Things To Do In Naples With Kids

Visit The Oldest Pizzeria In The World

15 Fun Things to Do in Naples FL with Kids

Pizza has been around for an incredibly long time but the version we know today is believed to have been invented in Naples in the 18th or 19th century. In 1889, to honour the arrival of the Queen consort of Italy, Margherita of Savoy, a local pizza maker created the Margherita pizza with the colours of the Italian flag present the tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. So Naples will always be the spiritual home of the pizza. Here you can visit what is reportedly the worlds oldest pizzeria, you can try margherita in the city it was invented and you can enjoy trying amazing pizza at every street corner. Whats not to love about that?Read our full review of a visit to Antica Pizzerria Port Alba, Naples the oldest pizzeria in the world here.Rainy day option

Scramble Around An Historic Castle Great Things To Do In Naples With Kids Italy

Castel dellOvo is a wonderful castle set out to sea on the former island of Megaride on the Gulf of Naples and best of all its free to enter. Apart from anything this is a great castle to head to the top of for amazing views across Naples. This is Naples oldest standing fortification and while there may not be much in terms of displays you can tour with a guide for a small charge. There is also an onsite restaurant.

A Minicruise Along The Coastline

Taking a boat tour in the Bay of Naples is fun for kids of all ages. There are endless options, from scenic boat tours that skirt the coastline to dinner at sea beneath the Castel dell’Ovo. If you have a half or full day to dedicate to the bay, you can join a boat tour to the island of Capri, the Amalfi Coast, or other destinations in the Bay of Naples. A boat tour is bound to be the highlight of the trip for both you and your kids!

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Kayak Your Way Through The Rookery Bay Reserve

Photo by Andy Morffew

Take a guided tour of Rookery Bay Reserve either by boat or by kayak to explore the bays, mangrove forests, and wildlife. Families will also enjoy several short walking trails that are marked to help visitors learn about the trees and flowers native to the area.

In the summer, look for free kids programs complete with story times, touch tanks, and crafts.

Look for the best hotel prices in Naples, Florida

Take A Ride On Funicolarecentrale

Funicolare Centrale is one of the longestfuniculars in the world and carries millions of passengers every year. Taking aride on the Central Funicular can be a thrilling thing to do with kids inNaples.

The train ascends at an angle of 30degrees that seems like real adventure. The ride lasts about 5 minutes. At theend of it, you alight at Piazza Vanvitelli a charming square dotted withplenty of gelato shops. You can travel on the funicular with UNICO Napoli TICtickets or ANM tickets.

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Cape Romano Shelling Tour

On our first full day in Naples we actually headed to Marco Island at first for a Cape Romano Shelling Tour with Florida Adventures and Rentals. The tour was two hours and since it was only $40 more for a private tour over the price for the four of us we chose that option and had the whole boat to ourselves. First our Captain took us around the island, telling us about the area and best beaches.

Next we went to one of the sand bars for shelling. We previously went shelling on our trip toFort Myers and Sanibel Island and the girls loved it so much I knew theyd be excited and they were. They got so many shells including sand dollars and claim theyll be making us a mermaid crown out of the shells they collected.

Once they collected all the shells they needed we were off to explore the outer islands. The water near Marco Island is filled with dolphins and we saw a pod of four fishing for lunch. They kept coming up and down and eventually decided to ride our waves from the back of our boat, jumping in and out of the water giving us an amazing show!

Our last stop was to the Dome Houses built in 1981 and inhabited by Bob Lee where he lived in the 6 domes for 10 years. Unfortunately Hurricane Andrew caused great damage to the property and it pretty much became abandoned afterwards. There are now only 4 remaining domes as two were knocked down by Hurricane Irma. This article shows the domes in their prime when Bob actually lived in them.

Gordon River Greenway Park

Gordon River Greenway Park is the perfect thing to do in Naples with kids. There are various types of hiking/biking trails the boardwalk trail, paved trail and uneven trails going into the woods. The park is open from 6:30am-10:00pm with the boardwalk and paved paths lighted in the evenings. During our hike we saw bunnies, Blue Jays, and a tortoise. You can also find bobcats, otters, bald eagles and alligators.

We love hiking and do it on various trips, our favorite has to be the Pedra do Telegrafohike in Rio de Janeiro. We always get our hiking gear from Backcountry, as they have great prices and products from our favorite brands. Its where we got these cute Take a Hike shirts, hiking shorts, and Salamon hiking boots. There arent any water fountains on the trail so be sure to come prepared. We try to avoid bottled water as much as possible and instead carry our Osprey Hydration Backpack. If you end up picking something out from Backcountry use promo code HAMBRICK15 for 15% off your purchase.

