Guidebook for Punta Gorda
Entertainment & Activities
Located on Charlotte Harbor, Fishermen's Village has become a top-rated stay and play destination. With over 30 shops, restaurants and services, a resort and marina, a military museum, plus frequent special events, it's a perfect place to come for a day of shopping or for a vacation. A unique combination of a full-service destination resort and a hometown hang out for visitors and locals alike. It can fill a day, define an evening, or pack the itinerary of an extended stay.
191 locals recommend
Fishermens Village Resort
1200 W Retta EsplanadeLocated on Charlotte Harbor, Fishermen's Village has become a top-rated stay and play destination. With over 30 shops, restaurants and services, a resort and marina, a military museum, plus frequent special events, it's a perfect place to come for a day of shopping or for a vacation. A unique combination of a full-service destination resort and a hometown hang out for visitors and locals alike. It can fill a day, define an evening, or pack the itinerary of an extended stay.
Florida's unspoiled, natural beauty, along with its abundance and assortment of local wildlife, are the highlights of a guided ride with Babcock Wilderness Adventures
11 locals recommend
Babcock Wilderness Adventures
8000 FL-31 Florida's unspoiled, natural beauty, along with its abundance and assortment of local wildlife, are the highlights of a guided ride with Babcock Wilderness Adventures
Located in Estero, Florida, Germain Arena is Southwest Florida’s premier entertainment venue offering a wide variety of choice entertainment. Germain Arena has hosted over 2,000 events with over 6,000,000 guests attending such shows as Elton John, Brad Paisley, Cher, Tom Petty, Josh Groban, Alan Jackson, Zac Brown Band, Cirque du Soleil, WWE, as well as family events like Disney on Ice, the Harlem Globetrotters, Disney Live!, the Wiggles, and Sesame Street Live. The facility is just minutes from Naples and Ft. Myers off of I-75 at Exit 123 in the growing Southwest Florida community of Estero.
44 locals recommend
Hertz Arena
11000 Everblades ParkwayLocated in Estero, Florida, Germain Arena is Southwest Florida’s premier entertainment venue offering a wide variety of choice entertainment. Germain Arena has hosted over 2,000 events with over 6,000,000 guests attending such shows as Elton John, Brad Paisley, Cher, Tom Petty, Josh Groban, Alan Jackson, Zac Brown Band, Cirque du Soleil, WWE, as well as family events like Disney on Ice, the Harlem Globetrotters, Disney Live!, the Wiggles, and Sesame Street Live. The facility is just minutes from Naples and Ft. Myers off of I-75 at Exit 123 in the growing Southwest Florida community of Estero.
features go karts, mini golf and more - fun for the whole family
38 locals recommend
FastTrax Fort Myers
17455 Summerlin Rdfeatures go karts, mini golf and more - fun for the whole family
Pet a stingray and spy on a jellyfish before sailing off with the Sarasota Bay Explorers, a group that operates guided nautical eco-tours and nature safaris directly from Mote. Next door, Save Our Seabirds is filled with rescued Florida birds. Tip: From February to May, catch a free Sarasota Ski-A-Rees water show on a Sunday afternoon at the adjacent ski stadium.
532 locals recommend
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson PkwyPet a stingray and spy on a jellyfish before sailing off with the Sarasota Bay Explorers, a group that operates guided nautical eco-tours and nature safaris directly from Mote. Next door, Save Our Seabirds is filled with rescued Florida birds. Tip: From February to May, catch a free Sarasota Ski-A-Rees water show on a Sunday afternoon at the adjacent ski stadium.
Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex
5309 29th St EThe Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples is a brain-building powerhouse and Southwest Florida’s first museum devoted for children and families to learn through play. With hands-on exhibit galleries, the accessible museum invites visitors of all ages to journey through the swamps of the Everglades, weave through a maze, climb a two-story banyan tree, or experiment with the water play station
62 locals recommend
Golisano Childrens Museum of Naples
15080 Livingston Rd The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples is a brain-building powerhouse and Southwest Florida’s first museum devoted for children and families to learn through play. With hands-on exhibit galleries, the accessible museum invites visitors of all ages to journey through the swamps of the Everglades, weave through a maze, climb a two-story banyan tree, or experiment with the water play station
Go face-to-face with a lion, tiger, liger, bear, camel, lemur or monkey. These sweet, rescued creatures are part of the “Animals in Action” adventure at Big Cat Habitat. There is even a petting zoo.
158 locals recommend
Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary
7101 Palmer BlvdGo face-to-face with a lion, tiger, liger, bear, camel, lemur or monkey. These sweet, rescued creatures are part of the “Animals in Action” adventure at Big Cat Habitat. There is even a petting zoo.
