It is a quaint town of brick streets and century-old bungalows hidden by screens of tropical vegetation, the bright red blooms of hibiscus standing out against lush green foliage. It is a waterfront town, along a vast rippling current in which dolphins play and cormorants dive. Established in 1887, Punta Gorda is one of Florida’s most charming cities, where historic cottages come in island colors such as mango, avocado, and lavender. As the heart of Charlotte County, it has a vibrant downtown with arts and dining. Nightlife bustles on Marion Avenue. Art is everywhere, especially murals—striking images on downtown historic buildings and even a sea turtle swimming across the side of the Dairy Queen at a prominent intersection at FL 776 and US 41.
Punta Gorda is only one facet of this large county that surrounds Charlotte Harbor, where the Myakka and Peace Rivers meet. Imagine miles of mangrove-lined shoreline dense with the activity of egrets and herons, and vast sandy beaches where plovers and terns race along the sand. Or thousands of acres of pine flatwoods protected from development, where red-cockaded woodpeckers nest, eagles fly, and sandhill cranes gather in the open prairies. This is a birder’s paradise, where every little park and preserve yields another find for your life list, from the vast Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area to the sandy tip of Stump Pass Beach State Park at Englewood. It’s an angler’s paradise, too, one of the world’s top sport fishing destinations. You’ll have a shot at tarpon, snook, red-fish, barracuda, cobia, and grouper in the rich estuaries where the rivers meet the Gulf of Mexico. Cast off from the sleepy fishing village of Placida, or drop a line off the bridge at El Jobean.
In the early 1900s, developers with big dreams and land schemes moved into the wet prairies surrounding Charlotte Harbor, including Joel Bean, who made an anagram of his name to dub his new community El Jobean.
ONE OF THE MANY MURALS IN DOWNTOWN PUNTA GORDA
Sandra Friend
He wasn’t the first. It started with John Milton Murdock, who obtained thousands of acres to resell to farmers and settlers. The new owners quickly discovered the seasonal flooding that is a natural part of southwest Florida ecosystems, and Murdock had to create drainage canals to make the farmland usable, creating the community of Charlotte Harbor. Former Florida Governor Albert Gilchrist was a founder of Punta Gorda and lived there until his death; he, too, participated in development of the area, particularly at Boca Grande.
Once the fishing grounds of the Calusa, the barrier islands have stories to tell, including those of pirate treasure. Among the most persistent is the legend of Jose Gasper, born of noble Spanish blood but turned pirate in the early 1800s, cruising the coast of Florida for his prey of Spanish and British ships. Local lore places Gasparilla Island as his longtime hideout, and the islands surrounding Boca Grande as the place where he and his brother buried multiple casks and chests of Spanish gold coins. While most of Boca Grande lies in adjoining Lee County (see The Beaches of Fort Myers Sanibel), access by road—and a portion of the islands—lies in Charlotte County, along with a string of barrier islands that include Don Pedro Island, Palm Island, and Manasota Key off the coast of Englewood.
GUIDANCE Your official source for tourism information is Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands (941-743-1900 or 1-800-652-6090; www.charlotteharbortravel.com), 18501 Murdock Cir., Ste. 502, Port Charlotte. For brochures, maps, and reservations, drop in at the Southwest Florida Welcome Center (941-639-0007; www.puntagordavisitor.info), 26610 S Jones Loop Rd., Punta Gorda, for information, or stop at their kiosk in Fishermen’s Village (see Selective Shopping). In addition, the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce (941-639-3720; www.puntagorda-chamber.com), 252 W. Marion Ave., Ste. 121 has information for getting the most out of a day in Punta Gorda, including walking tour guides. Visiting Boca Grande? Stop at the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce (941-964-0568; www.bocagrandechamber.com), 5800 Gasparilla Rd., Ste. A1, next to Boca Grande Resort.
GETTING THERE By car: I-75 and US 41 provide primary access to the region, with US 17 following the Peace River south from Arcadia to end in Punta Gorda.
By air: DirectAir (1-877-432-DIRECT; www.visitdirectair.com) launched commuter service to the Charlotte County Airport (941-639-1101 or 1-888-700-2232; www.flypgd.com), 28000 Airport Rd., Punta Gorda, in 2008. The nearest large airports include the Sarasota International Airport (see Sarasota & Her Islands) and Southwest Florida International Airport (see The Beaches of Fort Myers Sanibel).
By bus: Greyhound (1-800-231-2222; www.greyhound.com), 900 Kings Hwy., has a terminal in Port Charlotte.
By rail: AMTRAK (1-800-USA-RAIL), 909 Kings Hwy., connects from the nearest station to Port Charlotte via motor coach.
GETTING AROUND By car: US 41 is the primary artery linking Punta Gorda, Charlotte Harbor, and Port Charlotte. SR 771 connects Port Charlotte with Placida, where SR 775 is the north-south route between Boca Grande, Cape Haze, and Englewood. SR 776 is the direct route from Port Charlotte to Englewood. There is a toll of at least $5 to cross the bridge to Boca Grande.
By taxi: Voyager Taxi (941-629-2810) provides 24-hour taxi service throughout the area, while Charlotte Shuttles & Airport Transportation, Inc. (941-255-9117 or 1-888-663-2430; www.charlotteshuttles.com), 2158 Gerard Ct, offers a 24 hour airport shuttle service.
By water taxi: Pirates Water Taxi (941-697-5777), 6301 Boca Grande Causeway, provides water transportation to Little Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro State Park, the outer islands, and restaurants from 8:30 AM–5:15 PM, and with advanced notice can operate anytime; $7.50 per person, $15 minimum for a trip.
MEDICAL EMERGENCIES There is a 24-hour emergency room at Charlotte Regional Medical Center (941-639-3131; www.charlotteregional.com), 809 E Marion Ave., Punta Gorda, and emergency care available at Englewood Community Hospital (941-475-6571; www.englewoodcommunityhospital.com), 700 Medical Blvd., Englewood. In Boca Grande, call the Boca Grande Health Clinic (941-964-0099), 280 Park Ave., or 911.
To SeeARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE Peoples of the Safety Harbor and Weedon Island cultures (circa 499 A.D.) resided on islands and ridges near Placida, including Big Mound Key in Charlotte Harbor, where graves and a temple mound that rises nearly 23 feet high have been found
Whimsical fish and turtles decorate walls, ceiling, and windows at Margaret Albritton Gallery (941-698-0603; margaretalbrittongallery.com), 13020 Fishery Rd., where it’s tough to resist picking up at least one piece of her wildlife art, or a beach knickknack for the home.
