Girls Just Wanna Have Fun on the Paradise Coast

By: Susan Finch

The options may seem endless for a girls getaway with sunshine, shopping, and nature in mind. But the Naples, Marco Island, and Everglades area will deliver everything on your wishlist and more. Nestled where the Gulf of Mexico meets white sandy beaches and Old World Florida, the “Paradise Coast” offers a relaxing and unforgettable getaway. 

Things To Do On A Girls Getaway Weekend In Naples, Florida

The Naples area is teeming with upscale and hip boutiques, cultural opportunities like museums and theater, and lots of options for laying around on white, sandy beaches. And best of all, hotels are ready to cater to getaways for every occasion. For a spa girls getaway, the Spa at JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort offers Balinese massages or Oxygen Cocktail Facials. And over at the Naples Grande Hotel, guests indulge in a happy hour of champagne and appetizers like fresh strawberries. Once you’ve had your fill of massages and decadent champagne to tease your palate, head out for an upscale dinner to the French Bistro Bleu Provence with an award-winning wine list. 

Photo credit Jennifer Brinkman

Photo credit Debi Pittman Wilkey

Naples is full of old-world charm that captivates shoppers at its dazzling waterfront district. For an entire shopping getaway experience, the Edgewater Beach Hotel is situated near 10 shopping areas and offers upscale shopping packages including gift cards, personal shopper, and even limousine transportation! After you’ve shopped till you dropped, art lovers can take a class at Marco Island Center for the Arts like painting, photography, and sculpture. 

Nature Lover Activities Near Everglades National Park

Now that your girls have a whole new wardrobe and keepsakes in hand, get back to nature by exploring Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Soak up uninhabited isles via kayaking, canoe, or boat. Keep an eye out for local manatees, curious sea otters, and an array of birds like roseate spoonbills and egrets. 

After working up an appetite, Old Marco Lodge Crab House with fresh seafood and crab claws. Everglades National Park, the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S., is also a must-see for nature lovers. Take a walk along the Anhinga Trail at Royal Palm Visitor Center with plenty of chances to see resident alligators and birds. 

Photo credit Jennifer Brinkman

It’s always sad to see a weekend come to an end, but the perfect way to say goodbye to the Paradise Coast is taking a stroll to the historic Naples Pier to watch the sunset over the sparkling water. As the last of the sun slips over the horizon, make a pact to come back next year for a new girls getaway adventure. 

Photo credit Jennifer Brinkman

Learn more about the Naples area in this blog post: Surprising Facts About Naples, Marco Island And Everglades City