"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
Sometime next February or March, my bride and I will be in Bal Harbour and
we've been toying with the idea of driving west on I-75 to Naples, and
then north to Tarpon Springs, and then over to Orlando.

Questions:

Is there anything worth stopping for on I-75? I've never been in that part
of Florida (across the bottom of the state, as it were)?

Nothing on Alligator Alley. But if you take Tamiami Trail, there are a lot
of pull-offs worth stopping at.
Bring your camera.

http://www.nps.gov/ever/

(Shark Valley Visitor Center)




Is Naples worth a day or two? If so, what would you recommend seeing or
doing? What seafood restaurants would you recommend?

If you take Tamiami Trail/US 41, get off at 951/Collier Blvd heading south
towards Marco. About 7-10 miles south of 41, and 1 mile before Marco
Island, there's a turn off to the right that leads to Isles of Capri. You
can't get lost on Isles of Capri. Just follow the only road through "town"
and look for Backwater Nick's. The fish is fresh, and the atmosphere hasn't
changed much in the 6 years I've been down here, but the tourists have found
it and driven the prices up. Still worth checking out:
http://www.backwaternicks.com/
They used to have a deal that if you brought them your "catch", they'd cook
it for you, and include veggies and salad for $5. I think they still do it,
but I'm sure it's double that now.




If you stop in Naples, and want a little more upscale, visit 5th Avenue
South (it's right where Tamiami Trail/US 41 turns right and starts heading
North towards Tampa). Along 5th are some of the nicer/fancier restaurants
in Naples. Yabba's has Caribbean-style seafood, and is excellent.

http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/sh_di...897962,00.html

If you stay on 5th heading west for about 1 mile, you'll reach the Gulf.
But before you reach the Gulf, you'll reach 3rd Street South. Go left, and
travel about 1/2 mile heading south and you'll reach Tommy Bahama's.

It's a great place to have a "Bungalow Beer" and listen to the live music at
night. Pricey, but nice atmosphere.
http://www.naplesdowntown.com/3rdstore.htm


A little more casual, but still in that general area, is The City Dock at
Crayton Cove:
http://www.craytoncove.com/dining.htm

(You'll find very few reasonably priced restaurants in and around 5th Avenue
South, 3rd Street South, and 12th Avenue South. It's one of the more
expensive areas of Naples)

As for the restaurants that the locals frequent, I'd put the following ones
on my list:
Alice Swee****er's Bar and Grille. 1996 Airport Rd. S. Naples, Florida 34112
(It's a little bit out of the tourist zone, almost to the Naples
Airport...and just up the road from the Government Center)

FishHouse restaurant (actually in Bonita Springs/North Naples)
http://www.bonitanews.com/places/fish_house/
The Fish House is one of my favorites...especially because there are two of
them, and either can be reached by boat. Get the crab and shrimp dip.

Pincher's (get the crabs, not the fish. The fish looks fresh in the
display, but it's never fresh tasting when served)
http://www.bonitanews.com/places/pinchers_crab_shack/

If you're not stuck on seafood, then there are dozens of other I'd
recommend.










How about Cape Coral?

We prefer "venues" the locals frequent.

I don't know much about Cape Coral, other than that the Lazy Flamingo is a
pretty decent place. (There's one on Sanibel too).