Once Memorial Day rolls around, it seems like everyone and their mother has Florida on their mind for the next few months.
The Sunshine State is world-renowned, often viewed as the next best thing to the Caribbean, where white-sand shores and vivid blue waters are just as beautiful in real life as they are on your screensaver.
But with the state being so oddly-shaped, it makes for expansive stretches of both the Gulf and Atlantic — and both sides boast pristine paradise from top to bottom.
Though there’s one popular getaway I had the pleasure of visiting that’s often mistaken as just another Florida hideaway, where retirees have every pickleball court reserved before a normal person even has their cup of coffee.
As our pals at Afar recently revealed, that’s simply not the case.
Yes, Naples does have plenty of seniors living out their golden years, but that doesn’t mean it’s always a sleepy town with nothing to do after watching a fiery sunset over the Gulf.
Plus, one of the most enticing aspects of Naples is how safe it is — a far cry from Miami’s vices.
Old Naples Will Be Your New Favorite Hangout
Be sure to check the latest Travel Alerts before your trip.
Naples may have a ritzy reputation, but Old Naples is where the city finally drops the country-club persona and becomes fun to explore.
This is the beating heart of town, where swaying-palm streets lead to breezy sidewalk cafes, stylish boutiques, art galleries, seafood spots, and vintage ice cream shops alone can take up your afternoon.
Fifth Avenue South is the obvious starting point, chock-full of restaurants and patio seating, while Third Street South brings a more tucked-away, old-money-meets-beach-town with plentiful shops, shaded courtyards, and easy access to the beach.
Best of all, you don’t need much of a plan.
Grab a coffee, wander past pastel storefronts and tropical decor, pop into a gallery you definitely can’t afford, then cap off the day with a fresh seafood dinner, hand-crafted drinks, or a sunset walk by the Gulf of….whatever you wanna call it at this point.
Naples may be known for an older crowd, but Old Naples isn’t that kind of “old” at all, proving the city still knows how to keep visitors entertained long after pickleball and Bingo end.
According to Afar, who just published a lengthy guide, these Old Naples spots are an absolute must-visit:
- Jane’s Cafe on 3rd
- Books on Third
- Third Street Farmer’s Market
- Inn on Fifth
- Gelato & Co.
Naples Is Florida’s Safest City
Jacksonville is rough around the edges, Miami is, well, Miami, Orlando isn’t just a playground for kids, and Key West can get a bit rowdy since Happy Hour never seems to end.
So, what does that leave?
Naples.
If you’ve been an avid reader, you may be aware of Travel Off Path’s very own Safety Index tool, showing real-time safety levels for over 300 destinations around the world, as reported by fellow travelers like you.
We hold Naples in such high regard that it made the cut, and the people have spoken!
Scoring an impressive 90/100 — a grade I rarely achieved throughout my education — Naples is considered one of the safest cities in America.
Think about it — retirees wouldn’t be paying Naples’ upscale prices if it weren’t a literal safe haven.
According to NeighborhoodScout, your chances of falling victim to a violent crime is 1 in 917.
Math may not be my strong suit, but I’d take those odds. Wouldn’t you?
For sample size, Florida’s next safest city is indeed aforementioned Key West with an 85/100 score.
Slow down on the margs, people…
Naples’ Beautiful Beaches Are For Everyone
Naples isn’t just vacation rentals with 55+ discounts.
There are multiple luxurious resorts all the way down to your favorite chain hotel.
In other words, it may be a lil’ bougee, but it’s not West Palm Beach.
Like you’d expect on the Florida side of the Gulf, Naples is gleaming with white-sand coastline and vibrant bluish-green waters depending on the weather, which you know is typically sunny with the exception of “hurricane season”.
Better yet, the Gulf is one of the best options for a beach vacation since every beachgoer’s worst nightmare right now is an icky brown algae called sargassum, that’s been invading some vacationer’s favorite getaways from Cancun to Florida’s Atlantic side.
The good news is the Gulf doesn’t tend to see nearly as big of an invasion ruining your photo ops, shoreline strolls, or jet-skiing excursions.
