Picnic Time | Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, and Englewood Florida

Q: Water

A lways bring plenty of water, at least one full bottle per person, and more if you’re planning to be out for a couple of hours. Even if you’ve brought juice or soda, water is a must, especially when it’s warm.

Picnic Tips for Travelers

Picnics have a long and storied history, so much so that there’s both an International Picnic Day, on June 18, and a National Picnic Day, on April 23.

Of course, you don’t need to wait for either of those days, especially in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach, to stage your own perfect picnic. Whether you go all out with elaborate food, multiple courses, and cups for your drinks, or you just toss a few sandwiches and waters into a bag, you’ll find a great picnic place around here.

So, if you’ve ever wondered how to find picnic spots when traveling, here you go! Below are just a few of our favorite beautiful parks and other places that lend themselves to enjoying some food, the views, and each other:

Unique Picnic Spots

IguanaLand

IguanaLand, the world’s largest reptile zoo—really!—in Punta Gorda, has a specific, covered picnic area. They encourage guests to bring in food and drinks to enjoy a during their visit. They also sell cold bottled drinks and a few other snacks in the gift shop.

Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens

The Gardens also encourage you to come and enjoy a picnic! Settle in amongst world-class art and amazing flora. Visit the gift shop to purchase an adult beverage. Note: no outside drinks allowed.

On the Water

T Tiki Boat Cruise here are three fun tiki boats in our area. All provide music and ice and all encourage patrons to bring their own food and drinks for an uncommon and picturesque “picnic” on the waters of Charlotte Harbor and the Peace River.

Cruisin’ Tikis Charlotte Harbor is a 6-seater in the shape of a round tiki bar!
Red Tiki Tours can take 13 people out on the water.
For a bigger party, call on Punta Gorda Adventures and take a tour on The Oasis Tiki Boat, a 30-seater.

A few of our Great Parks

There are over 70 parks in our area, and many have dedicated picnic shelters, tables, and BBQ grills.

Note: neither alcohol nor glass containers are allowed in any of our public parks.

Harbour Heights Park

Playground at Harbour Heights park, right on the water in Punta Gorda, Florida Harbour Heights Park in Punta Gorda offers picnic shelters and tables, BBQ grills, a playground, and restrooms. This is a waterfront park, so you can also fish and launch a boat or canoe, or take advantage of pickleball or tennis courts. Leashed dogs are welcome.

Tringali Park

Tringali Park in Englewood offers picnic shelters and tables, a playground, restrooms, and pickleball/tennis and basketball courts. There's also a large rec center on site and the whole thing is right next door to Englewood library.

Punta Gorda History Park & Artisan Village

The History Park in Punta Gorda offers shade trees, nice views of historical buildings and their community garden, and plenty of serenity. If you go on a Sunday, between 9 am and 1 pm during the History Park Market, you can buy your picnic instead of bringing it, then enjoy some shopping and socializing.

Centennial Park

With a neighboring nature preserve with trails, Centennial Park in Port Charlotte is a destination for birding and nature photography, along with being a great spot to picnic. There are sheltered picnic tables, a playground, and restrooms, and your leashed dog is welcome.

Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Park

Ann & Chuck Dever Park is a treasure in Englewood. Not only are there picnic shelters and tables, a playground, BBQ grills, a fenced dog park, and restrooms, there’s a whole environmental park near by: Cedar Point. Enjoy a hearty meal then play pickleball, go birding, hike a nature trail or two, or do any number of other fun outdoor activities.

Franz Ross Park

Franz Ross, in the heart of Port Charlotte, offers sheltered picnic tables with BBQ grills, a playground, restrooms, and pickleball and tennis courts. The Franz Ross YMCA is right next door.

These are just a few of the beautiful parks in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach. Explore more on our Nature & Parks page. You’re sure to find a park or five to visit for a picnic, whether it’s with the whole fam or just you and your partner.

Picnic Tips for Travelers

Water

Always bring plenty of water, at least one full bottle per person, and more if you’re planning to be out for a couple of hours. Even if you’ve brought juice or soda, water is a must, especially when it’s warm.

Ice + Cold Packs

Bring enough ice for everyone to have at least a couple of cubes in their drink, or, if you’re bringing bottled water or drinks, pack them in ice or with ice packs and cover with paper towels. By the time you eat or grab a drink, the paper towels will be damp and cold, perfect to a quick cool down.

Alcohol

While our tiki boats encourage you to bring your own beverages, which can include alcohol, none of the other locations on this list allow guests to bring alcoholic beverages in. You can purchase adult drinks and other refreshments at Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens, in their gift shop.

Cleanup

Since most picnics involve finger food, it’s a good idea to bring a couple packs of wipes to clean hands before, during, and after eating. Also bring a bag for refuse, in case there are no receptacles close by.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is also a must, even if you bring a sun umbrella or you’re in a covered outdoor environment. Be sure everyone is fully sunscreened, especially the littles, to prevent fun picnic memories from being soured by sunburn.

Devices

Hopefully everyone will be enjoying the company and scenery and won't be on their phones, but it's a good idea to be sure all devices are fully charged before setting off, so you can take pictures and make a call if needed.

First Aid

Even if you're only planning to be out and about for a short time, it's always a good idea to have a travel first aid kit stocked with, at minimum, antiseptic cleaner, antibiotic oitment, several sizes of bandaids, and tweezers.

Dollar Stores and Trial Sizes

Just a reminder that many of the items mentioned in this list, as well as disposable table cloths, easy-clean plates and cups and recyclable utensils, etc., can be purchased more economically at a local dollar store or in the trial size section of a grocery or "big box" store.

Celebrate International Picnic Day in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach