Mark Felling's Guidebook to Punta Gorda, FL
Food Scene
Walk 1 Block. $30,000 Guinness system. lots of fun live music. Great fish and chips and Curry-of-the-week. Indian culture brought back by Irish soldiers who served in India when it was under British rule.
40 locals recommend
Celtic Ray Public House
145 E Marion AveWalk 1 Block. $30,000 Guinness system. lots of fun live music. Great fish and chips and Curry-of-the-week. Indian culture brought back by Irish soldiers who served in India when it was under British rule.
Ice House Pub
408 Tamiami TrailHistoric architecture. Possibly the oldest building in town
Excellent value! Delicious local hole-in-the-wall. Awesome Cheesy Artichoke Appetizer and 10 topping anyway You want it pizzas for 10 or 15 dollars Thursdays Fridays and Saturdays.
Manatees Pizza
408 Tamiami TrailExcellent value! Delicious local hole-in-the-wall. Awesome Cheesy Artichoke Appetizer and 10 topping anyway You want it pizzas for 10 or 15 dollars Thursdays Fridays and Saturdays.
John Ski's House of Breakfast & Lunch
502 King StHuge portions! Great value! Very tasty!
Burg'r Bar
317 Tamiami TrailBison burgers. I think they must sprinkle a drug on their fries.
Sandra's Restaurant
111 W Olympia AveGreat German ethnic food. Excellent lunch buffet 3 days a week.
Excellent! Make a reservation or it's unlikely you will get a table!
46 locals recommend
Carmelo's Italian Ristorante
321 W Retta EsplanadeExcellent! Make a reservation or it's unlikely you will get a table!
1.5-in juicy pork chop! Need I say more? Sometimes live music. 2 blocks on Main Street.
25 locals recommend
F.M. Don's
201 W Marion Ave1.5-in juicy pork chop! Need I say more? Sometimes live music. 2 blocks on Main Street.
Just get a rack of ribs. Everything's good but the ribs are superb!
For this one you will need to drive across the bridge to Port Charlotte, but if you have a car it's worth the short drive.
12 locals recommend
Wallys Southern Style BBQ
3591 Tamiami TrailJust get a rack of ribs. Everything's good but the ribs are superb!
For this one you will need to drive across the bridge to Port Charlotte, but if you have a car it's worth the short drive.
Sightseeing
Great sunset views over Charlotte Bay and lots of excellent live music weekend evenings.
50 locals recommend
TT's Tiki Bar
33 Tamiami TrailGreat sunset views over Charlotte Bay and lots of excellent live music weekend evenings.
Enjoy the injured, rescued animals free at Peace River Wildlife Center Zoo which is at Ponce de Leon park open 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
34 locals recommend
Peace River Wildlife Center
3400 Ponce de Leon PkwyEnjoy the injured, rescued animals free at Peace River Wildlife Center Zoo which is at Ponce de Leon park open 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
It's beautiful, peaceful, and popular to sit on the beach at Ponce de Leon Park and watch the sun set over Charlotte Harbor. Bring drinks, snacks, and a beach blanket, and swimsuit if you're so inclined.
If you go early you can enjoy the animals free at Peace River Wildlife Center Zoo which is on site at the park open 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
33 locals recommend
Ponce De Leon Park
3400 Ponce de Leon PkwyIt's beautiful, peaceful, and popular to sit on the beach at Ponce de Leon Park and watch the sun set over Charlotte Harbor. Bring drinks, snacks, and a beach blanket, and swimsuit if you're so inclined.
If you go early you can enjoy the animals free at Peace River Wildlife Center Zoo which is on site at the park open 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Nightlife
Drinks overlooking the bay. 3 blocks on Waterfront promenade.
51 locals recommend
Hurricane Charley's Raw Bar & Grill
300 W Retta EsplanadeDrinks overlooking the bay. 3 blocks on Waterfront promenade.
Dean's South of the Border
130 Tamiami TrailLots of good life music. Food is unexceptional.
Things to Do
Learn to sail! Affordable, family friendly, fully inclusive with special programs for all disabilities.
Charlotte Harbor Community Sailing Center
Learn to sail! Affordable, family friendly, fully inclusive with special programs for all disabilities.
Lots of shops, bars, and restaurants. Great for an afternoon stroll followed by dinner.
Daily boat cruises on Charlotte Harbor.
Historically was commercial ship in the wharf and the Terminus of the train. A Linear Park replaces the old train tracks, great for a stroll or bike ride.
191 locals recommend
Fishermens Village Resort
1200 W Retta EsplanadeLots of shops, bars, and restaurants. Great for an afternoon stroll followed by dinner.
Daily boat cruises on Charlotte Harbor.
Historically was commercial ship in the wharf and the Terminus of the train. A Linear Park replaces the old train tracks, great for a stroll or bike ride.
Excellent, fresh produce, real Florida Orange Juice I squeezed at a local orchard (we recommend the option mixed with strawberry juice), kettle popcorn, olives, and all kinds of other fun things to try and taste. Live music.
2 blocks. Downtown Punta Gorda off Main Street Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
14 locals recommend
Punta Gorda Farmer's Market
318 Tamiami TrailExcellent, fresh produce, real Florida Orange Juice I squeezed at a local orchard (we recommend the option mixed with strawberry juice), kettle popcorn, olives, and all kinds of other fun things to try and taste. Live music.
2 blocks. Downtown Punta Gorda off Main Street Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Also has a Nature Park. Said to be one of the biggest flea markets in the area.
shell factory flea market in north fort myers
2785 North Tamiami TrailAlso has a Nature Park. Said to be one of the biggest flea markets in the area.
Easy to spend a full day. Excellent museum. A wonderful slice of History that connects Southwest Florida to much bigger stories. This is all about Thomas Edison, Ford was was a friend who briefly owned one of the houses on the estate
459 locals recommend
Edison & Ford Winter Estates
2350 McGregor BlvdEasy to spend a full day. Excellent museum. A wonderful slice of History that connects Southwest Florida to much bigger stories. This is all about Thomas Edison, Ford was was a friend who briefly owned one of the houses on the estate
I have personally yet visited but intend to. Definitely an interesting and unique thing to see and do
540 locals recommend
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore RdI have personally yet visited but intend to. Definitely an interesting and unique thing to see and do
City advice
Getting around
No buses. Free bikes. Free Dail-a-Ride Van Service
Free bikes and trail maps provided by the City of Punta Gorda at the Bait Shop in Laishley Marina (must be returned by 5:00 p.m.)
Call 941.575.4000 to schedule a Free Dial-a-Ride van pickup. Best if planned at least 1-3 days ahead but not required. Wheelchair accessible but be sure to notify them. No Sundays or holidays and only within Charlotte County.
Ways to save
Have groceries delivered and cook on board
Walmart, Winn-Dixie, and Publix are a few miles away. Possibilities has a full galley we stock with spices, and some basics like oatmeal rice and pasta.
Don't miss
Sunset at Ponce de Leon Park
It's beautiful, peaceful, and popular to sit on the beach at Ponce de Leon Park and watch the sun set over Charlotte Harbor. Bring drinks, snacks, and a beach blanket, and swimsuit if you're so inclined.
If you go early you can enjoy the animals free at Peace River Wildlife Center Zoo which is on site at the park open 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.