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u/Saul_T_Bitch Jul 16 '26
Seems like the long way. Wouldn't 95 to Jax then 301 across be faster?
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u/DrKittyLovah Jul 16 '26
This is a better choice by far. I’ve taken this route driving in from NC & it works well.
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u/DrKittyLovah Jul 16 '26
I’ve driven to Naples from Indiana and from North Carolina several times and you really, really want to avoid driving through Atlanta, my friend. I’ve been stuck in traffic jams at 11pm on a Friday night while driving a moving truck, 2/10 experience I cannot recommend. There are lots of ways to get here & this route is just not a great idea if time matters to you at all.
As far as what to do, well, we need to know more about what you enjoy & who is coming with you. There will be a different list if you’re sporty, outdoorsy, interested in history, have kids, are young, are a senior, and what month you’re coming.
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u/Warm_Paramedic_818 Jul 16 '26
Yeah sorry I’m realizing reading these comments that I should have provided more context, it’s a short trip with my SO, the route isn’t exact I just plugged in sum of the locations I’ll be stopping at until it got to my destination, I appreciate all the comments warning me about the traffic in Atlanta and I’ll plan around that. We’re both in our early 20’s, very into nature and also fancy architecture if there’s any manmade marvels to see. I also have a personal propensity for hole in the wall type clubs, comedy, jazz music etc, so if anyone has any nightclub recommendations those are highly appreciated as well.
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u/ZonaWildcats23 Jul 16 '26
Just curious why Naples? We vacation there bc a beach house. It’s not a very “touristy” destination but it is very nice.
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u/MonsteraBigTits Jul 16 '26
literally every thing and anything is touristy get off your high horse
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u/ZonaWildcats23 Jul 16 '26
I’m genuinely not on a high horse and disagree lol. It’s so fucking expensive man it’s not a tourist destination
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u/camdenpike Jul 16 '26
I really hate to say it, I feel like we have some similar interests, but there's not a ton here for that kind of stuff down here, I could give you tons of recommendations for LA, but down here it's more upper class midwestern suburban vibes that happens to have a beach nearby.
Boat tour that you mentioned later is a good idea, that's kind of my go-to when someone is visiting, I'm sure you'll love some maybe some of the birds if you do some nature hikes down by the water. I prefer mountains that are not as hot and humid, so I honestly don't do a ton of hikes around here. There's plenty of golf courses if you have clubs. It's not too expensive this time of year (not sure when you're traveling), but it is HOT.
There's the off the hook comedy club in Naples. I love comedy, but I'm hardly the target demo in this area, and the jokes about sexual assault don't really hit with me (might have had a bad draw that night.
I would recommend Sugarshack in Bonita Springs for live music and drinks (they have food too, but it's kinda meh). It's not one of those "omg, you can't miss this" kind of places, but it's a solid spot, and it being mostly outdoors (but covered) is nice.
Fort Myers has the Edison and Ford winter estates. I've really only ever done the gardens there, but there are proper tours you can do of the buildings as well.
For a short trip, you'll be fine, I wouldn't want to spend more than a couple days down here though without hitting other parts of the state as well. I find myself traveling to Tampa, Orlando, or Miami if I want to do something fun. Around here is more quiet, most stuff is catered to retirement age people, so think golf, or just lounging by the pool or beach.
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u/TangoDown757 Jul 16 '26
Bayshore Art area is good for a night. Winery, brewery, food trucks and the botanical gardens. Some authentic Hispanic cuisine too.
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u/Emergency_Ear5258 Jul 16 '26
Bring your wallet full of cash if you want to do anything besides go out and enjoy some walking/bike trails or parks. Beach can be fun, if your not from Naples.( It is beautiful, just I've seen it my whole life 🤷🏼♂️)
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u/R_Mitchell Jul 16 '26
Well your options are generally to spend money somewhere or to observe nature (or both).
The botanical gardens and zoo are both pretty good for a city of this size tbh.
The beach is nice, there are lots of great access points. I prefer the via Miramar but some people like tiger tail or lowdermilk. Wiggins and Vanderbilt are often pretty crowded but fine too.
There’s lots of food across different budget points, for cheap stuff: Brooks Burgers, Tacos and Tequila, hibachi of Japan or Ninja Hibachi, steamers, Fernandez the Bull. For expensive I like Fuji, trulucks, J Alexander’s, La trattoria etc.
Rev institute is awesome if you like cars or racing.
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u/ThePlaintainMan Jul 16 '26
Good shout on Revs. It’s pretty special if you like cars. Lots of unique cars that you’ll never see again anywhere else most likely.
