Stalk prehistoric mastodons with Florida's first big-game hunters, or travel even further back in time, when colossal sharks cruised the warm tropical seas that once covered Southwest Florida.

See ancient shell tools and ceremonial masks and dig up the facts about the Calusa Indian civilization that flourished here centuries before European explorers first set foot on the Gulf coast.

Trace America's little-known wars in South Florida, the heroic journey of the Seminole people, and the origins behind traditional crafts like patchwork, once laboriously stitched together on hand-cranked sewing machines.

Experience the daily lives - and utter isolation - of the first settlers and their families as they arrived on this watery frontier a hundred years ago, and share in the vision of a self-made multi-millionaire who dreamed of taming a wilderness swampland the size of Delaware. Along the way, we'll introduce you to the hardy and colorful folk - the cattlemen, clam diggers, trail blazers, plume hunters, hermits, loggers, railroaders, rum runners, Crackers and Indian traders - who wrote the pioneer history of Collier County.

Nestled on five acres of native Florida landscaping, our flagship museum at the County Government center in Naples offers newly created exhibits and galleries that capture the full panorama of local history. Pack a picnic and linger a while in the museum's shady backyard. Then do a little exploring on your own in our native gardens, restored Naples cottages, the archaeology lab, Seminole village or Calusa Indian camp.

Enlarged twice, the museum's main gallery offers over 10,000 square feet of new displays, plus a traveling exhibit room, lecture hall, and gift shop.

Local

Eat and Drink

• Osteria Tulia - Naples (2.4 miles) - Created by award-winning Chef Vincenzo Betulia, Osteria Tulia transports diners to Naples, Florida&#...
• DeRomo's Gourmet Market & Restaurant - Bonita Springs (15.7 miles) - Located in Promenade at Bonita Bay, DeRomo’s Gourmet Market & Restaurant is an excellent place to ...

See and Do

• Collier County Museum Naples (0.0 miles) - Stalk prehistoric mastodons with Florida's first big-game hunters, or travel even further back i...
• Naples Depot Museum Naples (2.1 miles) - Long hidden on the fringe of Florida's Gulf Coast and overlooked by developers until well into t...
• Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Naples (6.6 miles) - The Environmental Learning Center is a 16,500 square-foot facility with four research laboratories, ...
• Marco Island Historical Museum Marco Island (13.7 miles) - Long famous for its Key Marco Cat -- one of the most remarkable and influential discoveries in North...
• Good Time Charters and Tours Fort Myers Beach (23.6 miles) - Located in Fort Myers Beach offering dolphin cruises, fishing charters, and kayaking eco tours all y...

Shopping

• Promenade at Bonita Bay - Bonita Springs (15.7 miles) - The Promenade at Bonita Bay is an open-air shopping center enhanced by a beautiful tropical landscap...