It's no secret that Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach is known for its miles of beaches, beautiful golf courses, great dining and more, but a lot of the appeal of the area can be found in a few family-friendly hidden gems you may not know about!
IguanaLand
If your kids are fans of lizards and turtles and the like they'll be very excited to visit IguanaLand, the largest reptile zoo in the world! With over 230 species from around the world housed in comfortable habitats, families can usually tour the entire park in 1.5 to 2 hours. They also offer VIP and Animal Encounter tours for behind-the-scenes and up-close-and-personal time with the animals.
Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours
If you're looking for a uniquely fun, funny, and educational experience, Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours are the perfect thing for you! You get to see wildlife and nature up close and personal.
When we visited, we really didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into, but, we were pleasantly surprised! This certainly is a hidden gem more people need to know about.
On this tour, you will board a bus and you will immediately start seeing one cool animal after the other! You will see everything from horses, cattle, birds, alligators (lots and lots of alligators), and more! There are surprise animals you get to see that aren’t mentioned...but I don’t want to spoil the fun! Go check it out for yourself. You will not be disappointed.
Kidstar Park
Kidstar Park is a big play place for kids—big as in BIG! The kids could play in the ball pits and tunnels for hours. Plus, they have an arcade where kids can win tickets and exchange them for a fun prize.
Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary for rescued or relinquished exotic animals is a wonderland of fascinating creatures. They've been rescuing and caring for exotic animals since 1992.
There's a huge variety of species onsite that will enthrall every kid, from lions and tigers to primates, canines, birds, and yes, bears, and many other species.
Contact Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary to arrange your private guided tour today!
Starry Night Florida
It's never too early to encourage a child's interest in space and the night sky, and Starry Night Florida is the perfect opportunity to do just that. Head to Hathaway Park, just 10-15 minutes from Punta Gorda, and experience the stars like never before with a powerful telescope. Note: children must be at least 5 years old.
The Escape Ventures
Grab the kids and try one of the most engaging and stimulating activities around—an escape room! The Escape Ventures in Port Charlotte pride themselves on creating immersive and fun experiences.
Go4Golf
Got a golf-obsessed kid or two, but don't have hours and hours to get them onto a course? No worry, head over to Go4Golf, an indoor golf simulation spot where they can choose their course, practice those swings, and even get tips.
Military Heritage Museum
From touring a real Huey helicopter to experiencing Virtual Reality programs and both ship and airplane simulators that run like hyper-realistic video games, to exploring thousands of artifacts and interactive displays, it's a good bet that everyone in the family will find something fascinating at the Military Heritage Museum.
Lemon Bay Sunrise Rotary Park in Englewood
Lemon Bay Sunrise Rotary Park was rebuilt by the Englewood Lemon Bay Sunrise Rotary Club, and it is so nice! There is a boat ramp, a small playground for the kids to play on (perfect for playing while dad gets the boat in and out of the water!), picnic shelters, and bathrooms. They have life jackets available to borrow if you don't have any for the kids! You do have to pay for parking- and there's plenty of parking for both cars and trailers.
Bowling
They're not exactly hidden, but our two bowling alleys are perfect for a few hours of family. Both Treasure Lanes and Bowland are located in Port Charlotte, and both welcome you!
Come on down with the family to enjoy these hidden gems and even better, discover your own!