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Museo Archeologico Nazionale Di Napoli

This place, which is also called the Naples National Archaeological Museum, is a great place to take the kids and somewhere that adults can enjoy visiting too. It is home to a collection of artifacts that were preserved from the ancient Roman cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii and is a great way too see what the cities used to look like thousands of years ago.

Some of the things here are over 2,000 years old and the exhibits are quite impressive. If your kids really seem to take an interest in the subject, consider taking day trips to the actual sites of these old towns where some structures are still left standing.

Take A Slightly Morbid Tour Underground

Things to do with kids between Naples and Fort Myers

Possibly one for the teenagers the Catacombe di San Gennaro and San Gaudioso are a fascinating insight into another life. You can take a guided tour which will explore the history of the catacombs. Dont worry there are no bones on view but this is a great look into the past. They are also run by a cooperative which is giving back to the local community so a win on that level too. Note its best to do the shorter tours of San Gaudioso first and then make your way across to those at San Gennaro which run their tours on the hour. Both tours are included under the single ticket price .Rainy day optionFind out more here.

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Delnor Wiggins State Park

11135 Gulf Shore Dr, Naples

$8 per vehicle to park

The reason this beach always finds itself at the top of the popularity chart is because of natural sand dunes and the protection it offers from the Gulf waters. There are plenty of walking paths and several picnic areas with tables spread out. Kids will love to climb the small watchtower at the north end of the beach for beautiful views of the Gulf.

Park Of The Camaldoli

In Urban Park of the Camaldoli there is a play area with various rides, slides and swings. Children can have fun in this way, or go around in the large green spaces and, once the moment of rest has arrived, they can relax with their parents by organizing a good picnic. In fact, in the park there are picnic tables to sit down and have a meal prepared at home. Finally, the vegetation is very dense with dozens of chestnut trees and you can admire plants of all kinds. The panorama of the city is beautiful being the highest point of Naples and in the Park there are nests of the rare falcon pellegrino.

Address: Viale S. Ignazio di Loyola – 80131 Naples

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The Museums In Naples For Kids

Even though Naples is full of museums, such as MADRE and PAN, with your kids you absolutely have to visit the Archeological Museum, which has the second biggest Egyptian collection in Italy after Turin. Or, you also have to visit the Museum of Natural History, with dinosaurs and plants. Outside of Naples, you have to visit the Museo Ferroviario di Pietrarsa, which hosts ancient locomotives and the reconstruction of the first Italian railway .

Check Out The Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center

The Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is found at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The learning center is ideal for kids and offers them a look at the animals and habitats found in the reserve.

Having explored the center, you can follow some nature trails. There are also picnic tables, allowing you to enjoy lunch surrounded by wildlife.

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Get Inspired At The Edison And Ford Estates On A Fort Myers Day Trip

History lovers, when you visit Naples, plan a day trip to Fort Myers and visit the Edison and Ford Estates. Located about an hours drive from Naples, these are the winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. During your visit, youll see their homes and surrounding botanical gardens, as well as find inspiration in the Edison Research Botanical Laboratory. If Ford and Edison were to step forward into these laboratories today, they would find their original equipment and machinery. What a great place to inspire young inventors. While at the Estates, visit the museum and learn about the innovative minds of these great inventors. Several other nearby experiences may be intriguing options for your family, like the River Cruises and the Smithsonian Spark Lab. Be sure to check their availability before you go. In addition to these experiences, a variety of tours are also offered.

Parasail In Fort Myers

Another of the things to do in Fort Myers is parasailing above Fort Myers Beach. As you fly up into the air, you can admire the tropical view below, complete with turquoise ocean, sandy shores, and palm trees.

This activity is especially exciting for kids, as theyve probably never experienced anything like it.

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Get Outside And Learn Something New

85. Use a Compass. Teach your kids how to use a compass. Creating an outside treasure hunt is a great way to test their new skills.

86. Make A Compost Bin. Teach your kiddos about the value of composting, and then build a compost bin together. You can use something as inexpensive as bales of hay, or go all out with a cedar slate box.

87. Whittle A Branch. Pine is a traditional whittling wood, and the south is filled with it. Gift your kids with a sharp pocket knife and teach them about wood grains, knife sharpening, and various cuts.

88. Hammock With A Book. We’ve officially declared “hammock” a verb in our family. “Time to hammock, mommy.” It’s the perfect place for cuddling, cloud-viewing and taking in story time.

