Location: Punta Gorda
Top Things to do in Punta Gorda
Top Restaurants in Punta Gorda
Countries
Top 10 Things to do in Punta Gorda, Florida (FL)
The thriving little city of Punta Gorda enjoys a pleasant year-round climate, relaxed lifestyle, and many recreational opportunities. The friendly hospitality, year-round planned activities, shuffle board courts, great restaurants, golfing, fishing, and miles of sandy beaches make Punta Gorda an ideal vacation destination. Take a day to experience the most interesting waterfront complex-Fisherman’s Village. Here you will find a conglomerate of unique shops and restaurants. Look no further for all your vacation needs including boats, jet skis, and bicycles for rent. For the avid camper there is nothing quite like the Babcock Wilderness Adventures, which offers eco tours through acres of swamps, trails, and wildlife. Take a Swamp Buggy Tour through Telegraph Cypress Swamp. Be enthralled by the variety of flora and fauna. Keep a lookout for elusive panthers, bison, exotic tropical birds, and alligators. Once you emerge from the swamps, take a deep-sea fishing excursion in the Gulf of Mexico. Some companies offer sightseeing cruises to the outer islands, including full and half-day cruises. Enjoy a romantic sunset cruise, and be amazed at the most beautiful sunsets in Florida. If you want, try a round of Golf at the Punta Gorda Country Club semiprivate 18-hole, par 72 golf course. This tree-lined green boasts open fairways and great views. There is a driving range and pro shop, and rental clubs are available. At night, you should get out and sample some of the best fresh local cuisine. Offerings range from stew chicken and stew pork to whole fried snapper and snook filets. Restaurants range from open-air, thatch-roof structures to small romantic and upscale dining establishments.
Restaurants in Punta Gorda
1. Military Heritage Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 32 reviews
The Military Heritage Museum recently moved to a new location: 900 W. Marion Ave. in Punta Gorda Fl . Just a few steps away from Fishermen's Village, the Museum has over 17,000 sq ft of exhibit and activity areas. On the first level, take a walk-through history through three unique galleries; from the Revolutionary War through modern conflicts. Visit the Hall of Hero's gallery and its special Medal of Honor exhibit. On the second level become part of history, through simulations and virtual reality including aircraft, tank, and naval simulators. Take a special forces "parachute jump" or drive a "tank" - two incredible virtual reality experiences we offer. Also found on the second floor is our Academy Library and ancestry research. Be sure to visit the War Room, Library and our our 247-seat Gulf theater.
Reviewed By Daleanator - Punta Gorda, United States
The overall quality is amazing with the inexpensive entry. This is a wonderful place to both learn and teach history with a wonderful group of volunteers and workers. From the extensive displays of artifacts to the amazing virtual reality goggles, this really is a place to learn and explore history.
2. Blanchard House Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By 954cristinek
Very interesting and intimate museum focused on the early African-American citizens of Punta Gorda. While we were there we saw a really interesting exhibit on medical cures from early Africa on through the mid-1900s. Staff was friendly and helpful.
3. Alligator Bay Distillers
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 145 reviews
Florida handcrafted microdistillery aiming to produce quality cane-to-bottle and grain-to-bottle spirits. Located in beautiful Punta Gorda, FL, our Floridian rums are produced using 100% Florida cane molasses sourced from local sugar mills.
Reviewed By MNDoodles - Stillwater, United States
If you enjoy exceptional rum and a great business success story, be sure to visit Alligator Bay Distillery. The owner, and distilling expert, gave us a fascinating tour of the facility and described the rum making process in detail. He started the company 5 years ago and his dedication has already yielded a number of prestigious awards. We sampled and purchased the spiced rum which was incredibly smooth with notes of cardamom and ginger...delicious. They produce several flavored rums. This spot is well worth a visit to learn about rum making, to sample and buy, and to celebrate a young man’s entrepreneurial success story.
4. Faith Lutheran Church, Punta Gorda
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Christmas Eve Candlelight 6:30 & Christmas Day 10am Sunday Traditional Worship - Saturday Night Praise and Worship . . . please see our website FaithLutheranPG.com for a calendar of our events and other details! Connect with us on Facebook/FaithLutheranPG for our online services.
Reviewed By EF544 - Punta Gorda, United States
It was our first visit to Faith Lutheran Church yesterday. The Pastor's wife came and introduced herself, along with many members and even visitors. We felt so welcomed and Pastor delivered a very Passionate sermon. His prayers my wife and I found moving and so appropriate for the turbulence we are witnessing with our elected politicians. We will be returning and also getting involved. Thank everyone for making us feel wanted.
5. 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
6. 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!
7. Charlotte Harbor State Park
8. 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.
9. 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.
