{"id":243486,"date":"2026-04-23T17:00:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T17:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/243486\/"},"modified":"2026-04-23T17:00:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T17:00:07","slug":"4-day-travel-itinerary-for-floridas-paradise-coast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/243486\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Day Travel Itinerary for Florida’s Paradise Coast"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whenever someone asks me where to go in Florida, I always start with \u201cWhich Florida?\u201d There\u2019s Miami\u2019s electric nightlife<\/a>, the Keys\u2019 laid-back vibe<\/a>, and Orlando\u2019s exciting strip-mall food scene <\/a> (and, of course, those famous parks)<\/a>. But for an old-meets-new Florida charm, I point them to the Paradise Coast, an eclectic trifecta of Naples, Marco Island, and the Everglades. <\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been spending long weekends here for nearly two decades (first with my husband and more recently with my teens in tow), and the region is undergoing a major renaissance. Led by the grand reopening of The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, and the debut of the Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, the area\u2019s culinary scene has followed suit, trading early-bird specials for James Beard\u2013caliber menus and lively natural wine bars.<\/p>\n

Paired with the rawness of the Everglades<\/a>, the changes in this Florida region mean there\u2019s never been a better time to visit. Here\u2019s how to spend four days swamping, dining, and shelling on Florida\u2019s Paradise Coast.<\/p>\n

Day 1: Essential Naples<\/p>\n

\"lily<\/p>\n

The Naples Botanical Garden has more than a dozen themed areas, including the Water Garden.<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB<\/p>\n

Where to eat
Sights + activities<\/p>\n

Morning: Breakfast and exploring Old Naples<\/p>\n

Kick off in Old Naples\u2019 Third Street South neighborhood, defined by 1895-era bungalows and sidewalk caf\u00e9s. After a decadent breakfast of challah French toast drizzled with maple syrup at Jane\u2019s Cafe on 3rd,<\/a> pop into the Books on Third<\/a>. On Saturdays, the Third Street Farmer\u2019s Market<\/a> offers local produce and pastries. A few blocks north, Third Street South\u2019s buzzy sibling, Fifth Avenue South,<\/a> is a revitalized, high-end shopping and dining district anchored by the Inn on Fifth.<\/a> Stop into Gelato & Co<\/a>. for a scoop of dragon fruit gelato, made in-house.<\/p>\n

Afternoon: Gardens, wildlife, or art<\/p>\n

Spending the afternoon at the Naples Botanical Garden<\/a> seems like a global expedition. The 170-acre property includes 13 themed gardens, including a Brazilian jungle inspired by Brazilian landscape artist Roberto Burle Marx and an Asian garden with a traditional Thai pavilion. <\/p>\n

If you\u2019re feeling ambitious, you can take on Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens<\/a>. You\u2019ll need three to four hours to truly explore; when my kids were younger, they loved feeding the giraffes. <\/p>\n

Another option (and a break from the heat) is the Naples Art Institute<\/a>, a tidy museum with a roster of adult art classes and workshops (preregistration is required). After your visit, Frank Verpoorten, a 13-year resident and the art institute\u2019s executive director and chief curator, recommends Dolce e Salato<\/a> for lunch. \u201cI take out-of-town guests here; the restaurant has a simple, strong menu and generous serving sizes,\u201d he says. His menu pick? \u201cThe Italian tuna salad sandwich or the homemade lasagna.\u201d<\/p>\n

Related: Flamingos Are Returning to Florida. Here\u2019s Where to Spot Them<\/a><\/p>\n

Evening: Happy hour drinks and a golden hour ritual<\/p>\n

New on the scene, Nat Nat<\/a> is an intimate natural wine bar with a rotating menu from local farms. From here, it\u2019s a 10-minute drive to the beach and a chance to witness a spectacular Gulf Coast sunset. <\/p>\n

