Naples

Collier County's first and foremost area is the City of Naples proper. This area includes much of the tourist areas and is what comes to mind when you first think of Naples.

Considered one of the wealthiest cities in the United States, Naples, Florida is home to the second-highest amount of millionaires. Ranked as having the sixth-highest per capita income in the country, Naples is one of the most desirable places to live. Located in southwest Florida and situated next to the Gulf of Mexico, Naples is best known for its high-end shopping, an abundance of golf courses, and pristine beaches with beautiful sunsets.

The City of Naples proper is considered the economic, cultural and social hub of the greater Naples area and is where you will find most community landmarks.

Arts and Culture

Its pretty obvious that Downtown Naples is the center of much of Naples’ arts and culture scene. Here you will find not one but two live theatre groups. On 5th Ave S you have the Sugden Community Theatre home to the Naples Players. This is a year round community theatre that has performances on most nights. There are a variety of musicals, plays and specialty shows here.

Also downtown is the Gulfshore Playhouse, which is a world class professional theatre group performing at the highest level. A new theatre is under construction at 1st Ave S and 12th St. S which will be the new home of Gulfshore Playhouse. While the construction is underway they perform at Cambier Park’s Norris Center Auditorium.

In Cambier Park is a bandshell which plays host to numerous outdoor concerts most weekends and some weeknights. Here groups like the Naples Dixieland Jazz Band, Naples Concert Band, Naples Big Band, and the Stardust Memoried big band perform. Sometimes there are demonstrations of vernacular jazz dance alongside these concerts.

Baker Park is now home to outdoor concerts and events as well and has become essentially a second Cambier Park to the City of Naples.

Waterfront and Boating

Within the City of Naples you will find many waterfront areas. This includes the “Old Naples” waterfront from Tin City down to the Naples Yacht Club. Here there are many marinas and this can be defined as the area’s “commercial waterfront”. Along this section are many landmarks such as the Naples City Dock, and Landings Park.

This is also home to many of Naples’ waterfront resort hotels including the Charter Club Resort and Cove Inn on Naples Bay.

In Old Naples, most people either trailer their boat and launch it at Landings Park or store it in many of the marinas along the commercial waterfront.