Located in an area of town known as Old Naples, Fifth Avenue South, stretching from 1st to 9th Streets, is Naples' most popular shopping and dining district and is a pleasant mix of Old World charm and modern amenities.
Fifth Avenue South can best be described as Naples' Main Street. One of the primary thoroughfares through the town and definitely one of the most attractive, the street offers locals and visitors everything they need all in one spot, from boutique-style one-of-a-kind shops to familiar chain stores to fine restaurants and places to grab a quick bite to eat.
Those unfamiliar with the boulevard should make an initial stop at the recently opened Fifth Avenue South Information Center, which occupies a historic 1928-built structure. Sharing space with the Main Street art gallery, the information center provides visitors with maps of the shopping district and brochures about various stores and services located along the street. The adjoining Main Street Gallery allows guests to view works by talented regional artists.
Further down the street, shoppers will encounter beautiful Italianate buildings as well as structures of contemporary and traditional styles, painted in beautiful Florida pastels and featuring flower boxes, fountains, and other touches that add color and charm to the shopping district. The streets are lined with stately palm trees and sidewalks are wide and easily accommodate strollers and baby carriages.
Aside from stores, which are certainly plentiful along Fifth Avenue South, and a few residences, the street boasts an occasional green spot, where guests can relax and enjoy the shade. Parks like Cambier Park, located around 8th Street and Fifth Avenue, provide space for outdoor entertainment including concerts and festivals. Special events are frequent in this and other parks, including such festivities as an annual Mardi Gras carnival, a Christmas Walk and Avenue of Lights Parade, a Festival of the Arts that attracts thousands from the region, the yearly Taste of Collier Food Festival, and a gala Fourth of July procession that features food, fun, fireworks, floats, and plenty of music and partying.
Fifth Avenue South is one of Naples' prime dining areas. The street is lined with numerous restaurants and cafes ranging from well-known franchise eateries and French-style bistros to delicatessens, coffee shops, bakeries, pubs, and fine-dining establishments offering table service by black-tied wait staff. It's also a good place to grab a snack like a quick slice of pizza or an ice cream cone. Outdoor dining is available at many of the restaurants, and people watching from a table outside one of the eateries is a favorite pastime for many locals and visitors to the Naples area.
About a dozen art galleries also line the street and a number of service-oriented businesses like salons, travel agencies, banks, and doctors are also located on Fifth Avenue South. Arts-oriented attractions on the street include The von Liebig Art Center and the Naples Players/Sugden Community Theatre.
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