For a front-row seat, head to the Sunset Bar<\/a> at Naples Beach Club, Four Seasons Resort. As the sky turns amber, a staff member blasts a conch shell to mark the day\u2019s end\u2014a ritual that even managed to captivate my teens. The adjacent HB\u2019s<\/a>, a beloved local institution revived by the Four Seasons, remains the quintessential spot for a sunset dinner of curry shrimp and Nori butter lobster.<\/p>\n

Day 2: Marco Island<\/p>\n

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Tigertail Beach on Marco Island has a Gulf-facing beach plus a tidal lagoon on the other side.<\/p>\n

Photo by Mia2you\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n

Where to eat
Sights + activities<\/p>\n

Morning: Southern cooking and a museum<\/p>\n

A 30-minute drive south of Naples over the Judge S.S. Jolley Bridge brings you to Marco Island. At six by four miles, it stands as the largest developed outpost in Florida\u2019s sprawling Ten Thousand Islands chain (many of which are simply a mass of mangroves). <\/p>\n

For breakfast, order the Southern at Doreen\u2019s Cup of Joe<\/a>, a decadent stack of poached eggs and fried green tomatoes served over a biscuit and smothered in cheese grits. After breakfast, hit up Marco Island Historical Society<\/a>, which documents the history of the Calusa people, Florida\u2019s original inhabitants.<\/p>\n

Afternoon: Shelling and beach adventures<\/p>\n

Marco Island has some of the best shelling beaches in Florida, and shelling tours are offered through Florida Adventures and Rentals<\/a>.
Or explore the waters of Marco Island from the back of a jet ski or the hull of a kayak. <\/p>\n

If you\u2019d rather stay on the mainland, don\u2019t miss Tigertail Beach<\/a>, where white sands meet a sheltered cove perfect for swimming, kayaking, or, on exceptionally calm days, snorkeling. For classic beachside fare, grab a table at Tigertail Beach Cafe<\/a> to sample its coconut shrimp and fish and chips.<\/p>\n

Related: Best Gulf Beaches in Florida<\/a><\/p>\n

Evening: Classic Marco Island beachfront dining<\/p>\n

Cap off your island day at Quinn\u2019s<\/a> at JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort (the burgers were a hit with my teens on a recent visit). The beachfront restaurant first opened in 1971, and 50 years later, it\u2019s still one of the most popular places on the island to watch the sun melt into the horizon.<\/p>\n

Day 3: The Ten Thousand Islands<\/p>\n

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Paddlers can access a marked waterway route alongside the Marsh Trail in the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. <\/p>\n

Courtesy of Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB<\/p>\n

Where to eat
Sights + activities<\/p>\n

Morning: A Mediterranean breakfast<\/p>\n

Marco Island is the home base for exploring the rest of the Ten Thousand Islands, and the best way to see this labyrinth of mangroves is by boat. Before starting out, eat breakfast at Cafe Marquise<\/a>, which has a Mediterranean menu of baklava and borek (a flaky pastry stuffed with cheese).<\/p>\n

Afternoon: Wildlife cruise and lunch<\/p>\n

Now head to Goodland, a tiny fishing village (population approximately 400) on the edge of Marco Island. From here, you can book a slow ride through the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, home to more than 200 species of birds and a nesting ground for loggerhead and green sea turtles. Treasure Seekers Shell Tours <\/a>offers a two-hour, naturalist-led mangrove cruise. Keep a lookout for dolphins, manatees, and ospreys along the way. <\/p>\n

Touch back down in Goodland and grab lunch at Stan\u2019s Idle Hours.<\/a> Opened since 1969, the restaurant serves delicious conch fritters and saut\u00e9ed frog legs (a Deep Florida delicacy).<\/p>\n

Evening: Back to Marco Island for oysters and brews<\/p>\n

After a long day in the rugged Florida outback, treat yourself to an oyster dinner at The Oyster Society,<\/a> a high-style seafood restaurant. Another seafood standout is Fin Bistro<\/a>, which comes highly recommended from Hyla Crane, executive director of the Marco Island Center for the Arts and the Arts Center Theatre.<\/a> Her go-to order is the Florida Keys Dorado (mahi-mahi), served in curry-lime butter sauce and paired with a glass of Dr. Loosen Riesling. \u201cOne more reason to love this spot: They\u2019re closed on Sundays because that\u2019s the only day they can\u2019t guarantee the freshest fish delivery,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Day 4: Everglades National Park<\/p>\n

