Mark H. Bickel | Naples Daily News
Once again, Southwest Florida is receiving praise for being one of the best places to retire in the United States.
Three Southwest Florida locations − Naples, Cape Coral and Bonita Springs − are on the U.S. News & World Report Best Places to Retire list for 2026 with all three locations appearing in the Top-25.
Naples, which was No. 1 on the 2025 Best Places to Retire list, fell to No. 18. Cape Coral came in at No. 21 followed at No. 22 by Bonita Springs.
U.S. News & World Report says it is the “global authority in rankings and consumer advice.”
Why did Naples fall in the Best Places to Retire rankings? Read the full article on naplesnews.com. Make sure to view the photo gallery
The Naples-Bonita Springs area is a great place to retire! Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
Kendall Little | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
Every October, the quiet fishing town of Everglades City comes alive with the cracks of crab claws signaling the start of stone crab season in Southwest Florida. Known as the “Stone Crab Capital of the World,” Everglades City knows how to do stone crab claws right.
Looking for the freshest stone crab claws this season? With insights from Everglades Welcome Center manager Patty Huff, we’ve rounded up five great restaurants and fish markets in Everglades City serving some of the best catches in the region.
Stone crab fun facts
Stone crabs are considered a renewable resource because fishermen don’t need to kill the crabs to harvest their claws. Stone crabs begin regrowing their claws within 30 to 90 days.
Everglades City is known as the Stone Crab Capital of the World.
There are strict harvest rules during stone crab season. Only claws that measure two and three-fourths inches from the joint to the tip may be harvested. The rest of the crab is released unharmed to keep the population healthy. Harvesting can only take place from Oct. 15 until May 1.
Stone crabs are found and harvested in other states, but Florida provides 99% of all stone crabs for the country.
Triad Seafood Market & Cafe… For all the places to get stone crab claws in Everglades City read the full article on naplesnews.com.
Dave Osborn, Hannah Holmes | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
With October behind us, it’s time to seriously focus on the holidays. And with more seasonal residents and tourists beginning to return to Southwest Florida, there’s plenty to do including concerts, plays, comedy and more.
What else is happening? Check out our monthly calendar and feel free to email dosborn@gannett.com if you’d like to add an event. Just submit it in the format shown in these events.
GENERAL EVENTS
Godzilla Day: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Naples is celebrating this legendary monster’s 71st birthday at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3. This event will include a screening of “The Return of Godzilla” (1984) and Godzilla merchandise for purchase. Tickets are $13.99 through drafthouse.com. 9118 Strada Place, No. 8205, Naples.
Baker Senior Center Naples Events: Throughout November, the center will have several extended hours events. Join for a resin art class from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4. $25 for members and $35 for non-members. Enjoy the Twilight Cabaret with Doug Williams from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13; free for members and $5 for non-members. Lastly, attend Karaoke Night from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, November 20 – free admission. All events are for ages 60-plus and require reservations through (239) 325-4444. Baker Senior Center Naples, 6200 Autumn Oaks Lane.
For more things to do in the Naples, Florida area in November, including Veteran’s Day, USA Today Wine & Food Experience, Christmas Market, Classic Car Show and more, read the full article on naplesnews.com.
There’s so much to do in Naples – Bonita Springs! Be close to the fun with a home in the area. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
Mark H. Bickel, Andrew West | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
Andrew West, the award-winning photographer for The News-press and Naples Daily News, loves to go into the woods to produce some of his best images.
Deep in the woods.
For years now, West has been using a remote camera to get breath-taking photos of Southwest Florida’s wildlife. These photos have been featured on our different content platforms and the stunning images are a big hit with our audience.
The amazing thing about West’s vast collection of photos of critters in the wild is that the subjects often look like made an appointment with him to have their portrait taken. But nothing is “posing” here. The magic of the remote sensor camera, also known as a camera trap, is that it is activated by the movement of the animal, producing these uncanny moments in the natural world.
Click here to watch the video of Andrew West setting up his camera trap, and see some of the candid photos of animal life in the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed.
From wildlife to wonderful restaurants and entertainment indoors and out, Southwest Florida is a great place to live. Find a home in this vibrant area on the southwest coast of Florida. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
Plans are in play for a new golf course and club near Estero.
On Oct. 24, the Hoffmann Family of Cos. announced the name of the development and shared more information about their vision for the development, as well as revealing the likely timetable for its opening.
The name: Pandion Club. It’s based on the scientific classification for the osprey (Pandionidae). The large, brown-and-white raptor is commonly spotted in Florida. It’s often used as a symbol for wealth.
In August, the Hoffmanns announced they had partnered with internationally renowned architect Kyle Phillips to design and build the new golf course on the site of the former Old Corkscrew Golf Club.
Read the full article on naplesnews.com.
Looking for a home in the golf mecca of Southwest Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
Kendall Little, Robyn George | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
October brings two of Southwest Florida’s favorite things: cooler weather and stone crabs.
Stone crab season kicked off Wednesday, Oct. 15, and will be here for another shell-cracking 6½ months.
“Stone crabs are here, the weather is turning nice, and our seasonal guests are arriving each day,” said Grant Phelan, the CEO of Phelan Family Brands. “Best month of the year.”
Over on Matlacha in Lee County, Jesse Tincher couldn’t agree more.
“Oct. 15 is my favorite day of the year,” said the co-owner of Blue Dog Bar & Grill. “The last day of the season is the worst day. If I was stranded on an island and only had stone crabs to eat, I don’t want to be found.”
Collier County is home to Everglades City, a quaint fishing town widely recognized as the “Stone Crab Capital of the World.” Stone crab claws are a renewable resource because fishermen don’t need to kill the crabs to harvest the claws. Stone crabs start regrowing their claws within 30 to 90 days.
To help get you cracking, here are some of our favorite Collier spots to break out the hammer and bib for freshly prepared stone crab claws, plus where to buy your own to make at home.
Read the full article on naplesnews.com to find out other restaurants like Kelly’s Fish House Dining Room serving stone crab claws.
Looking for a home close to delicious dining in Southwest Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
