Birdies, birdwatching, fluttering around the shops
by catalysta
Downtown Naples remained small and sleepy, however, till other entreprenuers envisioned it as commercial goldmine years later. Today it is sleek, spendy & chic, the darling of Collier County, with more golf courses per golfer than anyplace else in the country. The Fifth Avenue & Third Street shopping areas downtown are home to all sorts of glamorous boutiques and designer showrooms.
Meanwhile the nearby natural beauty of the Everglades continues to lure all of the curious to this area as well.
Sophistication
by zChris
Neapolitans are justifiably more snazzy in their culture and dress than other parts of the Gulf Coast. With upscale nightlife and an arts scene, plus some of the richest beah places outside of Palm Beach, it's not hard to see why. Generally, there's no dress code or demeanour needed for the more traditional Floridian places along the Tamiami Trail or around the Harbour, but on Fifth Avenue and Third Street, where the restaurants are avant-garde places (like the one pictured here) it might be a good idea to dress up and act your best. Oh, and never take a large, sloppy dog for a walk along 5th Avenue. There are many restaurants with sidewalk dining and their patrons get quite offended when a golden retriever or yellow lab starts to sniff or lick their Armani suits or Versace dresses. Smaller dogs, however, appear to be acceptable, especially little well-trimmed poodles.
Gulf Stream Park Racing and Casino
by deecat
We spent one day at Gulfstream Race Track on the East Coast of Florida. It took us about 1 1/2 hours to get there from Naples via I75. First, we went to Ft. Lauderdale to our friends, Joe's [Tim] and LaVerne's home because we were going to the track with them.
Joe drove the four of us to the track. The track/casino are under construction, but the track portion is completed and beautiful.
We had seat reservations for the Ten Palms where you watch the races indoors in front of huge glass windows that overlook the track. There is also a TV monitor for watching close up and for seeing the Tote Board.
We also ate the buffet at the Ten Palms [a separate tip].
Photographs:
1. Looking out our window to the track at Gulfstream.
2. The Gulfstream Casino.
3. Horses being escourted around the track.
4. Dee and Allan at the Ten Palm Restaurant.
Even though we did not go home winners [even though Allan won several bets], we had a good time, and I would suggest returning there.
Family Fare!
by RhondaRuth about Perkins Family Restaurant
Clean and comfortable. Great prices and a wonderful tasting & filling meal. I can't say enough. The service was friendly and warm. The meal was delicious! I had a chicken con-don bleu which was done their way and very good indeed Only $7.99. Couldn't ask for a better price. They also served two slices of blueberry bread and a cup of cinamin apples for dessert.
Naples Affordable Waterfront Restaurant
by deecat about Buzz's Lighthouse Restaurant
Even though water is everywhere in Naples in the form of canals, inlets, and the coastline, I did not see many restaurants located on water; the ones that were happened to be quite expensive. Then, I came across, Buzz's Lighthouse Restaurant, which is located in North Naples' priciest real estate; however it seemed quite old-fashioned..its a wooden structure located at the end of Vanderbuilt Beach Road, about a block north on Gulfshore Drive.
It's a casual seafood restaurant that overlooks the waters of Vanderbilt Lagoon. When I first saw it, I thought that it was kind of "kitschy". There's a long ramp to the door, which is striped with pastel colored slats that are cut into a lighthouse silhouette. One corner of the restaurant is a wooden lighthouse that's kind of weather beaten.
The best thing besides the water location is the prices charged. For instance, a five ounce lobster tail with a baked potato [butter and sour cream] and coleslaw only costs about $14.00 [one of the highest prices in the whole place. The menu has a list of sandwiches, broiled or fried seafood plates, and the usual appetizers. The soft drinks and iced teas come in plastic cups. The sandwiches are oversized and tantalizing. Don't be on any kind of diet when you eat here.
One drawback is the parking situation. It has a very small parking lot, and all around is no where else to park.
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There were flocks of vultures on this tree!
The girls on the jetskis!!
Pelican Perched at Tin City
Allan Beside a Specie of Palm Tree