Feed the flamingos at this 10-acre wildlife mecca, where the pink Florida birds literally eat out of the palm of your hand. More than 150 animals, including birds of prey, primates and alligators also call this lush habitat home.
296 locals recommend
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
3701 Bay Shore RdFeed the flamingos at this 10-acre wildlife mecca, where the pink Florida birds literally eat out of the palm of your hand. More than 150 animals, including birds of prey, primates and alligators also call this lush habitat home.
Hike up to a banyan tree canopy, be wowed by a waterfall and explore epiphyte caverns at the new Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest Garden. Tip: If your child is 6 or younger, join the Little Sprouts’ Club—an educational drop-in program on the first Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings of the month from September to May.
433 locals recommend
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound StHike up to a banyan tree canopy, be wowed by a waterfall and explore epiphyte caverns at the new Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest Garden. Tip: If your child is 6 or younger, join the Little Sprouts’ Club—an educational drop-in program on the first Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings of the month from September to May.
Rotonda Golf & Country Club The Links Golf Course
4055 Cape Haze DrEssentials
Super close to our property; super clean Walmart with a pharmacy and gas station
12 locals recommend
Walmart Supercenter
5001 Taylor RdSuper close to our property; super clean Walmart with a pharmacy and gas station
Clean, superb service!!!! and don't forget to check the Publix bakery!!!! Their pies and cakes are amazing!!!!
20 locals recommend
Publix Super Market at Punta Gorda Crossing
2310 Tamiami TrailClean, superb service!!!! and don't forget to check the Publix bakery!!!! Their pies and cakes are amazing!!!!
Lee Memorial Hospital
2776 Cleveland AveBayfront Health Port Charlotte
2500 Harbor BlvdBayfront Hospital
809 E Marion AveCape Coral Hospital
636 Del Prado Blvd SGolisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida
9981 S Healthpark DrFawcett Memorial Hospital
21298 Olean BlvdMedExpress Urgent Care
12375 S Cleveland AveSam's Club
301 SW Pine Island RdCVS Pharmacy
2430 Santa Barbara Blvd24 hour pharmacy
- premier CrossFit and personal training facility. Join our community and experience life changing fitness! We offer small group fitness training and one-on-one personal training packages
CrossFit Punta Gorda
1941 Manzana Ave- premier CrossFit and personal training facility. Join our community and experience life changing fitness! We offer small group fitness training and one-on-one personal training packages
Pilates for Life
403 Sullivan StGetting Around
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
2021 Tamiami TrailAvis Car Rental
11005 Terminal Access RdHertz
902 Del Prado Blvd SShopping
Regal Town Center - Port Charlotte
1441 Tamiami TrailCoconut Point
23106 Fashion DrMiromar Outlets
10801 Corkscrew RdEllenton Premium Outlets
5461 Factory Shops BlvdSanibel Outlets
20350 Summerlin Rddressbarn
17979 Tamiami TrailUniversity Town Center Drive
University Town Center DriveDavid's Bridal
4224 Cleveland AvenueFood Scene
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
1341 Tamiami TrailThe Melting Pot
13251 McGregor BlvdBahama Breeze
14701 S Tamiami TrailLongHorn Steakhouse
1381 Tamiami TrailRed Lobster
1331 Tamiami Trailbuffet :-) good selection, and on occasions they do have steak on buffet!
9 locals recommend
Golden Corral Buffet & Grill
410 Andalusia Boulevardbuffet :-) good selection, and on occasions they do have steak on buffet!
IHOP
13061 N Cleveland Avepancakes and break fast very close to our house!
Amimoto Japanese Restaurants
2705 Tamiami TrailAsia Buffet
1706 Del Prado Blvd SChinese buffet restaurant; crab legs!!!
Panda Inn Chinese Buffet
3092 Tamiami Trailchinese buffet
Laishley Crab House
150 Laishley Ct#1 in ice cream shop at trip advisor
- they really deserve it!!!!
- their homemade banana bread is amazing!
- home made ice cream
Harborwalk Scoops and Bites
150 Laishley Ct#1 in ice cream shop at trip advisor
- they really deserve it!!!!
- their homemade banana bread is amazing!
