Try These 10 Things To Do In Southwest Florida This Summer

We’re emerging from a global pandemic, and the world really will never be the same.

It has made everyone appreciate life more, from live concerts to food, to visiting friends and family.

And the pandemic has made us appreciate what we have in southwest Florida with a slew of places to see and visit.

We’ve rounded up some of our top Collier County spots for this summer. Here are a few places to check out.

Listen:Five Unusual Things You May Not Know About Collier County

AND:Fort Myers artist Marcus Jansen, shown across Europe, is finally getting SWFL museum exhibit

Where:

Back to the water: Closed for the pandemic in 2020, the popular Collier County water park will reopen in July. Located at 15000 Livingston Road in North Naples, the park features water slides, a lazy river, kiddy pools, and more. Admission: $ 11 Collier County residents (must present valid Florida drivers license with Collier address); $ 6 each under 48 inches tall; free of charge from 0 to 3 years old; $ 9 seniors 60 years and older; $ 8 veterans. The costs do not include 7% sales tax. napleswaterpark.com or 239-252-4021

Cool off with works by a local artist: The Baker Museum at Artis — Naples is home to some of Southwest Florida’s finest artwork, and allows you to stay cool as you go out during the summer months. And you can enjoy the work of internationally known artist Marcus Jansen, who lives in Fort Myers and New York. His exhibition “Two Decades of Relevance” in the museum runs until July 25th. The museum is located at 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. Admission: $ 10 ($ 5 for full-time students and the military, free for ages 17 and over). COVID rules: masks and social distancing required. 239-597-1111 or artisnaples.org/baker-museum

Take a visual tour of the garden: Philadelphia-born Steve Tobin has been creating nature-based sculptures for more than three decades. His art, exploring the invisible force of nature, is on display at the Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive, through September 6th. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free for members. Non-Members: $ 20 adults, $ 10 children 4-17 years, and free for children 3 and under. 239-643-7275 or naplesgarden.org

Discover the real Florida:A 2019 one-hour documentary featured the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center in East Naples. The attraction at 300 Tower Road in Naples reopened on May 17 after it closed last year at the height of the pandemic. The current art exhibition is titled Rediscover Rookery Bay and is open until August 6th. It shows three works each by local photographers Dennis Goodman, Jean Hall and Martin Strasmore as well as the painters Paul Arsenault, Muffy Clark Gill and Dora Knuteson. The opening times are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $ 8 for adults and $ 5 for children ages 6-12. More at rookerybay.org or 239-530-5972.

Marking the sands of time: Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park turned 50 in 2020 and has been a gem for beach goers, nature lovers, and others for half a century. Thousands visit the park every year to swim, barbecue, fish, sunbathe, enjoy the diverse wildlife, go for walks, shoot, get married and much more. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. The cost is $ 6 per vehicle. Visit floridastateparks.org or call 239-597-6196 to find out more.

Three decades of dreaming came true:The Gordon River Greenway opened in 2013, a place to get away from the city without traveling too far. Go for a walk, ride a bike or kayak, take your dog on or along the scenic landscape daily from 6.30 a.m. to 10 p.m. There are 3 m wide paths and 3 m wide raised wooden walkways. Toilets and other amenities available. 1596 Golden Gate Parkway; 239-252-4000 or gordonrivergreenway.org

Where the wild things are: The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary offers a unique nature walk. Stroll down the 4 km long promenade and see what you won’t see? Advance online reservations required, no walk-ins and no entry after 1:15 pm. For more information, visit corkscrew.audubon.org or call 239-348-9151.

Miracle revealed: Fakahatchee Strand State Park in Copeland is the largest state park in Florida at 120 square miles. Florida is more than Disney World, pink flamingos, and alligators, although some might be seen here. The park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to sunset and costs $ 3 per vehicle. Visit orchidswamp.org or call 239-695-1023

Revs roars with new managing director, more space: If you like cars, really cool ones from the last century or more, you’re in luck. The Revs Institute may not look like much from the outside, but the inside counts. Among the top auto museums in the US (and possibly the world). Take a break from the summer heat and travel back in time. Reservations required. revsinstitute.org or 239-687-7387

It’s a boy! The Naples Zoo welcomes the latest addition: Naples Zoo is a great zoo to spend a morning or afternoon exploring animals from around the world. You can buy tickets online for express entry. Zoo opening times: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., last entry is 3:30 p.m. napleszoo.org or 239-262-5409

Dave Osborn is the regional features editor for the Naples Daily News and News-Press. Follow him on Instagram @ detroitdave88 and on Twitter @NDN_dosborn.

See similar https://www.naplesnews.com/story/life/2021/06/04/best-things-do-naples-bonita-southwest-florida-summer/7508182002/

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