Avoiding the cold during the winter months isn’t an option. But thanks to some friends, I managed to break free from the single-digit temps… only to land in cold, yet wheelchair accessible Naples, Florida. What?! That’s not exactly the tropical escape I envisioned, but hey—blankets, fleece jackets, and hats work in Florida, too. Plus, good friends, lots of laughter, and delectable food make up for a lot.
Things to Do
One of the highlights? A manatee tour with Manatee Sightseeing & Wildlife Tours. Ever since I learned about these gentle giants in elementary school, I’ve wanted to see them up close. The tour was wheelchair accessible (even if getting my power chair on the boat was a bit of a wobbly adventure), and the tour did not disappoint.
The Naples Botanical Garden was another beautiful and accessible outing. The main paths are easily accessible. Other paths are packed sand, yet were very doable in my power chair. Even on a cold and windy day, we saw exotic plants and vegetation of all colors of the rainbow. The scent of many of the blossoms wafted through the air. I’d love to return at a different time of year to see the gardens as the seasons change.
Beach
I also experienced my first beach mat. This genius invention let me roll onto the sand with ease—no extra help needed. I’ll admit, I was skeptical, but it worked beautifully. The beach mat didn’t reach the water, but this was the best beach experience I’ve had since my injury. I typically avoid beaches because of the hassle and mess, but a beach mat made the beach a beautiful—if not chilly—adventure.
The Food Scene
Oh, my heavens. Naples is a food-lover’s delight. We ate like queens every day. My favorite restaurant was Mediterrano. The accessible seating area was cramped and only available in the enclosed, heated patio area, but the food was simply divine. Mediterrano is within walking distance of the Naples Pier, so on the only day we had sun, we spent several hours at the beach, walked to Mediterrrano, then walked back to the beach to watch the sunset.
Another restaurant worth going to is The Dock At Crayton Cove. The food is great and the overall vibe is nice. Bha! Bha! Persian Bistro (Persian-inspired cuisine), Nosh, and Aldos Italian Table & Bar were other restaurants where we ate.
One thing I’ll add: Naples is not cheap. The splurge throughout the week was on food. To even out the budget, we shopped at a grocery store for breakfast, snacks, and lunch. I’ve never eaten at this many delicious (and pricey) restaurants in one week. And it was so worth it.
Getting around Naples
As a wheelchair user, transportation around town always takes extra planning. For this trip, I rented a van from Manatee Vans. Their price beat out the more well-known competitors, and the owners dropped off the van and picked it back up at the airport. Great service all around.
The city itself is easy to get around and accessible. I remember a few “hiccups” with a missing curb cut or two, but overall, Naples is wheelchair friendly.
Places to Stay
I can’t speak much to this topic since we stayed at the condo my friend’s father owns. (Thanks, Rick!). Walking and driving around, I saw a lot of options. If you don’t want to drive, I’d recommend staying on the beach or near 5th Avenue where the best shopping and restaurants are located.
Flying to Naples
Allegiant has a non-stop flight from Louisville to Punta Gorda (45 minutes from Naples) twice a week. I’d never flown Allegiant, but I gave it a try since it was a direct flight—and their cargo holds are large enough for a power chair. The flight down was perfect. The return flight to Louisville was a bit rough. I have TSA PreCheck, but my chair tested positive for explosives or drugs, so TSA completely tore my bags apart and I missed pre-boarding. Then Allegiant didn’t have me on “the list” as needing boarding assistance. My experience went downhill from there, but, ultimately, both my chair and I made it home.
Overview
If you are looking for a beautiful, classy location with wheelchair accessible features that is a foodie’s dream scene, then Naples is your place. I’d avoid the month of January since friends have said the weather can bit hit or miss in January. With that being said, the weeks before and after I was there were sunny and in the 70s. And I did get in one sunny day and a stunning sunset.