The Joe Matthis Gallery (941-639-8488; www.swissconnections.usa), 403 Sullivan St., Ste. 113, honors the work of this distinguished Swiss artist, a graphic designer and muralist whose daughter manages the chocolatier next door. Special thematic exhibitions bring in the work of regional artists as well. Open Mon.–Sat. 10 AM–5 PM, third Thurs. until 8.
At the Presseller Gallery & Delicatessen (see Eating Out), you can dine among the creations of regional fine artists and digital media artists. The giclees of wildlife artist Robert Binks are among the many pieces of local art featured at the adjacent Sunart Gallery & Framing (941-639-3956), 307 Taylor St., where the art glass bowls evoke Chuiluly and wood parquet bowls fascinate with their natural whorls. Both galleries are owned by the Presseller family.
CHOCOLATES AT THE SWISS CHOCOLATE EUROPEAN CAFE
Sandra Friend
The Sea Grape Art Gallery (941-575-1718; www.seagrapegallery.com), 113 W Marion Ave., is a cooperative staffed by nearly 20 local artists. I particularly enjoyed Vicki Glynn’s watercolors of the flora and fauna of Charlotte Harbor’s coastlines.
At the Visual Arts Center (941-639-8810; www.visualartscenter.org), 210 Maud St., you can savor the art on display, browse through an extensive art library, take a workshop, or pick out an original gift from the gift shop. There are four main galleries with 12 shows per year, and more than 3,000 art books, tapes, and DVDs in the library. Classes are offered year-round, but the center does close on weekends during the summer months. In the courtyard you’ll see a fountain preserved from Punta Gorda’s first hotel. Free; donations appreciated.
The Punta Gorda Gallery Walk (941-743-1900) is held the third Thursday of every month from 5 to 8 PM. Walk (follow the flip-flops painted on the sidewalks) or ride the trolley to enjoy the galleries, shops, and restaurants celebrating the evening with live music and good food.
ATTRACTION Punta Gorda businessman Rick Treworgy has been crazy for classic cars since he got behind the wheel of a Pontiac GTO in 1965. He’s brought his collection public at Muscle Car City (941-575-5959; www.musclecarcity.net), 3811 Tamiami Trail, taking over a former Wal-Mart to house more than 200 automobiles dating back to the 1920s. Talk about immense: it’s a virtual warehouse with rows and rows of sleek driving machines, their well-detailed high-powered engines open for inspection. Each vehicle is immaculate and identified, enabling enthusiasts to gather around and swap memories about their favorite Corvette or GTO. Muscle Car City also includes a 50s-themed diner and a large gift shop with automobile memorabilia, including a few lovingly-restored cars for sale. Open Tues.–Sat. 9 AM–5 PM, $10 admission.
Undergoing restoration, the historic 1922 El Jobean Post Office & General Store (941-627-3344), 4370 Garden Rd., when open, shows off artifacts from the early days of this planned community, which went bust in 1920. In 1931 the building served as a hotel and housed film crews from MGM. The original wooden railroad bridge over the Myakka River at the end of Garden Road is now the Myakka North Fishing Pier.
EL JOBEAN POST OFFICE
Sandra Friend
On the grounds of Grande Tours (see Nature Tours), Capt. Marian Schneider preserved two interesting historic artifacts from the area: the original bridge tender’s cottage from the first wooden railroad bridge (now a fishing pier) to Gasparilla Island, and a homesteader’s cistern that once sat on her parents’ property to accumulate much needed fresh water from rainwater.
Stroll the downtown and waterfront streets to see classic Old Florida architecture reflected in homes, cottages, and bungalows, all privately owned. Built in 1903, the A. C. Freeman House, also known as the Gilchrist House, was once a mayor’s residence. It’s the last Queen Anne Victorian house in town and was moved for preservation from Hargreaves Avenue to Retta Esplanade, where it now houses the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce (see Guidance). The old First National Bank of Punta Gorda, built during the 1920s boom, is now the Turtle Club (see Dining Out) at 133 W Marion Ave. The Punta Gorda Atlantic Coast Line Depot (see Railroadiana) is one of only six Mediterranean-style railroad depots remaining in the United States.
At Punta Gorda History Park (941-639-1887), 501 Shreve St., historic buildings were moved here to avoid demolition. The collection includes the original city jail, a Cuban cigar worker’s home, and Trabue Cottage, the first land sales and post office in the city.
Overlooking Charlotte Harbor, the Charlotte County Historical Center (941-629-7278; www.charlottecountyfl.com/historical), 22959 Bayshore Rd., presents exhibits ranging from prehistory to today on local history topics, as well as regular workshops. The Live Oak Emporium gift shop has educational toys, games, and books. Exhibits are open 10 AM–5 PM Tues.–Fri. and 10 AM–3 PM Sat. Fee.
The contributions of African Americans who helped to found Punta Gorda are memorialized in a museum established in 2004 to tell their stories over the past century. The Blanchard House African American Heritage Museum (941-575-7518; www.blanchardmuseum.org), 406 Martin Luther King Blvd., includes exhibits on pioneer families, the old Cochran Street Business district, Trabue Woods, and Baker Academy. Housed in a historic cottage, the museum also oversees the Colored Waiting Room exhibit at the Punta Gorda ACL Depot (see Railroadiana). A gift shop and history library complements the museum’s holdings. Open 10 AM–2 PM on Mon., Wed., and Fri.; donation.
It’s hard not to be moved by the exhibits at the Military Heritage & Aviation Museum (941-575-9002; www.mhaam.org), 1200 W Retta Esplanade B-4, inside Fisherman’s Village. More than 20,000 military artifacts donated by veterans are used to interpret military history from the Civil War through Iraqi Freedom, with the bulk of the museum dedicated to World War II and the Vietnam War. There is a small gift shop with emblems and insignia items. Open 10 AM–6 PM Mon.–Sat., noon–5 PM Sun. Free admission, donations appreciated.
RAILROADIANA Built in 1928 to ship fish to northern markets, the Punta Gorda Atlantic Coast Line Depot, 1009 Taylor Rd., Punta Gorda, is the only remaining Spanish Mission style depot on the old ACL Railroad. The ticket office contains railroad memorabilia, historic items from the fishing industry, and ephemera from World War II troops who passed through the station. Both the “Colored” and “White” waiting rooms have been restored and contain period exhibits. Access to the station is through the Punta Gorda History Park (see Museums), which runs periodic tours. An excellent mural depicting the railroad era is across the street.
