Elisabeth's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Boca Grande
Manasota Key
Myakka River State Park
13208 State Rd 72Englewood water Fest Block Party
49-1 S Orange AveFun, local, midweek market.
Little Gasparilla Island Carts
8657 Grand AveSea Turtles! And kayaking/boating.
Talented musicians relocated here from all over the country. Maestro makes it fun, even for our young children. Christmas Pops!
Punta Gorda Symphony
6210 Scott StTalented musicians relocated here from all over the country. Maestro makes it fun, even for our young children. Christmas Pops!
Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum
880 Belcher RdBanyans are not native to FL. Edison introduced, or at the very least popularized. As each vine touches the ground, it becomes a new, additional trunk, causing these trees to spread horizontally. This street is regularly used for engagement/wedding photos.
Banyan Street
Banyan StreetBanyans are not native to FL. Edison introduced, or at the very least popularized. As each vine touches the ground, it becomes a new, additional trunk, causing these trees to spread horizontally. This street is regularly used for engagement/wedding photos.
Seafoam Village
2800 Placida RdLook for the local Seafood festival
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound StEdison & Ford Winter Estates
2350 McGregor BlvdFood scene
I know it sounds low-class... getting cheesecake from the local gas station, but it’s amazing! About a 10 min drive from the house. They also deliver pizza and Italian (lasagna, salad, garlic bread, and cheesecake).
Order early for delivery though
10 locals recommend
Super Day Express Food Stores
1595 S McCall RdI know it sounds low-class... getting cheesecake from the local gas station, but it’s amazing! About a 10 min drive from the house. They also deliver pizza and Italian (lasagna, salad, garlic bread, and cheesecake).
Order early for delivery though
Great place to sit outside and eat. Eclectic menu with Southern and Caribbean favorites.
135 locals recommend
Farlows on the Water
2080 S McCall RdGreat place to sit outside and eat. Eclectic menu with Southern and Caribbean favorites.
Beach Road Wine Bar And Bistro
1350 Beach RdGood food, relaxing atmosphere.
Located in the historic railroad station. Food is decent, but their homemade ice cream is amazing after a trip to the beach! I hate mint chocolate, but theirs is chocolate ice cream with mint chunks. Great tropical flavors too.
9 locals recommend
Loose Caboose Restaurant
433 4th St WLocated in the historic railroad station. Food is decent, but their homemade ice cream is amazing after a trip to the beach! I hate mint chocolate, but theirs is chocolate ice cream with mint chunks. Great tropical flavors too.
Punta Gorda is a fun, artsy town... similar downtown vibe to Sarasota, but a lot smaller. Carmelo’s is a great, family-owned restaurant. Must have the “Bada-bing”, but request it as an appetizer to share so you can enjoy your meal (and a dessert) without needing to be rolled out!
46 locals recommend
Carmelo's Italian Ristorante
321 W Retta EsplanadePunta Gorda is a fun, artsy town... similar downtown vibe to Sarasota, but a lot smaller. Carmelo’s is a great, family-owned restaurant. Must have the “Bada-bing”, but request it as an appetizer to share so you can enjoy your meal (and a dessert) without needing to be rolled out!
Larger than the Englewood farmers market. Open on Saturdays. Zoet’s ice cream is phenomenal— owner chef and wife are from Belgium and make amazing foods, pastries, as well. Local art, foods, and atmosphere is great.
14 locals recommend
Punta Gorda Farmer's Market
318 Tamiami TrailLarger than the Englewood farmers market. Open on Saturdays. Zoet’s ice cream is phenomenal— owner chef and wife are from Belgium and make amazing foods, pastries, as well. Local art, foods, and atmosphere is great.
If you spend a day in Punta Gorda, this is a great spot to visit. Live, outdoor music. Chef trained in Michelin star restaurants. Great menu!
25 locals recommend
F.M. Don's
201 W Marion AveIf you spend a day in Punta Gorda, this is a great spot to visit. Live, outdoor music. Chef trained in Michelin star restaurants. Great menu!
