Punta Gorda

Travel Guide
Punta Gorda
Whether it is wildlife, history, racing, shopping, fishing or sunset dining that you love, this Gulf Coast city in Florida can deliver.

Punta Gorda has shopping, boating and walking opportunities, a heritage fishing village, animal parks, and a palm-lined shoreline that can keep you entertained for days.

Humble wooden houses with tin roofs and retro street lights mark Punta Gorda’s iconic Fisherman’s Village. Pick up some souvenirs or a suitable tropical outfit to wear in this steaming Florida city. Enjoy the views and live music at Harpoon Harry’s, the village’s iconic seafood restaurant and bar with scenic waterfront porch. For a quieter experience, take a boat cruise or rent a kayak or boat to explore the Gulf of Mexico.

Visit the A. C. Freeman House to see a preserved example of a late Victorian-era home. Continue the history theme with a trip to the Military Heritage Museum to peruse its army memorabilia. Car enthusiasts should check out the spacious Muscle Car City Museum and follow the crowds to the Punta Gorda Speedway when a racing event is on.

If you’d rather listen to the roars of nature, visit the Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary & Rehabilitation Center to see the rescued wild cats, reptiles, bears and monkeys that have found a new home in Punta Gorda. To see local species, go to the Peace River Wildlife Center to meet the rescued residents, including an albino owl, cranes, cheeky pelicans and bobcats. The wildlife center overlooks Charlotte Harbor and on Friday afternoons in winter you are invited to come sip wine and nibble on hors d’oeuvres here as you watch the sun set.

Ponce de Leon Park is a great place to be early in the morning to enjoy the children’s park, fishing pier and mangrove boardwalk trail. Laishley Park in the Punta Gorda Harbor also has a walking trail and fishing pier, along with a memorial garden and concert area. The Laishley Marina gives easy boat access to the nearby Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park, one of the largest nature reserves in Florida. Bring your binoculars to spot manatees, dolphins and wading birds in the wetlands.

With such a great variety of things to see and do, Punta Gorda is a great place to stop for a few nights if you are driving from Tampa to Miami along the Tamiami Trail.

Where to stay in Punta Gorda

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Deep Creek

While visiting Deep Creek, you might make a stop by sights like Peace River and Deep Creek Golf Club.

Deep Creek
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Harbour Heights

While visiting Harbour Heights, you might make a stop by sights like Peace River and Harbor Heights Park.

Harbour Heights
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Punta Gorda Isles

If you're spending some time in Punta Gorda Isles, Fishermen's Village and Peace River are top sights worth seeing.

Punta Gorda Isles
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Burnt Store Marina

While visiting Burnt Store Marina, you might make a stop by sights like Burnt Store Marina and Burnt Store Golf & Activity Club.

Burnt Store Marina
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Charlotte Park

While there might not be top attractions in Charlotte Park, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Fishermen's Village and Gilchrist Park.

Charlotte Park
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Burnt Store Isles

If you're spending some time in Burnt Store Isles, Muscle Car City Museum and Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park are top sights worth seeing.

Burnt Store Isles
Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor
Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor
4.5 out of 5
5500 Sunseeker Way, 785, Punta Gorda, FL
Fully refundable
The price is HK$1,240 per night from 26 Nov to 27 Nov
HK$1,240
HK$1,650 total
includes taxes & fees
26 Nov - 27 Nov
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Punta Gorda. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and 7 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (603 reviews)
"Loved it at sunseeker"

Reviewed on 27 Oct 2024

Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor
Baymont by Wyndham Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte
Baymont by Wyndham Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte
2.5 out of 5
9035 Mac Drive, Punta Gorda, FL
The price is HK$846 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
HK$846
HK$948 total
includes taxes & fees
3 Nov - 4 Nov
Book a stay at this business-friendly motel in Punta Gorda. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"👍"

Reviewed on 24 Oct 2024

Baymont by Wyndham Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte
Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside
Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside
3.5 out of 5
33 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, FL
The price is HK$1,111 per night from 17 Nov to 18 Nov
HK$1,111
HK$1,331 total
includes taxes & fees
17 Nov - 18 Nov
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Punta Gorda. Enjoy free parking, 2 restaurants, and a marina. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"A little smelly in room staff was great"

Reviewed on 24 Oct 2024

Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Suites at Fishermen’s Village- 2 Bedroom Suites
The Suites at Fishermen’s Village- 2 Bedroom Suites
3 out of 5
1200 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, FL
Stay at this 3-star condo in Punta Gorda. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (663 reviews)
GREAT STAY
"This is such a great place to stay especially for families that need space and a kitchen. We love it here. Just wish the pool area was a little nicer."

Reviewed on 22 Oct 2024

The Suites at Fishermen’s Village- 2 Bedroom Suites
MAGNIFICENT! LUXURY WATERFRONT HOME;BIG HEATED POOL-80’ DOCK! 5 MIN FISH VILLAGE
MAGNIFICENT! LUXURY WATERFRONT HOME;BIG HEATED POOL-80’ DOCK! 5 MIN FISH VILLAGE
Punta Gorda
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Punta Gorda. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a water park. Popular attractions Fishermen's Village and ...
Awesome home!
"This is our 2nd stay in this lovely home. Beautiful, clean, everything you need and great location with a great view of the water. We will be back next year!"

Reviewed on 26 Sep 2024

MAGNIFICENT! LUXURY WATERFRONT HOME;BIG HEATED POOL-80’ DOCK! 5 MIN FISH VILLAGE
Water front, Bring Your Boat or drop a fishing line, enjoy a beautiful sunset !
Water front, Bring Your Boat or drop a fishing line, enjoy a beautiful sunset !
Punta Gorda
Stay at this condo in Punta Gorda. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Punta Gorda History Park and Fishermen's Village are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (57 reviews)
Great stay
"Lovely condo in a great location"

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2024

Water front, Bring Your Boat or drop a fishing line, enjoy a beautiful sunset !
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Punta Gorda

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Top destination
5 - Excellent
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3 - Okay
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