Discover Southwest Florida

Marco Island Trolley, (239) 394-1600. Hop on the trolley for a narrated tour of Marco Island and nearby Goodland. Reboarding is free. $17 adults, $7 children.

NAPLES

Aviary of Naples, 9824 Immokalee Road, (239) 353-2215. Hundreds of species of exotic birds, reptiles and mammals, including wallabies and a rare Bactrian camel. Disabled-accessible. Self-guided tour on shady paths, with staff available. Air-conditioned picnic areas. Bird nursery. $8 adults, $4 children. www.aviaryofnaples.com.

Big Cypress National Preserve, U.S. 41 at Ochopee, (239) 695-1201. A 729,000-acre preserve of cypress swamp, mangroves, sawgrass prairies and natural freshwater rivers with panthers, alligators, bobcats, bears, wild boar, deer and colorful birds. Winter swamp walks, hiking and bike trips and campfire programs. www.nps.gov/bicy.

Collier County Historical Museum, 3301 E. Tamiami Trail, (239) 774-8476. Interprets the history, archaeology and development of Florida’s last frontier. Featuring an exhibit hall, a five-acre Florida garden, Orchid House, restored homes, a logging locomotive and swamp buggy. $2 donation suggested. www.colliermuseum.com.

Collier-Seminole State Park, 20200 E. Tamiami Trail, (239) 394-3397. Offers interpretive programs, camping, canoeing, pontoon boat tours, nature, hiking, mountain bike trails, picnic area, grills, fishing and concessions. Electric and water hookup for campsites; $4 per day per vehicle; $18 for camping. www.floridastateparks.org.

The Conservancy Naples Nature Center, 1450 Merrihue Drive, (239) 262-0304. Includes hands-on interactive exhibits, wildlife rehabilitation center and nature trails. Daily guided tours. Boat tours of the Gordon River included. $7.50 adults, $2 children; children under three and members free. www.conservancy.org/naples_nature_center.htm.

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, 375 Sanctuary Road, (239) 348-9151. Award-winning boardwalk meanders through a cypress forest inhabited with birds, black bears, hawks and alligators. Guided hikes November through April. $10 adults, $6 college students, $5 members, $4 children ages six–18; children under six free. www.corksrew.audobon.org.

CREW (Corkscrew Regional Ecological Watershed) encompasses 60,000 acres. Managed by Land & Water Trust at 4600 C.R. 850, (239) 657-2253. Five miles of natural hiking trails through pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks and along the 5,000-acre Corkscrew Marsh. Campsites also available. Free admission. www.crewtrust.org.

Edge Skate Park at Fleischmann Park, 1600 Fleischmann Blvd., (239) 213-3027. 40,000-square-foot skateboarding and inline skating facility. Recommended seven years and older to skate.

Everglades Day Safari, Naples, Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach. (800) 472-3069. Airboat and pontoon boat rides, nature walks and drives. www.ecosafari.com.

Everglades Excursions, 1010 Sixth Ave. S., (800) 592-0848. Departs 8 a.m. daily from Naples and Marco Island for full-day trips or half-day trips. Day trip includes a jungle cruise through the Ten Thousand Islands, a narrated tour of Everglades City, lunch and a visit to the Smallwood Store and Museum. www.everglades-excursions.com.

Everglades National Park, 40001 S.R. 9336, (305) 242-7700. The third-largest park in the United States outside Alaska features visitor centers, programs and activities, trails, lodging and camping, boating and fishing. Several entrances into the park.
www.nps.gov/ever.

Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve Park, 137 Coastline Drive, (239) 695-4593. A cypress and mixed-hardwood swamp that features a boardwalk through the original cypress forest. Canoe trips October through March. Guided tours available.
www.floridastateparks.org.

Florida Sports Park, 4750 C.R. 951, (800) 897-2701. Celebrating 50 years of swamp-buggy races. Also a variety of special events and concerts.

Holocaust Museum Southwest Florida, Sandalwood Square, 4760 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 7, (239) 263-9200. The history and lessons of an unforgettable time are taught through the surviving artifacts, tours and a dedicated library. $5 admission.
www.hmswfl.org.

King Richard’s Fun Park, 6780 N. Airport-Pulling Road, (239) 598-1666. Medieval-themed amusement park with miniature golf, go-kart track, laser tag and more. Value and family packs available. Outside admission pass $25.95, $15.50 seniors. www.kingrichardspark.net.

London Helicopters, 100 Aviation Drive S., (239) 643-4468. Tours to Fort Myers Beach, the lighthouse on Sanibel Island, and down the coast to Bonita Beach, Naples, Keewaydin Island, Marco Island and back to Naples Airport. Tours of the Everglades and Ten Thousand Islands also offered.
www.londonhelicopters.com.

Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive, (239) 643-7275. Offers a Florida Gardens outdoor exhibit, workshops and site tours, butterfly garden and special events. $7 adults, $4 children six to 12; members free. www.naplesgarden.org.

Naples Depot, 1051 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 774-8476. The flagship location of the Collier County Museum. Exhibits and artifacts tell how trade and travel transformed Naples. www.colliermuseum.com.

Naples Horse and Carriage Rides, 1450 Whippoorwill Lane, (239) 649-1210. Leave from City Dock and tour Old Naples. Also available for weddings and special occasions. Seasonal hours.

Naples Museum of Art, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., (239) 597-1900. The museum at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts features 15 galleries, entrance gates by Albert Paley, spectacular works by Dale Chihuly, resource room and museum store. Call for hours. $8 adult, $4 student. www.thephil.org.

