Port Charlotte Guidebook
City/town information
The people in this area make this place as special as it is, it feels like a small town. In going to local places, the employees remembered me and were incredibly friendly.
27 locals recommend
Port Charlotte
The people in this area make this place as special as it is, it feels like a small town. In going to local places, the employees remembered me and were incredibly friendly.
Food scene
Right around the corner from the house, Sam's Subs has the best subs I have ever had outside of Philadelphia. I worked at a philly steak shop for years and these people know how to make subs with love. Featuring homemade soups every day and delicious sweet tea. Say hi to the friendly owner, Sam and enjoy some good soul food.
Sam's Subs
21320 Gertrude AveRight around the corner from the house, Sam's Subs has the best subs I have ever had outside of Philadelphia. I worked at a philly steak shop for years and these people know how to make subs with love. Featuring homemade soups every day and delicious sweet tea. Say hi to the friendly owner, Sam and enjoy some good soul food.
They have live music, pool tables, and a large outdoor section. You can even go to karaoke and sing your heart on stage every Wednesday at 8.
All-Star Sports Grill
2360 Tamiami TrailThey have live music, pool tables, and a large outdoor section. You can even go to karaoke and sing your heart on stage every Wednesday at 8.
The staff here was so kind, all of whom seemed like they actually wanted to be there, which is really a concept nowadays. They had classic spanish food with the most delicious tortilla soup.
23 locals recommend
Blue Tequila
14525 Tamiami TrailThe staff here was so kind, all of whom seemed like they actually wanted to be there, which is really a concept nowadays. They had classic spanish food with the most delicious tortilla soup.
This place has a beautiful walkway and outside seating. They make square pizzas and serve Jones soda (the blueberry is my favorite). They have a 420 special where you can try 4 different pizzas for $25. Definitely worth exploring if you like a good variety.
Wildwood Pizza
117 West Marion AvenueThis place has a beautiful walkway and outside seating. They make square pizzas and serve Jones soda (the blueberry is my favorite). They have a 420 special where you can try 4 different pizzas for $25. Definitely worth exploring if you like a good variety.
This place is a bit further than my other recommendations but lies right on the beach. They have live music and outdoor seating (with a few fans so you don't get too hot). Their menu features items like seafood, BBQ, sandwiches, tacos, burgers, salads, and bowls. Enjoy the sea breeze!
159 locals recommend
SandBar Tiki & Grille
1975 Beach RdThis place is a bit further than my other recommendations but lies right on the beach. They have live music and outdoor seating (with a few fans so you don't get too hot). Their menu features items like seafood, BBQ, sandwiches, tacos, burgers, salads, and bowls. Enjoy the sea breeze!
This place has a little bit of everything: root beer floats, boba, milkshakes, frappuccinos, smoothies, arctic swirls (similar style to a DQ blizzard), banana splits, and even fruit parfaits. I am definitely guilty of going to this place more than once. I think the only down side is the bugs if you go late at night (the parking lot must be covered in melted ice cream because the bugs flock there). But that’s pretty much anywhere you go in Florida late at night.
12 locals recommend
Swirls-N-Curls Ice Cream
6945 Sunnybrook BlvdThis place has a little bit of everything: root beer floats, boba, milkshakes, frappuccinos, smoothies, arctic swirls (similar style to a DQ blizzard), banana splits, and even fruit parfaits. I am definitely guilty of going to this place more than once. I think the only down side is the bugs if you go late at night (the parking lot must be covered in melted ice cream because the bugs flock there). But that’s pretty much anywhere you go in Florida late at night.
In true food truck fashion, this restaurant is located in a gas station parking lot. However, don't let that deter you. I find the best Spanish food in the oddest places. The authentic Mexican tacos are amazing, I had to revisit this location a few times just to get a proper experience of them.
Los amigos burritos and tacos
3666 Tamiami TrailIn true food truck fashion, this restaurant is located in a gas station parking lot. However, don't let that deter you. I find the best Spanish food in the oddest places. The authentic Mexican tacos are amazing, I had to revisit this location a few times just to get a proper experience of them.
Family fun
They have a little bit of everything exciting: a large play structure lined with lights and featuring a bounce pad up top. My kids loved it and spent hours up there. We had an air hockey competition, played monster mini golf, raced go karts, won some arcade games, and battled in a multi-story laser tag room. Definitely, a great time. When you walk in, turn right after the first door and speak to the people behind the snacks stand (it can be a little confusing lol).
10 locals recommend
Kidstar Park
18505 Paulson DrThey have a little bit of everything exciting: a large play structure lined with lights and featuring a bounce pad up top. My kids loved it and spent hours up there. We had an air hockey competition, played monster mini golf, raced go karts, won some arcade games, and battled in a multi-story laser tag room. Definitely, a great time. When you walk in, turn right after the first door and speak to the people behind the snacks stand (it can be a little confusing lol).
This place is great for a date night or if you’re looking for a fun shopping trip, it’s absolutely beautiful to get to shop on the water. The place is covered so if you want an outdoor experience without getting rained on, the pier is a great place to go. The parking is the only downside really as the parking lot is huge—you’ll definitely get your steps in on this trip lol.
191 locals recommend
Fishermens Village Resort
1200 W Retta EsplanadeThis place is great for a date night or if you’re looking for a fun shopping trip, it’s absolutely beautiful to get to shop on the water. The place is covered so if you want an outdoor experience without getting rained on, the pier is a great place to go. The parking is the only downside really as the parking lot is huge—you’ll definitely get your steps in on this trip lol.
This park honors veterans with a military theme and a memorial. It features a large climbable tank, a splash pad, a kayak launch, and nature trails. Definitely a great place for the kids (and yes, they do have a bathroom).
William R Gaines Jr Veterans Memorial Park
20499 Edgewater DriveThis park honors veterans with a military theme and a memorial. It features a large climbable tank, a splash pad, a kayak launch, and nature trails. Definitely a great place for the kids (and yes, they do have a bathroom).
Now you might not be jumping up and down excited for a library but this library is pretty fun. They have an outdoor space in the center of the building completely surrounded by the library walls. The kids area has coloring pages, giant books, a lego wall (that you can actually stick the legos to of course), and a giant walkway that looks like something out of Rainforest Cafe. There’s a lot of nooks and crannies to read in private and computers for whatever you may need.
Mid County Regional Library
2050 Forrest Nelson BoulevardNow you might not be jumping up and down excited for a library but this library is pretty fun. They have an outdoor space in the center of the building completely surrounded by the library walls. The kids area has coloring pages, giant books, a lego wall (that you can actually stick the legos to of course), and a giant walkway that looks like something out of Rainforest Cafe. There’s a lot of nooks and crannies to read in private and computers for whatever you may need.
City advice
Getting around
Be cautious of what time you visit establishments
On Sunday or Monday and late in the evening, some places close early due to low staffing.