Naples, Florida — beaches, 5th Avenue, and the best dining on the Gulf.
Forty minutes west of Ave Maria, Naples is the most polished small city in Southwest Florida — white-sand beaches, palm-lined 5th Avenue South, and one of the highest-rated restaurant scenes in the state.
5th Avenue dinner after a Naples Pier sunset.
Be on the pier 30 minutes before posted sunset. When the last sliver of sun drops, walk five blocks east to 5th Avenue South — Bar Tulia for small plates, Campiello for a patio table. It's the single best evening you can plan in Southwest Florida.
Known for
Naples Pier, 5th Avenue South dining, Mercato shopping, Vanderbilt Beach, Naples Botanical Garden, and Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens.
Why visit
Sunset at Naples Pier is the ritual every Southwest Florida resident does at least once a season. Add a 5th Avenue dinner, a morning at the Botanical Garden, and a stroll through Mercato and you've got the perfect day trip from Ave Maria.
Top attractions
The iconic 1,000-foot pier at the end of 12th Avenue South — best sunset in the city.
Ten blocks of restaurants, galleries, and boutiques. Fully walkable.
170 acres of tropical gardens — the Brazilian Garden is a must.
Family favorite with primate boat tours and big cat feedings.
Wide white sand and the Turtle Club for lunch — get there before 10 AM in winter.
5th Avenue's quieter, more historic sibling — gorgeous courtyards and Tommy Bahama original.
Where locals eat
Restaurants our drivers actually recommend.
Italian-leaning seafood on 3rd Street South — every Naples regular's special-occasion pick.
Wood-grilled Italian classics with the best patio on 3rd Street.
Modern Italian small plates on 5th Avenue — go early or reserve.
Steakhouse + raw bar with a piano lounge — pure old-Naples energy.
Asian-fusion seafood beloved by locals for the miso broiled sea bass.
Waterfront seafood by the City Dock — kid-friendly and gorgeous at sunset.
Hour-by-hour, the way we'd plan it.
- 19:00 AM
Leave Ave Maria — coffee at The Bean for the road.
- 210:00 AM
Vanderbilt or Lowdermilk Beach — beat the parking crunch.
- 312:30 PM
Lunch at The Dock at Crayton Cove on the water.
- 42:00 PM
Stroll 3rd Street South or the Naples Botanical Garden.
- 55:30 PM
Sunset on Naples Pier — bring a light layer.
- 67:00 PM
Dinner on 5th Avenue South — reserve Bar Tulia or Campiello.
Getting here from Ave Maria
Naples rides from Ave Maria are bundled into our $90 RSW / Naples / Fort Myers / Bonita Springs flat rate. Door-to-door — no parking, no surge pricing.
Local Pro Tips
- Sunset at Naples Pier — be on the boards 30 minutes before posted sunset and bring a jacket in winter.
- 5th Avenue parking is metered and tight in season (Nov–Apr). Ave Rides drops you at the door.
- Best beach access without paying for parking: Lowdermilk Park or the public end of Vanderbilt Beach.
- Mercato has free covered parking and the best evening dining cluster outside downtown.
- Naples Botanical Garden is gorgeous and shaded — perfect for the hottest part of a summer afternoon.
Frequently asked questions.
How long is the drive from Ave Maria to Naples?
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About 40 minutes via Oil Well Road and Immokalee Road — slightly longer in season (December–April).
What does a ride to Naples cost?
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$90 flat rate from Ave Maria, covering the same trip to/from RSW, Bonita Springs, and Fort Myers — no surge, no per-mile add-ons.
What's the best Naples beach for families?
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Lowdermilk Park has restrooms, a playground, and lifeguards. Vanderbilt Beach is wider and quieter.
Where should we eat on 5th Avenue South?
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Bar Tulia for small plates, Campiello for Italian, The Continental for steak. Always reserve in season.
Need a ride to or from Naples?
Flat-rate pricing. Local drivers. Book in seconds.