Ave Rides
Cities & Neighborhoods

The places we ride to and from, every day.

Local insights — what each town is known for, where to eat, and what to do — written by people who live in Ave Maria and drive Southwest Florida.

Ave Rides serves every town in Collier County and beyond. Each card below has the basics — distance, what to do, where to eat, and a local pro tip — so you can plan a day trip or know what to expect on your ride. Tap "Book a Ride" on any city to get started.

Ave Maria

Our home base — a planned town built around the Oratory.

0 mi — you're home

Ave Maria University, the Oratory of Ave Maria, Town Center cafes, and a walkable, family-first community in eastern Collier County.

Highlights
  • · The Oratory of Ave Maria
  • · Town Center / La Piazza
  • · Ave Maria University campus
  • · Publix-anchored Park of Commerce
Where to eat
  • · The Bean of Ave Maria (coffee)
  • · Tropical Smoothie Café
  • · Pulcinella Italian Restaurant
  • · Oasis Café
What to do
  • · Sunday Mass at the Oratory
  • · Walk the Annunciation Circle
  • · AMU sports & speaker series
  • · Holiday Market & Tree Lighting
Pro tip: Golf carts and electric scooters are the easiest way to move around town — Ave Rides rents both.

Naples

Beaches, 5th Avenue South, and Mercato shopping.

~30 mi west
~40 min

Naples Pier, 5th Avenue South dining, Mercato shopping district, Vanderbilt Beach, and one of the highest-rated restaurant scenes in Florida.

Highlights
  • · Naples Pier
  • · 5th Avenue South
  • · Mercato
  • · Naples Botanical Garden
  • · Naples Zoo
Where to eat
  • · Sea Salt
  • · Campiello
  • · Bar Tulia
  • · The Continental
What to do
  • · Sunset at Naples Pier
  • · Shop 5th Avenue South
  • · Naples Botanical Garden
  • · Mercato evening dining
Pro tip: Parking on 5th Avenue South is metered and tight in season — Ave Rides drops you at the door.

Bonita Springs

Coconut Point, Bonita Beach, and easy Coastland access.

~45 mi northwest
~55 min

Bonita Beach, Coconut Point shopping village, and the Promenade at Bonita Bay — a quieter Naples-to-Fort-Myers gateway.

Highlights
  • · Coconut Point
  • · Bonita Beach
  • · Promenade at Bonita Bay
  • · Riverside Park concerts
Where to eat
  • · Survey Café
  • · Roy's Restaurant
  • · Doc's Beach House
What to do
  • · Bonita Beach sunset
  • · Coconut Point shopping & dining
  • · Naples Botanical Garden (15 min south)
Pro tip: Bonita Beach parking fills early in winter — go before 10 AM or after 3 PM.

Fort Myers

Downtown River District, Edison & Ford Estates, and RSW Airport.

~50 mi northwest
~1h

The historic River District, Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers Beach, and Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).

Highlights
  • · Edison & Ford Winter Estates
  • · Downtown River District
  • · Fort Myers Beach (Times Square)
  • · JetBlue Park (Red Sox spring training)
Where to eat
  • · Izzy's Fish & Oyster
  • · Ford's Garage
  • · The Veranda
What to do
  • · Edison Estates tour
  • · River District art walk
  • · Fort Myers Beach sunset
  • · Manatee Park
Pro tip: RSW pickups/drop-offs are a flat $90 via Ave Rides — same price as Naples or Bonita.

Estero

Coconut Point, Miromar Outlets, and FGCU.

~50 mi northwest
~1h

Coconut Point shopping, Miromar Outlets, Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), and Hertz Arena (Florida Everblades hockey).

Highlights
  • · Coconut Point
  • · Miromar Outlets
  • · FGCU campus
  • · Hertz Arena
Where to eat
  • · Pinchers Crab Shack
  • · Bonefish Grill
  • · RusTeak
What to do
  • · Miromar Outlets shopping
  • · Coconut Point evening dining
  • · Everblades game at Hertz Arena
Pro tip: Miromar Outlets has Florida's biggest outlet selection — the best sales hit Friday mornings.

Marco Island

South Marco Beach, Tigertail, and family resorts.

~55 mi southwest
~1h 10min

Crescent Beach, Tigertail Beach, JW Marriott Marco Island, and one of the calmest, family-friendliest beaches in Southwest Florida.

Highlights
  • · South Marco Beach
  • · Tigertail Beach Lagoon
  • · Marco Island Historical Museum
  • · Cape Romano dome homes (boat tour)
Where to eat
  • · Sale e Pepe
  • · CJ's on the Bay
  • · The Snook Inn
What to do
  • · Shelling at Tigertail
  • · Sunset cruise from Rose Marina
  • · Eagle Lakes nature trails
Pro tip: Resident parking permits at South Beach — Ave Rides drops you at the public access point.

Immokalee

Seminole Casino and the agricultural heart of Collier County.

~20 mi north
~25 min

Seminole Casino Immokalee, Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch, and the agricultural backbone of Southwest Florida farming.

Highlights
  • · Seminole Casino Immokalee
  • · Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch
  • · Lake Trafford airboat tours
Where to eat
  • · Lucky's Restaurant (Seminole Casino)
  • · 1st Street Café
What to do
  • · Airboat ride on Lake Trafford
  • · Pioneer Museum tour
  • · Casino night out
Pro tip: Lake Trafford airboat tours run earliest in the morning when alligators are most active.

North Naples

Vanderbilt Beach, Mercato, and Waterside Shops.

~35 mi west
~50 min

Vanderbilt Beach, Mercato lifestyle center, Waterside Shops, and Pelican Bay — Naples's residential luxury north end.

Highlights
  • · Vanderbilt Beach
  • · Mercato
  • · Waterside Shops
  • · Naples Grande Beach Resort
Where to eat
  • · The Capital Grille (Waterside)
  • · Masa
  • · Bravo! Italian
What to do
  • · Vanderbilt Beach swim & sunset
  • · Mercato evening + Silverspot Cinema
  • · Waterside luxury shopping
Pro tip: Vanderbilt Beach parking garage fills by 10 AM in winter — Ave Rides is the easier option.

Golden Gate

Quiet residential gateway between Ave Maria and Naples.

~25 mi west
~35 min

Golden Gate City and Golden Gate Estates — sprawling residential neighborhoods, Sugden Park, and easy access to I-75 and the rest of Naples.

Highlights
  • · Sugden Regional Park
  • · Golden Gate Community Park
  • · Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park (nearby)
Where to eat
  • · Café Roma
  • · Skillets
  • · Patric's Restaurant
What to do
  • · Sugden Park kayaking
  • · Big Corkscrew Park trails
  • · Golden Gate Community Center events
Pro tip: Golden Gate Pkwy is the fastest connector from Ave Maria to Naples beaches.

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