Go There: A Nature-Filled Weekend in Punta Gorda, FL
Welcome to “Go There,” a Livability.com series about travel and how to maximize your time in some of our favorite cities. Today, we’re headed to Punta Gorda, a secret escape for a weekend full of old Florida charm.
A historic harborside city in Southwest Florida, Punta Gorda is the kind of place you go for that ultimate vacation fantasy of “getting away from it all.”
It has everything you need: warm weather, a pedestrian-friendly downtown and plenty of places to commune with nature — whether your communing leans more toward chartering a boat and going for a sunset cruise or taking an eco-tour to see gators and adorable baby boars.
Crowd-free but right off I-75 between Sarasota and Fort Myers, Punta Gorda is part small town, part gateway to Florida’s untamed wilds. When you visit, you should sample a little of both. Here’s where to eat, stay and play for the perfect weekend getaway in Punta Gorda.
In This Article
Where To Stay in Punta Gorda
For the authentic Punta Gorda experience, it doesn’t get better than the recently renovated Suites at Fishermen’s Village. They’re built atop a former pier that used to house fishermen (hence the name). Today, they’re ultra modern: plank flooring throughout, stylish gray-toned decor, full kitchens and balconies showing off those waterfront views.
Outside, you’ve got all the entertainment you could want at your doorstep, including a heated pool, shuffleboard, a pocket beach with lounge chairs, and the shopping and dining of Fishermen’s Village itself.
If you want to stay a little farther from town, check out the brand-new Sunseeker Resort. Right across the harbor, this 785-room resort opened in December with a spa, boardwalk, championship-level golf course, shops, restaurants and two pools, one of which is adults-only on the roof. It even has its own food hall.
What To Do in Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda sits on one of the largest natural harbors in the country. Here, you can cruise, kayak, snorkel, fish and jet ski to your heart’s content. But don’t miss the wealth of natural wonders inland.
Explore Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens, which are colorful year-round with flowers, trees and oversized sculptures that add a splash of whimsy. See a bronze ballerina, a 20-foot-tall couple bowing to each other and a swimmer so lifelike you’ll do a double-take. On the boardwalks, keep your eye out for waterfowl like the long-legged heron. Their annual Gardens Aglow is a must in December as the 30 riverfront acres twinkle with thousands of lights.
If you have kids interested in lizards, snakes and turtles, make their dreams come true at the world’s largest reptile zoo. Iguanaland boasts over 200 species. Come eye to eye with a rhinoceros iguana or an Argus monitor, like seeing a live dinosaur in miniature.
Looking for something even wilder? Join Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours for a swamp buggy ride through a working ranch filled with Florida Cracker cattle. Descended from those brought here by the Spanish in the 1500s, you’ll learn about the land’s history and get the chance to see deer, alligators, turkeys, wild boar (and their too-cute piglets), and sandhill cranes. You can even touch and snap a selfie with a tiny gator.
Save an afternoon to stroll the palm-lined streets downtown. Along with historic buildings and charming brick lanes, there are over 30 murals spread across the city. Most are downtown, and you can download a free mural map or pick up a copy from the Chamber of Commerce.
What To Eat in Punta Gorda
In many towns, there’s one restaurant locals will swear you have to try. In Punta Gorda, that’s The Perfect Caper, and the locals are right.
Led by an award-winning chef (who beat Bobby Flay), the restaurant shines with fresh ingredients paired in creative ways. Try a salad of shaved Brussels sprouts brightened with currants and lemon. Or order their popular “crabby scallops,” where the seafood duo gets decadent treatment atop black rice rich with apricot beurre blanc. And you can’t skip dessert, changing with the seasons to offer the latest sweet indulgence.
For brunch with a view, head to the rooftop of The Wyvern Hotel. Perch 360 overlooks downtown and the harbor, a pleasant spot to sip mimosas while filling up on farm-to-table breakfast fare such as creme brulee French toast or their quiche of the moment. If their bread wows you — and it will — swing by the bakery they source it from. Nino’s Bakery & Cafe crafts delicious baguettes, custard-stuffed lobster claws big enough to split and something called sfogliatelle, which is flaky and sweet with a hint of orange.
Tip: After your tour at Babcock Ranch, stop into nearby Pi Local, a counter-service favorite for brick-oven pizza, calzones and cannolis.
Where To Shop in Punta Gorda
The sprawling Fishermen’s Village is an open-air covered mall home to more than 25 boutiques. Browse art, clothing, souvenirs and gourmet treats (particularly the olive oils) as you glimpses of the harbor. There are quite a few restaurants too, and you can easily spend half a day here.
Downtown is another great spot for independent retailers. At Becky’s Garden Shoppe, you can pick up lavender potpourri or a throw pillow emblazoned with the city’s coordinates at the Pomegranate & Fig Gift Boutique.
On Sunday mornings, the year-round History Park Sunday Market is the place to go to shop hyper-local, offering everything from fresh bread and candles to flowers and hand-turned bowls. The backdrop makes it even better. History Park is an outdoor museum featuring historic buildings in a garden setting.
Local Obsession
It seems like everyone in Punta Gorda bikes—families, outdoor enthusiasts, retirees, tourists and everyone in between. The town is covered with trails, including the scenic 2.4-mile Harborwalk that runs along Charlotte Harbor all the way to Fishermen’s Village. The trails are wide, and the landscape is fairly flat, which makes for an easy, pleasant ride.
But the best perk for travelers is that you can rent your own set of wheels for exactly $0. Punta Gorda is the first city in Florida to offer this free bicycle loaner program. Just show your ID and credit card, and return the bike when you’re done with your adventure at the end of the day.
Do you have a place in mind that we should visit next? Let us know!
