Top 20 Things To Do in Punta Gorda

Young girl on boat watching dolphins jump from water.

Having guests? Looking for something fun to do? All the below are in Punta Gorda and a short drive or bike ride or walk away. Explore and have fun!!

 

 

  • Alligator Bay Distillers – www.alligatorbaydistillers.com – Family owned and operated small batch craft rum distillery offering free tours and tastings daily. 25522 Marion Ave, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
  • Babcock Ranch Preserve – https://babcockranchecotours.com/ – Experience the thrill of seeing wildlife in nature – alligators, birds, perhaps deer, wild hogs, wild turkeys, Sandhill cranes and more, often coming within a few yards. Travel through four different ecosystems of Florida including Telegraph Cypress Swamp. Free walking tours, swamp buggy guided tours for a fee. 8502 FL-31, Punta Gorda.
  • Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center – www.checflorida.org – Preserve offering guided trail walks during “season” October – April, guided kayak tours, and seagrass wading trips (many are free). 10941 Burnt Store Rd, Punta Gorda.
  • Fisherman’s Village – www.fishville.com – Fisherman’s Village is a unique waterfront destination that includes a marina, resort, shopping, dining, and live entertainment! 1200 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda.
  • Free Bicycle Loaner Program – https://teampuntagorda.org/free-bike-program/ – Working with the City of Punta Gorda, TEAM Punta Gorda offers free loaner bicycles at four locations! See website for more information or call TEAM at 941.637.8326.
  • Gilchrist Park – www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/visitors/gilchrist-park – Gilchrist Park contains 11 acres stretched along the waterfront between downtown and Fisherman’s Village. Amenities include a large playground, basketball, tennis, pickleball courts, fishing pier, gazebo, picnic pavilions, restrooms, and lots of open green space. 400 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda.
  • Harborwalk – www.traillink.com/trail/punta-gorda-harborwalk/ – Walk or bike along the approximately 2.5 mile walk along the harbor. On the west end you will have access to Fisherman’s Village, and working your way east is Gilchrist Park and Laishley Park, both offering pleasant stops with restrooms, picnic tables, gardens, and fishing piers.
  • History Park – Historical building and gardens open to the public free of charge from dawn to dusk. 501 Shreve Street, Punta Gorda.
  • King Fisher Fleet Cruises and Fishing Charters – http://www.kingfisherfleet.com – Offers sightseeing cruises and fishing charters from Fishermen’s Village. 1200 W Retta Esplanade #16a, Punta Gorda.
  • Laishley Park – https://www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/visitors/laishley-park – Pet-friendly park with a 400 foot fishing pier, interactive fountain and splash pad, concert area, and event lawn. 120 Laishley Court, Punta Gorda.
  • Military Heritage Museum – www.militaryheritagemuseum.org – Among the many exhibits are more than 30,000 authentic and one-of-a-kind artifacts that played an actual role in history, along with more than 1,000 original historical documents; interactive exhibit galleries, Hall of Heroes, flight simulators, state-of-the-art theater showing historical footage, cockpit tour of the Bell UH-1H Huey on Saturdays from 11am-1pm! Open Tuesday – Saturday 10am-4pm. 900 West Marion Ave, Punta Gorda. 941.575.9002.
  • Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens – https://peacerivergardens.org/ – Neighboring the Peace River, this 30-acre waterfront oasis encompasses the diversity of five ecosystems including marshlands, wetlands, mangroves, uplands and tidal basin. Flowering trees and plants bloom throughout the year, and more than 15,000 sq. ft. of boardwalks and docks provide optimum viewing of the Garden’s vast sculptures. 5800 Riverside Drive, Punta Gorda.
  • Peace River Wildlife Center – https://prwildlife.org/ – non-profit wildlife rehabilitation and education center located inside Ponce de Leon Park. Center and gift shop open for tours daily. 3400 Ponce De Leon Parkway, Punta Gorda.
  • PicklePlex – https://www.pickleplex.org/ – Located on the grounds at SouthWestern Florida State College. Total of 16 lighted courts. Hold national and international tournaments. Club members play for free all day. Nonmembers must pay a $10 daily member drop in fee to play Monday- Friday free play only on Saturday and Sundays from 12 to 10 pm if there are no scheduled events. 26300 Airport Rd, Punta Gorda.
  • Ponce de Leon Park – https://www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/visitors/ponce-de-leon-park – On the western edge of Punta Gorda offering spectacular views of the sunset over the water, a dry beach area, boat ramp, boardwalk, small playground, open air chapel, and picnic pavilion. 3400 Ponce De Leon Parkway, Punta Gorda.
  • Punta Gorda Murals – Guided and Self-Guided Walking Tours – https://puntagordamurals.org/tours-classes/ Returning in 2023, tours will be every Tuesday, February 7 through March 28th. Self-Guided maps are available to download as well. Also available is “The History of Punta Gorda through its Murals” History Class! 941.639.3720.
  • Southwest Florida Vietnam Wall – https://vietnamwallofsouthwestflorida.org – Located adjacent to Laishley Park. The wall is a half scale replica of the original in Washington, D.C. The granite is from the same source as the original and details, such as the slope of the wall, follow the design of architect Maya Lin. 100 Nesbit Street, Punta Gorda.
  • Southwest Florida Walking Tours – https://swfloridawalkingtours.com – Occurring October through April, they offer a long lunch walking tour and a haunted mystery tour.
  • Visual Arts Center – http://www.visualartcenter.org – Non-profit free art gallery offering classes and workshops. Two art exhibits each month. Classes and workshops range from beginner level to advanced. 210 Maud St, Punta Gorda.
  • 4-17 Southern Speedway and Events – www.417southernspeedway.com – Paved, oval track hosting a variety of races from street stock to open wheeled modifieds, trucks, go karts, and more! 8655 Piper Road, Punta Gorda.