by Mille Tappe

Created on: May 31, 2008   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

The good times roll year-round in Naples, Florida. It's a hotbed of activity, offering something for every taste. Whether you are a fan of sports, art, food, or music, you won't be disappointed in this town.

Here are ten tickets to surefire enjoyment in beautiful Naples.

1. If you're a seafood lover, you know you're going to eat well in Florida. The state's finest is served up on the first weekend of February at the Everglades Seafood Festival. Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, this celebration gives you lots of options for burning off the calories afterwards, with music, plays and exhibits to tour, all over town.

2. If you haven't enjoyed theatre in an outdoor setting, you haven't lived. Hit the Koreshan State Historic Site in November for one or more of their terrific series of plays.

3. Whether you or not you're a golf fan, you have to show a little love to the Mike Ditka and Jim Hart Celebrity Golf Invitational, as all of its parties, lunches, auctions, and of course the tournament, are a fundraiser for low income families. Held each April.

4. Don't miss the Art Fair held every New Year's weekend on 5th Avenue. This is a juried show of work selected from across the country, so the calibre of art is top notch. Bonus: the artists are in attendance and welcome questions about their work. And yes, the art is for sale.

5. Four words: free ice cream sundaes. Sugden Regional Park. July.

6. Holiday shopping will be easy if you take advantage of the Immokalee Ceramics Studio's exhibition and sale, held the first week of December at the Florida Gulf Coast University Arts Complex.

7. The Kayak Fishing Classic is always a treat. Check it out at the Big Hickory Fishing Nook in May.

8. Hot jazz! Or is it cool jazz? Either way, you should find yourself at the Naples Beach Hotel in September for their Summer Jazz on the Gulf event, as much for the surroundings as for the music.

9. While there's lots happening around Naples during March, if you can only choose one outing, you have to make it the Swamp Buggy Races. Be sure to take in the Queen's Mud Bath. Trust us on this. First weekend of the March at Florida Sports Park.

10. Celebrate the beauty of the strings at a recital which caps off a workshop for string musicians. Held at the Daniels Pavilion each June, this concert is sponsored by the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts.

Learn more about this author, Mille Tappe.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.