An idyllic seaside town, a mix of old-world fishing village charm with modern facilities, one of the best getaways for families and couples alike. Punta Gorda is located on Florida’s Southwest Coast alongside Peace River, and a few minutes north of Fort Myers. Punta Gorda is ideal for many water adventures and a blend of art, history, and nature. A popular destination for fishing, kayaking, paddling, cruising, snorkelling, yachting, and sailing, there won’t be enough time to cover in a single weekend. But the quaint town has much more to offer with its rich history, vibrant art scenery, local distilleries, and museums. Following is the list of activities and things to do in Punta Gorda:
Things To Do In Punta Gorda
1. Fishermen’s Village
Located between Sarasota and Fort Myers, Fishermen’s Village is a unique blend of open-air courtyards, shops, restaurants, and bars where visitors can find a variety of fresh coastal cuisine with scenic views of the water. You can shop for antiques, eat at local cafes, or enjoy live music.
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2. Peace River Wildlife Center
Learn about the plants, animals, and ecosystems with free eco-tours to the public. Meet local wildlife like birds, turtles, and other small mammals in their native habitats. Shop at their cutesy gift shop and leave a donation for its efforts to rehabilitate and release animals back into the wild.
3. Mural Tour
Take a self-guided tour of exploring the many urban areas with wall art and learn the history through this unique expression. Each mural art showcases the local historical events and if you want, you can take a paid two-hour walking tour with a local guide to view depictions of these artistic expressions.
4. Harborwalk
Along the beautiful Charlotte Harbor shoreline, this 2.5-mile stretch connects Bayfront Health to Fishermen’s Village and is one vibrant pathway in the town. It includes Mangrove forests, sweeping landscapes, boutique shops, and waterfront dining. There are many areas where you pit stop for some quality time with your loved ones.
5. Muscle Car City Museum
If you are an ardent fan of typical American muscle cars, this museum will fascinate you with its vintage collection. But it is about more than just cars with Stingray Bar and Grill where you can grab a bite or attend the flea market where people come to show off their beautiful cars.
6. Florida Track and Trails
For the adventurous, a day spent at this place will make the day much more fun and the getaway worth it. You can enjoy fishing, go to the beaches or eco tours, and eat amazing food. This place is also great for motocross and trails for ATVs and UTVs along with paintball activities.
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7. Alligator Bay Distilleries Tour and Tasting
A small family-owned distillery offers high-quality rum and is a favourite amongst the locals. From white to dark and other flavours, the Voss brothers run a tour to showcase their craft and educate you about the rum-making process that is usually followed with tasting their varieties. You should try out their famous Spiced Rum, which the brothers make using sugar sourced from a local mill.
8. Tarpon Fishing at Charlotte Harbor
If you are visiting Florida, there is no trip complete without fishing on a fishing charter. Being a popular destination, Punta Gorda’s Tarpon fishing makes it easy and fun to try to catch a stroke of luck with your basic fishing skills. You might get lucky with other fishes like cobia, snook, grouper, or red drum.
9. Military Heritage Museum
If you love history and want to learn about the veterans who served your country, then the Military Heritage Museum is one of the incredible displays of exhibits from all branches of the military. Strip away your feelings of conflict or political thought and be fascinated by the previous generations’ sacrifice to their nation.
10. Sunset Cruise
King Fisher Fleet runs a variety of boat tours giving you an uninterrupted view of the horizon. You can go on island cruises to dolphin-watching tours or enjoy their most popular sunset cruises. The views of the sun setting and the lights hitting the water with intensified orange, yellow and reds make you forget all the worries of the world.
11. Laishley Park
A pet-friendly park with a 400-foot fishing pier and an interactive fountain, concert area, and event lawn is one of the most sought-after locations in this town. Bring your furry friend and explore the place or listen to live music. You can also picnic with your loved ones and create unforgettable memories.
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12. Peace River and Sculpture Gardens
Situated alongside the Peace River, this wonderful sanctuary is unique on its own. It has five impressive ecosystems: marshlands, wetlands, mangroves, uplands, and tidal basins. This garden is filled with blooms alongside boardwalks and docks and has a huge collection of grand sculptures.
13. Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary
A habitat dedicated to providing a healthy living environment for abandoned and mistreated exotic animals is located on Horseshoe Road in Punta Gorda. You can see how they care for the bears, reptiles, and other animals that cannot survive in the wild. They are open to monetary donations and sponsorship so invest in that if you love animals.
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14. Golfing at Heritage Landing
Golfing is one of the best feelings under a clear blue sky and the warmth of the sun. The golf courses are quite scenic and offer year-round play for those who are enthusiasts and sports lovers. You can play a full round, hit a few practice balls, or improve your skills by taking some lessons, it depends on your mood.
Concluding Words
There are many more things to do and spend quality time with your loved ones in this wonderful town. A family-friendly getaway offers a different kind of adventure to those seeking their own. From fishing to learning history, Punta Gorda has a lot to offer. The Sunshine State is one of the best vacation spots so if you are planning a trip down, make sure this town is on your bucket list of theme parks and beaches for a quieter time and perfect respite from the crowded cities.
