Top Things to Do in Downtown Punta Gorda: Ultimate Travel Guide

We recently toured Punta Gorda and had a blast exploring everything this sunny waterside town offers. Whether we were window-shopping in Fishermen’s Village, meandering through Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens, or eating our way through all of Punta Gorda’s outstanding local restaurants, Punta Gorda is a place you cannot miss! If you’re planning a visit, we’ve outlined our nine favorite things to do in downtown Punta Gorda—plus tips on where to stay, how to get around, and more in this Ultimate Travel Guide to Downtown Punta Gorda!

The following is a sponsored post courtesy of Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach; however, all opinions are our own.

Our 9 Favorite Things to Do in Downtown Punta Gorda

Let’s kick things off with all the amazing free and paid adventures we went on while in Punta Gorda! We’ve whittled this list down to our top 9, trying to only mention recommendations within, or very close to, the downtown area of Punta Gorda. If you’re interested in an extended list of even more things to do in Punta Gorda and surrounding areas, check out this article.

1. Visit Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens

No trip to Punta Gorda is complete without visiting Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens! Jen and I wandered through butterfly gardens, koi ponds, and even an interactive Five Senses Garden. One of the most incredible things we saw was butterflies mid-metamorphosis! The gardens were peaceful and a great escape from downtown, and we loved how they managed to seamlessly blend the sculptures in with the gardens. If you’re traveling with a pup, leashed dogs are welcome on Tuesdays with a $5 donation to the Animal Welfare League, but not on any other day of the week.

Location: 5827 Riverside Dr, Punta Gorda, FL
Hours: 9 am – 4 pm, Tuesday to Sunday (Closed Monday)
Price: $20 per adult

2. Head Over to Fishermen’s Village

Fishermen’s Village quickly became one of our favorite spots in Punta Gorda, with its waterfront views, unique boutiques, and lively atmosphere. We had fun browsing everything from touristy souvenirs to artisan finds like specialty teas and handcrafted handbags. If you’re visiting in winter, the holiday lights make it even more magical. Plus, this is where many sunset cruises depart from. We ended one of our nights at Harpoon Harry’s, a laid-back bar with live music and gorgeous sunset views.

Location: 1200 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, FL
Hours: 24/7
Price: Free

3. Walk, Bike, or Relax in a Local Park

As dog lovers and picnic enthusiasts, we’re always on the lookout for great parks, and Punta Gorda had plenty! From waterfront strolls to a lively local festival, we found some fantastic spots to relax and explore.

• Gilchrist Park – A vibrant waterfront park with picnic areas, a playground, tennis courts, and a fishing pier—perfect for sunset walks with Ollie.
• Laishley Park – Home to a fishing pier, marina, and seafood restaurant, plus a great spot for local events like ChiliFest, where we sampled some amazing chili.
• Harborwalk – A scenic trail connecting parks and downtown, ideal for biking, walking, and soaking in waterfront views.
• Ponce de Leon Park – A quiet escape with a beach, mangrove boardwalk, and sunset views—keep an eye out for dolphins! Peace River Wildlife Center is located within this park, a rehab center for injured wildlife that you can visit and support their work!

How to Rent Punta Gorda’s Public Bikes

Punta Gorda also offers a free bike loaner program. We didn’t grab bikes ourselves, but we saw plenty of people cruising along the waterfront—they looked like a fun and easy way to explore! You can find stations at these locations:

• Becky’s Garden Shoppe
• Sheraton Four Points
• Springhill Suites
• Fishermen’s Village

4. Explore Downtown Punta Gorda’s Art Scene

Punta Gorda’s art scene was a pleasant surprise, with galleries, murals, and community-driven creativity everywhere! We stopped by Sea Grape Gallery, a co-op run by 18 local artists, where we picked up a beautiful watercolor of an alligator. After being hit hard by several storms in the past years, the gallery just celebrated its grand reopening in January 2025—part of Punta Gorda’s ongoing revival.

For more local art, check out the Visual Arts Center, which hosts rotating exhibits, classes, and an extensive art library, or go on a self-guided mural tour through downtown Punta Gorda!

Sea Grape Gallery Location: 113 W Marion Ave, Punta Gorda, FL
Sea Grape Gallery Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tuesday – Friday (Saturday 10 am – 4 pm)

Visual Arts Center Location: 210 Maud St, Punta Gorda, FL
Visual Arts Center Hours: Open Monday to Saturday, Closed Sunday (Check Google for daily hours)

Price: Free entry for both

5. Catch a Downtown Event or Festival

Punta Gorda has a strong sense of community, and one of the best ways to experience it is by checking out a local event! We had a blast at the Annual Chili Festival at Laishley Park, sampling creative chili recipes from local businesses while enjoying live music and waterfront views. The Saturday Farmers Market is another local favorite, offering fresh produce, homemade pasta, baked goods, and unique crafts.

Throughout the year, Punta Gorda hosts a variety of events, from seafood festivals to holiday parades, so it’s worth checking their Weekly Events Calendar and Annual Events and Festivals Page for special events that might be happening when you’re in town!

