Southwest Florida

Seasonal Happenings 

Port Charlotte is packed with amazing experiences during the winter and early spring. From boat shows to wood art expos and flea markets, this season has something for everyone. If you’re planning to visit again (and we hope you do!), here are some upcoming events to check out:

January

• Charlotte County Boat Show (Jan. 11–14): This is the premier boat show in Charlotte County! Explore hundreds of boats, marine accessories, and expert tips at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds.
• Southwest Florida Wood Art Expo (Jan. 10–11): See breathtaking wood carvings, sculptures, and furniture at this annual competition. With raffles, classes, and vendor booths, it’s a wood lover’s paradise!

February

• Charlotte County Fair (Jan. 31–Feb. 9): Enjoy 10 days of rides, live entertainment, delicious fair food, and animal exhibits - only a 3-minute drive away!
  

March

• Second Saturday Flea Market (Mar. 8): Browse unique finds all season long at this outdoor flea market in neighboring Punta Gorda. Vendors offer everything from antiques to handmade treasures. This market is perfect for picking up one-of-a-kind items while supporting local vendors.

Port Charlotte guide to restaurants, beaches, parks, and more! 

Restaurants 

• Prime Serious Steakhouse: 19665 Cochran Blvd, Port Charlotte, Fl 33948. Traditional steakhouse, no reservations accepted.
• Pioneer Pizza: 4560 Tamiami Tr, Port Charlotte, Fl 33980. Delicious pizza, filling dishes, salads, assortment of beer and wine
• Brother’s Fish House: Port A, 3821 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, FL 33952. Specializes in fried fish, seafood platters, clam chowder, and sandwiches.
• Taste of Europe Bistro: 2414 Tamiami Trl, Port Charlotte, FL 33952. Serves a variety of hearty European and German dishes, extensive selection of wines and beers.
• Donato’s Italian Restaurant: 1900 Tamiami Trl, Port Charlotte, FL 33948. Highly regarded in this small town and is a cherished local spot for authentic Italian cuisine.
• Wally’s Southern Style Barbeque: 3591 Tamiami Trl, Port Charlotte, FL 33952. Specializes in Southern-style smoked meats, including fried fish, sandwiches, and classic sides.
• Lime Tequila: 1978 Kings Hwy, Port Charlotte, FL 33980. Great Mexican fare
• Captain Crab: 2746 Tamiami Trl., Port Charlotte, FL 33952. Great seafood including sushi
• Charlie Foxtrot Brewing: 1700 Tamiami Trl., Port Charlotte, FL 33952
• Kava Culture Coffee Bar: 3822 Tamiami Trl, Port Charlotte Fl 33952
  

Beaches & Nature

• Port Charlotte Beach Park: 4500 Harbor Blvd, Port Charlotte 33952. Offers sand, sheltered waters, and spectacular sunsets year round. Amenities at this park include a boardwalk with fishing pier, boat ramp, canoe/kayak launch, horseshoe pits, bocce courts, basketball courts, tennis courts, volleyball court, playground area, small shelters with a picnic table, two large pavilions, restrooms, heated swimming pool, and a recreation center.
• Englewood Beach at Chadwick Park: 2100 N. Beach Rd, Englewood, FL 34223. Offers white sand and sparkling gulf waters. 900-foot boardwalk with three covered lookouts, accessible parking and restroom facilities, showers, water stations, volleyball courts, basketball court, horseshoe pits, playground area, four small shelters with picnic table and grill, and three large pavilions, all of which contain picnic tables and charcoal grills.
• Ollie’s Pond: 18235 Avon Ave, Port Charlotte 33948. Dog friendly park offering bird watching, fishing, nature trails.
• Bayshore Live Oak Park: 23157 Bayshore Rd, Port Charlotte, FL 33980. Focal point of the Charlotte Harbor Historic District. provides beautiful vistas of the harbor and majestic sunsets. Historical nodes mounted on kiosks throughout the park describe important periods of the area. Bayshore Live Oak Park features a new playground, community open space, restroom facilities, piers, canoe/kayak launch, pedestrian promenades, and two pavilions – one with a fireplace. 
• Larry Taylor Kiwanis Park: 501 Donora St, Port Charlotte, FL 33948. Dog-friendly park with wooded walking trails, kids' play structures & picnic facilities.
• Spring Lake Park: 3520 Lake View Blvd. Port Charlotte 33948. Waterfront park popular among boaters & anglers, features a boardwalk, trails & picnic area.
• McGuire Park: 21125 McGuire Ave, Port Charlotte, FL 33952. Offers a splashpad zone
• Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center: 10941 Burnt Store Rd, Punta Gorda, FL 33955. Butterfly and wildflower gardens, walking trails, alligator pond

Other Fun Things To Do

• Fishermen’s Village: 1200 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. Shops,, boutiques, waterfront restaurants, live music
• Treasure Lanes: 1059 Tamiami Trl, Port Charlotte 33953. Bowling lanes, Dart boards, Shuffle boards, full service kitchen
• Iguanaland: 33900 Bermont Rd, Punta Gorda, FL 33982. Reptile zoo, education and conservation center
• Military Heritage Museum:  900 W Marion Ave, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. 17,000 over sqft in exhibit and activity areas-a walk through history through three unique galleries; from the Revolutionary War through modern conflicts. 
• Go4Golf: 1101 El  Jobean Rd, Unit 2, Port Charlotte, FL 33948. Indoor virtual golf
• Sea Grape Artists Gallery: 113 West Marion Ave. Established, award-winning fine art gallery for local artists.