photo mosaic of Naples, Florida pier, Bayfront, Bayside, dolphin jumping, magenta orchid, water birds silhouetted against the sunset
RSW’s new Concourse E taking shape. What about the inside?

RSW’s new Concourse E taking shape. What about the inside?

Mark H. Bickel | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

When it comes to the outside of Southwest Florida International’s new Concourse E, it’s obvious to a passerby now how it is significantly changing the look of the growing Fort Myers airport.

A summer’s worth of construction has altered the exterior at RSW and for returning snowbirds and vacationers, it will be something to behold as their planes taxi to the existing gates at concourses B, C and D.

When Concourse E eventually opens, most likely late next year, it will add 14 more gates at RSW with room to expand at some point, meeting the anticipated increase in passengers at RSW.

But what about the inside of Concourse E? What is that going to look like? The airport is promising a media tour sometime in October for an update on all of the upgrades being made. In the meantime, RSW has architectural renderings of Concourse E for those who can’t wait until its serving passengers.

Read more and view renderings on naplesnews.com.

‘Coconut Coast Corridor’ emerges in SW Florida. What’s new and coming?

‘Coconut Coast Corridor’ emerges in SW Florida. What’s new and coming?

Phil Fernandez | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

  • The Estero-Bonita Springs region, now dubbed the Coconut Coast Corridor, has grown to 100,000 residents.
  • A local realtors’ group has rebranded to the Coconut Coast Organization of Realtors to reflect the area’s distinct market identity
  • Major new construction includes a mixed-use development in Estero and the second luxury tower of The Ritz-Carlton Residences.

Time to say hello to Southwest Florida’s new Coconut Coast Corridor, suddenly home to 100,000 residents.

From luxury high-rises along Estero Bay to mixed-use developments, national retailers and family-focused businesses, the Estero-Bonita Springs region continues to emerge as one of Southwest Florida’s most active development fronts.

And the Coconut Coast Corridor kept bubbling through the record heat of summer as we enter September, which is slated to bring milestones of its own and the start of yet more new construction.

The stretch surrounding Bonita Beach Road and north into Estero toward Coconut Point and Florida Gulf Coast University continues to attract new investment, new businesses and major development activity reshaping the landscape: From a former Fortune 500 executive’s latest venture to the August unveilings of new enterprises and a luxury tower milestone this month.

To think that last century it largely served as a pass-through between Naples and Fort Myers, and now has increasingly become a destination in its own right as the years pile on and the growth story unfolds with new chapters. Here’s what to know. Read more on naplesnews.com.

There’s so much to do here, are you looking for a home in beautiful Southwest Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Opera Naples announces new season filled with concerts, beloved operas

Opera Naples announces new season filled with concerts, beloved operas

Charles Runnells | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

Opera Naples has lined up some certified crowd-pleasers for its 2026-27 season, including two of the world’s most popular operas.

The opera company announced its expanded, upcoming season Sept. 4 with several concerts and its seventh-annual Festival Under The Stars in Baker Park. Highlights include Handel’s beloved “The Messiah,” the iconic “I Pagliacci” and the comedy masterpiece “The Barber of Seville.”

“I am incredibly excited for the upcoming season, which represents our biggest artistic scope in terms of variety and diversity of genres to date…” Artistic and Music Director Ramón Tebar said in a news release announcing Opera Naples’ 21st season. “From opera to concerts, from oratorio to operetta and contemporary works, from comic opera to serious opera and from recitals to sacred music, this season has it all!”

Performances and events are scheduled at Opera Naples’ Wang Opera Center, Baker Park, First Presbyterian Church of Naples and Moorings Presbyterian Church. Tickets are on sale now.

Opera Naples Executive Director Melanie Kalnins said the new season “reflects everything that makes Opera Naples unique — world-class artistry, meaningful community engagement and a commitment to developing the next generation of opera talent.”

Pavarotti competition winners featured in Opera Naples festival
The announcement follows a busy previous season for Opera Naples, including six sold-out performances at the annual Festival Under the Stars and a $1 million donation from an anonymous supporter at the opera company’s December 2025 gala.

The annual Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition won’t return until fall 2027 (date to be announced), Kalnins says. But winners from the 2025 and 2026 competitions will perform this coming March at the Festival Under the Stars.