- home made ice cream
Phil's 41 Restaurant
1975 Tamiami Trailbest crab cake in the area!!!
happy hour
John Ski's House of Breakfast & Lunch
502 King Stbest burgers!!!!
B
3941 Tamiami Trailgood for breakfast!!!!
Cubby's Homemade Ice Cream
264 W Marion AveHomemade Ice cream in downtown punta gorda
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
6001 S Salford BlvdStarbucks
2390 Surfside BlvdDunkin'
2517 Tamiami TrailDrinks & Nightlife
Buffalo Wild Wings
307 SW Pine Island RdIce House Pub
408 Tamiami TrailThe Captain's Table Restaurant
1200 W Retta EsplanadeVillage Fish Market & Restaurant
1200 W Retta EsplanadeTT's Tiki Bar
33 Tamiami TrailFat Point Brewing
611 Charlotte StThe Orange House Wine Bar
320 Sullivan StCass Cay Restaurant & Bar
3200 Matecumbe Key Rdwaterfront dining/restaurant
Parks & Nature
The Shell Factory, Nature Park & Fun Park is celebrating 78 Years as Southwest Florida’s #1 family entertainment destination. The Shell Factory provides locals a great place to shop, eat, or just gather with friends. Our many attractions both indoors and outdoors will provide you and your family hours of fun served up with local hospitality. Free entry (except to the Nature Park) & free parking makes it a great day out for the whole family
79 locals recommend
The Shell Factory and Nature Park
41 North Tamiami Trail The Shell Factory, Nature Park & Fun Park is celebrating 78 Years as Southwest Florida’s #1 family entertainment destination. The Shell Factory provides locals a great place to shop, eat, or just gather with friends. Our many attractions both indoors and outdoors will provide you and your family hours of fun served up with local hospitality. Free entry (except to the Nature Park) & free parking makes it a great day out for the whole family
My favorite beach!!!! It is the perfect place to find quiet sophistication and luxury blended with the charm of old Florida. brilliant beach, clear blue and green water, and lots of tropical vegetation everywhere
11 locals recommend
Boca Grande Beach
My favorite beach!!!! It is the perfect place to find quiet sophistication and luxury blended with the charm of old Florida. brilliant beach, clear blue and green water, and lots of tropical vegetation everywhere
Siesta key beach earned the no. 1 beach in the United States on TripAdvisor in 2015 for good reason. The renovated beach has a new expanded parking lot, a pedestrian esplanade, updated concessions, and of course, the some of the whitest sand in the world.
400 locals recommend
Siesta Key
Siesta key beach earned the no. 1 beach in the United States on TripAdvisor in 2015 for good reason. The renovated beach has a new expanded parking lot, a pedestrian esplanade, updated concessions, and of course, the some of the whitest sand in the world.
This small facility is Home of The Florida Native Butterfly Society (501c3) located in Gardner's Park in the Downtown Fort Myers River District.
If you like tranquility and butterflies
21 locals recommend
The Butterfly Estates
1815 Fowler St This small facility is Home of The Florida Native Butterfly Society (501c3) located in Gardner's Park in the Downtown Fort Myers River District.
If you like tranquility and butterflies
Located at 400 W. Retta Esplanade in historic Punta Gorda, Gilchrist Park contains 11 acres stretched along the waterfront between the downtown and Fishermen’s Village. Gilchrist Park provides sweeping views of the Charlotte Harbor. Park amenities include a large playground; basketball, tennis and pickleball courts; fishing pier, gazebo, picnic pavilions, and lost of open green space.. VERY ROMANTIC, PERFECT FOR WEDDINGS, I love the sunset views!!! It has a very nice playground for kids
27 locals recommend
Gilchrist Park
400 W Retta EsplanadeLocated at 400 W. Retta Esplanade in historic Punta Gorda, Gilchrist Park contains 11 acres stretched along the waterfront between the downtown and Fishermen’s Village. Gilchrist Park provides sweeping views of the Charlotte Harbor. Park amenities include a large playground; basketball, tennis and pickleball courts; fishing pier, gazebo, picnic pavilions, and lost of open green space.. VERY ROMANTIC, PERFECT FOR WEDDINGS, I love the sunset views!!! It has a very nice playground for kids
Located at 120 Laishley Court, Laishley Park is a pet friendly park that contains seventeen (17) acres with amenities that include a 400 foot fishing pier, parking facilities, interactive fountain, concert area & event lawn, Veterans Memorial Garden , and walking paths along Punta Gorda Pathways - Harborwalk. Waterfront restaurant and retail services are also available in the park at the Laishley Crab House Centre. has playground for kids
27 locals recommend
Laishley Park
Located at 120 Laishley Court, Laishley Park is a pet friendly park that contains seventeen (17) acres with amenities that include a 400 foot fishing pier, parking facilities, interactive fountain, concert area & event lawn, Veterans Memorial Garden , and walking paths along Punta Gorda Pathways - Harborwalk. Waterfront restaurant and retail services are also available in the park at the Laishley Crab House Centre. has playground for kids
Tucked neatly into the mangroves overlooking Charlotte Harbor at Ponce de Leon Park, the Peace River Wildlife Center (PRWC) is a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation facility.”