6. Listen to Live Music

Punta Gorda has no shortage of great spots to enjoy live music with a drink in hand, whether you’re in the mood for a lively bar scene or a laid-back beachy vibe. No matter where we went, we found talented local musicians setting the perfect backdrop for a fun night out. These were our favorite spots:

• Harpoon Harry’s – A lively waterfront bar with a fun, laid-back vibe, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring.
• TT’s Tiki Bar – Set right on the sand with gorgeous harbor views, this spot is ideal for kicking back with a cocktail and live tunes.
• Celtic Ray Public House – A cozy pub that feels like you just walked into Ireland. They had plenty of international beers on tap, and some of the best fish and chips we’ve had in a while!

7. Take a Sightseeing Cruise

Ending the day with a sunset cruise on Charlotte Harbor is a classic experience in Punta Gorda! King Fisher Fleet offers a 90-minute sunset cruise that departs from Fishermen’s Village, giving you gorgeous waterfront views as the sun dips below the horizon. If you’re looking for more of a party atmosphere, The Oasis Tiki Tour is a fun BYOB option by Punta Gorda Adventures with music and LED lights once it gets dark.

Both of these companies also offer tons more experiences, from kayak tours to daytime harbor tours, at all times of day. Check out all of King Fisher Fleet’s sightseeing tour options here and those of Punta Gorda Adventures here.

Location: 1200 W Retta Esplanade #16a, Punta Gorda, FL
Hours: Varies based on cruise
Price: Starting at around $29

8. Visit Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park

Though not located right in downtown, Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park is only a 12-minute drive away, so we’re throwing it in here! Spanning 45,387 acres with over 100 miles of shoreline, it’s the 3rd-largest state park in Florida and offers fantastic opportunities for hiking, fishing, paddling, and wildlife watching—all without any entrance fees at the access points we explored.

During our visit, we spotted armadillos, alligators, and a variety of wading birds! Below we’re sharing a popular trail loop that takes just an hour to complete.

With offline maps, wrong-turn alerts, and extra planning features, make the most of every outside adventure with AllTrails+. Get 7 days of AllTrails+ for free!

Location: 12301 Burnt Store Rd, Punta Gorda, FL
Hours: Sunrise until sunset
Price: Free

9. Visit the Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area

Nearby Charlotte Harbor you’ll also find the Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area, a vast conservation area perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. With scenic landscapes and opportunities for fishing, hiking, hunting, stargazing, and camping, it’s another great place to experience Punta Gorda’s unique natural landscape.

Plus, the neighboring Babcock Ranch Preserve offers highly-rated guided eco-tours, where you can spot wildlife and learn about the area’s unique ecosystems through a buggy tour, walking tour, and more!

Location: 29200 Tuckers Grade, Punta Gorda, FL
Hours: 7:30 am – 7 pm Daily
Price: $2 for a day pass to the Wildlife Management Area

🤸🏼‍♀️ Extra Things to Do in Downtown Punta Gorda

We didn’t have time to hit up all the spots in downtown Punta Gorda that we would have liked to. But we didn’t want to leave them out! Here are a few more things to do in downtown Punta Gorda that we’ve heard great things about and that might pique your interest:

• Punta Gorda History Center – Small history museum with free entrance, open 11 am to 3 pm Tuesday to Thursday.
• Military Heritage Museum – Interactive exhibits, flight simulators, and historic artifacts, providing an in-depth look at military history, $16 per person. Open 10 am – 4 pm, Tuesday to Saturday.
• Fishing Charters – Go on a full-day fishing adventure with your own captain. Includes bait, tackle, poles, and guidance on catching a wide variety of fish species!
• Punta Gorda Library – If you need a quiet spot, check out the Punta Gorda Library to get some work done, go to storytime with your kids, or just chill out for a bit!

🍝 Our Favorite Restaurants in Downtown Punta Gorda

Punta Gorda is a foodie’s paradise. From authentic Italian restaurants perfect for date night to Irish pubs that made us feel like we stepped into Ireland, we had the pleasure of trying over 10 mouth-watering spots throughout town. Here are a few of our top recs:

Lunch

• Laishley Crab House for some of the best seafood in town with waterfront views.
• Celtic Ray Public House for your classic Irish Pub. We loved their fish and chips washed down with a Guinness beer.

Dinner

• Carmelo’s Italian Restaurant for their Bada Bing Special, perfect for a slow date night.
• The Perfect Caper to splurge for a special occasion. We had some of the best food we’ve eaten in years here!

Bars + Breweries

• TT’s Tiki Bar for good music, waterfront views, and a sandy chill-out area where you can catch up with friends or just enjoy the music.

🗺️ Map of Punta Gorda

How to use this map: We have saved the locations from this guide on this map. You can save this map to your Google Maps by pressing the star icon. In your Google Maps, click the menu icon and then Saved Maps, where this map will appear.