Although no structure remains from that era, you’ll find a historic marker for the Southernmost Railroad Terminal in front of the Isles Yacht Club on West Marion Ave., past Fishermen’s Village. In 1887, the U.S. Florida Southern Railway’s narrow gauge railway ran out past this point on a 4,000-foot dock to connect with steamers of the Morgan Line.
To DoBICYCLING A paved path connecting communities in the eastern part of the county, the Cape Haze Pioneer Trail (941-627-1628), 1688 Placida Rd., starts at SR 771 near Rotunda and works its way for 4.5 miles through the massive circular-shaped planned community to the coast at Cape Haze along the route of the former Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad. Plans are to continue the route to Placida to connect to the Boca Grande Trail to Gasparilla Island.
BIRDING Of historic interest to bird lovers, Columbus G. McLeod was an Audubon warden watching over the Placida rookery in 1908. Like Guy Bradley, the famed Audubon warden who was shot and killed in the Everglades in 1905 while protecting the rookeries from plume hunters, McLeod vanished while on watch and was presumed murdered. His death further ignited the national furor over the wearing of feathers in hats, shifting public sentiment to protection of our now-common egrets and herons. The wilds of Charlotte Harbor State Park (see Wild Places), an aquatic preserve encompassing more than 80 miles of mangrove-tangled shoreline, is home to the elusive mangrove cuckoo, which can sometimes be seen at Ponce de Leon Park (see Parks). For red-cockaded woodpeckers and sandhill cranes, visit the wide open spaces of Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area (see Wild Places). Eagles return to nest every winter at Cedar Point Environmental Park (see Parks). Virtually all of the public lands bordering Charlotte Harbor will help you add more species to your life list.
Charter boats (with captain and crew) are available from Boca Boats (1-888-416-BOAT) at Boca Grande Resort (see Lodgings) to enjoy the barrier islands along Charlotte County’s coastline. Half-day rentals start at $550.
Explore Lemon Bay on a skiff from Bay Breeze Boat Rental (941-475-0733; www.baybreezeboats.com), 1450 Beach Rd., with rates starting at $140 for a 17-foot Key Largo, or Beach Road Watersports (941-475-9099; www.beachroadwatersports.net), 1350 Beach Rd., where skiffs are $90 for a half day and pontoon boats $245 for the whole day. They rent Wave Runners and kayaks as well.
Gasparilla Marina (941-697-2280 or 1-800-541-4441; www.gasparillamarina.com), 15001 Gasparilla Rd., is one of the largest marinas in the area, with 225 slips, overnight dockage with showers, and a ship’s store, large boat storage, and fuel. They rent boats, too, 20–21 foot for $210 half day, $275 full day.
Providing easy access to Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound, Burnt Store Marina (941-637-0083; www.burntstoremarina.com), Burnt Store Rd., is a favorite for boaters headed to the south end of this region. Dockage runs $1.75 per foot per day, 30 foot minimum.
Holidaze Boat Rental (941-505-8888; www.holidazeboatrental.com), 1200 W Retta Esplanade at Fisherman’s Village, offers rentals of power boats, pontoon boats, fishing and sailing skiffs, and Jet Skis at this location near the mouth of the Myakka River. Rentals start at $55 an hour or $165 per half day for a 17.5-foot Cobia.
Board a sunset cruise or nature tour at Fishermen’s Village (see Selective Shopping) with the King Fisher Fleet (941-639-0969; www.kingfisherfleet.com), 1200 W Retta Esplanade; advance reservations suggested. Six different trips are offered throughout the week (see Nature Tours). As you cruise out into the bay, dolphins frolic in the waves made by the boat’s wake. If you’re visiting at Christmastime, ask about their special Christmas Light Canal Tours that take you up into residential areas to see the lights from the water.
CRABBING From October 15 through May 15, it’s perfectly legal for you to dive offshore in Charlotte County to collect stone crab claws—if you can stand the thought of removing them from their owners. The good news is the crabs grow them back, so only take one from each critter. Limits set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (www.myfwc.com) are 1 gallon of claws per person (2 gallons per vessel), and all claws must be a minimum of 2¾ inches from elbow to tip, plus you may not take females with eggs. Divers must fly a diver-down flag.
ECOTOURS Sloshing in the shallows of Charlotte Harbor off the shore of Ponce de Leon Park (see Parks), we had our nets ready and were at attention on our feet, as we walked deeper into the waves. Led by a naturalist from Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (see Nature Centers), the wet walk was an experience in learning about the smaller inhabitants of the harbor, caught in our nets and set in a tray for quick examination. From shore, a yellow-crowned night heron kept watch on our activities. This particular interpretive expedition, called a Shallow Water Wading Trip, is offered through CHEC on a regular basis to budding marine biologists of all ages, along with many other estuarine and upland tours. Check their Web site for details and reserve in advance: www.checflorida.org; the tours are free.
Enjoy a narrated voyage with Grande Tours (941-697-8825; www.grandetours.com), 12575 Placida Rd., Placida, and pick your subject: shelling, dolphins, buried treasure—you name it! Take a cruise, rent a kayak, or book a guided fishing trip—these knowledgeable natives can do it all. Their guided paddling tours are especially popular, given how easy it is to get lost in the mangrove maze, and they offer a narrated boat tour/shuttle to Don Pedro Island State Park daily at 10 AM, returning at 3 PM, for $21. Reservations are recommended.
To see the Florida that Patrick Smith describes in A Land Remembered, take a trip back in time at the Babcock Ranch with Babcock Wilderness Adventures (1-800-500-5583; www.babcockwilderness.com), 8000 SR 31, Punta Gorda. On a 90-minute ride on a school bus converted into a swamp buggy, you’ll tour a portion of the 91,000-acre Crescent B Ranch, a working operation where cowmen still ride the range for days after the herds of up to 7,000 head of cattle. Babies raised here are auctioned off to live on other ranches around the country. Along the route, you’ll encounter herds of Cracker cattle, descendents of those brought to Florida by the Spanish in the 1500s, and historic Rouxville, a 1920s lumber town where nearly two hundred people once lived along the railroad in boxcars—the first “mobile home” park in Florida. Keep alert, as your driver will point out wildlife in the pine woods and through Telegraph Cypress Swamp, where herds of wild hogs roam and alligators sun on the banks of the creeks at the old railroad trestle. A stop in the swamp lets you experience the ancient cypresses along a boardwalk and meet resident Florida panthers in a large enclosure. When you return to the registration and gift shop area, walk through a cabin used in the movie Just Cause that now serves as a small museum recounting how R. V. Babcock came from Pittsburgh in 1914 and purchased hundreds of thousands of acres to expand his timber business.
