Posted by admin on May 11, 2009
Well I’ll start off with saying…you do not want to go to when it’s hot! (as was the case when we went as you can see from car temp)
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is located at 1590 Goodlette Rd Naples Florida 34102
My daughter nor I were overly impressed with the zoo itself though.
The most impressive part was the fact that they had multiple recycling bins throughout the park.
The brochure for the zoo was printed on recycled paper too so that was a green plus.
However, there weren’t any guides or people to really discuss the zoo and any green efforts or any animal conservation efforts.
The zoo itself was mediocre at best. Half of the animals they show on the site weren’t to be seen. Their “mane attraction” (the lion) was nowhere to be seen. Most of the animals were hiding under shade provisions (probably laughing at all the people sweating walking around in the heat of the day looking at them lol).
The most unique animal they had was the fosa (daughter got a pic but it’s not downloaded yet) known as Madagascar’s Legendary Carnivore.
One of their biggest exhibits was for a Toucan who was formerly used on signage to Naples.
Overall, I’d say save your $19.95 for 13+
and $11.95 for kids
unless you like walking around trying to figure out where the few animals are hiding.
Though they are opening a black bear exhibit at the end of the month.
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We spent some time walking the shops on 5th Avenue in Naples. At night the avenue is light up with small lights and people enjoying the atmosphere in the store front restaurants and shops.
We made a stop at Life is Good (why isn’t there one of those stores in SE FL?). My daughter also bought nail polish from Del Sol where the items change color when in sunlight. I’m pretty sure it’s not chemical free nor eco friendly, but the nail polish is pretty cool along with the other items and I’m not going to deprive a 13 yr old of color changing nail polish.
On Saturday night they had a “movie in the park” for people to come, gather, enjoy.
This past Saturday was Beverly Hill’s Chihuahua and wow was the park full of kids and dogs! We had our chairs and were amongst the crowd enjoying the free movie. It started at sunset and other than the bugs bothering my daughter it was really cool to see people all together like that.
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Tin City located in Naples, FL was interesting.
I went after my dad mentioned it. Glad we stopped there.
They had little shops and stores located in the buildings that used to be a 1920’s clam processing plant. In 1976 they converted the plant into what is now Tin City. All the shop owners/workers were friendly and went out of their way to say “good day” even if you were just walking by their shop.
Of course my favorite store was of course the Peace Frogs store. Yes, I know I can get that anywhere..but there’s not one in SE FL, so…..I bought 2 new dresses, tee and daughter got a dress and bracelet.
There’s a SeriousCookie store there and OMG the smell of their cookies being baked filled part of the shop area.
There are waterfront restaurants where you can eat and watch the boats go out and enjoy the outdoors.
It was truly an unique place to visit!
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There was nothing at all green or eco friendly or even friendly about this place (other than our older woman server).
Now I can see why when I asked at the motel where this place was they looked at me with this look of shock or disbelief, not sure now what to make of their look but I should have taken that as a warning sign.
BonitaChamber (Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce Twitter account) recommended Buffalo Chips Restaurant as a kid friendly restaurant. I guess I should’ve specified that we are green loving non beer drinking types…(though I thought BonitaChamber would’ve seen that on my twitter account), but regardless…..
We get to Buffalo Chips on Old Rt 41 and well this is not a place I’d eat at anyhow since just by the name of it I’m pretty sure nothing vegan but I’m fasting anyhow and my daughter needs to eat! I figure we’d try out a few local dives and see how it went. So, we approach the screened in patio entrance where there’s a sign that says “hippies use side door”…hmmm no side door..geee imagine! Think they have something against “hippies”? Now, imagine me…wearing a dress like thing that has “peace, love” and peace signs on it, carrying my messenger bag from http://www.soul-flower.com/ that has nothing but peace signs on it, along with my yoga sandals, and my big sunglasses that everyone says puts me over the top as being in the wrong era…and daughter is wearing normal clothes but add a peace sign jacket!
As soon as we walk in, we can tell we’re not going to fit in.
And, no offense to red necks and beer guzzlers but that’s all there were here at like 4 pm on Friday.
I ask daughter if she wants to stay, and she’s like “sure, we’re here”…we are seated and an older woman comes to serve us. She, at least, was friendly and quick. The rest of the crowd there was loud and staring at us.
Daughter is checking out all the trophies and awards for “The Best Chicken Wings”, so naturally she orders chicken wings for her dinner. The service is fast but I went into shock when the nice older woman brought out the food on Styrofoam plates! Wow I didn’t even know places still used those! I was in shock, but then again after the “hippies use side door” sign not sure why I was in shock!?
Then, daughter takes a few bites of her “best chicken wings” and can’t stand them. She said the ones she can get frozen in a box from “TGI Fridays” were better than those! So, we’re done there after a few bites. Nice older lady comes and is shocked daughter didn’t like them, but proceeds to clean off table and tosses everything in the trash! Landfill here’s some styrofoam for you 
We left and went to go find some edible food for my daughter.
So, all in all…this place is FAR from green and far from “best chicken wings” and gets two thumbs down as a green restaurant or even a good one for that matter.
Now, perhaps if you’re a beer drinker and are into hanging out, drinking, eating wings that you might think are the “best” after a few drinks, then this place is for you. If you’re green, eco friendly and like good food and mellow atmosphere, then this place is not for you and you may just want to visit Fresh Market or Whole Foods and get some real food.
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We recently stayed at the Flamingo Motel in Bonita Springs, FL. I had heard good reviews on it and figured we’d give it a try based on the reviews as well as their website.
I was pleasantly surprised that the reviews were accurate!
Even though the name is Flamingo Motel, it was nothing like mainstream motels. It’s family owned and they were most polite and helpful.
The rooms were up to date (looked like bathrooms were recently done). Best of all the rooms didn’t have any weird funky smell. Since I’m overly sensitive to smells and chemicals that was a huge plus in my book. Usually we do not stay in motels because of that reason, but there were no smells, no funky aromas in the room!
Their rates are mega affordable (especially right now since it’s “off season”). They’re located about 1 1/3 mile from local beach and preserves and about a 20 min. drive north of the Naples Zoo.
They have a heated pool (don’t find that often in FL), a tiki hut and nice outside area too.
There was nothing really green about the place though other than the fact they did have recycling available.
But, overall as a motel it was:
affordable
nice owners
updated rooms (complete w/compact frig, microwave)
no funky smells, aromas
