She is the Founder of LGBT Equality Alliance, a Chester County, PA nonprofit organization, and CEO of OUTCOAST, an online marketing and concierge platform marketing the Gulf Coast as an LGBTQ-inclusive place to VISIT, CELEBRATE, and LIVE. Rachel Covello is an award-winning speaker, writer, diversity consultant, and LGBT advocate. Please inform us if you experience discrimination or homophobia while visiting any destination so we can make updates to our recommendations. We hope that nobody experiences discrimination or homophobia while visiting Florida, but we make no guarantees. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you (for which we are extremely grateful).Īlso, while we do our best to highlight LGBTQ-friendly destinations and businesses, info provided is based solely on personal experience and recommendations by community partners. ***Disclaimer: There is a good chance that this post contains affiliate or sponsor links. For more information on Naples, visit the Paradise Coast Visitor’s Bureau website. If you’re looking for relaxation, romance or a recreation, look no further than Naples, Florida. But the food, sunsets, accommodations and LGBTQ-owned and managed restaurants were enough to convince us to return over and over again.
We’ll admit that we were skeptical, at first, about writing a Gay Florida Travel experience review on Naples. But all of the beaches along the Naples coastline include serene sunsets and crystal blue waters. Two of the best beaches in Naples are Vanderbilt Beach, where you can see loggerhead sea turtles every summer, and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, which offers some of the most pristine stretches of beach in the state for tourists and locals to enjoy. We attempted to go out the day we were there, and almost made it 15 miles off the coast to catch some fish, but due to bad storms, we were called back in to shore. Offshore Fishingįor offshore fishing adventures, head back to Tin City and sign up for a Pure Florida Deep Sea Fishing Adventure. A hands-on interactive Children’s Garden along with 90 acres of beautifully restored natural habitats, walking trails and a Butterfly Garden offer educational entertainment and enjoyment for people of all ages. According to Trip Advisor, Naples Botanical Garden is “a 170-acre world-class garden paradise that features the plants and cultures of the tropics and subtropics. While the Naples region is known for the Everglades and golfing, nothing is more magical than the Naples Botanical Garden. Outdoor Experiences Naples Botanical Gardens Built in 1895, it is the oldest house currently standing in Naples inside of which is a museum inside. If history is your thing, visit the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center or visit Palm Cottage. This three-story facility was formerly the Naples Museum of Art. If you are interested in a bit of culture, head to Artis-Naples, home to the Naples Philharmonic and The Baker Museum. Other programs focus on wellness, employment, social activities, legal, advocacy and providing LGBTQ-inclusive resources to area residents. The 501(C)3 organization provides emergency funding, counseling resources and housing assistance to LGBTQ community members in need. Naples Pride does more than host an annual Pride Festival. With more than 300 artists represented, eye catching displays feature an extensive and diverse selection of colorful art glass, sculpture, original paintings, artesian jewelry, ‘Frogman’ bronze frogs and Judaica. Then head over to Gallery One for both an art and shopping experience. One of Naples’ oldest established art galleries, Gallery One has been showcasing fine quality Contemporary Art and Unique American Crafts since 1992. Our suggestions? Pick up a $5-$30 trinket at Best of Everything. The assortments of sterling silver and fashion jewelry is broad and deep. Handbags, scarves, hair accessories, sunglasses, gifts and plush toys are beautifully presented in the extraordinarily attractive store. This “Main Street” of downtown Naples is lined with a mix of stores (both chains and boutiques) that caters to every budget, age and lifestyle. Head to 5th Ave for a shop-til-you-drop experience. With award-winning beaches, fishing, boating & Everglades adventures, live theater & music, museums, art galleries & historic sites, an incredible craft beer & foodie dining scene, relaxing spas & world-class shopping, championship golf courses, affordable resorts & hotels – Naples has something for everyone.