Top Things to do in Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands
Top Hotels in Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands
- 1. Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside
- 2. Hampton Inn Port Charlotte
- 3. SpringHill Suites by Marriott Punta Gorda Harborside
- 4. The Suites at Fishermen's Village
- 5. The Wyvern Hotel
- 6. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Port Charlotte, FL
- 7. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Punta Gorda, an IHG Hotel
- 8. Pearl Beach Inn
- 9. Knights Inn Port Charlotte
- 10. PG Waterfront Hotel & Suites
Countries
Top 10 Nature & Parks in Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands, Southwest Gulf Coast
Discover the best top things to do in Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands, United States including Babcock Ranch Preserve, Fishermen's Village, Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary And Rehabilitation Center, Stump Pass Beach State Park, Peace River Wildlife Center, Ollie's Pond Park, Manasota Key Beach, Lemon Bay Park, Cedar Point Environmental Park, Ann Dever Memorial Regional Park.
Restaurants in Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands
1. Babcock Ranch Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 218 reviews
Reviewed By RVandHotelTraveling - Metro Minneapolis-Saint Paul, United States
This was a hidden gem of an experience!! We were visiting the Ft Myers area during spring break and the beaches were jam packed so we were looking for alternatives and found Babcock Preserve Eco Tour!! Ticket prices were very affordable for a 90 minute tour through a preserve/swamp that has 4 different eco systems and is a working ranch!! Not only were there tons of gators but there were heritage cattle and wild pigs (with many cute piglets) that come running after the swamp buggy for corn! We saw tons of different cranes and other birds!! Kids to grandparents enjoyed the ride! I would definitely recommend checking out Babcock Eco Tours!! Our guide Andrea was very knowledgeable about the history of the land and the animals roaming about
2. Fishermen's Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,257 reviews
Fishermen's Village Waterfront Mall, Resort, and Marina offers something for everyone. Shopping, dining, live entertainment, and water adventures await locals and travelers. With over 30 boutique shops and 5 different restaurants, you are sure to find something that pleases you and your family.
Reviewed By 934mickieg
This is a must stop if you're in the Punta Gorda area. Located right on the bay with lots of unique shops and wonderful restaurants! We liked it so much we came back 3 times during our 5 day stay. Each restaurants food was wonderful and service was top notch! Will definitely come back next time we're in town!
3. Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary And Rehabilitation Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 369 reviews
Reviewed By testoreviews - Crystal Lake, United States
So. Many. Tigers!!! We came here with our young children and were so close to these beautiful BIG CATS! There were tons of other animals too, Bears, Lions, Tigers, Bobcats, Hyenas, Lilly the Black Leopard, monkeys, birds, foxes, goats, and so much more. Each animal with their own story, and each animal loved so dearly by the volunteers who run this place. I would highly suggest this place to any and all Florida vacationers.
4. Stump Pass Beach State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,092 reviews
Reviewed By 793davido - Englewood, United States
tucked away at the end of the Key - a great hidden gem for beach-combing for shark teeth- kayaking - picnic - has facility very inexspensive to stay for the day $3.00- hit the local Grocery store for cold soft fdrink and the grocery store always has a 12 sub special - spent a day and watch the sunsets over the Gulf
5. Peace River Wildlife Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,016 reviews
The Mission of the Peace River Wildlife Center is to contribute to the survival of native Florida wildlife through rescue, rehabilitation and education. The Center and our gift shop is open to the public for tours everyday from 11a – 4p and our hospital accepts wildlife intakes from 8a – 5p everyday, 7 days per week, 365 days per year including all holidays. We do not charge an admission fee but donations are greatly appreciated and needed to support our mission. Your donations and gift store purchases go directly to the care of our wildlife patients and residents. The PRWC does not receive any federal government support. The costs involved in maintaining these educational displays and to feed almost 120 permanent residents and more than 2,500 patient admissions annually is nearly $80,000 per year. All of the Peace River Wildlife Center’s expenses are met through donations, our recycling program, gift shop sales and small grants. PRWC’s mission is carried out primarily by volunteers
Reviewed By MNDoodles - Stillwater, United States
A donation of only $5.00 per adult provides a great opportunity to see many birds being very well cared for, birds who can’t be released into the wild due to various past injuries. We saw bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, barred owls, white and brown pelicans, osprey and many other birds in well maintained and comfortable enclosures which give visitors an up-close look at these beautiful creatures. The volunteers were very helpful and answered all my questions. 82 per cent of all birds brought to the refuge are eventually released back into nature and those who can’t be released serve as refuge ambassadors for their species to help educate young and old alike. The gift shop is awesome; all proceeds go to help care for the birds. We loved this refuge and highly recommend a visit when in Punta Gorda.
6. Ollie's Pond Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 101 reviews
Reviewed By 349karing - Port Charlotte, United States
April 2020, so yes the water in the pond is very low. But, the birds are still here, so are our locals that come out for a nice walk in this nature setting. It does not matter if you walk slow or run. Your fellow nature lovers will be friendly, greet you with a smile and possibly even have a small talk with you.
7. Manasota Key Beach
8. Lemon Bay Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 184 reviews
Reviewed By hollyndaze - Venice, United States
A trail-laden forest amid fantastic pines and oaks and other shrubs, mangroves along the beautiful bay observed from the elevated and railed boardwalk. This peaceful and relaxing place is a wonderful site to enjoy the quiet, watch for birds and enjoy the lovely smells of nature. Watched a Great Horned Owl surveying the park from his high perch--no concern about us below so I was able to get a few really nice pictures. We'll come back, next time with our dog as the park is dog-friendly, and maybe bring a picnic lunch.
9. Cedar Point Environmental Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
Reviewed By jennifersalyers - Marengo, United States
wonderful area...bald eagle next, bunnies, birds. quiet, nice paths and a great view of a small estuary.
10. Ann Dever Memorial Regional Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By 88Tropicsfan - North Port, United States
This sunny day found us at Ann Dever/Oyster Creek Environmental Park for a mid-morning nature walk with a group of just six, a nice size for conversing and learning from each other. We saw a few birds: blue jays, cardinals, catbirds, black vultures (of course), a yellow-crowned night heron, and a pileated woodpecker. Red-bellied woodpeckers plied us with their calls, but we couldn’t spot any. We saw a nice array of trees, including cypress, slash pine, all the mangroves, and maple. A few invasive species were spotted in the park, such as Brazilian pepper, rattlebox, and creeping oxeye. Native species greeted us with flowers on shiny lyonia, star rush white-top, tickseed, white-lipped dayflower, and fleabane. We found an abandoned eagle nest and spotted a large hole in a pine that we thought something surely had to live in, but we couldn't think of an animal large enough to use it. Our walk ended and doubled back at the boardwalk crossing Oyster Creek, which was a treat in itself. We watched big fish swimming up and down the creek as we looked over the bridge rails. We didn't take advantage of any of the other many amenities mentioned by other reviewers, but the nature portion of this park is excellent. The paths are grassy to sandy and were dry, even though it had rained the night before. We will return here often to enjoy the quiet.
