How about a local? :)
Ephesos is 20 km to Kuşadası; one of the best preserved ancient cities.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephesus There is also Klaros, Notion and Teos nearby; about 50 km.
You will of course see the peninsula, Güvercin Adası, in Kuşadası; houses a castle and a beach.
Kadıkalesi, a Byzantine Castle. 15 km I believe.
Öküz Mehmet Pasha caravanserai. Again inside the city. Ottoman storage area turned hotel now. You can see common area. Rooms are good too; stayed there for a day or two myself.
There are many aquaparks in the area if you are into that but sea is good enough for me.
Also traditional small villages and stuff nearby if you are into it.
İzmir is about 1 hours drive; major city. Where I live. If you want to buy stuff I suggest you buy from Izmir. Kuşadası will be more expensive in almost every case.
Şirince near Selçuk. Traditional mountain village about 30 km. Good local wines. You can also have a good breakfast here.
Kuşadası is a touristic spot though; you will see exactly what you can see in such places; bars, pubs, clubs, beaches, beach clubs, bars, pubs, clubs.
