things to do in punta gorda

Jason Grauberger, owner of Starry Night Florida, points out constellations during a stargazing tour in Charlotte County, Fla., March 30, 2024.
Adventure Featured Florida Fun Nature Travel

I Took A Stargazing Tour With This New Company In Southwest Florida

Constellations. Planets. Betelgeuse. Oh my! Tour the Southwest Florida night sky with Starry Night Florida in Punta Gorda, Fla.

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Iguana chilling at Iguanaland.(rev)
Featured Florida Fun

Want to See a Mess? Visit Iguanaland Reptile Zoo in Punta Gorda, Fla.

Iguanaland in Punta Gorda is one of Florida’s newest attractions and along with a variety of iguana species, the zoo features dozens and dozens of other reptile species.

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Englewood Beach Sunset, Feb. 2020
Budget Travel Culinary Travel Featured Florida Fun

Things to do in Southwest Florida with Visiting Friends & Family: Janet’s Itinerary

Do you live in Southwest Florida and looking for things to do with visiting friends or family? Here’s an itinerary for my friend Janet’s Feb. 2020 visit which includes activities in Sarasota, Punta Gorda, Englewood and North Fort Myers.

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Are You an Avid Saltwater Angler? Give Freshwater Fishing a Shot!
Featured Florida Fun Nature Travel

Florida Travel: What to Do in Punta Gorda & Englewood Beach in 2018

‘Tis the time of year for my annual month-by-month listing of what to do in the Southwest Florida community of Punta Gorda and Englewood Beach (basically Charlotte County) in the New Year. As usual, most activities can be enjoyed anytime of the year. And, I hope you try something that pushes your personal boundaries in the New Year because that’s how you learn, grow and maybe find your new passion.

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"Steel Palm" is Signature Sculpture of the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens in Punta Gorda, Fla.
Disclosure Featured Florida Fun Nature Travel

Florida Travel: Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens in Punta Gorda

More than a decade in the making and a gift of Roger and Linda Tetraul and the Roger and Linda Tetrault Family Foundation, the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens has made its public debut.

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The Vietnam Wall of Southwest Florida in Punta Goda, Fla., was dedicated on Nov. 5, 2016.
Florida Fun Inspiration Life Lessons

Coincidence or Something Bigger? Paying Respects at the Vietnam Wall of Southwest Florida in Punta Gorda

I had a random encounter at the Vietnam Wall of Southwest Florida in Punta Gorda that has me wondering whether it was coincidence or something bigger.

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Gone Country Jeep Weekend, Redneck Yacht Club, Punta Gorda, Fla., Jan. 25, 2014
Florida Fun

Playing in Mud during the Inaugural Gone Country Jeep Weekend at the Redneck Yacht Club

There’s something refreshing about the earthy scent of mud and I got up close and almost personal with it during the inaugural Gone Country Jeep Weekend at the Redneck Yacht Club Mud Park in Punta Gorda, Fla. It was a glorious gathering of all things Jeep with no other vehicles allowed on the grounds.

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Featured Florida Fun Nature Travel

Meet Punta Gorda’s One-of-a-Kind Resident, a White Screech Owl

I’d like to introduce you to Punta Gorda, Florida’s one-of-a-kind resident, Luna. He’s a male leucistic screech owl now living at the Peace River Wildlife Center. A what? Screech owls are typically gray or reddish brown and this little guy is white. He’s not albino but has leucism which is a genetic mutation preventing melanin pigment in the bird’s feathers.

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Featured Florida Fun Solo Travel

Southwest Florida’s Quirkiest 4th of July Event is the Annual Charlotte Harbor Freedom Swim

C’mon, go ahead and celebrate independence this year during Southwest Florida’s quirkiest event, the 22nd Annual Charlotte Harbor Freedom Swim across the Peace River. By far, this is my favorite Charlotte County event and ranks in my top five of fun Florida events. What started out 22 years ago as a few friends celebrating Independence […]

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Cool Stuff Others are Doing Florida Fun Girl Power

Wing Walker Jane Wicker Bringing Golden Era of Grace to 2013 Florida International Air Show

Walking on the wing of an airplane racing at speeds between 80 and 140 mph seems um, oh, I don’t know. Risky, perhaps? Spectators heading out to the 33rd Annual Florida International Air Show at the Punta Gorda Airport Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24, 2013, will be treated to the graceful performance of […]

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