A home base in Port Charlotte means easy access to the entire area, from the Gulf beaches and Old Florida vibes in Englewood to the small-town, historical charm of Punta Gorda along the Peace River where it meets Charlotte Harbor. But that’s not all! Port Charlotte itself offers parks and preserves full of wildlife, water sports, highly rated golf, standout restaurants, and Major League Spring Training.
Where to Stay
To be closer to Punta Gorda, book your stay at Sunseeker Resort Florida Gulf Coast, Curio by Hilton, which is only 5 minutes from downtown, across the Gilchrist Bridge. For easy access to Englewood and its beaches, stay at Days Inn by Wyndham. If you’d like to be closer to I-75, shopping, and independent restaurants like Fin Sushi and Bella Napoli, both Comfort Inn & Suites and Extended Stay America Premier Suites Port Charlotte will fit the bill.
Water & Wildlife
Port Charlotte boasts several preserves and plenty of parks where the peace and quiet is almost as rewarding as the potential for some great nature photography. You may even forget that civilization and infrastructure are just minutes away.
In addition to paddling, Audubon-Pennington Park and Tippecanoe Environmental Park offer some of the richest birdwatching in the area. 
More than 80 bird species were noted in Audubon-Pennington in 2025, and Tippecanoe provides the ideal habitat for the elusive Florida Scrub-Jay. We recommend bringing your binoculars and life list to both. William R. Gaines Jr. Veterans Memorial Park is another great paddling and wildlife-watching spot and features an accessible kayak launch into the mangrove-lined waterway.
More Ways to Play
Out and about in Port Charlotte can also mean golf, baseball, and the beach.
Of the several courses in the area, Riverwood Golf Club is a particular favorite, voted onto the 2026 Golfers’ Choice Top 25 Public Golf Courses in Florida.
We’re also home to Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training and a convenient home base (pun intended) for catching games featuring other Grapefruit League teams.
If digging your toes into the sand is on the agenda but you don’t want to drive to Englewood, head to the beach next door at Port Charlotte Beach Park. This man-made stretch of sand sits right on the Peace River and is one of our top 10 places to catch a sunset.
Sights & Sounds
Instead of searching for a generic souvenir, head to Hatch Gallery for a truly memorable keepsake. Jon Hatch turns driftwood and other found materials into one-of-a-kind Florida creatures that are artistic enough to grace your wall and whimsical enough to make you smile every time you look at them.
Just across the street from the gallery is the Bean Depot Cafe & Museum, a historic local restaurant with an unexpected Hollywood connection. Curious what Tarzan has to do with Port Charlotte? Our History page has the story.
For a full dinner-and-a-show evening out, check the schedule at Visani Italian Steakhouse & Comedy Theater. With a full slate of big-name comedians, tribute acts, and other live entertainment, there’s always something worth checking out.
Culinary Concerns
The variety of restaurants in Port Charlotte makes it a great place for a culinary journey. You’ll find everything from casual bar bites and traditional steaks to fresh seafood, authentic international cuisine, and gourmet-inspired dishes.
Our Flavor Coast restaurants in Port Charlotte reflect this variety nicely:
- Prime Serious Steak is a traditional upscale steakhouse where you can watch the butcher cut your steak, your way.
- Twisted Fork is a huge space with a deep and “twisted” menu that can make anyone fall in love with Brussels sprouts.
- Bella Napoli is an unassuming storefront spot with Italian flours, wines, and flavors, run by Chef Vitangelo Recchia, a certified Master Pizzaiolo who has twice been named Top in the US.
When it comes to fresh local seafood, very few restaurants garner the raves that Brother’s Fish House does. Donato’s Italian Restaurant is a must-visit, both for the authentic food featuring hand-pulled mozzarella and house-crafted pasta and for the singing chef and the charmingly kitschy New York-themed décor. For even more Italian, Gina’s Pizza Bar will quickly become an addiction.
Friends and family who love you will take you to Curry & Kabab for genuine Indian food that most locals swear by. For a sophisticated evening, try The Grill at 1951, where the food is gourmet and the jazz is live. The restaurant shares a parking lot with Days Inn.
Getting Here
Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) is about 20 minutes from any of the mentioned hotels and features several car rental companies and a car service.
There are also two easy I-75 exits in the area:
- Coming from the north: Exit 170 (CR 769/Kings Highway) is the main exit for Port Charlotte and puts you minutes from Comfort Inn & Suites and Extended Stay America, within 20 minutes of Sunseeker Resort Florida Gulf Coast, and around 20 minutes from Days Inn.
- Coming from the south: Exit 167 (CR 776/Harborview Road) saves a few miles by taking you right to the south end of Port Charlotte and Charlotte Harbor via Harborview Road.
Getting Around
Even if you don’t rent a car or bring your own you can still get around easily with Uber and Lyft, especially as most attractions are very close to the main road, Tamiami Trail/US 41.
