THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Punta Gorda


Things to Do in Punta Gorda
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Fishermen's Village, Peace River Wildlife Center, Nature & Wildlife Areas, Speciality Museums. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Fishermen's Village, Peace River Wildlife Center, Nature & Wildlife Areas, Speciality Museums. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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- Likely To Sell Outfromper adultC$86
- Catamaran Cruisesfromper adultC$101
- Freedivingfromper group (up to 5)C$1,668
- Adventure Toursfromper adultC$87
- Airboat Toursfromper adultC$327
- Stand Up Paddleboardingfromper adultC$95
- fromper adult (price varies by group size)C$80
- Ghost Toursfromper adultC$38
- Escape Roomsfromper adultC$22
- City Toursfromper adultC$38
Marinas
Scenic waterfront promenade with photo spots, diverse shops, and dining; enjoy leisurely sunset cruises and nearby cultural attractions. Free parking and airport shuttle add convenience.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Wildlife rehabilitation center with a variety of birds and animals, nestled near a tranquil beach. Features interactive animal encounters and a gift shop, ideal for wildlife enthusiasts.
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Nature & Wildlife Areas
Swamp buggy adventure through diverse ecosystems with interactive wildlife encounters, including gator sightings and cultural insights into early 20th-century life.
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Zoos
Reptile sanctuary set in an outdoor environment, featuring a diverse array of global reptiles and interactive experiences. Highlights include a koi pond and VIP tours for close-up encounters.
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Tranquil pathways and benches meander through vibrant botanical spaces, punctuated by striking sculptures and a butterfly pavilion, with a gazebo overlooking the river for serene reflection.
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Other Top Attractions around Punta Gorda
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travellers are saying
- Ports707Mount Juliet, TN124 contributionsNice place to hang out, shop, eat a meal and/or drink your favorite cocktail or non- alcoholic drink! The village offer all the typical shopping center shops.Written January 4, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Nancy FDelray Beach, FL11 contributionsSmall wildlife sanctuary that mainly has a variety of rescued. birds.
Staff is friendly and very knowledgeable and love their jobs.Written June 22, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Andrea M73 contributionsI’ve wanted to tour Octagon for years and finally got tickets a few days ago! We had a wonderful guide Elsbeth. She took time to explain everything and make sure the animals were not stressed by visitors. She gave us excellent information. Volunteers fed the animals/released them into enclosures with food near the front so we could learn about them. I’m grateful such a lovely sanctuary exists for these animals. The animals looked to be safe, enriched and not experiencing stress.
There are port-a-potty’s near the parking lot, water for $1 and a gift shop that takes cash (or online store). I wish I had bought a shirt there because they don’t have the same design online.
Maybe next time!Written December 16, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Mike MLewes, DE536 contributionsOur adventure into this sprawling 73,000-acre wildlife preserve began aboard a school bus, with the lively and knowledgeable Katherine as our guide. Her passion for the land was infectious as she recounted the area's fascinating history and pointed out its diverse flora and fauna.
It turns out this land's story began with a Montana gold miner who came to Florida, fell under the spell of its wild beauty, and bought 165,000 acres—including vast swamplands—for just $40,000. What might have seemed like a questionable investment turned into a goldmine, thanks to the valuable cypress trees within the swamps. He employed hundreds of workers during the Depression, offering them free accommodations for them and their families. Later, the land became home to cracker cattle, complete with hardworking cowboys roaming the range. Later, 92,000 acres were sold to the State of Florida for $320 million...not a bad investment!
As we bounced along the dusty dirt roads, Katherine guided us through distinct ecosystems, each supporting its own unique wildlife. From lush wetlands to dry, grassy plains, the preserve was a living mosaic of natural wonder. We made several stops to admire the scenery and even feed some wildlife.
Every few years, the preserve conducts controlled burns to rejuvenate the land and encourage certain trees to thrive—a practice that speaks to its careful stewardship. One of the highlights came when Katherine dramatically pulled a small alligator from a box on the bus, holding it up for everyone to see. It was thrilling to be so close to a creature we spotted countless times lurking in the waterways.
Wildlife sightings were plentiful—majestic birds, mischievous raccoons, wild hogs, and, of course, those ever-watchful alligators. The hour-and-a-half tour felt perfectly timed, blending nature, history, and moments of awe.
After the tour, we explored the charming gift shop, grabbed a bite at the on-site restaurant, and visited the small museum, which showcased skeletal remains of various species and fascinating ranch tools, including branding irons.
This tour was a captivating blend of education, history, and raw natural beauty—a trip well worth taking. If you're looking to connect with Florida’s wild side, this preserve is the perfect gateway and Katherine is a top notch guide.Written February 4, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - PAt M9 contributionsWhat a fantastic day we had at Iguanaland! We booked the afternoon VIP Tour and had the most fabulous, fun, pink-haired tour guide. She was incredibly knowledgeable and it was obvious how much she personally cared for each and every creature there. None of our questions stumped her as she described each turtle, snake, lizard; where they were from, how they came to live there, what their personalities were. By the end of our 2.5hr tour, our initial fear and skittishness had been replaced with a sense of wonder and amazement and curiosity!
This is more than just a zoo. It is an experience!! Do yourself a favor. Don’t just walk through it, maybe reading a card or two. Book one of the options that allows you to touch the animals and learn about them. You will be glad you did!
Thank you, Iguanaland ! The work you are doing is important!!Written December 27, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Curiosity101870749543 contributionsWow, this was a gold mine, I wish we had allocated more time to explore this museum. The first floor has several rooms of tight-packed displays representing all the wars fought by Americans from the Revolutionary war to the Gulf wars, set up in chronological order. The recreation of a WW1 trench and a Vietnam POW cage really brought history to life. The virtual reality and flight simulator experiences were super cool. We just loved the museum.Written November 24, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- John BWatertown, MA237 contributionsBeautiful spot with interesting sculptures and gardens. It’s about a mile walk to see everything. I would allow 1 hour. There’s s also a small but interesting gift shop but no food optionsWritten February 7, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- EdwardJ D3 contributionsReal nice park but don't visit the Punta Gorda area for a while. This park and many others were badly damaged in the Hurricane and are closed indefinitely. For a state that depends on tourism they take years to repair the attractions that bring tourists in.Written January 7, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Heather M23 contributionsMilton took away a lot after there storm but people in Punta Gorda rally to make the small historic town survive. yes it wasn't the same when we were there in July but they are working hard to make it amazing again.Written November 18, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AshleyPunta Gorda, FL6 contributionsLove going for picnics, walks, and events. My dog and I had a picnic by the water. I'm looking forward to using the tennis courts here!Written June 22, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Diane KVenice, FL4,624 contributionsWe walked in the park after going out to eat in the area. It’s a nice park overlooking the water. The path is paved and the park is clean.Written June 10, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mary HPunta Gorda, FL18 contributionsWe took our son and his wife on the Babcock Ranch Eco tour. Our guide was knowledgeable of the history of the area. We saw wild pugs, cracker cattle, wild turkeys, deer and sandhill cranes. This tour is priced well, and suitable for all ages 4 to 100. This was our second visit bringing family and we all enjoyed it.Written March 31, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information.
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