plambers

hi. we are leaving sunday for 13 days in naples. we are going w/ a 3 and 5 year old. our condo has a pool and is on the ocean. other than corkscrew sanctuary, any other suggestions for things to do w/ kids? are there any good shelling beaches there? any other advice would be welcome eg: dining too!!

NeoPatrick

Are you north? Vanderbilt beach area, or where?
I'd suggest the nature boat ride at the little Cocohatchee River (across from the Pewter Mug on the north trail above Immokalee Road.
Do go to the zoo in Naples, the kids will especially like the monkeys you see from a boat.
I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the newish water park on North Livingston Road called Sun-N-Fun Lagoon water park, but it's getting raves, particularly as it isn't very expensive and includes toddler pools as well as areas for older kids and adults.

(and no offense, but you need to get out of the habit of calling the "Gulf" an "ocean" before you get here. You'll get some very strange looks if you call it that.)

plambers

Neopatrick, we are staying at the Imperial Club on Gulf Shore Blvd. Do you know it? Is it a good spot? We have never been to Naples before and only know "oceans" but we'll do our best! We have the zoo on our list already. Any good shelling beaches? dining places-we like good food but understand our kids will be w/ us too! thanks

NeoPatrick

Ah yes. On Park Shore Beach, closer to downtown than Vanderbilt Beach is.
There's a really casual spot at the Parkshore Resort, which is kind of hidden off Neopolitan Way behind the Montgomery Eye Center. It's an open air place with a big pool and waterfall and very casual/family friendly.

I clicked on your name and see I've already listed most of my other restaurant suggestions, but that's one near you.

plambers

Is the condo in a good location? I saw that you had said in a differnt posting that Tommy Bahamas wasn't as good. Blue Water Bisto's burger sounds great per your recommendation-could i take kids there?
shelling beaches?

NeoPatrick

Sure. The Imperial Club is along the Moorings/Park Shore Beach, totally lined with high end condominiums built from the 1960s to the present. It is all condos and all residential -- no restaurants or shops and such along there.

My only gripe with Tommy Bahamas is that they "upscaled it" to match all the other places in town. I liked it better when you felt more comfortable doing a light snack or just appetizers. But it is good.

Sorry, I keep ignoring the shelling beach question. I guess because the answer is no. All the shells wash in at Sanibel. You'll find some, especially tiny ones, but rare if ever will you come across a nice 3 inch or larger "prize" shell. But it's fun to look anyway. Of course early in the morning is best. Right now the Gulf is sooo quiet, not much will wash up -- you need an offshore storm for that.

And yes, Blue Water Bistro is fine with kids -- it is a long way north though for you, and not necessarily worth the drive. The burgers at Cheeburger, Cheeburger are probably just as good for a whole lot less. There's one on Fifth Avenue South.

Do go down to TinCity in town. Let the kids pick out a cheap animal toy from tons of selections at the one shop. It's a kind of junky souvenir place, but lots of stores and fun to browse. Riverwalk is a great kid friendly casual dining spot there -- right on the water and open air. Throw your extra bread from the table and watch the fish jump. (Heck I still do that, and I'm no longer 3 or 5).

Tropicalgal

On Marco Island there are boat excursions that take you to offshore sand bars and uninhabited barrier islands for shelling. You can go for a ½ day or an entire day. I had a friend go on one of the excursions and she had a great time except for the fact that she got seasick.
http://www.seaexcursions.com operates the Shell Cat and http://www.Sunshinetoursmarcoisland.com takes folks out shelling.