CHEC WADING TOUR IN CHARLOTTE HARBOR
Sandra Friend
King Fisher Fleet (see Boating) offers six different tours during the course of the week, including Out Island Day Cruises to Cabbage Key and Cayo Costa State Park, where dolphin sightings are virtually guaranteed. Two of their tours are a custom fit if you’re looking for a narrated nature cruise. Sailing on Friday at 10 AM, the Half Day Harbor Cruise explores the shoreline of Charlotte Harbor State Park, perfect for birding; $21.95 adults, half price ages 3–11. On Wednesday, the Half Day Peace River Nature Cruise heads upriver into a slice of Old Florida, where grand live oaks and cabbage palms crowd the shores and alligators rest in the shallows; $21.95 adults, half price ages 3–11. A 1.5-hour dolphin-watching afternoon tour is only $13.95 adults, half price children. Reservations are recommended.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES 
Along Charlotte Harbor, Fish Cove Miniature Golf (941-627-5393; www.coralcaygolf.com/fishcove), 4949 Tamiami Trail, isn’t just about the putt. It provides the kids some fun and adults an opportunity to unwind, with a playground on- site and great views of the harbor. Tropical plantings accent the mini golf faux cliffs and water hazards. At Port Charlotte, take the kids to Sun Flea Market & Kidstar (941-255-3532), 18505 Paulson Dr., with its slate of old-fashioned carnival rides, including a Ferris wheel. Of course, there’s the flea market to browse, too.
KAYAKING THE PEACE RIVER
FISHING If tarpon’s your fish, you’ve found the holy land. For more than a century, anglers have descended on Charlotte Harbor as one of the world’s top sport-fishing destinations. You’ll have a shot at tarpon, snook, redfish, barracuda, cobia, and grouper in the rich waters where the rivers meet the Gulf. Numerous private guides are registered locally; your best bet is to check at one of the marinas (see Boating). Two captains I know personally and will recommend for your outing is Captain Van Hubbard/Let’s Go Fishin’, Inc. (941-740-4665; www.captvan.com) and Captain Ralph Allen of the King Fisher Fleet (see Boating). Many fishing charters depart from Fishermen’s Village (see Selective Shopping) in Punta Gorda, while others center around Placida.
GOLF Endless meandering waterways mark the course at Deep Creek Golf Club (941-625-6911; www.deepcreekgolf.com), 1260 San Cristoball Ave., a par 70 course designed by Mark McCumber. Kings Gate Golf Club (941-625-7615; www.kingsgategolf.com), 24000 Rampart Blvd., is a tough par 60 executive golf course. And a top pick by Golf Digest, the Riverwood Golf Club (941-764-6661; www.riverwoodgc.com), 4100 Riverwood Dr., offers true challenges created by its setting in a lush natural landscape of pines and oaks.
HIKING Explore wilderness around Charlotte Harbor at Charlotte Harbor State Park (see Wild Places), where there are three trailheads providing access to day hikes. Between Rotunda and Placida, the Catfish Creek Trailhead offers access to pine flatwoods and marshes and is best hiked using a GPS. The 1.8-mile Old Datsun Trail off Burnt Store Road circles a large flatwoods pond and is easy to follow. Along Pine Island Road (in neighboring Lee County), the Little Pine Island High Marsh Trail is a 2-mile loop through marl mud flats (often mucky) and mangrove forests.
Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center manages both Cedar Point Environmental Park at Cape Haze and Alligator Creek Preserve at Punta Gorda (see Nature Centers), both of which have excellent networks of hiking trails that are easy to follow and family-friendly. A 1-mile nature trail on the land side at Don Pedro Island State Park (see Beaches) loops through pine flatwoods and along the sometimes-wet mangrove fringe before leading you down to the ferryboat dock. Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area (see Wild Places) has a 1-mile trail through prime red-cockaded woodpecker habitat, best visited at dawn. On Babcock Ranch, which is now in state stewardship, there are two new places to hike. From its trailhead on CR 74, there are two loops to the Footprints Trail, 2 miles or 4.7 miles. The trail leads you into pine flatwoods and around cypress domes, through hardwood hammocks and across open prairies. You can now also hike at Babcock Wilderness Adventures (see Nature Tours), part of the attraction at the ranch.
PADDLING Grande Tours (see Nature Tours) rents kayaks and leads guided kayaking trips, including overnight trips with camping on some of the region’s unspoiled barrier islands and on the new Charlotte County Blueway Trail (see Blueway). Launch your own expedition from Ponce de Leon Park (see Parks) or Sunrise Park along Alligator Bay; access via Edgewater Drive in Port Charlotte.
RACING At the Charlotte County Speedway (941-575-7223; www.charlottecountyspeedway.net), 8655 Piper Rd., Punta Gorda, experience Saturday-night racing on the ⅜-mile figure-eight asphalt track. Open Labor Day through June, with numerous special events.
SAILING Learn to sail in the broad expanse of Charlotte Harbor with the International Sailing School (1-800-824-5040; www.intlsailsch.com) based at Fisherman’s Village, 1200 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, or with 
B&D Sailing (941-627-1727; www.bdsailing.com), 19246 Palmdale Ct., Port Charlotte.
SCUBA Hit the depths with professional assistance from DepthFinders Dive Center (941-766-7565; www.DepthFinders.com), 1225 Tamiami Trail, or Fantasea Scuba (941-627-3888; www.fantaseascuba.com), 3781 Tamiami Trail, both in Port Charlotte.
SHELLING Seashells along the sandy strands of the barrier islands can grow to impressive sizes—but you’ll have to be the early bird after high tide recedes to claim your treasure. Look for the best shells where the tides sweep around curved land at the tip of Stump Pass Beach State Park (see Beaches).
TROLLEY TOURS On the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce (see Guidance) runs tours to get you familiar with the businesses of Punta Gorda. The tours start at Fisherman’s Village at 10 AM on the second Tuesday, 3 PM on the fourth Tuesday. Call ahead for reservations.