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Everglades City is known for airboat rides and stone crabs.<\/p>\n

Photo by Fotoluminate LLC\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n

Morning: Cuban breakfast and an airboat adventure<\/p>\n

Forty-five minutes east of Marco Island, Everglades City is the largest settlement in the Everglades but is more like a sleepy fishing village, with stilt houses tucked among the mangroves. <\/p>\n

Spend your morning at HavAnna Cafe<\/a>, fill up on Cuban sandwiches and shrimp and grits, and take some pastelitos and empanadas to go. Everglades City serves as the northern gateway to Everglades National Park, a 1.5 million-acre tropical wetland that reaches the outskirts of Miami. TO have a quintessential Florida thrill, get in touch with Everglades City Airboat Tour<\/a>, which offers an exhilarating dash through the winding swamp.<\/p>\n

Afternoon: Small-town charm in Everglades City<\/p>\n

Back on land, savor fresh stone crab claws at Crabby Lady<\/a>, a waterside staple in the \u201cStone Crab Capital of the World.\u201d<\/a> Stone crab started as a 1890s lobster-trap byproduct, but Florida\u2019s stone crab industry in Everglades City now harvests more than 300,000 pounds of the delicacy each year. <\/p>\n

After lunch, visit the Smallwood Store <\/a>on Chokoloskee Island, four miles from Everglades City. This 1906 trading post is a time capsule of the Florida frontier, standing on pilings over the water and filled with relics from the days when the Glades were the \u201cWild West.\u201d<\/p>\n

Evening: Classic Florida seafood<\/p>\n

End your trip at Camellia Street Grill<\/a>, an Everglades City institution for grouper and stone crab tacos. If you\u2019re more daring, try the gator tacos, followed by a slice of refreshing Key lime pie.<\/p>\n

Related: Key Lime Pie Is Fine, but This Is Florida\u2019s Real Signature Dish<\/a><\/p>\n

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Where to stay: Paradise Coast hotels<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no shortage of great hotels in Florida. Our top picks for this itinerary would be:<\/p>\n

Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, debuted in fall 2025, on the former site of the historic Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, the city\u2019s first grand beachfront resort. The new Four Seasons honors this legacy by maintaining its position as the premier beachfront social hub, blending the charm of Old Naples with modern, ultra-luxury sophistication, like the revival of two beloved oceanfront eateries – HB\u2019s and Sunset Bar. Between the spacious suites, three-story spa (with a rooftop lap pool), and a handful of elegant bars and restaurants, including The Merchant Room, helmed by James Beard Award\u2013winner Gavin Kaysen, the resort masters beachfront recreation.<\/p>\n

For a city feel, consider the Inn on Fifth, which served as a cornerstone of downtown Naples\u2019 renaissance. The 1998 opening of the hotel transformed 5th Avenue South from a quiet street into a sophisticated, pedestrian-friendly destination. A highlight here is the 32 Club Level Suites, which provide a \u201chotel-within-a-hotel\u201d feel. Guests who book this room category have access to a private rooftop patio and hot tub, a dedicated concierge, and a lounge offering complimentary breakfast, afternoon snacks, and a top-shelf evening open bar.<\/p>\n

Originally opening as the Marco Beach Hotel in 1965, this iconic resort is a staple on Marco Island. After a massive, multimillion-dollar transformation, it relaunched in 2017 as the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, introducing a distinctive Balinese-inspired aesthetic and unveiling the adults-only Paradise by Sirene tower. Besides the unique architecture, the resort is a playground for families. Guests have access to two golf courses, a spa, a Tiki Pool with waterslides, and 10K Alley, an entertainment center featuring bowling and arcade games.<\/p>\n