• Beautiful shells are yours for the taking along the public beaches of Naples and Marco Island. Hitch a boat ride and find even more shells on nearby deserted barrier island beaches. Be sure to return all shells with live animals, as well as all live sand dollars, to the Gulf of Mexico. Taking of live shells is against the law.



• Window shop the boutiques and art galleries of Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South in downtown Naples.

• View multimillion-dollar homes with beautiful tropical landscaping while driving along Gulfshore Boulevard and Gordon Drive in Naples.



• In downtown Naples, enjoy free live musical entertainment the second Thursday of each month along Fifth Avenue South during Evenings on Fifth; and every Thursday from January though May or the third Thursday from June through December, during Thursdays on Third along Third Street South. At Village on Venetian Bay in the Park Shore area of Naples, enjoy free music and live entertainment the first Thursday evening of every month during Village Nights, along with waterfront shopping and dining.



• Explore the free art galleries at the von Liebig Art Center in downtown Naples and at the Marco Island Center for the Arts. Also at the von Liebig, an extensive arts library is available for browsing by the public. Members of the Naples Art Association enjoy free lending privileges.



• Enjoy regular free entertainment in Cambier Park in downtown Naples, including the Naples Concert Band, Family Movie Nights and more.



• Entrance is free at all four Collier County Museum locations, including the Collier County Museum in Naples, the Naples Depot Museum, the Museum of the Everglades in Everglades City and the Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch in Immokalee.



• Entrance is also free at the two small museum sites on Marco Island operated by the Marco Island Historical Society. One is on the 2nd floor at the Shops of Olde Marco and the other is at the Marco Island Association of Realtors office. These mini-museums will remain until the opening in late 2009 of the new Marco Island Historical Museum.



• After buying an annual membership to Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, visit as often as you like with no entrance fee.



• Browse the flea market vendor booths or enjoy free entertainment in the food court at the Big Cypress Market Place just east of Naples



• View ancient cypress, orchids, alligators, an eagle’s nest and more along the free .8-mile Big Cypress Bend boardwalk in Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park on the Tamiami Trail just east of Naples.



• Get a postmark for your postcards or letters from the Ochopee Post Office, the nation’s smallest post office, located on the Tamiami Trail in the Everglades just east of Wooten’s.



• Bring your bicycle and enjoy a scenic ride through Everglades City past stone crab and fish markets and historic buildings, or through downtown Naples’ beautifully landscaped neighborhoods.



• Visit Everglades National Park Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City, the only one of the three official park entrances with no admission fee.



• Drive the historic Tamiami Trail between Naples and Miami with a stop to view the photography of Clyde Butcher at his Big Cypress Gallery.



• View a film on the unique environment and wildlife of Big Cypress National Preserve at the Oasis Visitor Center on the Tamiami Trail.



• Take part in free ranger-led swamp walks, canoe and bicycle trips during the winter season at Big Cypress National Preserve near Everglades City. Call ahead for reservations.



• Watch for black bear, Florida panther, deer, birds, butterflies, raccoon and other wildlife while taking a scenic drive along Janes Scenic Drive, Turner River Road and Loop Road near Everglades City.



• Launch your canoe or kayak on the Turner River in Big Cypress National Preserve and paddle along the cypress-lined river into the mangrove forests of the Everglades. There is a new free parking and launch area.



For more information on visiting the Paradise Coast of Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades, visit www.ParadiseCoast.com or call 1-800-688-3600 for a free Official Visitors Guide.