Location: Punta Gorda
Top Things to do in Punta Gorda
Top Restaurants in Punta Gorda
6 Hidden Gems Things to do in Punta Gorda That You Shouldn't Miss
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. King Fisher Fleet
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,497 reviews
Sightseeing Cruises and Fishing Charters in Southwest Florida. Welcome to our slice of paradise, the waters of Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico. We invite you to explore our beautiful estuary on a trip with our knowledgeable crew. We specialize in a variety of boat activities that include action-packed fishing charters, romantic sunset cruises, picturesque river tours, off-the-beaten path island trips to Cabbage Key, Cayo Costa, and Boca Grande, private events, and more.
2. Babcock Ranch Eco Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,846 reviews
Babcock Ranch Eco Tour takes you on 90 minute eco-tour through the Babcock Ranch. You will travel through the working cattle ranch and learn its history, wander through Florida eco-systems, all the while getting up close and personal with the local wildlife. There is a picnic area, gift shop and exhibits to enjoy as well.So come on out and get back to nature!
3. Copperfish Books
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
Copperfish Books is an independent bookstore located in historic downtown Punta Gorda, Florida. Come browse our new, gently used, and antique books, greeting cards, and gifts. Free parking in our lot.
Reviewed By 6ellenl - Fort Myers, United States
This is a wonderful bookstore featuring great reads for all ages, fun gifts and a first-rate staff. You can find all varieties of new books, some gently used books and categories for local authors, travel, children, lots of fiction and more. It’s fun to browse around this store.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
