 15 miles north of Olde Naples . This cypress forest, maintained by the Audubon Society, is actually a sanctuary for all types of endangered animals, including owls, alligators, hawks and a variety of songbirds.
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
Category: Best Attractions & Activities - Naples Attractions & Activities
Address: 11135 Gulf Shore Dr N, Naples, FL 34108
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is located just north of Vanderbilt Beach. The beautiful beach begins at the Cocohatchee River and stretches south for one mile. The area offers fishing, picnic facilities, a nature trail, and outdoor showers.
Lowdermilk Park
Category: Best Attractions & Activities - Naples Attractions & Activities
Address: 1301 Gulf Shore Blvd North, Naples, FL 34102
Lowdermilk Park is located near the intersection of Gulf Shore Boulevard and Banyan Boulevard. This is Southwest Florida's beach headquarters. You'll find plenty of leisure activities here, including volleyball and water sports. This is known as one of Naples's best party spots.
Naples Municipal Beach and Pier
Category: Best Attractions & Activities - Naples Attractions & Activities
Address: 25 - 12th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102
Located near the intersection of 12th Avenue South and Gulf Shore Boulevard, Naples Beach is a throwback to the city's early days as a resort town. The pier is still the center of the city for many, especially the area fishermen who like to cast off the 1,000-foot construct. Restroom facilities and a parking area are located here.
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
Category: Best Attractions & Activities - Naples Attractions & Activities
Address: 1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd, Naples, FL 34102-5260
Get close to animals from alligators to zebras inside this historic botanical garden and nationally accredited zoo. Guided cruises glide through islands of monkeys, lemurs, and apes. The zoo offers a full day of excitement including two new shows: Planet Predator and Serpents: Fangs & Fiction. Both feature live animals and stunning wildlife video....

Palm Cottage
Category: Best Attractions & Activities - Naples Attractions & Activities
Address: 137 12th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102-7002
Palm Cottage, built by famous newspaperman Walter Haldeman, is the second oldest home in Naples. This 19th century home was built entirely of local materials and now provides visitors the chance to see firsthand what life was like in another era. In the post-World War II era, the home provided the setting for celebrity parties that were attended...
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida
Category: Best Attractions & Activities - Naples Attractions & Activities
Address: 1450 Merrihue Dr, Naples, FL 34102
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is the place to get introduced to some of Florida's most famous – not to mention indigenous – residents. This mangrove swamp area is actually a treasure trove of wildlife: snakes, turtles, alligators, bald eagles, and others. The park offers nature trails, boat rides, and the Natural Science Museum.

So I realize thats a LOT to take in. BUT....it's awesome. It's also better with the pictures I added to my handout, but for some reason I can't get them to upload into my blog. So for now you'll just have to envision. :) Talk to you soon!!