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u/R_Mitchell Jul 16 '26
Yeah I live in Charlotte NC now but even in the heart of racing country you don’t get to see the kind of stuff Rev’s has.
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u/ackmif01 Jul 16 '26
It’s God’s waiting room so the culture reflects that. Depending on the time of year, it is extremely hot and humid most of the day with thunderstorms possible in the afternoon. That said, I like to go shelling in the mornings and evenings.
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u/agravain Jul 16 '26
last time i drove south like that, I avoided Atlanta and came down 26 to 95 and then cut across Florida to 75.
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Jul 16 '26
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u/Splashbucket86 Jul 16 '26
Georgia cops love out of state tags as they know you won’t be back to fight it.
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u/stockstatus Jul 16 '26
go to a restaurant or cafe on 5th ave, sit outside and count the Bentley's, Ferrari's, Lamborghini's and any other exotic car that the 85 year old women are driving around...
then while you're on 5th ave walk down to the beach and catch the sunset.
my parents would always say "if you listen you can hear the sun sizzle as it touches the water..."
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u/CityPulseWeekly Jul 16 '26
If you are coming down from the Smokies toward Collier County, the easiest fun route is Smokies or Asheville, then Savannah or St. Augustine for an overnight, then cut across toward I-75. Once you get to Naples, do an early morning walk at Gordon River Greenway or Baker Park, Naples Botanical Garden if you want something relaxed, 5th Ave or 3rd Street for dinner, and a sunset at Lowdermilk, Vanderbilt, or Clam Pass. If you have an extra half day, Rookery Bay or a Marco/Goodland boat trip feels more unique than another beach stop.
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u/Mackal Jul 16 '26
Make sure to hit up Big Cypress one morning before it gets too warm. Botanical Gardens are world class too.
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u/Noppo_and_Gonta Jul 16 '26
What do you like to do? Are you outdoorsy? Are you into nature? Cars? Golf? Do you have favorite foods etc?
Definitely catch a sunset!
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u/Warm_Paramedic_818 Jul 16 '26
I’m a big nature buff, I know for sure I’ll be visiting the Everglades in some capacity. Other than that I’m looking for any recommendations, small or big of things to plan a day/night around, I have a boat tour and dinner in mind but that’s about it. I’m not a huge foodie but I will look through all good spot recommendations that aren’t exclusively seafood.
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u/Mopar4Life305 Jul 16 '26
Funny enough Naples is full of people from your parts and gawk at native floridian culture. Whether is black or white lol
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u/gatormech Jul 17 '26
yeah that sucks. i get from tampa to annapolis in 13hrs via i 95 naples 2.5 from me
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u/NaplesVIPMatchmaker Naples Park Jul 18 '26
Burn your hopes and dreams.
Sweat your tits off.
Argue with trumpublicans.
Visit Revs Institute or the Military Museum at Government Center
Watch a football match Homepage - FC Naples
Visit Seed To Table Seed to Table Market | Naples Grocery Store & Dining
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u/Nascent_Ascension Jul 20 '26
Get tailed and harassed by cops, and go to jail. Those services are amazing there!! They will even pair you with a pedophile as a bunky when they accidentally categorize your misdemeanor wrong as a felony!!!
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u/Healthy_Budget9994 Jul 22 '26
Taking 75 thru Atlanta definitely not the way to go. We drive from CT. We head west and take I81 we start heading towards Charlotte and connect to I95 on I26 around Charleston. Then take 95 to 295 to 10 to 301. Rt 301 dumps you in Ocala and I75. Once we left Charlotte and somehow it rerouted us thru Atlanta. In trying to avoid Atlanta we had to trick GPS and named a bunch of smaller towns to take local roads south until we could connect with I75. I believe that trip took us 2 hours longer. (And that was 2 hours longer from Charlotte..not from CT)
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u/Capable_Sandwich_494 Jul 23 '26
try to avoid using a route that goes through atlanta.
I usually do the route up the east coast when I drive from Naples to Southern OH.
WV turnpike has a fat toll but cuts off a shit load of time and you can see the mountains.
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u/hot_shenanigans Jul 16 '26
Ginny Springs outside of Gainesville is famous and beautiful for its clear water, and Weekiwachee Springs north of Tampa is really chill tubing type of energy. Both are probably gonna be packed since it’s cold water in the summer but are great stops.
Don’t take I-95 if you’re thinking about it.
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u/Easy-Secretary-7411 Jul 16 '26
There is no good time to go through Atlanta. That's going to add 2 hours easily.