RELAX, EAT AND EXPLORE
FOOD, COCKTAILS & SUNSETS
Things to do
WHAT TO SEE
Food, Cocktails & Sunsets
What’s happening around SW Florida
Oct 21/22 – Arcadia Rodeo, Mosaic Arena
Nov 9-12-Crystal Classic Sand Sculpting Festival, Siesta Key
Nov 16-25, 32nd Annual Sand Sculpting contest, Ft Meyers Beach
Nov 17/18 – Off shore power boat racing, Englewood Beach
Feb 23, Wine & Jazz Festival – Punta Gorda
Fisherman’s Village
Fisherman’s Village (the original commercial fishing pier refurbished) which is located on Charlotte Harbor in Punta Gorda and is a combination of restaurants, shops and marina. The marina boasts slip rentals and excursions including deep sea fishing and sunset cruises
Gilcrest Part
My favorite park in Punta Gorda, located west of the southbound bridge on Charlotte Harbor. This park, boasts a new playground, tennis courts and our beloved pickle ball courts. All while enjoying Charlotte Harbor and the harbor walk. It hosts music in the park on Tuesday & Thursday nights. Local musician’s come out and jam together.
PONCE DE LEON PARK
Located on the western edge of the City at 3400 Ponce de Leon Parkway, Ponce de Leon Park overlooks the vast expanse of Charlotte Harbor. The parks amenities include a boat ramp, fishing piers, mangrove boardwalk, small playground, open air chapel area, and picnic pavilion. The park also has a sandy beach area that is popular for watching the sunset and the boats cruising in and out of the channel into Punta Gorda Isles canal system.
Siesta Key Sarasota
Siesta Key beach was voted #1 beach in the USA. Its sand is 99% quarts which is soft to the touch and cool on your feet. The sand is similar to baby powder it’s so soft! Stop off at Anna’s Deli (6535 Midnight Pass Rd Siesta Key) and grab some sandwiches for the perfect day at the beach.
Nov 9-12th – Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sand Sculpting festival
Sanibel & Captiva Islands
Sanibel Island is well known for its wealth of shells, beautiful beach and blue water. Plan a day trip to enjoy the water and take a picnic lunch.
Ft. Meyers Beach
Heaped with sugar-sand, Fort Myers Beach is a popular destination for visitors eager to engage in watersports such as parasailing and kayaking – or just as eager to simply relax on the inviting beach. Fort Myers Beach sits on a little barrier island, about seven miles long, and the beach is fabulous – wide, gradually sloping, and thick with the area’s justifiably famed sugar-sand.
MLB Spring training & Minor League Baseball
Port Charlotte is home to our own Tampa Bay Ray’s spring training and the Ray’s minor league team the Charlotte Stone Crabs. If you’re a baseball fan and want to enjoy Spring Training, to our south (Ft Meyers) is host to the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins. To the north (Sarasota) is host to the Baltimore Oriels
Manatee’s
Manatees can typically be seen at the Manatee Park from Mid-December to mid-March, depending on the temperatures. Manatees are a warm blooded creatures and need warmer water to survive. During the winter months when the water gets cooler, the manatees migrate to this are as there is a power plant that produces warm water.
Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary
Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary provides a healthy recovery and living environment for abandoned and abused exotic wildlife. Since the mid 1970’s, Octagon has been rescuing and rehabilitating exotic wildlife.
Ringling Museum
The Ringling, as it’s known today is the State Art Museum of Florida and home to one of the preeminent art and cultural collections in the United States. It’s a story begins nearly a century ago, with the circus impresario and his beloved wife’s shared love for Sarasota, Italy and art.
Ford & Edison Winter Estates
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates date from 1885 when Thomas Edison first visited Southwest Florida and purchased the property to build a vacation home.
Pioneer Pizza
FRESH FRESH FRESH…..The very best pizza & antipasti salads ever!!This is a short drive over the bridge north into Port Charlotte.
Burg’r Bar
Just 2 blocks from Charlotte house and a 5 min walk, they have a great inexpensive breakfast 7 days a week. They also make great burgers! But their breakfast is delicious, try the coconut stuffed French toast!!
The Celtic Ray Public House
If you like the English Pub atmosphere and fish and chips or Sheppard’s pie, this is the place for you! This too is just a short 2 blocks from Charlotte House.
Laishley Crab House
Located 3 blocks from Charlotte House on Charlotte Harbor (Just a 10 min walk).They serve fresh seafood, sushi with a beautiful view of the harbor.
Beef O’Brady’s – Sports Bar and grill
If you are looking for a sports game this is the place to be!!! They may be a chain restaurant but this place has great food! Along with more TV’s than I could count, children’s game area as well as a room with a simulated driving range….it’s amazing!!
TT’s Tiki Bar
Located between the bridges on the harbor, about a 10 minute walk from Charlotte House. On weekends they always have some type of musical extravaganza going on!
Hurricane Charlies
Located just west of the south Bridge, you gain a perfect view of the sunset. Their sushi is just delicious too! About and 10 minute walk from Charlotte House.
Perch 360
A short walk from Charlotte House with give you a beautiful view of Charlotte Harbor from the top of the Wyvern Hotel. Located on US 41 north just before the bridge. A favorite of mine!
Harpoon Harry’s
Located at Fisherman’s Village.
this is another favorite for cocktails and sunsets, they also have a great pastrami sandwich (my favorite). Or if you want to try gator bites, they have those too. Fisherman’s Village is about a 5 minute drive from Charlotte House.