When you’re looking for a place to enjoy award-winning restaurants, top-rated beaches, and extraordinary shopping to top it all off in style, a trip to Naples never fails to impress. With its year-round amazing weather and vibrant culture, Naples is a place on the map that has a way of bringing first-time visitors back time and again with good reason. All that said, it’s also a place where history buffs will find their fill of opportunities to connect with the past. If you’re heading this way and excited to learn more about how Naples became the locale it is today, there are seemingly endless options to add to your lineup. Here’s what to expect on a History Buff Journey to Naples.
Day 1: Enjoy Time at the Collier County Museum
The first day of our history buff journey to Naples should most definitely focus on time well-spent at the Collier County Museum. If you have a passion for pursuing stories of the past, this destination is packed with impressive information, artifacts, and insight. The museum is set up to showcase the region’s history through exhibits and displays that focus on everything from the original Seminole tribe that called the lands here home to the subsequent arrival of pioneers and settlers who shaped the modern landscape. You’ll encounter more than 10,000 years of history on-site, making the Collier Museum a captivating place where it’s fair to say you might just end up lingering longer than you originally planned!
Collier County Museum
3331 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, Florida
239-252-8476
Day 2: Explore the Revs Institute
If you happen to be a traveler heading to Naples in the name of a history-focused journey, but your passion lies with all things automobiles, the Revs Institute is the place for you. This local non-profit organization hosts over 100 classic and modern automobiles spanning a timeline that stretches from 1896 through the mid-1990s. When you decide to spend time here, you’ll come face-to-face with makes and models that define some of the rarest vehicles ever to hit the market. The Revs Institute is set up to put a lens on automobiles that have been innovative and important to the trajectory of the automotive industry over time. Whether you’re a car aficionado or someone who just loves to get up close to amazing machinery, this is a stop that’s well worth adding to your itinerary.
The Revs Institute
2500 Horseshoe Drive South, Naples, Florida
239-687-7387
Day 3: Tour the Historic Palm Cottage
Yet another must-visit on the history-focused getaway list in Naples is the Historic Palm Cottage in town. This stop is a breathtaking example of the historic charm that can still be enjoyed in Naples and when you want to experience it at its best, a guided tour is the way to go. Tours of the Historic Palm Cottage are led by docents who provide insights into the building’s construction, occupants and many uses over time. The cottage spans two stories and was built by one of the founding residents of the city of Naples, Walter N. Haldeman. During a tour of the cottage, you’ll enjoy original and donated era-specific art dating back to 1895. You’ll want to reserve your place in advance when you tour this site which enjoys a place on the National Register of Historic Places.
Historic Palm Cottage, Educational HQ
137 12th Avenue South, Naples, Florida
239-261-8164
Day 4: Book Your Place on a Historic Walking Tour of Town
For a comprehensive overview of Naples’ history, booking your place on a historic walking tour while you’re here is always the right choice. These tours are about 90 minutes long and are hosted by the Naples Historical Society. These Blue Zone-approved tours take guests on a stroll through the Historic District and focus on some of the most beautifully maintained private and historic homes in the area. You’ll learn about the first Neapolitans, the Calusa, and 19th-century residents of the region along the way. There are opportunities to learn more about the storied past of the Naples Pier and step foot on the spot where the Old Naples Hotel once stood. Walking tours typically begin at 9:30 am and you’ll check in at the Historic Palm Cottage.
Naples Historical Society
137 12th Avenue South, Naples, Florida
239-261-8164
Book Your Stay in Naples in Style Today
We hope you enjoyed our Naples history buff journey guide. There’s never been a better time than right now to turn your travel plans into a reality. When you’re excited to explore Naples and want to make sure luxury, comfort, convenience, and quality are all defining characteristics of your accommodations, make sure to partner with the professionals at Naples Vacation Properties. Reach out today to learn more about our exciting and inviting lineup of vacation rental options available across Naples and how we can help you create an unforgettable adventure in Florida. We’re happy to handle the details of your accommodations so you can focus exclusively on the fun ahead and we look forward to seeing you in Naples soon!