Location: Punta Gorda
Top Things to do in Punta Gorda
Top Restaurants in Punta Gorda
The 9 Best Nature & Wildlife Areas 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. 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. 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.
3. Charlotte Harbor State Park
4. 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.
5. Ponce de Leon Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
Reviewed By caroleb33 - Port Charlotte, United States
We headed here late afternoon as a storm was heading across Charlotte Bay. People were fishing on the docks and looked like they were reeling a few in. Part of the park has Mangrove swamps with board walks through them enhancing your sightings of rare birds hanging out due to the nearby Peace River Wildlife Preserve. Even the rain could not stop how magical this visit was. The fury of the storm, tropical surroundings and wildlife make this park one we'll return to often.
6. Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By MrKCrusty
Not very fancy, but the animals are well cared for in spacious enclosures. The best part is how close you can get to the animals. It is quite an experience to be 6 feet away from a roaring Tiger. And do they roar! Lots of tigers, lions, ligers (LIGERS are real!) and bears. There were 17 tigers to see on our visit. $10 admission, $5 for young kids and kids over 55. The sanctuary is run solely by volunteers and funded 100% by donation. Most of the area is shaded, and there is free sun screen available if you forget to bring some. There are plenty of tables with umbrellas and chairs to rest at, our bring a lunch! We spent just about 2 hours to see they sanctuary ... and we'll be back. Open weekdays 9-12 and weekends 11-4 during season, summer hours may differ.
7. Fred C. Babcock-Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By markcU4533NL - Victoria Harbour, Canada
Safe & inexpensive shooting ranges; washroom facilities; ample parking; just off I 75. Website is accurate and informative.
8. Alligator Creek Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By Liz_stivs
It was a very tranquil and beautiful trail! We saw lots of fish, unique plants, crabs, turtles, and lakes! We loved how well marked everything was, well paved path, had handout maps available, and had several descriptions of things you’d see along your path! Very glad we went and will go back again!
9. Punta Gorda Nature Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By 2willdo - Florida, United States
Well maintained park and nature trail, featuring a small fishing dock on the east end and lovely plantings (many with identification tags). Better to avoid in the heat of the day during hot season. Two free parking areas, one at southeastern corner of Aqui Esta and Bal Harbor, the other is a bit farther down Aqui Esta, just east of Fire Station III. We found a water spigot to cool off our dog (grateful for that!) Reading these reviews, it is possible that some people might be confusing this nature park/trail with Ponce Park (which features the Peace River sanctuary and their rescued birds). While you will see interesting birds at certain times of the day/year here while strolling on the trail, don't confuse the two.
