

Placida is the jumping off point for Gasparilla Island, where another trail beckons bicyclists. Things to do in Punta Gorda: Visit the nearby fishing community of Placida. The flat, straight paved trail takes you through pine forests and wetlands to the community of Placida, where the Placida fishing pier and the Placida cove complex of shops and The Fishery restaurant provide an old Florida feel. A popular activity for bicyclists and pedestrians is touring the many murals that celebrate Punta Gorda’s heritage and dot the downtown.Ĭape Haze Pioneer Trail is a nine-mile trail that starts on the western side of Charlotte Harbor, off SR 771.
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Things to do in Punta Gorda: Yellow bikes are free to borrow. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)ĥ. Things to do in Punta Gorda: Fishermans Village. Built on a pier over the water, it is easy to spend time here dining, shopping and enjoying the views. Near downtown you’ll find Fisherman’s Village, a waterfront open-air mall with restaurants, locally owned shops and live music. Ponce Park, by the way, is also the favorite spot to watch sunsets over Charlotte Harbor.Ĥ. Admission is free, though donations are encouraged. Permanently disabled pelicans, eagles, hawks, ospreys, tortoises and turtles are among its residents. Peace River Wildlife Center is a small wildlife rehabilitation center located in the mangroves overlooking Charlotte Harbor at Ponce de Leon Park. The King Fisher Fleet operates boat tours out of the downtown marina.ģ. You also can take a longer cruise on to explore nearby beaches and islands, including Cabbage Key and Cayo Costa,a pristine barrier island with miles of beach that is home to a state park. The city is the perfect place to take a sight-seeing cruise on Charlotte Harbor, where you are likely to see dolphins and many kinds of birds. Tetrault, the late CEO of a large off-shore oil company and his wife Linda.

If you’re looking for things to do in Punta Gorda, combine a visit to this garden with lunch or dinner at the nearby Peace River Seafood crab shack.

We were surprised how impressive these gardens are.
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In winter, Punta Gorda’s calendar is full of festivals and its downtown buzzes with pedestrians on weekends Things to do in Punta Gorda: The Peace River offers scenic waterfront views. Many things to do in Punta Gorda revolve around the water vistas including parks and walking/biking paths along the waterfront, historic neighborhoods with cobbled streets along the river and stately old homes. These waters are known internationally for fishing (especially tarpon) and sailing. Charlotte Harbor estuary is the second largest in Florida (after Tampa Bay) and ranks 17 th in the nation in size.

Located midway between Naples and Tampa, Punta Gorda is on the shores of the Peace River, which becomes wide and open here as it enters Charlotte Harbor. Don’t let the lack of oceanfront sand stop you from experiencing the many fun things to do in Punta Gorda. This beautiful riverfront town doesn’t have a beach. Punta Gorda offers plenty of things to do: Kayaking, biking, birding and discovering crab shacks
