Home to the Calusa Indians until the early 1700's, and then to the Seminoles in the mid 19th century, and always to an incredible population of wildlife, Southwest Florida is rich in human and natural history. Our first European visitor was Spanish explorer, Ponce de Leon, in the 16th century. Many famous historical figures have followed including, Teddy Roosevelt. On May 8, 1923 Collier County was founded and named after entrepreneur Barron Gift Collier.

The first county government was located in Everglades City. It remained there until 1966 when it was moved to Naples. The vision of some very determined people, the advent of the railroad and the Tamiami Trail, hewn through swampland from Tampa to Miami, set Naples on the path to becoming today one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. A dredge used to build the "trail" can be seen at the Collier Seminole State Park, located 17 miles southeast of Naples.

On the way to Naples' historic pier of Palm cottage, built in 1895 and reputedly Naples oldest house. Guided tours are conducted there during "season". Other historic buildings include the Naples Commissary building in Olde Napes, dating back to 1903 and the renovated Naples Depot (1927). The Naples Depot was once the Naples train station and now displays a caboose and other railroad memorabilia. History buffs will also find much interest at the Collier County Museum which houses a permanent collection from pre-historic times to the present. A great way to learn about the early Indian settlements and directions to an Indian village in the area where genuine Indian artifacts are on display.

Nature lovers will have a field day in the Everglades or in any of the area's many parks and wildlife preserves. The Everglades, which have been called the "River of Grass", is the only ecosystem of it's kind on the world. Florida's state reptile, the American alligator, thrives there as do raccoons, black bears, panthers, bobcats and marsh rabbits. There are also over 300 varieties of birds and butterflies and over 45 indigenous species of plants and trees. Inhabiting the rich salt waters of the 10,000 Islands are gentle dolphins, manatees and over 600 different kinds of fish.

Various ways to explore the Everglades include, hiking and canoeing. Outside the National Park's boundaries you can rent an airboat for the day and explore the wetlands and marshes. There are also swamp buggy races and rides in the cypress swamps. Guided tours in these unusual Floridian contraptions are also offered by Everglades Island Airboat Tours and Eden of the Everglades. Visit animal sanctuaries and see up close the rare American crocodile and endangered Florida panther, not to mention a writhing selection of deadly snakes.

In Naples itself, the Conservancy's Nature Center provides a science museum, lectures and animal clinic for injured native wildlife. There are also free guided nature trails through a subtropical hammock and 45 minute boat tours through the mangroves. You may prefer to navigate by yourself in your own canoe or kayak or by renting one.

The Zoo in Naples is called Caribbean gardens. You'll experience animals from apes to zebras up close inside a 52-acre botanical garden founded in 1919. Board a guided catamaran for a tour through islands of monkeys, lemurs and apes. This AZA accredited zoo also offers exciting presentations all day including the Safari Canyon live animal/multimedia presentation.

The Museum of the Everglades

Offers a unique look at Collier County's development in the early 1920's. Originally built as a laundry to serve workers on the Tamiami Trail (US 41) the building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Exhibits change on a regular basis.

The Naples Depot and Lionel Museum Train Display

A nationally registered historic site. Offers trains to watch, ride and to operate. Visitors can view the scenic multi-level display in action and ride the outdoor scale train pulled by live steam or diesel locomotives. An original 1909 Sioux Line caboose and 1947 club car are on site. Unique railroad souvenirs and gifts are available at the Whistle Stop shop located in a vintage Southern Railroad baggage car.

Naples Museum of Art

The areas first full scale art museum is next to the Philharmonic Center for the Arts. The three story, 30,000 sq. ft. museum features 15 galleries showcasing a variety of works by acclaimed artists such as Dale Chihuly, the Pollak collection of Mexican art featuring works by masters such as Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros and Jose Clemente Orozco. The American Modernism collection showcasing selected paintings and works on paper from 1900-1955. Master of Miniature that include some of the worlds most exquisite and rare miniatures to name a few.

The Smallwood Store and Museum

Established in 1906 as a trading post on the Western edge of the Everglades served the remote area buying hides and farm produce in exchange for hard to come by items. The store is on the National Registry of Historic Places. A gift shop on the premises features Seminole and Miccosukee Indian crafts and music.

The Southwest Florida Holocaust Museum

Grew out of an exhibit by 7th grade students and teachers at Golden Gate Middle School. Promotes tolerance by teaching the history and lessons of the Holocaust. Projects include poetry, essays, drawings, paintings, collages in tiles depicting children's reactions and emotions after studying the Holocaust. In addition, the museum features artifacts from the Nazi's "final solution" including prison camp uniforms, gold fillings and armbands taken from victims including one that identified the owner as an exempted employee at the factory made famous in the film Schindler's List.

Teddy Bear Museum

Includes a 8,000 sq. ft. collection of nearly 4,000 bears ranging from life size to 1" and from soft bears to bears of marble and bronze. The museum features interpretive displays of antique and limited edition bears, teddy bear art and one of a kind items including a signed 1st edition copy of AA Milne's "Winnie the Pooh". The Teddy Bear Express is the latest attraction at the museum departing from Libeary Station the 4-wheeled steam locomotive is the exact replica of the type used on the sleepy countryside tracks in Eastern Germany until the 1960's. Bear making demonstrations are available.

The von Liebig Art Center

16,000 sq. ft. home of the Naples Art Association offers changing exhibitions of contemporary American art by regional, national and internationally recognized artists in six galleries. Free and open to the public.

