Punta Gorda, a small town with a population of less than 20,000, is one of Southwest Florida’s little hidden gems. Despite its modest size and its little-known status, Punta Gorda offers its residents a wide range of activities to do outdoors. Are you ready to discover the most interesting ones?
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1. Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens, a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city
Our roundup kicks off with the Punta Gorda Botanical Gardens, the perfect place for nature and art lovers. Thirty acres of land are home to a stunning array of plants, like the breathtaking purple bougainvillea that bloom in summer.
The gardens overlook Peace River and are scattered with sculptures created by internationally renowned artists.
Visitors to Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens can leisurely stroll along the paths and take a little break from everyday life, enjoying a relaxing atmosphere and spending quality time.
2. Sunset in Punta Gorda
Sunset lovers, gather around! There are several places in Punta Gorda from where you can enjoy a breathtaking sunset and Gilchrist Park is one of them.
The 11-acre park overlooking Charlotte Harbor is the perfect location for you to watch the sky tinged with the fiery colors of twilight as the sun goes down.
There is also a small beach from where you can watch the sunset with sand running through your toes.
If, on the other hand, you want to take in the Punta Gorda sunset from a different perspective, we recommend booking a scenic boat tour. There are plenty of affordably priced excursions departing from Charlotte Harbor that will allow you to experience the natural beauty of Punta Gorda in a truly authentic way.
3. The farmers’ market at History Park
A great idea for the weekend is to head to the farmers’ market.
Every Sunday morning from 9 to 1 p.m. local producers sell their excellence in the heart of the city of Punta Gorda. Did you know that Punta Gorda was voted the best small market in Florida and the 15th best in the entire United States? This real gem is well worth a visit.
Here you can find many stalls with fresh fruits and vegetables, jams and preserves, homemade pasta and cakes, fresh meat and fish as well as local handicrafts, native and exotic plants, and natural skincare products.
The Sunday market in Punta Gorda is a great place to meet friends and shop, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere typical of Florida all year round.
4. Field trip to Matlacha, one of the most distinctive towns in Southwest Florida
Matlacha is a picturesque fishing town a few miles away from Punta Gorda. It is an expression of the authentic Florida of yesteryear, with its colors and traditional cottages.
Originality and extravagance are the watchwords. Nothing here is ordinary, starting with its location, a strip of land stretching between Cape Coral and Pine Island.
When you arrive in Matlacha, you can’t be mistaken. With its bright colors and a carefree atmosphere, this pretty little town is bisected by a single street.
There are many art galleries in Matlacha, the best known of which is the Leoma Lovegrove Gallery and Gardens. Leoma Lovegrove, owner and creator of the artwork on display, is an impressionist-expressionist painter and Matlacha native.
Her works are exuberant expressions of color and vibrancy. Behind the gallery, visitors will find a pleasant surprise. A garden, in a prime location on the canal, features tropical plants typical of Florida and eccentric décor, the highlight of which is a mini Airstream travel trailer decorated in Woodstock style, parked under the palm trees.
In short, everywhere in Matlacha, you will find something that will leave you speechless with its beauty and originality. Are you ready to discover its every nook and cranny?
5. Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, discovering the complexity of coastal habitats
The area surrounding Punta Gorda is very lush and complex from a naturalistic point of view on land and in water, with plants and wildlife all to be explored.
The Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center is one way for visitors to discover the nature of the area.
It manages two local preserves, namely the Alligator Creek Preserve is also an outreach center, established in 1987 near Punta Gorda, and Cedar Point. Together they feature more than 8 miles of hiking and nature trails. The trails are well marked with signs placed at every intersection and there are benches placed at strategic points for a comfortable experience and the opportunity to soak up the beauty of the place. The environment is very distinctive with extensive pine forests alternating with marshes and mangrove-laced lagoons. With any luck, you may spot an alligator in its natural environment!
The center also organizes guided tours to help visitors gain a better understanding of the complexity of Florida’s coastal habitats.
These are just some of the activities to do in the area. All you have to do is set off to explore from your new home in Punta Gorda.
