Plan a trip
Trip planner
Pick a town and your dates. You'll get the drive from Cape Coral, events during your trip and the top-rated places.
Getting to Punta Gorda
46 min · 32 miles from Cape Coral (Google driving route without traffic, checked 2026-10-10; expect longer in season)
Events coming up
- ShopFest at Gilchrist ParkNov 20–22 · Time TBA — check the organizerGilchrist Park, Punta Gorda · Source
- Ft. Myers Offshore Turkey Run to the RivieraNov 28 · Time TBA — check the organizerPunta Gorda · Source
- Gulf Coast Classic Collector Car AuctionDec 4–5 · Time TBA — check the organizerCharlotte Harbor Event Center, Punta Gorda
- Ft. Myers Offshore Run — Castaways at Fisherman's VillageJan 2 · Time TBA — check the organizerPunta Gorda · Source
- Punta Gorda Seafood & Music FestivalJan 15–17 · Time TBA — check the organizerLaishley Park, Punta Gorda
- Bee Gees NowSat Jan 16 · Time TBA — check the organizerCharlotte Performing Arts Center, Punta Gorda
- The Phil Collins ExperienceSat Jan 23 · Time TBA — check the organizerCharlotte Harbor Event Center, Punta Gorda
- Jack WrightSat Jan 30 · Time TBA — check the organizerCharlotte Performing Arts Center, Punta Gorda
- The Texas TenorsThu Feb 4 · Time TBA — check the organizerCharlotte Performing Arts Center, Punta Gorda
- Peace River Quilt FestivalFeb 12–13 · Time TBA — check the organizerPunta Gorda
- Ft. Myers Offshore Sweetheart Run to Cass CayFeb 13 · Time TBA — check the organizerBurnt Store Marina, Punta Gorda · Source
- Taste of Punta GordaSun Mar 7 · Time TBA — check the organizerLaishley Park, Punta Gorda
- Sullivan Street Craft FestivalMar 13–14 · Time TBA — check the organizerPunta Gorda
- Punta Gorda Spring Seafood & Music FestivalApr 2–4 · Time TBA — check the organizerLaishley Park, Punta Gorda
- Southern Grand Slam Music FestivalApr 23–24 · Time TBA — check the organizerCharlotte County Fairgrounds, Punta Gorda · Source
- Punta Gorda Block PartySat Apr 24 · Time TBA — check the organizerDowntown, Punta Gorda
- Ft. Myers Offshore Tiki RunApr 24 · Time TBA — check the organizerPunta Gorda · Source
- 4th of July Freedom Cruise aboard the OasisJul 4 · Time TBA — check the organizerFishermen's Village, Punta Gorda · Source
Dates TBC
- Gulf Coast Classic Collector Car Auction (spring) · Dates TBC — may or may not fall in your trip
Places to go
Top 5 per group by Google rating (4★+, 20+ reviews). Hours change — call ahead.
Eat & drink
- THE LOCAL TABLE · 5★ (86)4732 S Tamiami Trl, Port Charlotte, FL 33980, USA
- Unwined Wine Bar & Eatery · 4.9★ (251)320 Sullivan St
- Top Notch Smokehouse · 4.9★ (179)2000 S Tamiami Trl, Port Charlotte, FL 33948, USA
- Brentwood Eats · 4.9★ (134)1538 Rio De Janeiro Ave, Punta Gorda, FL 33983, USA
- Jelly Bird Cafe · 4.8★ (397)1133 Bal Harbor Blvd
Breakfast & coffee
- FK Your Diet · 4.8★ (1049)26530 Jones Loop Rd
- Mercer's Fresh Roasted Coffee Cafe & Coffee Roaster · 4.8★ (475)4678 S Tamiami Trl #109
- JB's Corner Cafe · 4.8★ (459)1533 Rio De Janeiro Ave
- Mudslide Coffee · 4.8★ (381)24901 Sandhill Blvd Unit 15
- Smoke House Restaurant · 4.7★ (817)415 Cooper St
Bars & live music
- The Bay Kava Cafe · 5★ (89)318 S Tamiami Trl #111
- Charlotte Performing Arts Center · 4.7★ (470)Charlotte Performing Arts Center
- Downtown Kava · 4.7★ (387)1009 Taylor St
- Bar 17 · 4.7★ (215)3149 Duncan Rd
- Gulf Theater at the Military Heritage Museum · 4.7★ (40)900 W Marion Ave
Things to do
- Babcock Ranch Eco Tours · 4.9★ (1460)8502 FL-31
- Radioactive Fountain of Youth · 4.9★ (31)Taylor St
- Peace River Wildlife Center-Education Center · 4.8★ (1792)3400 Ponce de Leon Pkwy
- Military Heritage Museum · 4.8★ (683)900 W Marion Ave
- Sea Grape Artists Gallery · 4.8★ (21)113 W Marion Ave
Beaches & parks
- Veteran's Memorial Wall · 4.9★ (283)200 Harbor Walk Dr
- Gilchrist Park · 4.7★ (2490)400 W Retta Esplanade
- Laishley Park · 4.7★ (2172)Punta Gorda
- Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area · 4.7★ (1233)29200 Tuckers Grade
- Babcock Ranch Preserve · 4.7★ (798)Punta Gorda
On the water
- Punta Gorda Adventures · 5★ (604)120 Laishley Ct Dock D1
- Cruisin' Tikis Charlotte Harbor · 5★ (561)120 Laishley Ct
- Riptide Jet Ski Rentals · 5★ (266)3141 Daytona Dr
- Your Boat Club, Punta Gorda · 5★ (126)7B Maud St
- Saltwater Dreaming Charters · 5★ (36)1398 Appaloosa St
Shopping
- Outdoor Republic, LLC · 5★ (37)111 Rio Villa Dr
- Pretty As A Pearl Boutique · 5★ (24)150 Laishley Ct #111
- Olympia Plaza · 4.7★ (23)2000 Rio De Janeiro Ave
- Funkie Junkies Consignment and Marketplace · 4.6★ (811)204 E McKenzie St
- The Suites at Fishermen's Village · 4.6★ (162)1200 W Retta Esplanade