Sponsored by

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Two major hurricanes in three weeks is no joke, and I’m finally starting to feel like myself again. To readers out of state, it’s hard to describe how nerve wracking those final hurricane path wobbles are. 

Guess where I was when we learned that Hurricane Milton (then, Tropical Storm Milton) had become a serious threat to, basically, the entire state? The newly-opened Great Wolf Lodge! The tone of our pre-planned trip with several other local families certainly changed as we rushed to get our hurricane plans in place. It was an interesting time to be formulating the review that you’ll find below. 

Stuck in horrible traffic on Pine Ridge a couple days ago (several lights were out and people are clueless about four way stops), I saw my first car carrier of the season. That was the inspiration for the second half of today’s newsletter – 5 Things to Do Before Season Starts. 

Looking for your local knowledge! I am planning to do a feature in the future about some of the oldest restaurants that are currently operating in Naples. (Especially with so many restaurants under pressure.) So far, an early list includes Ridgeway Bar and Grill (’79), The Dock at Creighton Cove (’76), Kelly’s Fish House (’52). Who am I forgetting? Reply to this email or email [email protected] with your ideas and local knowledge. 

Thanks for supporting us,

📰 Upcoming in this issue

• Great Wolf Lodge Delivers on Fun

• Five Things to do Before Season 

Great Wolf Lodge Delivers on Fun

On October 4^th we checked into the newly-opened Naples Great Wolf Lodge with two kids for a trip we’d planned back in March when they were running pre-opening deals. We checked in with a couple other local families and plenty of expectations. The kids had been out of school because of Hurricane Helene and cooped up inside because of another rainy weather system we were contending with. Five kids between the age of 1 and 6. The energy was tangible. Could the expanse of Great Wolf Deliver? 

My first caution to the uninitiated is that you need a Masters of Bundling from Great Wolf University to navigate the many options and sub options possible for a fun-filled stay. From food credit options to activity options (make sure you check age/height) to a huge array of add-ons. Great Wolf caught me at the right time. I needed the energy to dissipate. I went for the magic wand, the dining package and a special Halloween package. My defenses were low, what can I say?

The positives? We’ve got an indoor water park in Naples. At a time when Sun n’ Fun is being privatized and the indoor options for kids during summer are very slim, this place will be a lifesaver for locals when the franchise fully appreciates how seasonal this town is. I expect the deals for locals will be compelling come next summer. 

The water park itself is great. There’s plenty to do for the entire family. The adult/older child slides are pretty thrilling when you think about the scale. There’s a middle island to the park that’s perfect for the 5-10 age set and a small area for toddlers nearby. The “lazy river” (which is more like the “motivated river”) is a highlight – my husband and I took many laps with the kids in between refreshing Mike’s Weather Page. 

The other Great Wolf activities were also a hit with the kids. Great Wolf has a decent sized ropes course that is perfect for anyone above the height limit (two of the six year olds in our group were tall enough). There is an additional climbing area for younger children that kept the little ones busy. The mini golf was popular, and the kids loved the magic wand game that goes throughout the hotel. 

Brand new hotel rooms are a special luxury, and Great Wolf’s were relatively spacious. We had selected the “Wolf Den Suite” which had a separate area inside of the room with bunk beds for the kids. If you’ve been to Legoland, the layout is familiar. 

The bad? Great Wolf opened ahead of schedule, and you can tell that they are still getting up to speed. Employees struggled to navigate the many different packages and options that people had selected, and the distribution of employees seemed uneven. That will all be solved with time, but it’s something to be aware of up front. 

After two days we had also had enough of the Great Wolf cuisine. It was fine basics for the kids (chicken nuggets, pizza, pasta) but everything else seemed to taste the same. I wasn’t expecting much more, so I wasn’t disappointing. We all also figured that we might not have power in a few days, so why not savor the hot meals for now? 

When the Naples Great Wolf was announced, there was a good amount of skepticism in the community. What would it mean for the area? Could traffic possibly get worse? Well, Great Wolf is here now, so we’ll find out the big-picture answers in the years ahead. In the meantime, check out the latest Naples attraction before it gets jammed in season.

Five Things to do Before Season 

As we work our way towards the end of October and into November, the first wave of seasonal residents and visitors will be returning to Naples. This means more traffic and seasonal prices, along with life-sustaining demand for local businesses. Here’s five pre-season bucket list items to check off before our population booms. 

1. Go to Island Gypsy on Marco 

Island Gypsy in Marco has the largest, most delicious onion rings in all of Naples. They are as big as your face. The restaurant is attractively located in Marco Island right on the water. The food is good and consistent. Island Gypsy gets jammed for lunch during season – especially on the weekends. Want to avoid the line or avoid circling your boat for half an hour waiting for a spot? Head there before season. 

2. Try the New Restaurants

Lola 41 opened at the end of last season last year and I promise that when the seasonal crowd returns, it will be slammed with crowds that are familiar with their original location in Nantucket. Go now and enjoy their happy hour from $4-6. 

A number of popular restaurants opened in the past year including Warren, Le Colonial, Syren and Unidos. Many of these opened mid-to-late last season and will be popular destinations in the months ahead. If you’re interested in checking them out before you have to wait for a reservation, now is the time!

3. Watch Sunset at Gumbo Limbo

Gumbo Limbo, the bar/restaurant at the Ritz on the beach is open. Food is pricey, views are priceless. Milton pretty much left it alone. It’s a wonderful place to have a cocktail and catch sunset if you haven’t yet this summer.

4. Have an Overnight Staycation

Whether you want to snag a day pass or a still-relatively-cheap hotel room, it’s going to be cheaper checking out resorts like the Hyatt Coconut Point, Ritz Tiburon and Naples Grande ahead of season. It’s a fun way to get away without leaving town. 

5. Go to the Beach

It’s a local tradition to remind one another to go to the beach. It’s often the reason people moved here in the first place. In the rhythms of everyday life, it’s pretty incredible how infrequently many of us make it to the beach. The weather has been nice the last few days and there’s still time to beat the crowds if you hit the beach in the days ahead. 

Presented by Naples Florida Rentals: Win a 2-Night Luxury Stay in Naples! 🌴🏖️

Are you ready to experience the ultimate Naples getaway? Naples Florida Rentals is offering you the chance to win a free 2-night stay in one of our luxurious vacation homes—valued at up to $1,500!

Owned and carefully maintained by us, our homes provide a super-clean, private retreat, perfect for families and friends. Whether you’re seeking a quiet escape or a fun-filled family vacation, our homes—complete with private pools, outdoor kitchens, and beach supplies—are designed to make your stay effortless.

Why settle for less when you can indulge in our award-winning, guest-favorite homes? Join over 300 satisfied guests who’ve rated us 5-stars. Save on third-party fees by booking directly with our owner, Dana, and immerse yourself in Naples’ vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and endless sunshine.

Why It Matters

The magic of Naples is in the timing. From uncrowded beaches to snagging the best seats at new restaurants, getting ahead of the season means you can enjoy all the perks with none of the hassle.

It’s about more than just having fun—it’s about making the most of every moment and discovering a side of Naples few get to see.

Don't wait until it’s too late—embrace the local advantage and enjoy it all on your terms.

Carolyn Cervoni
Editor-in-Chief
Naples, Florida
The Naples Florida Review

P.S. - Check out our sponsor’s vacation homes, comfortable for you, your family and even your pets. Find out why they currently have more than 300 reviews and all of them 5 stars. For more information and to book that perfect vacation, click here.