Started in 1978, PRWC is dedicated to the rescue, care, protection and preservation of native wildlife. Originally confined to the lanai of one of its founders, the Center quickly gained credibility and a new location as citizens learned of its successes in wildlife rehabilitation.
34 locals recommend
Peace River Wildlife Center
3400 Ponce de Leon PkwyTucked neatly into the mangroves overlooking Charlotte Harbor at Ponce de Leon Park, the Peace River Wildlife Center (PRWC) is a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation facility.”
Started in 1978, PRWC is dedicated to the rescue, care, protection and preservation of native wildlife. Originally confined to the lanai of one of its founders, the Center quickly gained credibility and a new location as citizens learned of its successes in wildlife rehabilitation.
The Babcock Ranch Preserve (Preserve) occupies 67,618.81 acres in southeast Charlotte County, approximately 17.5 miles east of Punta Gorda and 34 miles west of Lake Okeechobee. It represents one of the single largest purchases of conservation land in the state's history. The Preserve protects regionally important water resources, diverse natural habitats, scenic landscapes and historic and cultural resources in the rapidly developing southwest Florida corridor. Public recreational opportunities abound and include hunting, hiking, wildlife viewing, bicycling, fishing, camping and horseback riding
10 locals recommend
Babcock Ranch Preserve
The Babcock Ranch Preserve (Preserve) occupies 67,618.81 acres in southeast Charlotte County, approximately 17.5 miles east of Punta Gorda and 34 miles west of Lake Okeechobee. It represents one of the single largest purchases of conservation land in the state's history. The Preserve protects regionally important water resources, diverse natural habitats, scenic landscapes and historic and cultural resources in the rapidly developing southwest Florida corridor. Public recreational opportunities abound and include hunting, hiking, wildlife viewing, bicycling, fishing, camping and horseback riding
Lakes Regional Park is a 279 acre park with a 158 acre freshwater quarry lake that offers a day of fun on land or on the water for the whole family. Activities and amenities include picnic shelters, a lodge, garden gazebo, amphitheater, pedestrian and cycling trails, outdoor fitness equipment, splash pad water features, playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, bicycle and boat rentals, miniature train rides, a fragrance garden, community garden, nature observation, fishing, summer camp and special events. Lakes Park now has an assisted tour service called the E.Z. Rider Program.
130 locals recommend
Lakes Park
7330 Gladiolus DrLakes Regional Park is a 279 acre park with a 158 acre freshwater quarry lake that offers a day of fun on land or on the water for the whole family. Activities and amenities include picnic shelters, a lodge, garden gazebo, amphitheater, pedestrian and cycling trails, outdoor fitness equipment, splash pad water features, playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, bicycle and boat rentals, miniature train rides, a fragrance garden, community garden, nature observation, fishing, summer camp and special events. Lakes Park now has an assisted tour service called the E.Z. Rider Program.
The four main public beach access points on Gasparilla Island are part of Gasparilla Island State Park system. The four state park accesses are:
- Sandspur Beach (has good restrooms & picnic shelters)
- Seagrape Beach (has port-o-potty)
- Seawall Beach (has port-o-potty and is next to South Beach Grille)
- Lighthouse Park on Boca Pass (excellent restrooms & basic picnic shelter)
Both Sandspur Beach and Lighthouse Park have lighthouses. The one at Lighthouse Park also has a small museum with a lot of nature exhibits. Kids will love it too.
29 locals recommend
Gasparilla Island State Park
880 Belcher RdThe four main public beach access points on Gasparilla Island are part of Gasparilla Island State Park system. The four state park accesses are:
- Sandspur Beach (has good restrooms & picnic shelters)
- Seagrape Beach (has port-o-potty)
- Seawall Beach (has port-o-potty and is next to South Beach Grille)
- Lighthouse Park on Boca Pass (excellent restrooms & basic picnic shelter)
Both Sandspur Beach and Lighthouse Park have lighthouses. The one at Lighthouse Park also has a small museum with a lot of nature exhibits. Kids will love it too.
For years, Lovers Key was accessible only by boat and it was said that only lovers traveled to the island to enjoy its remote and solitary beach. Today, it is one of four barrier islands that make up this state park. A haven for wildlife, the islands and their waters are home to West Indian manatees, bottlenose dolphins, roseate spoonbills, marsh rabbits, and bald eagles
280 locals recommend
Lovers Key State Park
8700 Estero BlvdFor years, Lovers Key was accessible only by boat and it was said that only lovers traveled to the island to enjoy its remote and solitary beach. Today, it is one of four barrier islands that make up this state park. A haven for wildlife, the islands and their waters are home to West Indian manatees, bottlenose dolphins, roseate spoonbills, marsh rabbits, and bald eagles