Specialty coffee drinks, smoothies, gluten-free options... wraps, soups, crepes... French and Brazilian favorites.
49 locals recommend
Mango Bistro
301 W Dearborn St.Specialty coffee drinks, smoothies, gluten-free options... wraps, soups, crepes... French and Brazilian favorites.
This place looks like a dive, but is a local, hidden gem. Their grouper sandwiches are ginormous!
They may still be cash only.
Cafe 776
138 N Indiana AveThis place looks like a dive, but is a local, hidden gem. Their grouper sandwiches are ginormous!
They may still be cash only.
Located in Placida, on the water, good seafood at reasonable prices, great views... and they have the best hamburgers, too!
16 locals recommend
Leverock's Restaurant
7092 Placida RdLocated in Placida, on the water, good seafood at reasonable prices, great views... and they have the best hamburgers, too!
Neighborhoods
This was our favorite beach. Quieter than the others in the area. There is a $6 bridge toll. People drive around the island on golf carts. Great local food and shops. Art fairs are worth visiting.
167 locals recommend
Boca Grande
This was our favorite beach. Quieter than the others in the area. There is a $6 bridge toll. People drive around the island on golf carts. Great local food and shops. Art fairs are worth visiting.
Manasota Beach Road has several beaches available, places to launch boats, rent water toys, and buy touristy souvenirs. Just driving down the key is beautiful, and relaxing.
Dearborn is “downtown”, home to an art studio, local theater, wine bar, and boutique shops. Much more relaxed, “old fishing town” vibe compared to Sarasota or even Venice.
40 locals recommend
Englewood
Manasota Beach Road has several beaches available, places to launch boats, rent water toys, and buy touristy souvenirs. Just driving down the key is beautiful, and relaxing.
Dearborn is “downtown”, home to an art studio, local theater, wine bar, and boutique shops. Much more relaxed, “old fishing town” vibe compared to Sarasota or even Venice.
Deed-restricted community with golf courses, bike trails, playgrounds, tennis courts, and pavilions.
The community looks like a Trivial Pursuit game piece, comprised of two concentric circles, with “pie-shaped” roads. The pie-shaped roads alternate— some resembling Christmas trees and others like rocket ships.
11 locals recommend
Rotonda West
Deed-restricted community with golf courses, bike trails, playgrounds, tennis courts, and pavilions.
The community looks like a Trivial Pursuit game piece, comprised of two concentric circles, with “pie-shaped” roads. The pie-shaped roads alternate— some resembling Christmas trees and others like rocket ships.
North Port has some of the newest shopping. No malls, but you’ll find Starbucks, First Watch, TJ Maxx, Dicks Sporting Goods and more.
20 locals recommend
North Port
North Port has some of the newest shopping. No malls, but you’ll find Starbucks, First Watch, TJ Maxx, Dicks Sporting Goods and more.
Small, local mall, chain restaurants.
If you’re craving Indian food, or Thai food... this is the place to go. Nan’s Thai is a local favorite. Curry and Kabob is also excellent, but further away from the house.
Nearest Target, Marshall’s, Best Buy, and similar are in Port Charlotte.
27 locals recommend
Port Charlotte
Small, local mall, chain restaurants.
If you’re craving Indian food, or Thai food... this is the place to go. Nan’s Thai is a local favorite. Curry and Kabob is also excellent, but further away from the house.
Nearest Target, Marshall’s, Best Buy, and similar are in Port Charlotte.
City advice
Don't miss
Local Snorkeling and Paddleboard Tours with Naturalist.
https://www.paddleboardadventures1.com/adventures
What to pack
Sunscreen. Lots of sunscreen!
People who are not from Florida often underestimate how strong the sunshine is! Make sure to apply and reapply sunscreen, avoid beaches during peak times of the day, and drink lots of water!
Travelling with kids
Kids will love it here!
Just about all of our recommendations are kid-friendly. We had loads of fun taking kids to the beach, playing in the sand, collecting shells and grabbing ice cream from Loose Caboose on our way home. Plan for lots of down time though, with kids. You won’t want to plan a lot of back-to-back activities.