WILDLIFE REHAB Volunteers look after injured birds and small mammals at the Peace River Wildlife Center (941-637-3830; www.peaceriverwildlifecenter.com), 3400 W Marion Ave., Punta Gorda, permanent home to nearly one hundred raptors, herons, and songbirds. Animals brought here go through triage in a “birds only” emergency room, stabilization in cages out of public view, and then a flight cage or home care until they are able to be returned to the wild. Many of the permanent residents are pelicans injured by discarded monofilament fishing line, and they have their own big pool in the back, where you can watch them gobble down fish at feeding time. Guided tours are given on a regular basis, or you can walk through at your own pace. Donations greatly appreciated, as this has been a fully nonprofit labor of love for more than a decade, with local veterinarians donating their time and equipment to care for injured wildlife.
Green SpaceBeachgoers seeking beachfront solitude in Charlotte County will find it at Don Pedro Island State Park (941-964-0375; www.floridastateparks.org/donpedroisland), a state-owned island accessible only by private boat or water taxi (see Getting Around) to Knight Island. The land base along SR 776 has a nice nature trail loop through a tall stand of pines and is a launch point for kayaking to the island.
Where North Beach Road meets Gulf Boulevard, Chadwick Park (941-473-1018), 2100 N Beach Rd., is an enormous county beachfront park with ample parking, beach crossovers, and restaurants across the street. However, the best beach on the island is at its south end, where the highway ends. Stump Pass Beach State Park (941-964-0375; www.floridastateparks.org/stumppass), 900 Gulf Blvd., is several miles of a sliver of sand topped with maritime forest. A kayak launch lets you paddle up the bay side and view numerous osprey nests on the smaller surrounding keys. Parking can be tough on weekends. Fee.
DON PEDRO ISLAND
At Ponce de Leon Park (see Parks), Rotary Beach is the closest stretch of sand to town. It’s a gathering place for locals to watch the sunset. Bring your lawn chair!
BLUEWAY Trace the ancient trails of the Calusa along the Charlotte County Blueway Trail (www.charlottecountyfl.com/parks/blueway.asp), a key part of the Florida Saltwater Circumnavigational Trail.
NATURE CENTERS Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (www.checflorida.org) manages two popular nature centers and preserves along the coast. Protecting 115 pristine acres along an undeveloped coastline on Lemon Bay, Cedar Point Environmental Park (941-475-0769), 2300 Placida Rd., Englewood, offers a quiet place to walk the trails and become familiar with natural habitats that have vanished due to development in the area. Start at the visitor’s reception center for a cinematic overview and information to take with you out in the field. Roam the seven marked trails to explore coastal pine flatwoods, coastal scrub, mangrove forests, and more. Enjoy the picnic area and playground near the front entrance, and launch your kayak into Oyster Creek for exploration of the preserve by water. Open sunrise to sunset, except when posted to protect eagle nesting; visitors center open 8:30 AM–4:30 PM Mon.–Fri. Just south of Punta Gorda, Alligator Creek Preserve (941-575-5435), 10941 Burnt Store Rd., provides access to more than 3,000 acres of Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park, on which CHEC maintains their administrative office and classroom facilities. Several miles of trails and boardwalks run through a variety of ecosystems, from pine flatwoods to open prairies, needlerush marshes, and mangrove-lined lakes. Visitors center open 9 AM–3 PM Mon.–Sat., 11 AM–3 PM Sun.
PARKS Explore Punta Gorda’s waterfront with a walk along the Retta Esplanade, starting at Gilchrist Park. It’s the beginning of a string of parks along Charlotte Harbor at Old Punta Gorda Point. Follow the walkway toward Fishermen’s Village through Shreve Park and Pittman Park, each protecting a slender slice of waterfront dense with sea grapes and mangroves.
Deep in a mangrove forest, Ponce de Leon Park (941-575-3324), 4000 W Marion Ave., commemorates the Spanish explorer’s reach to these shores with a small memorial and statuettes. De Leon died after he was wounded by Calusa warriors at nearby Pine Island Sound. The park offers a small beach, boat ramp, a boardwalk through the mangroves, and restrooms and is home to the Peace River Wildlife Center (see Wildlife Rehab). It’s a popular spot to pull up a camp chair and watch the sunset. Open dawn–dark daily. Free.
WILD PLACES Adjacent to Babcock Ranch (see Nature Tours), the Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area (941-575-5768; www.myfwc.com/recreation/babcock_webb), 29200 Tuckers Grade, covers more than 79,000 acres of pine flatwoods, prairie, wetlands, and oak hammocks to the east of Punta Gorda on Tuckers Grade. There are 37 miles of unimproved roads throughout the preserve, open to hiking, biking, and horseback riding, and a short hiking loop through a red-cockaded woodpecker colony. Fall brings in hunters from all over the region as they seek deer and wild hogs. But perhaps the most popular activity on the preserve is fishing at 395-acre Webb Lake, which is stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, freshwater snook, and many other species for catch-and-release. Fee.
GILCHRIST PARK
Sandra Friend
Stretching across two counties to protect more than 80 miles of mangrove coastline and islands, Charlotte Harbor State Park (941-575-5861; www.floridastateparks.org/charlotteharbor), 12301 Burnt Store Rd. (CR 765), rings the harbor, preserving key habitat for bird rookeries and fish nurseries. While most of the park is an extremely remote wilderness area accessible only by kayak, there are two primary access points for exploration on foot: the Old Datsun Trail along Burnt Store Road, 1 mile south of CHEC Alligator Creek (see Nature Centers), and the Catfish Creek Trailhead on the east side of CR 771, 1.5 miles north of Placida. Trails are seasonally wet and muddy.
Lodging At Tropical Paradise Bed & Breakfast (941-624-4533; www.tropicalparadisebb.com), 19227 Moore Haven Ct., Joanne and Clift McMahon will treat you like part of the family. Choose from the Hibiscus Room ($85–105), a cheery Caribbean-themed bedroom with adjoining private bath, or the sumptuous Island Suite ($95–125), with hand-carved Honduran furnishings, en suite bath with whirlpool tub, and a private exit to the pool area, which overlooks a scenic waterway. Kayak or fish or bring your own boat and dock it—with direct access to Charlotte Harbor and right along the Charlotte County Blueway (see Blueway), the McMahons enjoy the live-aboard cruiser life, and they offer discounts to MTOA (Marine Trade Owners Association) members.
For rooms with pizzazz, check into the Upper Room Bed and Breakfast (941-625-0695; www.upperroombedandbreakfast.com), 21010 Midway Blvd., a quiet haven surrounded by a residential community and churches. Five spacious rooms ($70–149), each lushly decorated, including the Princess Suite with its own dining area, cater to business travelers and those looking to refresh the spirit.
