Presenting

2 0 1 7 | P A R A D I S E C O A S T . C O M 2 7 Pickleball You probably already know that pickleball is one of the fastest-growing games in the U.S. What you might not know is that Florida's Paradise Coast has a plethora of places to grab a paddle and play. Ave Maria South Park and the City of Marco Island Racquet Center both have facilities for pickleball. The Fleischman Park Community Center in Naples even offers lessons to hone your skills. East Naples Community Park is home to the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships, in which more than 1,000 par ticipants from across the world compete. Shooting Gulf Coast Clays has been providing high-quality trap, skeet, sporting and five stand clay shooting to sportsmen in Southwest Florida for almost 50 years. They use Promatic's Claymate control system, allowing you to shoot solo or with friends. Experienced instructors are also on staff and available for private lessons. Learning Journey back through more than a million years of Southwest Florida history at the Collier County Museums in Naples, Everglades City, Naples Depot, Immokalee and Marco Island. All five museums offer a rich sampling of the people, places and events that make this area's history and heritage well worth exploring. Discover fierce saber cats and long-vanished civilizations, stunning archaeological finds and curious inventions, turn-of-the-century trading posts, cowmen, cattle ranches and some of Florida's most adventurous and colorful characters. Touring See the area from a whole new perspective, and benefit from entertaining, knowledgeable guides. If you're hungry to try something new, schedule an outing with Taste of Naples Tours. You'll visit some of the area's most unique restaurants, markets and shops, while sampling tasty bites and chatting with interesting locals. Give your feet a break with a guided tour at Segway of Naples. From your Segway perch, you'll encounter some of Naples' most popular landmarks, and learn some fun-filled facts through your own personal headset. Naples Trolley Tours are a unique way to take it all in—aboard a vintage trolley car. Or treat yourself to a frighteningly good time at Marco Murder and Mayhem. Seasonal guided ghost tours on Marco Island include visits to a haunted inn and an ancient burial site. Baseball Vacationers aren't the only ones who like to take advantage of the fine Southwest Florida weather. Nearby For t Myers is home to both the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins during spring training season. JetBlue Park and the CenturyLink Sports Complex offer baseball fans a chance to witness their team favorites in state- of-the-ar t stadium facilities. Racing When the gates open, the engines get revving at the Immokalee Regional Raceway. The 1/8 mile drag strip, located on a closed runway at the Immokalee Airpor t, is a drag racing fan favorite. Racing enthusiasts come from all over to experience events like the Jr. Dragster, Hot Rod races, Winter Warm Up and Tomato Nationals. Pickleball Naples Trolley Tours

• Cover