🎉 Annual Festivals in Punta Gorda

Punta Gorda hosts a variety of fun festivals throughout the year, celebrating everything from local food to live music and the arts. We had the pleasure of experiencing Chili Fest, where we sampled creative chili recipes right on the waterfront. If you aren’t around downtown Punta Gorda in January, there are plenty more events worth checking out:

• Chili Fest in January
• Florida International Air Show in November
• Gardens Aglow by the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens in December
• Annual Hibiscus Festival in May

🌤️ Best Time to Visit Punta Gorda

The best time to visit Punta Gorda is from November to April when the weather is sunny and mild, whereas during the summer you’re hit with higher temperatures and humidity. We visited in late January, and the weather was perfect—ideal for outdoor activities like waterfront walks and sunset cruises. You can also plan your trip to line up with one of Punta Gorda’s local festivals (see above section).

⏰ How Much Time Do You Need in Punta Gorda?

We stayed in Punta Gorda for almost four days, which gave us plenty of time to explore downtown, sample a bunch of restaurants, check out a local festival, and venture into the nearby nature preserves with eco-tours and kayak trips. That being said, here’s what you can expect with different lengths of stay:

• 1 Day: You can hit the highlights, like wandering through the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens, grabbing a bite at a local restaurant, and taking a stroll along the waterfront parks.
• 2 Days: You’ll have enough time to also enjoy the local art scene, catch some live music, and maybe even squeeze in a sunset cruise.
• 3+ Days: Dive deeper into Punta Gorda! You can explore the local parks, visit surrounding beaches and nature preserves, perhaps catch a local event happening, and overall explore at a slower pace.

📄 1 Day Itinerary in Downtown Punta Gorda

If we only had one day to explore downtown Punta Gorda, here’s how we’d spend it to make the most of our time:

1. Begin your day with a classic American breakfast at John Ski’s House of Breakfast and Lunch where you can fuel up with fresh coffee and tasty breakfast classics like eggs, hashbrowns, and toast.
2. Head to Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens, where you can stroll through beautiful gardens and take in stunning art pieces. Keep in mind you’ll need a car to get here from downtown Punta Gorda.
3. Grab Lunch at Celtic Ray Public House, the local Irish pub. We recommend the fish and chips with a cold Guinness!
4. Walk along the scenic Harborwalk, enjoying the beautiful views of the waterfront and stopping to admire the local art installations along the way.
5. End up at Fishermen’s Village where you can do some window shopping and perhaps pick up a few souvenirs for friends and family back home.
6. Finish your day at Harpoon Harry’s, located right at the tip of Fishermen’s Village. It’s the perfect spot to watch the sunset over the harbor over some food and drink. Another option is to head to TT’s Tiki Bar if you’re looking for more of a laid-back outdoorsy vibe.

🏨 Where to Stay in Punta Gorda

Downtown Punta Gorda offers a handful of hotels at a variety of price points as well as a few nearby campgrounds. We opted for camping during our visit as we had driven up in our van. Here’s a breakdown of hotels and campgrounds in the area!

Hotels

• Budget — Budget Inn, 0.5 km from downtown
• Moderate — Wyvern Hotel, right in downtown
• Luxury — The Suites at Fisherman’s Village, right in downtown

You can also check for vacation rentals through VRBO or Airbnb.

Campgrounds

• Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area – We stayed here for 2 nights and it was free besides the day use of $6 per vehicle! Remember that this lake-side campground is only open on the weekends, Friday and Saturday, or during hunting season. More information here.
• Myakka River State Forest – We stayed at this campground for one night and saw tons of wildlife during the day and stars at night! Prices start at $8.85 a day for RV and tent sites. Reservations can be made at FloridaStateForests.ReserveAmerica.com or by calling 941-460-1333.

🚗 Getting To Punta Gorda

Punta Gorda is super accessible whether you’re driving in, hopping on a train, catching a bus, or flying in. Here’s how to get here and get around:

• By Car: Easily reachable via I-75, Punta Gorda has plenty of parking available downtown and at local attractions—We found this Public Parking Garage as well as parking by Gilchrist Park at Lot A, Lot B, and Lot C.
• By Train/Bus: Amtrak services (train+bus) are available to and from the nearby Port Charlotte station, just a short 13-minute taxi or rideshare away from downtown Punta Gorda.
• By Plane: Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) is the closest airport, offering flights with Allegiant Air. For those traveling from afar, you also have the Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers about 30 minutes away. Rental cars or taxis are readily available from both airports.

📐 Jen’s Urban Design Corner

I found that Punta Gorda has a walkability score of 72/100, making it relatively easy to explore on foot—especially along the waterfront, where sunset strolls by the Peace River are a must. I was also thrilled to see that the city offers a free bike loaner program, making cycling a great, accessible way to get around.

That being said, Punta Gorda is still largely designed for cars, with multiple one-way streets that can make navigation a bit tricky. While you can walk most of downtown, driving is often the most convenient option. Reducing the number of one-way streets could enhance the pedestrian experience and make downtown more of a regional destination.

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