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.

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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

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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.

Full Ave Maria guide Book a ride to Ave Maria

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.

Full Naples guide Book a ride to Naples

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.

Full Bonita Springs guide Book a ride to Bonita Springs

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.

Full Fort Myers guide Book a ride to Fort Myers

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.

Full Estero guide Book a ride to Estero

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.

Full Marco Island guide Book a ride to Marco Island

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.

Full Immokalee guide Book a ride to Immokalee

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.

Full North Naples guide Book a ride to North Naples

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.

Full Golden Gate guide Book a ride to Golden Gate

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