Talk about a special experience. The Cypress Lodge at Babcock Ranch (941-628-6658; www.babcockwilderness.com/lodge.htm), 8000 SR 31, is a slice of Florida history you won’t soon forget. Surrounded by 92,000 acres of ranchland and wilderness, in the middle of the 10,000 acre Telegraph Swamp, the lodge was once a hunting retreat for Fred Babcock, founder of the ranch, and you’ll see that legacy reflected in the decor. Perched over a creek where alligators cruise the depths and wood storks sit in the trees, it’s an intimate immersion in nature. The lodge is rented as a package, complete with the services of Casey Bruni, resident chef and manager, who’ll see to your needs—whether a girlfriends getaway or a corporate retreat. Rates are negotiated depending on the activities, meals, and number of guests involved.
A massive campground en route to the beach, Harbor Lakes RV Resort Encore SuperPark (1-800-468-5022; www.rvonthego.com/Harbor-Lakes-RV-Resort.html), 3737 El Jobean Rd., offers a vast array of activities and guest services—enough that most of the folks each winter are here for the season. Overnight guests welcome ($32–40): 30 amp service on back-in sites, or tent sites with no hookups.
Tucked away in the woods off US 41 on the way to Fort Myers, Sun-N-Shade Campground (941-639-5388; www.sunnshade.com), 14880 Tamiami Trail, provides a serene getaway for you and your RV with amenities such as a clubhouse, heated pool, shuffleboard, horseshoes, and a nature trail. Electric hookup and dump station; $30–35 per night, $180–240 per week.
You’re whisked into another world at Palm Island Resort (941-697-4800 or 1-800-824-5412; www.palmisland.com), 7092 Placida Rd.—namely, acres upon acres of an offshore island to explore. Bound to the mainland by a ferry service with prices high enough to discourage gawkers, Palm Island lies between Manasota Key and Little Gasparilla Island, and it was developed in the early 1980s while taking into careful account the natural habitats, especially the mangrove fringe and tidal flats. It’s a great destination for families looking for a relaxing week on an unspoiled beach, with miles of tidal flats to walk. With the exception of the Harborside Villas, all units face the Gulf and sit behind the dune line. The fully equipped units range from one to three bedrooms (seasonal rates of $140–550 daily, $915–4,505 weekly) and include several free rides on the car ferry, depending on your length of stay. Once you park your car, transportation is limited to foot traffic and golf carts. The resort employs naturalist and native plant expert Al Squires to lead interpretive walks, provide narration on nature cruises, run a weekly series of nature talks at the clubhouse, and to keep an eye on the unique species found here, such as the least terns nesting along the beach. Amenities include four heated swimming pools and hot tubs, tennis courts and a tennis pro on staff, a nature center at the clubhouse, playgrounds, a recreation center, and rental of bicycles, golf carts, and all types of water sports items, including canoes and kayaks. Leave the kids at the Island Kids club to have fun doing crafts with Redbeard while you soak in the sun. A full-service marina makes this a great stop for boaters, with 90 wet slips for dockage plus 30 slips with water and electric for craft under 30 feet. To dine, guests can walk to the casual Rum Bay Restaurant; have pizza, hot dogs, and ice cream at Coconuts; or take a free passenger ferry to Johnny Leverock’s Seafood House on the other side of the channel, which has a sports bar.
Englewood Beach & Yacht Club (1-800-382-9757; www.vacationfla.com/ebyc.htm), 1815 Gulf Blvd., caught my eye as I drove down to the end of Manasota Key—lots of families frolicking around the pool, and a neatly kept common area. Units come in one, two, or three bedrooms and range from $660–950 per week.
It’s how a Florida beach vacation used to be—Weston’s Resort (941-474-3431; www.westonsresort.com), 985 Gulf Blvd., is a family-friendly property at the south end of Manasota Key, adjacent to miles of unspoiled sand at Stump Pass Beach State Park (see Beaches), with pools, dockage, fishing guides, and plenty of waterfront views. They feature efficiency rooms ($100–133) and suites up to three bedrooms ($130–230).
Cozy 1940s rooms await you at the Banana Bay Waterfront Motel (941-743-4441; www.bananabaymotel.com), 23285 Bayshore Blvd., a perennial regional favorite. It’s a Florida classic, with a little palm-lined sand beach on Charlotte Harbor, a pool overlooking the water, and tropical plantings throughout. Enjoy standard motel rooms and efficiencies, some with waterfront views ($49–119).
Downtown has a new kid on the block—the Wyvern Hotel (941-639-7700; www.thewyvernhotel.com), 101 E Retta Esplanade. This upscale addition to the business district scores big points as one of the most luxurious yet intimate hotels I’ve reviewed in Florida. With a Spanish-influenced restaurant, Lulu, on the first floor and a busy bar adjoining the rooftop pool, they’ll tempt you to stay and not walk a block to the downtown restaurant district. I appreciated the large and elegant bath with tub and shower, the free Wi-Fi, and free parking, but the crown jewel? The bed. My husband said he’s never had a better night’s sleep. Comfy and fluffy in all the right places, it was a bed that was just plain hard to get out of in the morning—it was that good. Rates $159–419.
Where to EatFor a culinary adventure, The Downtown Hookah Lounge (941-639-0004), 307 E. Marion Ave., plunges you into the feel of a Middle-Eastern souk, with decor and music to set the tone. The restaurant is largely outdoors, since one of the prime draws (no pun intended) are the hookah pipes. Flavored tobacco is drawn through water and inhaled for effect: and we’re talking flavors like sour apple and bubble gum. Not my cup of tea, but certainly popular. The kebabs are outstanding. That’s the focus of the Lebanese menu found here: chunks of meat and vegetables seasoned, skewered, and roasted. The portions are massive and come with seasoned rice. Kebabs $9–20, mazzeh $3–9, open evenings.
With big picture windows all around, Jack’s (941-637-8800; www.jackspuntagorda.com), 201 W Marion Ave., is the place to see and be seen downtown. The bar and widescreen televisions draw a sports crowd, but the feel is more bistro, especially with creative twists like coconut grouper fingers, turkey artichoke panini, and Bahamian chicken. If you’re more a meat-and-potatoes eater, never fear: they serve up hearty burgers and pizza, too, and offer daily “signature select” lunch options. Sandwiches and salads, $8–10. Food as art: that’s The Perfect Caper (941-505-9009; www.theperfectcaper.com), 121 E Marion Ave., where each appetizer, entrée, and dessert is its own perfect masterpiece. The kitchen is a stage, the restaurant a theater, the presentation creative. Borrowing heavily from Asian traditions, the fusion preparations are made with the freshest of ingredients, most flown in the same day. Waitstaff slips out of the shadows to exchange dishes and freshen water. Served atop mashed potatoes surrounded by a sea of butter sauce and asparagus, my horseradish-crusted flounder had a perfect texture and just the right zing. Desserts are made fresh daily and include indulgences such as chocolate sorbet and Grand Marnier mousse. Perfection has its price: You will drop a bundle here. Dinner for one (sans alcohol) ran $54 plus tip. Lunch prices fit a trimmer budget. Live jazz Thursday through Saturday in the lounge. Reservations recommended.
