Tuesday, July 16, 2019 / by Haley Latham
Punta Gorda Top Attractions
Check out the top attractions in Punta Gorda, FL!
Fishermen's Village
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.
Peace River Wildlife Center
The Mission of the Peace River Wildlife Center is to contribute to the survival of native Florida wildlife through rescue, rehabilitation and education. They do not charge an admission fee but donations are greatly appreciated and needed to support their mission. Your donations and gift store purchases go directly to the care of the wildlife patients and residents.
Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary And Rehabilitation Center
The Mission of the Peace River Wildlife Center is to contribute to the survival of native Florida wildlife through rescue, rehabilitation and education. They do not charge an admission fee but donations are greatly appreciated and needed to support their mission. Your donations and gift store purchases go directly to the care of the wildlife patients and residents.
The Mission of the Peace River Wildlife Center is to contribute to the survival of native Florida wildlife through rescue, rehabilitation and education. They do not charge an admission fee but donations are greatly appreciated and needed to support their mission. Your donations and gift store purchases go directly to the care of the wildlife patients and residents.
Muscle Car City Museum
This has become one of the largest GM muscle car collections in the nation. Classic cars and hot rods span 80 years of makes and models! The museum includes a gift shop & a retro diner.
This has become one of the largest GM muscle car collections in the nation. Classic cars and hot rods span 80 years of makes and models! The museum includes a gift shop & a retro diner.
Babcock Ranch Preserve
The Babcock Ranch Preserve (Preserve) occupies 67,618.81 acres in southeast Charlotte County, approximately 17.5 miles east of Punta Gorda and 34 miles west of Lake Okeechobee. It represents one of the single largest purchases of conservation land in the state's history. The Preserve protects regionally important water resources, diverse natural habitats, scenic landscapes and historic and cultural resources in the rapidly developing southwest Florida corridor. Public recreational opportunities abound and include hunting, hiking, wildlife viewing, bicycling, fishing, camping and horseback riding.
The Babcock Ranch Preserve (Preserve) occupies 67,618.81 acres in southeast Charlotte County, approximately 17.5 miles east of Punta Gorda and 34 miles west of Lake Okeechobee. It represents one of the single largest purchases of conservation land in the state's history. The Preserve protects regionally important water resources, diverse natural habitats, scenic landscapes and historic and cultural resources in the rapidly developing southwest Florida corridor. Public recreational opportunities abound and include hunting, hiking, wildlife viewing, bicycling, fishing, camping and horseback riding.
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.
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.
Laishley Park
Located at 120 Laishley Court, Laishley Park is a pet friendly park that contains seventeen (17) acres with amenities that include a 400 foot fishing pier, parking facilities, interactive fountain, concert area & event lawn, Veterans Memorial Garden, and walking paths along Punta Gorda Pathways - Harborwalk. Waterfront restaurant and retail services are also available in the park at the Laishley Crab House Centre.
Located at 120 Laishley Court, Laishley Park is a pet friendly park that contains seventeen (17) acres with amenities that include a 400 foot fishing pier, parking facilities, interactive fountain, concert area & event lawn, Veterans Memorial Garden, and walking paths along Punta Gorda Pathways - Harborwalk. Waterfront restaurant and retail services are also available in the park at the Laishley Crab House Centre.
Alligator Bay Distillers
Florida handcrafted microdistillery aiming to produce quality cane-to-bottle and grain-to-bottle spirits. Their Floridian rums are produced using 100% Florida cane molasses sourced from local sugar mills. Tours of the distillery are offered Monday through Saturday.
Florida handcrafted microdistillery aiming to produce quality cane-to-bottle and grain-to-bottle spirits. Their Floridian rums are produced using 100% Florida cane molasses sourced from local sugar mills. Tours of the distillery are offered Monday through Saturday.
Fat Point Brewing
Fat Point Brewing is Charlotte County’s first craft brewery, producing fresh, local and hand-crafted beers. Its critically acclaimed beers include BRU MAN CHU Belgian Trippel and RYEGHT ANGLE, which won a gold and silver medals at both the U.S. Open Beer Championship and Best Florida Beer Championships. Previously, BIG BOCA ALE took bronze at the Best Florida Beer Championships.
