Punta Gorda – The Jewel of Southwest Florida

COASTAL VIBE, SNOWBIRDS, TRAVEL - October 3, 2018

Welcome to Punta Gorda, the jewel of Florida’s Southwest coast. Take a trip to this little diamond and you’ll soon discover why this community has been named the “Best Small City in America”. Its Old Florida charm has been carefully preserved, from it’s unique historic architecture to quaint historic cobbled streets.

Nestled on the calm shores of Charlotte Harbour and the Peace River, Punta Gorda (“Fat Point”) is ideally situated to reach the Gulf beaches of Boca Grande (north) and Ft. Myers/Sanibel (south) within minutes. This little city of gorgeous canal homes is the perfect spot for active families, snowbirds, sportsmen, and fishing enthusiasts who love to boat, kayak or just get out and feel the fresh salty breeze.

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Punta Gorda is one of the last remaining pedestrian-friendly cities in the area. Local shops, restaurants, and bakeries are close by and easily reached on foot. Take advantage of Punta Gorda’s free bicycle loaner program and go explore a little further out. Beautiful bike paths throughout the city are part of an 18 -mile stretch. Check out the Free Bike Loaner Program below.

Free Bike Loaner Program | City of Punta Gorda, FL

Punta Gorda Insider Tips!

Punta Gorda is no longer just a seasonal destination. More than ever, the city shines with events and festivals that keep the community vibrant year round. Check out the award-winning Wine & Jazz Festival, The Blues, Brews and BBQ festival and 3 Sullivan Street Arts and Craft Festival every year. Punta Gorda Restuarant week, Oktoberfest, Harboritaville (Magic on the Water) and the Wine and Jazz Fest in Laishley Park are perfect festivals for foodies and wine aficionados.

The Big Orange Music Fest takes place in November, The I love the “90”s Tour in December, FunkFest9 in March and the first Peace River Revival in April. These events are perfect opportunities for music-loving travelers to visit.

Get out and about, every Thursday from 5-8 pm the Punta Gorda Downtown streets are ‘Alive After 5’ which includes live music, food trucks, and many incredible restaurants and shops participating. Be on the lookout for cool classic cars too while you stroll around town getting to know the local sights and sounds.

On Saturdays, the Punta Gorda downtown merchants host a Farmers Market from 8am-1pm. A great spot to browse and shop for local produce, honey and other delicacies. Go see The Bread Lady, so fresh! And other tropical delights abound, like original HoneyStix, smoked mullet, cookies, vegetables and so much more. This little market also hosts, an abundance of creative artists selling their arts and crafts.

Punta Gorda is a “Foodie City” with a mix of 60 independently owned and operated eateries from hot dogs, hamburgers to fine dining. Punta Gorda definitely has the best ice cream! Harbour Bites and Zoet are two favorites which start from scratch incredible flavors and include homemade sweet baked goods.

Must Do Attractions in Punta Gorda

Fisherman’s Village

Fisherman’s Village is Punta Gorda’s “must do” attraction. The village is pet-friendly and features 40 independently owned shops, boutiques, art galleries, and four waterfront dining options. Eat to your heart’s desire at the Captain’s Table and Harpoon Harrys. Check out more details about Fisherman’s Village at www.fishville.com.

Fishing

The Kingfisher fleet offers day cruises to the islands of Cabbage Key, Cayo Costa and Boca Grande for sunbathing and shelling. If the beach is not your thing how about a sunset cruise to view the outstanding sunsets on the West coast. Like to fish? King Fisher Fleet offers deep sea and back bay fishing trips. King Fisher Fleet | Sightseeing Cruises, Fishing Trips. Book an absolute complete vacation rental experience with a private fishing charter with Captain Alan Williams from Peace River House one of our Punta Gorda vacation rental owners!

Golf

Affordable golf is “par for the course” in Charlotte County. St.Andrews South Golf Club, Blue Heron Pines Golf Course, and Charlotte Golf are all affordable options and convenient. Let’s not forget a new and upcoming sport, Pickleball. There are two public Pickleball locations in Punta Gorda. Since the popularity of this sport has grown so much, there is a proposed 4 million dollar PicklePlex facility to be constructed on the campus of Southwestern State College. More information is located at PicklePlex of Punta Gorda Inc.

Botanical Gardens

The Peace River Botanical Gardens is now open. This beautiful park is bountiful with breathtaking gardens, incredible sculptures and an art museum. A great outing for any family member of any age. Find out more here: Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens | Sanctuary of Art and Nature

How to Get to Punta Gorda Florida

The Punta Gorda Regional Airport is home for discount airline provider Allegiant Air which is the primary carrier. One of Allegiant’s larger hubs, new flights have been added making it easier to fly from many American cities directly into Punta Gorda. Rates start as low as $41 to the mid-west to eastern U.S. locations. Visit www.flypdg.com for an up to date listing of non-stop destinations. For other nearby options, Fort Myer’s Southwest Florida Internationa

l Airport is a short 36-minute drive and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is a 55-minute drive to Punta Gorda.

Where to Stay in Punta Gorda, Florida

There are lovely Punta Gorda vacation rentals to stay at while visiting the area. Vacation rentals in Punta Gorda offer visitors a much more affordable and relaxed accommodation as opposed to a hotel. Living in a vacation rental sets the scene for living like a local and totally immersing yourself in the culture.

As Punta Gorda vacation owners we love hosting guests at Peace River House. We also love being a part of the FLARBO – Florida Rental By Owners community and are proud to support the #BookDirect movement.

We have benefited from booking 75% of our reservations through Florida Rental By Owners which has been an integral part of our vacation rental business. Striving to make each guest comfortable, offering unforgettable experiences make us proud of our 5-star review rating. As on-site vacation rental owners, we strive to make each guest’s visit enjoyable and relaxing. If you’re looking for a quiet and laid back vacation we’d love to host you.