For fresh seafood head to Barnacle Bill’s (941-697-0711), 2901 Placida Rd., where they offer up broasted oysters (shuck ’em yourself!) in-season, grouper and shrimp prepared several different ways, and crab salad. Try their famous hamburgers, too. I’ll avoid the liverwurst, but I can’t say I’ve ever seen it on a menu before—my father will be pleased. Lunch and dinner, $5–14.
The name tempted me every time I passed, so I finally had to stop at The Egg and I (941-475-6252), 2555 Placida Rd., and you guessed it—worth the stop! Hearty breakfast offerings ($2–6) include eggs Benedict, creamed chipped beef, and abelskiver, Danish pancake dumplings. Of course you can get eggs and grits, omelets, and dozens of interesting sides. Open daily for breakfast and lunch.
With its own fish market and a fleet of fishing boats docked outside, The Fishery Restaurant (941-697-2451; www.sunstate.com/fishery), 13000 Fishery Rd., is a no-frills setting with just plain good seafood and a great view of Gasparilla Sound. Their specialties include Grouper Grande, pan sautéed and lightly crusted, and Gaspar Snapper Marsala, lightly sautéed with mushrooms and wine; entrées from $13, baskets from $9. Open daily 11:30 AM–9 PM.
Like a trattoria in Napoli, Donato’s Italian Restaurant (941-764-1600), 1900 S Tamiami Trail, offers up the ambiance of the Old Country rather than the New York feel of most Italian places. Relax with the family and savor freshly made pasta, tasty soups, and soft, warm bread. I suggest the spicy pasta puttenesca, or delicious sausage parmigiana; entrées run $12 and up, with nightly specials. It’s classy enough to qualify as fine dining, but no pretensions here—the waitstaff will make you feel at home.
The parking lot is frequently full at La Romana Café & Italian Grill (941-629-0404), 3591 Tamiami Trail, recommended for their great pizza and a broad variety of Italian entrées, including shrimp scampi, chicken piccata, and eggplant rollatini.
Olympia Restaurant (941-255-3440), 3245 Tamiami Trail, serves traditional Greek favorites such as gyros, souvlaki, leg of lamb, and moussaka, as well as an eclectic variety of non-Greek food, from cheese omelets and beef liver to chicken à la king and crab cakes. Daily early-bird specials served 3 PM–5 PM.
Whiskey Creek Steakhouse (941-766-0045; www.whiskeycreek.com), 2746 Tamiami Trail, offers mouthwatering steak and burgers from prime beef raised in the Midwest, all seared over an aromatic open wood fire. Choose from entrées ($10 and up) such as bacon-wrapped filet mignon; loaded chicken with hickory-cured bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and melted cheese; or their signature pulled pork barbecue.
For authentic Irish food and grog, visit The Celtic Ray (941-505-9219; www.celticray.com), 145 E Marion Ave., a happening place every evening. It’s in the oldest continually operating building in Punta Gorda, built in 1910. In addition to fine lagers, stouts, ales, and bitters on draught, they serve inexpensive classic pub fare such as bangers, chicken curry, shepherd’s pie, and Cornish pasty, all with sides of Irish soda bread. Open daily, food served until 10 PM, live music Wed. night.
Fire it up at Dean’s Tex-Mex Cantina (941-575-6100), 130 Tamiami Trail, with sizzling fajitas, enchiladas, and chile rellenos. A local favorite for nearly 30 years, they appeal to the milder palate, too, with ribs and crispy chicken, steaks and burgers served “North of the Border.” Entrées from $9.
For a delectable breakfast, pop in at Elena’s South Restaurant (941-575-1888), 615 Cross St. # 1111, where the full range of menu starts at one egg and hashbrowns and slides up to London broil and eggs. I’m a big believer in a hearty breakfast, and I didn’t go away hungry here. It was tough to choose between stuffed or raisin French toast, crepes, or the long, long list of omelettes, but I finally settled on the most decadent French toast I’ve had yet, with sour cream and cottage cheese filling. Open 7 AM–8 PM.
For fresh, local wild-caught crab, Peace River Seafood (941-505-8440), 5337 Duncan Rd., a funky little shack along US 17 north of Punta Gorda, will have you wishing you could eat here every evening. It’s an unpretentious place, an old Cracker house with a talkative parrot on the porch, dollar bills stapled on the walls, and a nautical theme like you’d expect in a seafood house. But the menu will wow you. It’s all fresh local catch, direct from the crabbers—and they have a fish market so you can take some home. Every evening there’s a special seafood soup or stew, and entrées range from $10–35. If you don’t like seafood, go somewhere else and save the space for us! Open Tues.–Sat., closes 8 PM.
Choose from the masters at Presseller Gallery & Delicatessen (941-639-7776; www.pressellergallery.com), 213 W Olympia Ave., a unique and delightful meld of food and art. Dally with a Dalí (Prosciutto ham and manchego cheese on an appropriately crusty baguette) or savor a Renoir (Norwegian smoked salmon, goat cheese, onions, and tomatoes on a croissant); $5–9. Dine amid the creations of regional artists, or enjoy your meal outdoors. Open Mon.–Sat. 7 AM–3 PM, Thurs. 7 AM–8 PM with live entertainment.
Great for a hearty meal, the River City Grill (941-639-9080), 131 W Marion Ave., satisfies both meat and potato tastes and those desiring something more—and living in one of those mixed marriages, I know what a find this is. Let your meat lover salivate over the black angus burger or Sunday pot roast while you dabble in chile-rubbed ahi or roti chicken potpie. Entrées $15 and up; lunches $7–10.
Tucked away down a side alley, Café Ruelle (941-575-3553) 117 W Marion Ave., is a quiet coffee house and wine bar with tasty desserts.