Read more on naplesnews.com.

What new Florida data says about Naples ritzy luxury boating lifestyle

What new Florida data says about Naples ritzy luxury boating lifestyle

Phil Fernandez | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

New 2026 data uncovered from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission documents offers a revealing look at how boating infrastructure is distributed across the state — and how Southwest Florida’s Collier County stacks up.

Public records research by the Naples Daily News found an inventory of more than 10,000 marine facilities statewide, capturing aspects such as full-service marinas, small docks, boat yards and waterfront restaurants with slips.

In Southwest Florida, the numbers highlight Collier’s concentration.

Here’s what to know.

Collier County. Smaller boating footprint in Florida, higher concentration
Collier has an estimated 180 to 220 facilities, roughly a third the total seen in Lee County. That places it solidly in the middle tier statewide.

Yet despite the smaller footprint, the Naples area still maintains significant capacity, with an estimated 10,000 to 12,500 wet slips and 7,000 to 9,000 dry storage spaces.

What stands out is how that capacity is structured.

Unlike Lee’s dispersed network, Collier’s boating infrastructure is concentrated in defined hubs such as Naples Bay, Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands region.

Facilities in these areas tend to be larger and more amenity-driven. Marinas commonly range from 80 to more than 120 slips, often paired with structured dry storage and resort-level services.

In other words, fewer locations — but more capacity per site.

Read more on naplesnews.com.

Open for nearly 80 years, Everglades National Park can be challenging

Open for nearly 80 years, Everglades National Park can be challenging

Chad Gillis | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

The Everglades is a massive wetland system of millions of acres at the southern tip of Florida.

And Everglades National Park has about 1.5 million acres of it. So, how do you find your special place in the mainland’s southern-most national park?

You can sleep under the stars, rise early to catch the incoming tide and make landfall on shell-laden sandy deserted beaches.

Silvery mullet will burst from the glassy waters and splash down just feet from the stern of your kayak. A dolphin might surface a football field away and send misty air bursting from its blowhole.

Turquoise skies. Tropical weather sends a gentle breeze rolling over your shoulders.

Welcome to Everglades National Park, one of the nation’s great ecological treasures.

This is where brown pelicans crash onto the surface of the water like Kamikaze pilots, shoving their heads beneath in hopes of securing a meal.

Kingfishers, ibises, wood storks, various herons, roseate spoonbills, alligators, American crocodiles, otters, biting insects of all types and even black bears roam these woods and waters. The Everglades is a massive, wild place.

These remote waters and wetlands wrap around the southern tip of the state, encasing extreme southern Florida in a subtropical wilderness of swampy and sandy beaches.

What exactly is the Everglades? Enjoy the photos and read more on naplesnews.com.

140 restaurant deals: Ultimate Collier guide to Sizzle Dining 2026

140 restaurant deals: Ultimate Collier guide to Sizzle Dining 2026

Kendall Little | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

  • The 10th annual Sizzle Dining event will run throughout September in Southwest Florida.
  • One hundred forty restaurants will offer discounted, prix fixe menus to boost business during a typically slow month.
  • A dollar from every Sizzle Dining meal sold will be donated to Blessings in a Backpack SWFL.
  • The event aims to raise over $100,000 to help provide food for local children facing food insecurity.

For Southwest Florida foodies, September has become much more than the end of summer.

What was once one of the slowest months of the year for local restaurants is now one of the region’s biggest culinary celebrations, encouraging diners to discover new favorites, revisit beloved spots, and score a deal along the way.

Starting Tuesday, Sept. 1, 140 restaurants across Southwest Florida will take part in the 10th annual Sizzle Dining event, offering prix fixe menus and exclusive dining experiences throughout the entire month.

The annual promotion gives locals a chance to try everything from neighborhood gems to high-end destinations while supporting a local cause. Participating restaurants will offer prix fixe menus, then donate a dollar from every meal sold to Blessings in a Backpack SWFL, which helps provide food for children facing food insecurity during weekends.

With dozens of first-time participants and restaurants ranging from casual breakfast spots to upscale dining experiences, this year’s event is shaping up to be one of the largest in Sizzle’s history.

Read the full article and view delicious photos on naplesnews.com!

There’s so much to do here, are you looking for a home in beautiful Southwest Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.