You’ve spent months planning for your perfect Southwest Florida beach vacation and have finally arrived in Naples or Marco Island the only problem, is it’s raining. As much as we can prep for a relaxing vacation at the beach, sometimes the weather has other things in store for us. Don’t worry though, that’s where this guide comes in!
Here are my top picks for what to do when the weather just won’t cooperate with your outdoor plans.
Explore a Museum
Check out the Collier County Museum to see Naples history come alive! Learn about the unique history of Southwest Florida from prehistoric saber-toothed cats, Calusa and Seminole tribes, to early Florida pioneers and 1920s residents. While there, you can also visit the Naples Depot Museum housed in a former railroad station to learn about local transportation through the years.
Photo credit Nita Ettinger
Photo credit Debi Pittman Wilkey
Other area museums include the Marco Island Historical Museum, the Museum of the Everglades, and the Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Robert Ranch. Admission is free to all Collier County museums.
Another great option is the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center. This thoughtful collection of World War II and Holocaust exhibits was originally created by a group of middle school students and teachers. Take a docent-led tour or explore on your own with an audio-tour. One of the museum’s highlights is a railway boxcar built in Austria in 1919.
Photo credit Mary Carol Fitzgerald
If you are looking for a museum specifically designed for your kids, head to the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples (C’MON). This kid-centered museum features 12 interactive play exhibits and is fully accessible to all. Don’t forget to stop by the Garden Café and the museum store.
Photo credit Mary Carol Fitzgerald
Enjoy a Feature Film and Popcorn
If you are on Marco Island, check out family owned Marco Movies, a three-screen cinema and draft house. Enjoy a full food menu, movie theater classics, beer, and wine while taking in popular first-run movies. If you are staying in Naples then Silverspot Cinema is the place to be! Silverspot is an upscale movie theater with a full food and alcohol menu and super comfy oversized chairs.
Photo credit Mary Carol Fitzgerald
Photo credit Jennifer Brinkman
Shop ‘till you Drop!
The converted fishing hub Tin City is a great stop on a rainy day. Walk through the maze of 30 shops, restaurants, and attractions. All the shops are locally owned and stock unique souvenirs and treasures. For more information about Tin City’s history and how to spend time there, check out this Tin City feature blog article.
Photo credit Jennifer Brinkman
Photo credit Jennifer Brinkman
The upscale stores at the Waterside Shops also provide a good spot for some retail therapy. This beautiful open-air shopping mall offers valet parking so you won’t have to trek through the rain from your car.
Naples Sightseeing Tour
A Naples Trolley Tour allows you to explore Naples despite the rain! The narrated tour stops at several places across town and allows you to hop-on-hop-off at any point. You can also sit back and enjoy the ride which takes approximately 2 hours to complete. The tours run daily.
Photo credit Jennifer Brinkman
However you decide to spend your rainy day in Naples or Marco Island, you’ll be sure to have a blast–the afternoon summer rain showers will pass and the sunshine state’s sunny days will return!
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