Fun Summer Activities in Naples Florida

Well, here it is again already...the first day of summer, and I am about to write what has become my most popular annual blog post: Cool things to do in Naples Florida during your Summer vacation! But, whether you are here on vacation or not, the locals also love this time of year--less crowds, great sales, amazing restaurant specials...May I suggest a few activities that will surely make the long summer days and nights a bit 'cooler'!

How about summer golf? For 17 years, the South Florida PGA Golf Pass program has been providing golfers the opportunity to play on hundreds of local courses at discounted rates....only $48 per individual! Look for GOLFPASS on the menu bar on their home page.

Do you want to be entertained? The Naples Beach Hotel's 26th Annual Summer Jazz on The Gulf concert series kicks off on Saturday June 25th from 7-10PM on the resort's scenic Watkins Lawn (see photo inset) with a local favorite group, Pocket Change. Circle the dates for the other concerts on July 16th, August 20th and September 17th. Also, don't forget the Evenings On Fifth as they continue all summer on the 2nd Thursday of every month. There you will find a wide variety of musical entertainment, side walk sales and excellent restaurant promotions. Or, click on this link to see what is happening at The Phil.

If Art & Culture is your thing, how about a day wandering through the 15 exhibit halls at The Jay and Patty Baker Naples Museum of Art, or perhaps the beautiful von Liebig Center downtown? Peruse the galleries on Fifth Avenue, or gallery Row off Third. Another hidden treasure are the working studios and galleries of The North Naples Arts Alliance in the Pine Ridge Industrial Park....my personal favorites are The Rosen Gallery and Studio, and The Sweet Art Gallery.

Maybe getting closer to nature is what you are hoping to do...Did you know that Naples residents can go to the Naples Zoo for free on the first Saturday of every month? If you haven't been there lately, the bear exhibit is wonderful, as are the giraffes--but I absolutely love Monkey Islands (probably as much as my grandkids)! A favorite way to spend a morning this time of year is wandering the trails and boardwalks at The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Maintained by The Audubon Society, it is alive with color during the summer months...you might just get lucky enough to view the rare and breathtaking ghost orchids. Why not rent a jet ski or a boat for the day? The backwaters in Naples lead directly to The Ten Thousand Islands and some of the most pristine beaches and mangrove islands in the world. It's the Summer of Sharks at Rookery Bay. Kids 12 and younger get in free on Fridays when accompanied by an adult, for stories, crafts, live animals and much more. Call ahead for more details: 239.417.6310.

Don't miss the Fourth of July Parade from 10:00 a.m. to noon. The parade begins at Broad Avenue South to Third Street then marches down Fifth Avenue South. Get a good spot early...there's always a nice crowd in front of The Coldwell Banker Previews office at 550! Later that same day, the downtown fireworks is a show not to be missed. This tradition begins at 9 p.m. when a remarkable pyrotechnics display appears off the Naples Pier...set to patriotic music, it is one of the best shows I've ever seen...and what better setting than watching it from the beach as the rockets soar over the gulf waters! Call 213.7120 if you are interested in parking and shuttle info.

Last but not least, summer is a great time to buy Naples Real Estate...In fact, I think that might be the coolest idea of all! Please call The Harris Peppe Team today to get a list of some of the areas very best buys and excellent values. We would be happy to prepare a list specific to your needs and wants. We've been selling the Naples lifestyle since 1981 and we would consider it a privilege to assist you or someone you now with a Summer Sale in Naples.

Thank you and have a great summer! The Naples Real Estate Blogger

Cool Things To Do In Naples Florida In The Summer!

The long, hot days of summer are here, and if you are looking for something really cool to do, we can suggest a few of our favorites!

How about summer golf? The South Florida PGA 2010 GolfPass membership is available for only $48 per individual. It offers play on over 200 South Florida courses! Look for GOLFPASS on the menu bar on their homepage! This is an unbelievable opportunity!

If Art & Culture is your thing, a day wandering through the 15 exhibit halls at The Naples Museum of Art is a fabulous way to pass the day--and it's air conditioned, now that's cool! My mom and i just did this, and we had a great afternoon together! Peruse the galleries on Fifth Avenue South, perhaps a stop at the beautiful von Liebig Art Center? Both the Collier County Museum and Palm Cottage have summer hours, too. The Downtown Naples Association website has a lot of good information. Click HERE!

Do you want to be entertained? The Naples Beach Hotel hosts FREE Jazz concerts on their lawn [see photo inset]...bring a beach blanket, watch the sunset, listen to jazz! Mark your calendars for July 24th, August 28th and September 18th. For more details you can log onto their website NOW!  There is also a lot going on at The Naples Philharmonic..and they already have their 2001-2011 season posted. Just log onto The PHIL and check it out! Be there when they raise the curtain at The Sugden Theatre...our very own live theater right downtown...It's an intimate venue where we get to see our very own Naples Players perform!

Maybe getting close to nature is what you are longing for...Did you know that Naples residents can go to the Naples Zoo for free on the first Saturday of every month? If you haven't been there lately, the new bear exhibit is absolutely wonderful! Of course, one of my personal favorites: The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, maintained by The Audubon Society, is alive with wildlife and color in the summer months...and you just might get really lucky and get the opportunity to view the rare and beautiful ghost orchids. Read all about this precious blossom on their website! --Why not rent a boat or a jet-ski? The backwaters in Naples lead directly to the ten thousand islands and some of the most pristine beaches and mangrove islands in the world...not to mention the world-class fishing!

We cannot forget that so many of our favorite restaurants offer summer specials! We happily recommend Cafe Luna and The Mangrove Cafe! Check out the 2010 "Chip's Picks" on our website for more information! ~A great way to end any day: Sunsets at the historic 1000' Naples Pier, always the best place in town to watch the sun dipping down into the gulf. You can talk to all the fishermen, meet the tourists, and enjoy the ambiance of Naples most famous landmark! 

Last, but certainly not least, it's a great time to buy Naples real estate!  I think that could just about be the coolest idea of all! Please contact The Harris Peppe Team today at  239.370.0574. We would be happy to prepare a list area's best values specific to your needs and wants.  We've been selling the Naples lifestyle since 1981 and we would consider it a privilege to assist you or someone you know with a summer sale in paradise!

Thanks, and make it a GREAT summer!

A Rare Occurrence

The very rare ghost orchid is in full bloom in Naples Florida!

The Ghost Orchid is the rarest of all specimens of orchids and perhaps the most revered in the world! Right here in Naples, at the Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary for the 3rd consecutive year, we are experiencing this magnificent and rare occurrence. The current blooming phase consists of 10 buds and is visible from the sanctuary's boardwalk now through the beginning of August. (photographers are urged to bring powerful telephoto lenses as the blooms are 45' up in an ancient bald cypress tree about 150' from the boardwalk). Area botanists have nicknamed this particular plant a Super Ghost because it bloomed 3 times in 2007 and again 3 times in 2008; both summers with multiple buds. Typical ghost orchids might have 1 or 2 buds and bloom once per year, if at all.

If you are interested in traveling to Naples to witness the ghost orchid firsthand, the area's Convention & Visitors Bureau has a special "orchid deals" web page! or you can call 1-800-688-3600.

Click here for more information about this magnificent bloom!

There is rare beauty all around us. South Florida is the only place on earth where the ghost orchid is now known to bloom...We truly are blessed to call Naples home...call us if you'd like to call Naples Home.