Attractions
Blanchard House Museum of African-American History & Culture
406 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
941-639-2914
This museum showcases the past 100 years of African American life in Charlotte County. Exhibits include a look at the life of pioneer families, the Old Cochran Street Business District and more.
Charlotte Performing Arts Center
701 Carmalita Street
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
941-505-SHOW (7469)
Charlotte County’s Center for Performing Arts and Education showcases local talent in various performances of music, dance, drama and learning. This is also the home of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, the Charlotte Chorale and the Charlotte Jazz Society.
The Train Depot & Antique Mall
1009 Taylor Rd.
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
941-639-6774
The Punta Gorda Historical Society presents this recently restored Spanish-style train depot that was originally built in 1928. In addition to antique shops, guests will enjoy the three exhibits showcasing the history of the railroad.
Charlotte County Motorsports Park
8655 Piper Rd.
Punta Gorda, FL 33982
941-575-7223
Saturday nights bring both amateur and professional race car drivers as well as enthusiastic fans to this 3/8 mile paved figure-eight track.
The Military Heritage & Aviation Museum, Inc.
1200 W. Retta Esplanade #48
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
941-575-9002
This free museum is one of the only aviation museums on the Gulf Coast and features military and aviation artifacts dating from the Civil War thru current day.
Punta Gorda Trolley Tour
252 W. Marion Ave., Ste. 121
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
941-639 3720
Bi-monthly guided trolley tours are available to help you explore this historic town overlooking Charlotte Harbor.
Fisherman’s Village Marina
1200 West Retta Esplanade
Punta Gorda, FL
941-639-8721
This exciting location features a waterfront mall, marina, shopping, dining and more. Live music and special events are held here regularly.
Laishley Park & Marina
100 E. Retta Esplanade
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
941-575-0142
King Fisher Fleet
The King Fisher Fleet, located at Fishermen’s Village, offers the best of Florida for both sightseers and fishermen. Sightseeing cruises, eco-tours, full and half day cruises, sunset cruises and harbor tours are available. Fishermen can enjoy deep sea charter fishing in the Gulf of Mexico or back bay fishing in the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserve. For more information call (941)639-0969, email them at captain@kingfisherfleet.com or visit their website at www.kingfisherfleet.com .
Seminole Lakes Country Club
Seminole Lakes is a newer, gated community located in Punta Gorda. The 18 hole, par 62 golf course is a semi-private course that does not require dues or a monthly food minimum from its members. They also offer tennis, fitness center, dining room, pool and a poolside bar.
26200 Stillwater Cir | Punta Gorda, FL 33950 | (941)639-5440
St. Andrews South Golf Club
This 6106 yard, par 71 course is situated in the heart of Punta Gorda Isles, our largest waterfront development. Its 15 lakes and 48 sand bunkers provide a challenge for all golfers. Their dining room offers a luncheon menu and dinners for organized events. St. Andrews limits their members to fewer than 300 hundred and offers very affordable membership packages.
1901 Deborah Dr | Punta Gorda, FL 33950 | (941)639-8353
PORT CHARLOTTE BEACH PARK
Port Charlotte Beach Complex is a public beach facility at the southeast end of Harbor Boulevard in Port Charlotte. The beach complex offers a concession, boardwalk, tennis courts, horseshoe area, fishing pier, picnic shelters, grills, a swimming pool, boccie ball courts, playground equipment and an outdoor basketball court.
Parking is 75 cents per hour or $6.75 per day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. No lifeguards are on duty at the beach. The heated pool is guarded.
ENGLEWOOD BEACH
Englewood Beach is along State Road 775 near the Charlotte-Sarasota County line. It is across the street from restaurants and tourists shops. This is a beach with light-colored sand and turfs of sea oats growing along the dune line. Facilities include a boardwalk, covered picnic shelters, grills and volleyball.
Parking is $0.75 per hour from dawn until dusk, seven days a week. No lifeguards are on duty at the beach.
STUMP PASS BEACH STATE PARK
Stump Pass Beach is located at the south end of Manasota Key, beginning where Gulf Boulevard ends and stretching about two miles. A new 40 space parking lot is open, as is a building with rest rooms and a weather shelter. Enjoy the great beach, shelling and fishing.
BOCA GRANDE BEACH
Take the Boca Grande Causeway (off State Road 771 in Charlotte County) through the village of Boca Grande to explore the four miles of beach front. There is a $6.00 causeway toll for cars and a $2 charge for parking.
The public beach is noted for its light-green surf and white sand. There are three lighthouses along the beach and large shade trees near shore.
The beach offers full facilities, including freshwater showers, picnic tables and grills. There are no concessions available or lifeguards on duty. The beach closes at dusk.
The best fishing and shelling are at the southeast public beach; however, there are no facilities available.
FORT MYERS BEACH
Fort Myers Beach is approximately 45 minutes by car from Punta Gorda. Fort Myers Beach enjoys a reputation for friendly folks, a wide, palm-shaded beach and great family vacations.
Located on Estero Island and often referred to as the world’s safest beach, Fort Myers Beach has a wide shoreline that gently slopes into the Gulf of Mexico. An absence of steep drop-offs makes it an ideal spot for family vacations.
SANIBEL
Of the 100 barrier islands that make up The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, Sanibel is best known. Connected to the mainland by a dazzling three-mile-long scenic drive across a causeway from the mainland, Sanibel has a worldwide reputation for it’s shelling and the associated posture referred to as the “Sanibel Stoop.”
There is a $6.00 causeway toll for cars.
CAPTIVA ISLANDS
Captiva Island, Sanibel’s northern neighbor, is one of the most beautifully preserved and well-known areas on the Gulf Coast. The nation’s foremost authority on beaches, Dr. Stephen Leatherman (also known as Dr. Beach) has recognized Captiva’s beaches as the country’s most romantic for two years in a row, noting as its key features its abundance of shells and overall tranquility.
The main attraction on Captiva is that there are no attractions, only the pristine white sand, calm water and warm fresh air. Visitors can sit back and let the hours fly by, sunning, walking the beach, fishing or just doing nothing. Anne Morrow Lindbergh was so inspired by Captiva’s surroundings that she wrote her best-selling love letter, “A Gift From the Sea,” while a guest on the island.
There is a $6.00 causeway toll for cars.