Welcome to East Naples

East Naples, taking in the Bayshore and Lely areas, is the laid-back, local side of the city. It doesn't have the boutique shopping of Downtown, but it has some of Naples' best outdoor attractions, a growing arts scene, family-friendly sports and parks, and easy access to the islands and mangrove waterways to the south.

Gardens, parks and the water

The Naples Botanical Garden is one of the area's highlights, with landscaped gardens of tropical plants that make for a peaceful morning stroll. Sugden Regional Park offers paddleboarding, kayaking and sailing on its lake, and the Isles of Capri Paddlecraft Park launches paddlers into the mangroves. Nearby, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve protects mangrove forests and estuaries rich in birdlife. For guided trips, book with Manatee Sightseeing & Wildlife Adventures, KoolCat Eco Tours or Adventure Paddle Tours.

Bayshore and family fun

The Bayshore Arts District mixes galleries such as the Bayshore Art Gallery with waterfront dining, and Celebration Park is a lively collection of food trucks and drinks by the water. Families have plenty to choose from: Great Wolf Lodge and its indoor water park, the fields and courts of the Paradise Coast Sports Complex, Coral Cay Adventure Golf and Naples Pong. Golfers will find courses like Eagle Lakes Golf Club, and the Lely area is known for its golf communities.

Where to eat and stay

Eat like a local at LowBrow Pizza & Beer, Stix Sushi & Seafood or The Real Macaw, and try a pint at Ankrolab Brewing Co.; see our guide to East Naples restaurants. Hotels such as Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites and Hampton Inn & Suites Naples South are good value for a base between Naples and Marco Island, and there are plenty of vacation homes and condos in the area too.