The Most Beautiful Drive in the World

I am calling this The Most Beautiful Drive in the World

aka Le Tour de Naples.

Follow Me for Fun!!!

So, do you have an hour?  Are you new to Naples and want to see some of the best this City has to offer?  Have you been here forever  and just want to relive some of the best parts of Old Naples?  Or, maybe you want to impress that person sitting beside you……follow me, this is a wonderful ride!!

Where to start?  Meet me at Mooring Line Drive and U.S. 41………We head west from here into the original Moorings, an older area of town that has lovely homes, larger than average lots and some waterfront.  We drive up and over a small bridge with a waterway that leads out to the Gulf of Mexico…..look for boats, some lovely condo buildings and a quick view of the Gulf……the road turns south and one of the quirky things we have already talked about……the road name changes from Mooring Line Drive to Gulf Shore Boulevard……We are heading south with condos on the left, some original…….and the Gulf on our right, sometimes behind condos.

Depending on when you do this drive, there will be bikers, joggers, families with children sharing the road.  The City of Naples has done its best to keep everyone safe……….a huge number of people, local and tourists, are out enjoying what the town and weather have to offer………..be careful…….. if you are not part of this biking/walking/jogging scene, you may be soon!

Our first point of interest on the right is Lowdermilk Park, a public park on the Gulf………..it is heavily used, beautiful, has restrooms……The City does a great job of maintaining its parks and public places!

Still heading south on Gulf Shore Blvd, you will see more condos on the right, these are on the beach……there is not as much public access here, but there are walkways thru to the beach.  Our next point of interest is the Naples Beach Club, the oldest hotel in Naples although it was originally in a different location in the 3^rd Street area.  It is one of the few places where there are restaurants/bar on the Gulf………a lovely place for a happy hour and to watch the sunset!

Continuing south, crossing many avenues that all end at the Gulf and have public access to the beach, we arrive at 12^th Avenue South……on your right is Naples Pier, a Naples landmark!!

There is public parking here and this is a great time for a walk out the pier!  This is just one of many fun people-watching places in town………..

Head south from here until you come to the end of Gulf Shore Blvd…….. when you see these signs

Take a hard left, travel one block, turn right onto Gordon Drive.  You have already seen incredible homes, condos, estates……get ready to see more………the homes on your right mostly have properties that extend to the Gulf of Mexico…..the homes on the left once you are past Aqualane Shores are in Port Royal, a seriously prestigious area of Naples………..here, the lots are large, most homes are on waterways that lead out to Naples Bay and the Gulf………..you will see original homes, well, a few……….many of the older homes have been replaced………..

At the end of Gordon Drive, you are forced into a u-turn, you have reached the southern tip of Naples……….continue back along Gordon Drive until you get to 15^th Avenue South, turn right here, then left on 3^rd Street and you have arrived at the 3rd Street shopping and dining area………..on Saturdays the roads are blocked for a farmer’s market………….the roads are also closed occasionally for special events.

 

Continue through the 3^rd Street area staying on 3^rd Street just for a block or two…………Then, turn right on 12^th Avenue South and continue until you reach Crayton Cove…………there is a rotary here with a large flag pole in the center……here you will find access to the Naples City Dock……….. another spot that is well worth a walk………..this is the hub for charter fishing, sightseeing boats………and, there are shops and restaurants here worth a visit.

Let’s head back out from the dock, turn right at the rotary onto 8^th Street South…….pay attention while we take another right onto Broad Avenue, in a block turn right onto 9^th Street South so we can jog out and around the Cove Inn………….here is another beautiful view of Naples Bay…………people love the Cove Inn Coffee Shoppe……..another one of the places with views of boats and water………….

We’re almost at the end of our tour………loop around and out of the Cove area………back onto 9^th Street South………..immediately on your right you come to Naples Landings Park, a public boat launch area on Naples Bay

Continue to 8^th Avenue South where we turn left at the Gulfshore Playhouse and Cambier Park………….this park is heavily used for tennis, playground, outdoor concerts, art shows, a gem in downtown Naples!  Turn right on East Lake Drive……..this brings you to our famous 5th Avenue shopping district AND my Coldwell Banker office on your left…………Feel free to stop in and say hello!  You can also let me know if you disagree with me about this drive we just did together…..Wasn’t that THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DRIVE IN THE WORLD?