The Zoo in Naples.

A nationally accredited facility features animals from apes to zebras within a botanical garden founded in 1919. Zoo guests get close to lions, tigers, leopards, alligators, hyenas, kangaroos and many other species throughout the 52-acre setting. The Zoo features a variety of wildlife presentations. Safari Canyon offers live animals exhibiting natural behaviors while narrators show custom graphics and wildlife videos. The Zoo also includes the primate expedition cruise, a boat ride around islands where monkeys, lemurs and apes live in natural habitats along with the audience participation Scales & Tails Show, the Meet the Keeper Series, Alligator Bay Feedings and more. Featured exhibits include Tiger Forest where guests see Indo-Chinese tigers, the rarest tigers in the world, Panther Glade a co-operative exhibit with the national Wildlife Federation and African Oasis with the rare African wild dogs. There is also a restaurant, picnic area and gift shop on site.

Cocohatchee Nature Center

Features narrated boat tours through a pristine mangrove estuary. The preserve is home to a variety of bird species including herons, egrets, ibis, osprey and pelicans. Dolphins are often discovered in the backwaters near Wiggins Pass. There is a patio area in the center where visitors can relax and enjoy the natural setting and expansive view. Kayak and canoe rentals are offered at the nature center. Guided and self-guided excursions allow visitors to discover 1st hand the natural beauty of the Cocohatchee River estuary and the white sand beaches near Wiggins Pass. Educational programs for school children are also conducted at the nature center.

Collier-Seminole State Park

A 4,760-acre wilderness preserve offers a .9-mile interpretive boardwalk/nature trail. RV and tent camping, 5.5 mile mountain bike trail, 6.5 mile hiking trail, canoe rentals, 13.5 aquatic trail, playground, picnic area, pontoon boat tours and historical displays including a huge "walking dredge" a National Historic Engineering Landmark.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Operates two nature centers in Collier County to educate residents and visitors about the areas natural resources. The centers offer numerous exhibits and activities. The Naples Nature Center includes the Conservancy Museum of Natural History, Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, a butterfly garden and short trails featuring a broad variety of native Florida trees and plants on the 14-acre site. The museum provides hands-on exhibits, special programs, daily presentations about water, turtles and snakes and daily-guided tours of the nature trails. The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center has a behind the scenes hospital for injured native wild animals. Permanent residents including owls, hawks and bald eagle are on view. Canoe and kayak rentals are offered plus narrated boat tours of the upper reaches of the Gordon River.

The CREW Marsh Trail System

5 miles of hiking through pine, flat woods, saw grass marsh and an oak/cabbage palm hammock. The CREW trust formed in 1989 assists with wetlands acquisition, management and public use activities in Lee and Collier counties.

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Owned and operated by Audubon of Florida is an 11,000 acre preserve where visitors can find a pristine wilderness that dates back more than 500 years. A 2.25 mile boardwalk winds through pine flat woods, open prairie and finally into the largest forest of ancient bald cypress in North America. The forest is also home to 100's of alligators, otters, Florida black bear, white tailed deer, red-bellied turtles and almost 200 species of birds including egrets, ibis, herons and wood storks. Corkscrew's Blair Audubon Center features six exhibits that will help explain what visitors will see and what they should look for on the boardwalk. Among the exhibits is the multi-media "Swamp Theater" which depicts the daily and seasonal changes in the swamp. The center also features a tearoom, nature store and art gallery.

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Recreational Area

A 166-acre tract located on the south side of Wiggins Pass in North Naples features shaded picnic areas, grills, pavilion, bath house, short nature trail and an observation deck. The beach, which was purchased from Collier County in 1970 frequently, has ended up on the National "Best Beaches" survey by Stephen Leatherman director of the University of Maryland's laboratory for Coastal Research. Shelling is usually good and while swimmers are not allowed in the dangerous currents of Wiggins Pass fishing is allowed. Swimmers may go into the Gulf of Mexico on the south side of the pass. Native gopher, turtles, manatees, dolphins, osprey and a wide variety of wading birds are commonly seen.

The Dog Beach

Located on Lovers Key. This is an off the leash experience you cannot miss. Located in an alcove, your best friend will have the time of his or her life. Don't forget the Frisbee and a bottle of fresh water.

Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve

The largest cypress strand in the world. Comprised of more than 80,000 acres of land in the Big Cypress Swamp. It's slough is the deepest in the greater Everglades.

Approximately 15 miles long and 5 miles wide Fakahatchee Strand is the only remaining natural forest of royal palm and bald cypress. The Strands Big Bend Boardwalk is always open and admission is FREE. It's home to a pair of bald eagles, resident alligator, bears, white tailed deer, raccoons, otters, birds, reptiles and amphibians offering many photo opportunities.

Picayune Strand State Forest

One of Southwest Florida's' newest natural areas. The Florida Division of Forestry manages more than 65,000 acres in the forest. The area is the home of many threatened species including the Florida panther. Primitive camping is available and fishing is allowed in the areas canals.

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

One of the few remaining relatively pristine mangrove estuaries in the United States. As one of just 25 National Estuarine Research Reserves in the country this 110,000-acre reserve serves as an outdoor classroom and laboratory for students and scientists from around the world. The Bay provides habitat for fish and shellfish. Dolphins, manatees and birds use the shallow waters for feeding. Seclusion affords recreational opportunities for canoeists, kayakers, bird waters and boaters.