Biking is one of the most enjoyable eco-friendly ways of getting around Naples, Florida. You can literally stop anywhere to admire near and distant views and parking will be much less of a hassle compared to bringing a car. Bike rentals are everywhere too, with affordable prices for everyone. While on a bike, you may also marvel at the lavishly designed houses along the Gulf of Mexico and afterwards stop at beach fronts without agonizing over finding a parking. Some of the beaches Access Points don’t have spaces for four-wheeled vehicles so you can expect to see many fellow bikers there as well.
Fifth Avenue South
The streets in this part of downtown Naples are lined with palm trees and specialty shops everywhere. Most of the buildings and shops are built with Mediterannean inspired architecture that makes you feel like you’re indeed in Naples, Italy. The designs and the motif of the downtown area is already an experience in itself. Fifth Avenue South boasts the finest pubs, restaurants, classy inns, clothing and jewelry stores and many restaurants. You don’t really have to buy anything, of course, but simply admiring the Mediterranean style architecture is just simply worth taking your bike along that strip of road. It’s a relatively long trip to get from one end of the avenue to another so you may want to take a detour at the nearby Cambier Park, a place with nice shady trees, benches and well trimmed lawns.
Shark Valley
Are you looking for alligators? You may be one of those people who would go out of their way just to see one. Alligators do look awesome and you’re not alone in wanting to see these reptiles so don’t worry. You will definitely see them if you swing by Everglade’s Shark Valley. The Shark Valley is the entrance to the Everglades National Park and it’s just right off Tamiami Trail. This place offers a 15-mile smoothly paved trail that does not get traffic and is therefore a perfect place to ride your bike. And as for you alligator, you can find them on the side of this paved road – literally.
Freedom Park
This beautiful park lies in Golden Gate Parkway in Naples, Florida. There is a nice wooden boardwalk that takes you through the trees and thick bushes where you can get to see birds and other wildlife. You can drive your bike on this boardwalk too which is cool. There’s public parking at the entrance in case you want to take a walk, though. The park is actually consists of 4 man-made marshes that were constructed as a part of a restoration effort for the area. Today, there are mangroves, cypress trees and mangrove trees across this park while different varieties of lilies can be seen from the boardwalk. And because of all this vegetation, the park as attracted quite the number of birds such as the barred owl, green and great blue herons, red-shouldered hawks and woodpeckers. Other wildlife that you may see are rabbits, raccoons, otters, armadillos and alligators.