In a 1910 building, Cubby’s Homemade Ice Cream & Deli (941-637-9600), 264 W Marion Ave., puts a fresh spin on all their creations. Sure, you could pick up a BLT wrap or fresh spinach salad at lunchtime ($4–8), but with all those flavors of homemade ice cream in front of you, shouldn’t you eat dessert first?
Indulge your senses at the Swiss Chocolate European Café (941-639-9484; www.swissconnection.usa), 403 Sullivan St., Ste. 112, where the fine designer truffles are presented on a small tray with a doily. I couldn’t resist trying Florida orange and cinnamon roll; there are 28 flavors to choose from. Sugar-free cookies, candy, and biscotti complement the freshly ground coffee. Open Mon.–Sat. 10 AM–5 PM.
Selective ShoppingBoutiques, antiques, and eateries define the shopping district dubbed Olde Englewood Village (941-473-8782; www.oldeenglewood.com) on Dearborn St., the heart of the old city on Lemon Bay. The city spans two counties; see Sarasota and Her Islands for shopping details.
In addition to the Margaret Albritton Gallery (see Art Galleries), Placida is home to a cute village of gaily painted beach bungalows that house a variety of artsy shops, including Hatch Limited Artistry & Collectibles and the Placida Cove Gift Shop. Most shops open at noon.
In downtown Punta Gorda, the core shopping district includes Marion and Olympia Avenues west of US 41 and Sullivan Street, off Olympia. Wander the streets and you’ll find some tempting shops! Here’s a few.
At Pomegranate & Fig (941-205-2333), 117 W Marion Ave., shop for funky home décor, including pop art pieces and Christmas ornaments.
Sassy So Sausalito (941-575-6767), 308 Sullivan St., showcases snazzy women’s wear. In the same complex, Home Gallery Pottery & Gifts has an eclectic mix of garden urns, resort wear, local art, and overstock kitchenware.
Take a peek at tropical resort wear at Tiki’s Clothing (941-639-4310), 105 Marion Ave., where Brighton and Tommy Bahama beckon the ladies to get casual.
A massive complex of shops, restaurants, and housing, Fishermen’s Village (1-800-639-0020; www.fishville.com), 1200 W Retta Esplanade, is a destination in itself. There are dozens of shops to explore, but some simply drew me right in. Buy your nautically themed Christmas ornaments at Christmas by the Sea, part of a larger gift shop, the Sand Pebble. I found great Christmas presents at Laff Out Loud, a nostalgia shop with games and toys appealing to my generation. Hooked on Books offers used and new books in an open bistro-style space, with a nice selection of mysteries and children’s stories. Pirates Ketch has spiffy nautical home décor, including timepieces, wall art, and life-sized carved wading birds like herons and spoonbills. Don’t forget a stop for ice cream at Flamingo Yogurt!
PRODUCE STANDS, FARMER’S MARKETS, SEAFOOD MARKETS, AND U-PICK Charlotte County Citrus (941-639-4584), 28900 Bermont Rd. (CR 74), is a working family citrus grove with a fruit stand, and they will ship your citrus home. And for more than 40 years, the folks at Desoto Groves (941-625-2737; www.desotogroves.com), 1750 Tamiami Trail, have been picking and packing citrus, and they won’t let a little thing like hurricanes knock them down. Stop in and visit one of their local outlets for oranges, grapefruit, and more.
At The Fishery (see Eating Out), load up on fish fresh from the fleet that sails from Placida at adjacent Miss Cindy’s Placida Fish Market (941-697-4930).
Every Saturday, the Punta Gorda Farmers Market is in full swing in front of the historic courthouse on Taylor Road, 8 AM–1 PM.
On Wednesdays, stop by Fishermen’s Village for the Worden Farm Greenmarket (www.wordenfarm.com/farmersmarkets.html), in the center court. Pick up artisan breads and cheeses, fresh flowers and herbs, seafood from local waters, and organic fruits and vegetables.
EntertainmentFINE ARTS With performances by traveling troupes and local groups, the Charlotte Performing Arts Center (941-637-0459), 701 Carmalita St., is the place where the play is just one of the things going on. Now more than 20 years running, the Charlotte Chorale (941-204-0033) presents concerts December through April. A community tradition since 1955, the Charlotte Players Community Theater (941-255-1022) present five plays during their season, October through May, and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (941-625-5996; www.charlottesymphony.com) performs November through April each season, with a holiday pops concert each Christmas. Check the Web site for schedules and tickets.
Special EventsJanuary: Held annually since 2000, the Charlotte Harbor Nature Festival (239-995-1777; www.chnep.org), at the Charlotte County Sports Park, Port Charlotte, runs the last Saturday of the month and includes environmental displays, live music, children’s activities, wagon rides, and guided walks into the adjacent Tippecanoe Environmental Park.
February: Charlotte County Fair (941-629-4252), 2333 El Jobean Rd., Port Charlotte. Held the last week of the month, this old-fashioned county fair has food, crafts, enter-tainment, rides, and a petting zoo and features daily shows and major musical entertainers. Fee.
Florida Frontier Days (941-629-7278; www.charlottecountyfl.com/Historical/FloridaFrontierDays), Bay Shore Live Oaks Park, 22967 Bayshore Rd., Charlotte Harbor, held the second weekend of the month, celebrates regional history with living-history demonstrations, artisans, old-fashioned games, storytelling, and classic Florida food.
Taking art to the streets, the Plein Aire Art Festival in downtown Punta Gorda encourages artists who paint in “open air” to capture city scenes and showcase their finished works at a gala cocktail reception.
March: Attracting seafood lovers from all over, the Placida Rotary Seafood Festival (941-697-2271) has fun events such as face painting, crab races, antique swap and sell, craftspeople—and, of course, lots of seafood!
For nearly 30 years, the Florida International Air Show (941-575-9007; www.floridaairshow.com), Charlotte County Airport, Punta Gorda, has been a destination for aficionados of vintage and military aircraft. Enjoy exhibits, precision-flying teams, stunt pilots, and evening pyrotechnics.
April: Punta Gorda Block Party (941-639-3200; www.puntagordablockparty.com), held midmonth, brings in top music acts on four stages, vendors and craftspeople with booths lining downtown streets, and festivities all evening.
December: Unique to this region and its many waterways are the Lighted Boat Parades that occur just before Christmas in Englewood (941-475-6882) and on the Peace River (941-639-3720). If you haven’t seen one, it’s quite a delight. Top viewing spots are at Fisherman’s Village, Edgewater Lake in Charlotte Harbor, and along the US 41 bridges. Download a map of the route from the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce (see Guidance) to make your plans.