89. Go Fly Fishing. I took a fly fishing class recently and fell in love. It was with Orvis, which is why I love this article about teaching your kids to fly fish…and what to do at each stage. The info? It’s from Simon Perkins, whose dad actually started Orvis!

90. Learn About Knots. Kid’s minds are like sponges, so this is a great time to teach them about tying knots. From kayaking to boating to helping you tie down the camping gear on the roof of the car, this is something they will use their whole lives.

Mount Vesuvius Pompeii And Herculaneum

Things To Do With Kids In Naples – Lungomare Caracciolo

Mount Vesuvius is crisscrossed with hiking trails of varying difficulty, and families can even opt for a guided visit of the main crater with a volcanologist. Keep in mind that the mountain peak can be uncomfortably hot in summer and blanketed with snow in winter.

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Have A Fun Day On Marco Island

Located 30 minutes from Naples, Marco Island is a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico with many outdoor attractions. When on the island, you can explore the beaches, visit the Briggs Nature Center, boat on the water, and more.

You could also take a boat tour from the island to Cape Romano. Due to the number of activities found here, Marco Island is one of the best places to visit for some outdoor family fun!

Paddleboard With Dolphins And Manatees In Fort Myers

If willing to go a little out of the city, one of the best Naples, FL, things to do with kids is going to Fort Myers. The beach town offers visitors many activities to enjoy.

A great activity for families is experiencing a dolphin and manatee tour. During the experience, youll paddle through the water as dolphins and manatees swim around you in their natural habitat.

West Indian manatees can only be seen in a handful of places in the world, so this is a very unique activity! Children must be at least six years old to go on this tour.

Located in a restored railway house, a trip to the Naples Depot Museum will teach your kids about the railroads and how they shaped Naples history and events.

Exhibits cover transportation, significant events, and life in Naples in the early 1900s. The museum is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Golisano Children’s Museum Of Naples

15080 Livingston Road, Naples

Entrance fee

A visit to the Golisano children’s museum makes for a perfect inexpensive day outing for the whole family. The permanent and temporary exhibits offer the kids a dynamic environment to explore and discover new things. The Golisano museum is a great option for rainy days with kids under 8 or 9, located at the same park as Sun-n-Fun.

They have hands-on interactive exhibits like grocery and restaurant-themed play rooms, and a fun outdoor garden and water play area.

Wander Around Tin City

Tin City is one of the main shopping districts in Naples. Located right on the waterfront, its home to a vast selection of locally-owned clothing, decor, and souvenir shops.

If your kids would like some mementos of the trip, theyre sure to find something in Tin City. You may also find some fun and unique pieces to take home.

On Saturdays, you can head downtown to visit the Third Street South Farmers Market. You can go stall to stall with your kids, discovering all the local produce sold here.

Things for sale include freshly grown fruit and vegetables, flowers, and pastries and other baked goods. There are also some stores around the market selling antiques, decor items, and clothing.

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Free Museums Of Naples Florida

Who knew there were free museums in Naples? Check out these local free museums and let your kids learn and explore the history of Naples. There is also a great military museum thats free too.

Collier County Museum

Visit the Collier County Museum to learn the history of Southwest Florida over the last million years. Let kids start with large displays of prehistoric animals to the life of Calusa Indians and Spanish Explores and ending with the building of the town of Naples.

Outside, the museum has 5 acres of Native Florida gardens with 2 historic cottages, archaeology lab, a recreated Seminole War Fort, a restored World War II tank, and much more.

Give yourself an hour or two to explore the museum and grounds of this free complex.

Address: 3331 Tamiami Trail East, Naples / in the County Government Complex

Naples Depot Museum

Does your child like Trains? Check out this great Train and History museum located in Naples first passenger train Station.

The Naples Depot Museum takes you through the history of the railroad boom days and the technology used to move forward to modern times.

Let the kids explore the old train equipment, see a Seminole Indian Dugout Canoe, an antique swamp buggy, restored railroad cars, and much more.

Located next door is the Naples Train Museum, a paid museum with model train cars which is also pretty fun for training loving kids if you wanted to pay an entrance fee.

Address: 1051 5th Avenue South, Naples FL

Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch

Wander Along 5th Avenue South

Fifth Avenue South goes all the way from Tamiami Trail to the Gulf of Mexico. This infamous street in Naples is filled with shops and restaurants. You will even discover a few art galleries. This is where youll find the best high-end shopping and some of the best restaurants in Naples.

You never know what you can find when you take the time to visit Fifth Avenue South on your vacation!

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