Tampa Bay & Southwest Florida - Florida - page 958

Broad Ave S and 14th St S; this area, called Third St South , forms the heart of Old
Naples. Throughout the area there's a mix of Mediterranean Revival and board-and-batten
Cracker cottages. From spring to fall the Old Naples district hosts a range of events: mu-
sic, art and a Saturday-morning farmers market. See the online calendar at
www.thirdstreetsouth.com .
All downtown parking (off-beach) is free.

Baker Museum MUSEUM

( 239-597-1900; www.artisnaples.org ; 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd; adult/child $10/free; 10am-8pm

Tue, to 4pm Wed-Sat, noon-4pm Sun)
The pride of Naples, this engaging, sophisticated art museum is part of the Artis-Naples
campus, which includes the fabulous Philharmonic Center next door. Devoted to 20th-cen-
tury modernism, particularly American abstract expressionism, the museum hosts an excit-
ing round of temporary shows, ranging from sculpture and photography, to papercraft and
the eccentric postmodern Wunderkammern (cabinets of curiosity) of collector Ronny Van
de Velde. In 2015 the museum hopes to host its first international exhibition of 140 major
works from the Écoles des Beaux-Arts in Paris exploring the theme of Gods and Heroes.
On the last Wednesday of each month, between 6pm and 9pm, the popular 'Art After
Hours' allows visitors to explore the museum for free. To accompany, there's live music
and free docent tours.

Naples Botanical Gardens GARDENS
( 239-643-7275; www.naplesgarden.org ; 4820 Bayshore Dr; adult/child 4-14 $13/8; 9am-5pm)
This outstanding botanical garden styles itself as 'a place of bliss, a region of supreme de-
light.' And after spending some time wandering its 2.5-mile trail through six cultivated
gardens you'll rapidly find your inner zen. Children particularly delight in the garden sup-
plied with a thatched-roof tree house, a butterfly house and an interactive fountain, while
adults get all dreamy-eyed contemplating the giant lily pads in the Brazilian Garden.
Other highlights include the Florida Garden, designed by Naples' own Ellin Goetz,
which features an extensive wildflower meadow encircled by sabal palms (Florida's state
tree) and garden rooms providing locals with useful planting tips. The Naples Garden Club
has found a home here, too, and offers on-site advice and a variety of programs.