House & Walking Tours
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Tours of Historic Palm Cottage
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Saturday 12pm to 4pm
For tours of Historic Palm Cottage in December, please click “Christmas at Palm Cottage!” to be re-directed to our festive, annual holiday tours.
At the corner of 12th Avenue South and Gulfshore Boulevard sits an exquisite example of Naples authentic charm, Historic Palm Cottage™. Under the stewardship of Naples Historical Society, Palm Cottage™ — a house museum — invites visitors to experience the rustic, hand-crafted charm of Old Naples. Tours are led by well-informed Docents who share unique insights, historic facts and colorful tales about this local architectural gem and the community surrounding it. When a volunteer docent isn’t available, guests will be provided with a professionally written pamphlet and take a self-guided tour (available in several languages!).
Historic Palm Cottage, the oldest house in Naples (built in 1895), is constructed of tabby mortar, a hand-made concrete consisting of sand, shells and water. This two-story house was built by one of Naples’ founding residents, Walter N. Haldeman, and boasts 3,500 square feet of original and donated artwork, furnishings and tools spanning back to 1895. Palm Cottage is listed as a Landmark in the National Register of Historic Places.
A tour of Historic Palm Cottage (self-guided or docent-guided) includes a stroll through The Norris Gardens at Palm Cottage, a 24-minute Telly-Award winning video about Naples’ past, and access to the brand new, state of the art Smith Exhibit Hall.
Enjoyment of The Norris Gardens and the Smith Exhibit Hall is good only for the day of your tour; please manage your schedule accordingly — the Cottage closes promptly at 4pm. Tours at 3pm should come an hour early to see Smith Exhibit Hall and The Norris Gardens at Palm Cottage. OR, apply $10 from your day’s admission to new or renewing Membership and return for FREE throughout the year!
Society Docent, Jim Glick (far-left), leads a tour of the Cottage (2020).
The Society’s Official Walking Tour of the Naples Historic District Resumes October
Led by Naples Historical Society’s enthusiastic docents, guests learn about the first Neapolitans, the Calusa, and hear tales of life in Naples in the late 19th century. They will stand where the Old Naples Hotel once stood and hear the storied history of the Naples Pier and its numerous reconstructions, including its current rebuilding.
The 90-minute, Blue Zones approved tour takes guests through the gem of the Historic District; its residential neighborhood of beautifully maintained private historic homes, all of which embody unique stories of Naples’ past.
The tour docents will not comment on any of the homes affected by Hurricane Ian.
As a matter of policy, we must have a minimum of four guests (or four booked spots) on Naples Historical Society’s Walking Tour. If we have not met the minimum, we will reach out to you on Monday the week of the Walking Tour. While walking tours begin and end at Historic Palm Cottage, tours of the Cottage are not included and should be booked separately.
I pledge that by booking this walking tour, I will not use the researched and presented information, which is the Society’s work product, for other commercial or non-commercial ventures, such as creating other walking tours.
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The tour is 2 hours long, and includes 90 minutes of walking – don’t forget to bring your hat, sunscreen and a water bottle!
Walking tours begin at 9:30 AM – please arrive promptly 15 minutes before your activity’s start time to check in.
Check-in at Historic Palm Cottage, located at 137 12th Avenue South, Naples, FL 34102. City of Naples paid parking is available. Parking is free to those who have a City of Naples Resident or Collier County Resident Beach pass.
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Rates
• Members $16 per person
• Non-Members $22 per person – Join for the Member Discount!
• Walking Tour Reservations are required!!
• To book a Private Walking Tour, you must reserve all 12 spots
Available Times
Select Wednesdays – 9:30am
Location
Historic Palm Cottage:
137 12th Avenue South Naples, Florida 34102
Click here to Book your Walking Tour!
To read “A Step Back in Time” written by John Telischak CLICK HERE
John Telischak, Society Education Manager, presents the important history of the Old Naples Canal, which cut through the existing Naples Historic District! (2020)
BOGO One-Day Only
Memorial Day: 5/24/25
Independence Day: 7/5/25
Labor Day: 8/30/25
Veterans Day: 11/8/25
Walking Tours of the Naples Historic District
Walking Tours run seasonally from October – May.
Tours end on May 28, 2025, and will resume October 1, 2025.
This is the quintessential place to unlock Naples’ early history. Be sure to go on both the walking and house tour. You will discover little gems sprinkled all over Old NAPLES which will give you a real appreciation for how far it has come. The docents are volunteers and do a great job.