Naples Preserve, 735 Eighth St. S., (239) 261-4290. This green space between U.S. 41 North and Fleischmann Boulevard features a visitor’s center and an elevated boardwalk, allowing visitors to see native flora and fauna in a pristine scrub oak community.

Naples Trolley Tours, 1010 Sixth Ave. S., (800) 592-0848 or (239) 262-7300. See the best of Naples aboard a fully narrated trolley tour covering more than 100 points of interest. Step off the trolley to shop, dine or browse, then reboard. $19 adults, $8 children ages four to 12; children three and under free. www.naplestrolleytours.com.

Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road, (239) 262-5409. Endangered plant and animal species, including the rare Indochinese tiger. Educational activities include live animal presentations and the Primate Expedition cruise. $15.95 adults, $9.95 children four to 15; children three and under free. www.napleszoo.com.

North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Road, (239) 254-4000. Calusa fossil dig play area for children, interactive playground, Park Ranger tours, 90-acre wetland preserve area, boulder climbing rock location. Free admission.

Palm Cottage, 137 12th Ave. S., (239) 261-8164. Built in 1895, Palm Cottage is the oldest home in Naples and has been restored to its original condition. The Norris Gardens at Palm Cottage, which depicts the evolution of landscapes in Naples, is next door to the cottage. www.napleshistoricalsociety.org/
history2.htm.

Port of the Islands Island Nature Cruises, (239) 394-3101 or (239) 642-3133. Two-hour tour of the Ten Thousand Islands and the Everglades.

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, 300 Tower Road, (239) 417-6310. Adjacent to Collier Boulevard near Marco Island. View aquariums, interactive exhibits and art gallery. Speak with biologists, participate in field programs and observe wildlife. www.rookerybay.org.

South Naples Citrus Grove, 341 Sabal Palm Road, (239) 774-3838. Bagged tangerines, grapefruit, and oranges to sell on premises or to ship as gift boxes.
www.southnaplescitrusgrove.com.

Sun-N-Fun Lagoon at North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Road, (239) 254-4021. Waterslides, lazy river run, interactive water playgrounds, diving boards and lap pool. 48 inches tall or shorter, $5.50; over 48 inches tall, $10; three and under free. www.colliergov.net/parks/sunnfunlagoon.htm.

BONITA SPRINGS

Broken Gate Ranch Trail Rides, 26118 Cutting Horse Lane, (239) 992-2555. Experience the real Old Florida on native pastures and unspoiled woodlands. Single rides, group rides and guided tours.

Everglades Wonder Gardens, 27180 Old 41 Road, (239) 992-2591. Wildlife includes alligators, crocodiles, Florida panthers, black bears, white-tailed deer and flamingos. Alligator feedings on every tour from a swinging bridge and otter shows. $12 adults, $6 children three to 12.

Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track, 10601 Bonita Beach Road, (239) 992-2411. Dog racing, off-track betting, adopt-a-greyhound program and live poker. Grandstand, $2; clubhouse, $3.
www.naplesfortmyersdogs.com.

CAPE CORAL

Cape Coral Historical Museum and Rose Garden, 544 Cultural Park Blvd., (239) 772-7037. Offers a look at the city’s past through monthly lectures, group tours, historical preservation.
www.capecoralhistoricalmuseum.org.

Four-Mile Cove Ecological Preserve, North of Midpoint Memorial Bridge, (239) 549-4606. Includes 365 acres of saltwater wetlands, a 5,500-foot-long boardwalk and nature trails, two observation piers, interpretive center, restrooms and picnic tables. Weekend kayak rentals. www.capecoral.net/citydept/parks/pks_4mile.cfm.

Mike Greenwell’s Family Fun Park, 35 N.E. Pine Island Road, (239) 574-4386. Features paintball, 19-hole miniature golf, arcade, four go-cart tracks, fish feeding dock and batting cages.
www.greenwellsfamilyfunpark.com.

Sun Splash Family Waterpark, 400 Santa Barbara Blvd., (239) 574-0557. The 12-acre water park features more than 24 wet and dry attractions, including two 30-foot-high slides, river ride, tot spot and 427-foot electric slide. www.sunsplashwaterpark.com.

ESTERO

College of Life Foundation, 8661 Corkscrew Road, (239) 992-2184. Library houses artifacts and furniture and is dedicated to preserving the historic Koreshan communal heritage. Festivals and other activities throughout the year. Donations accepted. Tours by appointment.

Florida Everblades/Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, (239) 948-7825. Florida Everblades hockey October to April; public skating daily.
www.floridaeverblades.com.

Koreshan State Historic Site, U.S. 41 at Corkscrew Road, (239) 992-0311. A 148-acre park on the banks of the Estero River, 11 historic structures remain. A 60-site campground, canoe rental, picnic area, boat landing and nature trails. $3 vehicle (single occupant), $4 vehicle (up to eight passengers), $1 walk-in. www.floridastateparks.org/koreshan.

Mound Key State Archaeological Site, in Estero Bay at the mouth of the Estero River, (239) 992-0311. Accessible only by boat. Tour nature trails and view exhibit panels detailing the history of the Calusa Indians. No facilities. Canoe and kayak rental available at Koreshan State Historic Site. www.floridastateparks.org/moundkey.

FORT MYERS

Babcock Wilderness Adventures, 8000 S.R. 31, (800) 500-5583. View wildlife on a 90-minute swamp-buggy ride. The 90,000-acre ranch houses a museum, country store, educational programs and picnic facilities. Reservations required. $17.95 adults, $10.95 children three to 12 years.
www.babcockwilderness.com.