Fat Point Brewing is Charlotte County’s first craft brewery, producing fresh, local and hand-crafted beers. Its critically acclaimed beers include BRU MAN CHU Belgian Trippel and RYEGHT ANGLE, which won a gold and silver medals at both the U.S. Open Beer Championship and Best Florida Beer Championships. Previously, BIG BOCA ALE took bronze at the Best Florida Beer Championships.
Peace River Beer Company
Peace River Beer Company was started by the founders of Bury Me Brewing (Fort Myers) with the goal of creating a brand for the locals as much as for the national audience. Featuring many brews loved by craft beer connoisseurs.
Peace River Beer Company was started by the founders of Bury Me Brewing (Fort Myers) with the goal of creating a brand for the locals as much as for the national audience. Featuring many brews loved by craft beer connoisseurs.
Harborwalk
Running for two & a half miles along the beautiful Charlotte Harbor shoreline Harborwalk connects Bayfront Health to Fishermen’s Village. With Mangrove forests, sweeping vistas, shops, waterfront dining, historical sites, and Laishley & Gilchrist Parks there is always something to see and do along this vibrant pathway.
Running for two & a half miles along the beautiful Charlotte Harbor shoreline Harborwalk connects Bayfront Health to Fishermen’s Village. With Mangrove forests, sweeping vistas, shops, waterfront dining, historical sites, and Laishley & Gilchrist Parks there is always something to see and do along this vibrant pathway.
Gilchrist Park
Located at 400 W. Retta Esplanade in historic Punta Gorda, Gilchrist Park contains 11 acres stretched along the waterfront between the downtown and Fishermen’s Village. Gilchrist Park provides sweeping views of the Charlotte Harbor. Park amenities include a large playground; basketball, tennis and pickleball courts; fishing pier, gazebo, picnic pavilions, and lost of open green space. Smaller events including weddings, craft shows and impromptu concerts are held in the park as well.
Punta Gorda History Park
History Park is a nine (9) acre park located in the central part of the City. The park serves as a relocation site for significantly historic structures saved from demolition. This facility is operated in conjunction with the Punta Gorda Historical Society. The park now has a total of four (4) local historic homes. Three of the homes are open to the public. In addition, the site hosts a weekly Farmer’s Market on Sundays throughout the year and a community garden is being developed.
History Park is a nine (9) acre park located in the central part of the City. The park serves as a relocation site for significantly historic structures saved from demolition. This facility is operated in conjunction with the Punta Gorda Historical Society. The park now has a total of four (4) local historic homes. Three of the homes are open to the public. In addition, the site hosts a weekly Farmer’s Market on Sundays throughout the year and a community garden is being developed.
Peace River Botanicals & Sculpture Gardens
Abutting the Peace River, this 27-acre waterfront oasis will encompass the diversity of five ecosystems including marshlands, wetlands, mangroves, uplands, a tidal basin and an island amphitheater. Flowering trees and plants will bloom throughout the year. And more than 15,000 sq. ft. of boardwalks and docks are planned to provide optimum viewing of the park’s massive sculptures.
Abutting the Peace River, this 27-acre waterfront oasis will encompass the diversity of five ecosystems including marshlands, wetlands, mangroves, uplands, a tidal basin and an island amphitheater. Flowering trees and plants will bloom throughout the year. And more than 15,000 sq. ft. of boardwalks and docks are planned to provide optimum viewing of the park’s massive sculptures.
Southern Speedway
The 4-17 Southern Speedway is an asphalt, 3/8th mile racetrack. It started off its life playing host to Super Late Models, late models, sprint cars, sportsmen, open wheeled modified, FASTRUCK, FASTKIDS, and several other types of racing. It sported one of the largest fields of late models in the South. The track was featured several times on the cover of Circle Track Magazine as one of the top circle tracks in the South Eastern United States.
The 4-17 Southern Speedway is an asphalt, 3/8th mile racetrack. It started off its life playing host to Super Late Models, late models, sprint cars, sportsmen, open wheeled modified, FASTRUCK, FASTKIDS, and several other types of racing. It sported one of the largest fields of late models in the South. The track was featured several times on the cover of Circle Track Magazine as one of the top circle tracks in the South Eastern United States.
Military Heritage Museum
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 Global War on Terror exhibits. Be sure to visit the War Room, Library and our our 247-seat theater
