Located just North of the main City of Naples proper is the area known as Central Naples. This is perhaps the least defined but one of the most interesting parts of the Naples area.
This area features some of the main tourist attractions in the area such as the Naples Zoo and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center. These places are Naples mainstays and have delighted tourists and locals alike for many years.
Shopping and Dining
At the corner of Pine Ridge Rd and 9th St. N within Pelican Bay is Waterside Shops, an upscale mall home to luxury brand stores and upscale jewelers. At Waterside Shops you will find some of the area’s best restaurants. This area of retail and restaurants continues east along Pine Ridge Rd and along 9th St. N but gets less upscale as you get further from Waterside.
The area at the corner of Pine Ridge and Airport Rd is one of the largest concentrations of retail stores in the Naples area. This is not an upscale shopping area, its just everything you need. Here you will find a Target, Publix, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Best Buy, Costco, and Staples.
This is also home to the Regal Cinemas 4DX and IMAX, Naples’ most equipped movie theater.
Business
Central Naples is home to much of the area’s businesses. The corridor along 9th St. N from Creech Rd. to Pelican Bay is home to many of the area’s financial and banking related businesses. This corridor is shared between the City of Naples and Central Naples and like downtown is part of the economic heart of the Naples area.
Arts and Culture
Central Naples is home to a large portion of the Naples Area’s arts and culture scene. Artis Naples is the prime performing and visual arts venue in the Naples Area. It was formerly known as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts and most locals still simply refer to it as “The Phil”. Like they say, the more things change, the more they remain the same.
Artis Naples (the Phil) was founded by Myra Janco Daniels and is what many say is the prime anchor of the Pelican Bay area. It is home to the world class Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and hosts numerous touring artists as well as touring Broadway Musicals.
At Artis is the world-class Baker Museum of Art one of the best museums in Florida. Emphasizing modern and contemporary art, the museum hosts several traveling exhibitions annually to complement installations of works from its permanent collections.
Beyond the Phil, arts scene is vibrant here in Central Naples. Numerous arts organizations call Central Naples home with a thriving arts scene here.
Central Naples performing arts scene doesn’t stop at the phil. In Central Naples there is a thriving dance scene. All Star Dance Studio, located on 9th St. just north of Castello Drive is just one of the many centers of that scene. All Star Dance Studio is a place filled with super cool and positive people who all share a common love of dance.
The thriving dance scene also includes the Fred Astaire Dance Studio on Pine Ridge Road just East of Goodlette Frank Rd, Absolute Ballroom Company at Creech Rd and 9th St, and Dance With Me Studio on 9th St. just north of Old Trail Drive.
The most unique part of the dance scene here is Contempo Dance, dedicated to bolstering the confidence of local women through fun, recreational dance courses. Located on 9th St. N just north of Neapolitan Way this is a fun place for women to hang out while the guys are out at sea on the boat. There is nothing competitive about Contempo, and there is no pressure to perform.
Further to the east along Pine Ridge is Etudes De Ballet and Company, and DanceArts by Maria. These studios offer some of the more unique dance programs in Naples. In addition to classes in classical, lyrical, and modern and other typical styles there are semi annual performances. These are in the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) style which is distinct from the Russian Vaganova Style.
Naples Art District
If you are an art collector, head to the industrial area, I am not joking. In an otherwise industrial section of town along J&C Blvd it a collection of galleries and studios aptly named, the “Naples Art District”. This area is a fun place to just explore and perhaps you will find something amazing. With more than 7 galleries here there is much to explore along with the many design centers in this unique locale.
Taking a walk through this area can be unique, step into the design centers and see the interesting architectural concepts, take a few art studio tours, and maybe buy a piece you like.
Waterfront & Boating
In Central Naples there is much less emphasis on boating and the waterfront. Central Naples boating is generally limited to small craft. Pelican Bay is the only gulf access waterfront community in the Central Naples area. Canoes, Kayaks, Rowboats, and Small Sailboats may be launched near Clam Pass Park or at Pelican Bay’s North Boardwalk. From here boaters have access to Clam Bay and the aptly named Pelican Bay. Access to the gulf is via the shallow, and sometimes difficult to navigate Clam Pass. Local knowledge is a must when operating outside the marked channels in the Clam Bay estuary.
For small craft, Quail Run, and parts of Northgate Village offers access to the upper Gordon River canal system (no gulf access). This is a quiet area with tree canopied waterways along golf courses and preserves just waiting to be explored.
Also in Central Naples are a variety of canals that are navigable by small craft but are seldom used by boaters. These include the Airport Road Canal which offers excellent freshwater fishing but is generally noisy owing to its location along a high traffic roadway.
These Central Naples waterways are accessible by boaters who do not live in a waterfront community. There is a public launch at Clam Pass Park to access the Clam Bay Estuary, and a public launch at Freedom Park to access the upper Gordon River.
Golf Course Communities
Central Naples is home to some of the Naples area’s most exclusive country club golf courses and communities. You’ll find that these world class golf courses offer some of the finest country club golf in the world.
High Point Country Club (Golf membership included with residency)
Tennis Clubs
Central Naples is home to some of Naples prime tennis clubs.
Perhaps the best tennis facility is the Sanchez Casal Tennis Center and Academy at the Naples Bath and Tennis Club. This facility hosts one of the world’s premiere tennis training facilities and has hosted numerous tennis tournaments. This facility is open to the public, so check it out.
The other major tennis center is World Tennis Club which is another tennis based neighborhood.
Equestrian Communities
Within Central Naples are three equestrian neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are acreage areas similar to Golden Gate Estates, but are generally much more “upmarket”. These neighborhoods typically feature grand estates with a bucolic countryside vibe in the neighborhood. If you are a fan of equestrian sports, simply take a walk or drive through these neighborhoods and enjoy the scenery.
Pine Ridge Farm, located off Center Street in the Pine Ridge area offers boarding for horses, and if your in the area, just stop by and take a look. There is show jumping here, and at Wrenwood Farms in Livingston Woods.
Occasionally Wrenwood Farms hosts show jumping, and even Polo events.
Equestrian neighborhoods include.