The longer you stay when visiting Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach, the more fun you have, but a quick jaunt can also be a blast. It's never too early to plan a getaway, especially a nice, long weekend—like over Labor Day—the perfect excuse to come on down for adventure, downtime, or a bit of both. Add a hearty helping of delicious dining, stunning sunsets, and an almost endless array of activities, and you’re set for the whole weekend.
Events 
There's always a variety of special Labor Day events in the area. To give you an idea and inspire you to visit us next year, here are some recent happenings:
Battle of the Bands and Food Truck Throwdown at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds was an all weekend event and featured great live music, tasty food truck fare, and fun stuff for kids like water slides, obstacles courses, and more!
Punta Gorda Adventures offered four Labor Day Cruises on the Oasis Tiki Boat: and eco tour in the morning, a happy hour cruise in the late afternoon followed by a sunset cruise, and then an after-dark "Labor Day Luau." They're always coming up with fun and fresh ideas, so keep an eye on them!
The Englewood Pioneer Days parade happened on Labor Day and traveled from Obee's Sub Shop to Veterans Memorial Pavilion at 641 W. Dearborn Street.
Babcock Ranch, the nation's first solar-powered town, threw a Labor Day 5K, with both timed and untimed options. They made sure to set up for spectators so both participants and the supporters had a place to enjoy the race.
(Year-round) Activities
There's a lot to do in the area, in the area but here are a few ideas to get you started:
IguanaLand is open all weekend! They now have 250 species, so plan to spend at least an hour or two. Or, book an animal encounter for fascinating behind-the-scenes access.
Take to the skies for unparalleled views of our beautiful area with Suncoast Biplanes. Choose from a variety of flights, from harbor to golden hour, and more. You can even customize your own!
Head out for adventure with a King Fisher Fleet sunset or harbor cruise!
Make Saturday a Punta Gorda Day
A visit to Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens is an amazing trip through world-class art installations and wild botanicals, with the added fun of the Butterfly Pavilion and feeding the koi.
Next up is Peace River Seafood and Botanicals for fresh seafood, an authentic “crab shack” vibe, and locally-grown and crafted wellness products. They're a favorite of locals and returning visitors alike. For some suds and authentic Thai food and sushi, check out Peace River Beer Company.
Don’t miss the Military Heritage Museum and its thousands of artifacts, flight simulators, virtual reality experiences, and much more. Nearby is Fishermen’s Village, a dining/shopping/live music/prime-sunset-viewing destination in itself. To visit both, arrange a free golf cart ride from the Village to the Museum and back by calling 941.456.3883. Right across from Fishermen’s Village is The Visual Arts Center. There’s always at least two exhibits going and their gift shop is the perfect place to find gifts and keepsakes.
Sunday Funday
Get out on the water: try kayaking or standup paddleboarding with any of our local vendors or rent a boat to explore on your own.
No matter how you get out on the water, you’ll see birds of all kinds, fascinating sea life, maybe a dolphin or manatee, and truly beautiful views.
Once you’ve had some adventure, it’s time for lunch at one of the tasty spots near Englewood Beach, then a leisurely stroll down the coast or a swim in the usually flat, calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Monday – No Labor Allowed
The day is yours, to do with what you please. Will you fish? Play golf? Grab a free loaner bike in Punta Gorda and explore at your leisure? Enjoy a leisurely shopping trip? Maybe just laze at the hotel pool if you've got one? You decide!
We hope some of these ideas for things to do over Labor Day Weekend inspire you to come visit us!
