High-end shopping, luxury seaside resorts, and the Philharmonic Center for the Arts add to the luster of the city's second-wealthiest enclave (ensconced within North Naples). Dense mangrove forests create a natural barrier between the urban development and the white-sand beach.
Old Naples
A majority of the city's one-of-a-kind boutiques, upscale eateries, and historic architecture is found in the palm-laden downtown, a pedestrian-friendly zone where every avenue dead-ends at the beach. Third Street South near Naples Pier is the oldest section.
City of Naples
Despite encapsulating the strip-mall and chain-restaurant sprawl between Interstate 75, Pine Ridge Road, Davis Boulevard, and Old Naples, there are several worthwhile tourist spots here, including the Naples Zoo and gallery-strewn Bayfront shops.
North Naples
The sugary-white sands and calm Gulf waters that act as tourist catnip are especially enticing north of town. County and state parks provide picnic spots, parking, and other amenities for sun worshippers at Vanderbilt Beach, Wiggins Pass, and Clam Pass.
East Naples
Although lacking in glamour, this in-transition 'hood boasts some lively bars and affordable restaurants. The Naples Botanical Garden, also located here, is closed for expansion and renovation until 2010. Further east on U.S. 41 toward Marco Island is an outlet mall and a new flea market.
Port Royal
Visitors cruise Gordon Drive, south of downtown, to gawk at the mega-mansions of the city's ritziest residential neighborhood and access the less-crowded stretches of public beach mingling with the estates.
