Naples, perched on Florida’s Paradise Coast, invites visitors to enjoy a taste of the high life. World renowned for its upscale trappings, including high-end retailers and hotels, the city named after one of Italy’s finest also boasts a thriving arts scene. No doubt posh, the upscale performing arts and cultural offerings throughout Naples can make anyone feel like royalty.

“Naples has rapidly grown into a cosmopolitan hot spot,” said Scott McCormish, president of ExploreNaples.com. “The arts industry here is every bit as important to tourism as the world-class shopping, hotels and fine dining that people can enjoy when visiting the city.”

Here are a few exciting highlights to enjoy in the jewel of Collier County:

Art Galleries

While shopping is a major pastime for locals and visitors in the bustling Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South shopping districts, a notable niche has been carved out for those who enjoy the visual arts. Gallery Row in downtown Naples is a connoisseur’s dream, boasting a strong concentration of the city’s 130-plus galleries. Located at Broad Street South and Third Street South, Gallery Row is a perfect place to spend an afternoon enjoying one amazing collection after another.

If escaping to the Paradise Coast is high on your list of priorities, Naples can provide an enriching experience in the arts set in a lively, sophisticated city.

Noteworthy galleries include the Gallery Matisse, Native Visions Gallery and Shaw Gallery, all offering historic and contemporary art from notable international and American artists.

Stepping away from Gallery Row, you’ll find one of the most influential galleries in the city – Weatherburn Gallery – in Bayfront Plaza. Gaining a solid reputation as the largest original art gallery in Southwest Florida, Weatherburn opened a 3,000-square-foot showroom in 2006.


Performing Arts

In Pelican Bay, in the city’s northern section, sits a glittering figure of arts in the city. For more than 20 seasons, The Philharmonic Center for the Arts has been a mainstay of the Naples cultural scene, offering performances in theater, dance and classical and popular music.

Nestled around the two sculpture gardens, the Philharmonic Center Cultural Complex houses Hayes Hall (a 1,425-seat theater) and the Naples Museum of Art, as well as a black-box theater (a simple, unadorned performance space) and four art galleries. At various times throughout the year, the center hosts the Miami City Ballet, Philharmonic Center Chorale and various youth groups.

“The Phil,” as it is referred to by locals, is also the home of the Grammy-nominated Naples Philharmonic Orchestra. The internationally renowned group has performed with some of classical music’s greats, including Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli and Kiri Te Kanawa. The Philharmonic Youth Orchestra also performs here regularly.

Museums

The Naples Museum of Art, on the grounds of the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, features a collection of more than 300 paintings and drawings by American masters and one of the largest collections of 20th-century Mexican art in the Southern United States. It hosts countless traveling exhibitions as well.

With more than 30,000 square feet of space on three floors, this massive museum serves as a symbol of the high caliber of art appreciation in Naples. Recent exhibitions have included the works of artists Andrew Wyeth, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and Helen Frankenthaler.

Founded in 1954, the von Liebig Art Center has also become an anchor of the Naples art scene. Working in conjunction with the Naples Art Association, this art center has as its mission “to promote and advance education, interest and participation in the contemporary visual arts." It holds various festivals and exhibitions throughout the year.

“We are the only privately funded community arts center in Naples. The center does exhibitions for its member artists, major exhibitions of national artists, art classes for adults, Artscool for children and outdoor art festivals including the Naples National Art Festival that is currently ranked as the fifth best in the U.S.,” said Joel Kessler, executive director of the Naples Art Association, which has more than 1,500 members.

Antiques

The art of antiquing has exploded as a pastime in recent years. Whether you’re looking for a piece from a specific period or just browsing, Naples offers exciting options. The epicenter of the Naples Antique district can be found at Central Avenue and 10th Street.

In The Plaza on Third Street South, you’ll find The Englishman, which offers fine antique art and furniture from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Regularly scheduled events, including meetings of the International Wine and Food Society, encourage a community appreciation of antiques. Among the many other shops worth visiting: Auctions Neapolitan and Rue Toulouse Antiques.

If escaping to the Paradise Coast is high on your list of priorities, Naples can provide an enriching experience in the arts set in a lively, sophisticated city.