If you’re looking for a fabulous, Florida honeymoon spot, consider this gorgeous town on the west coast. There are so many things to do in Punta Gorda Florida for a variety of tastes. From amazing seafood to beautiful gardens, this little town has it all. Bonus: the Punta Gorda Airport is an easy flight for Virginians!
Thank you so much to Allegiant Air and the Punta Gorda Englewood Beach VCB for their hospitality.
Heading to the Punta Gorda Airport
Let me just say that getting to the Punta Gorda Airport was so easy! My preferred place is the Richmond Virginia Airport, and it’s a direct flight with Allegiant straight to the Punta Gorda Florida Airport (code PGD).
PGD is laid out really well, and it was simple to find the baggage claim, terminal, and car rental. If you’re looking for a convenient Florida honeymoon option, heading to Punta Gorda is the way to go.
Punta Gorda Airport Map
Take a quick look at the Punta Gorda Airport map. It will show you just how simple your journey will be. The location is a convenient, one-story that is very easy to navigate.
The Punta Gorda Airport is easy to navigate. The Punta Gorda Florida Airport code is PGD.
Punta Gorda Florida Weather
Let me just say that the Punta Gorda, Florida weather in February is beautiful! It wasn’t unbearably hot, yet we were able to wear short sleeves and break out the summer clothes. It was a fabulous getaway in the middle of winter.
As far as the Punta Gorda Florida weather year-round, it can be fairly hot and muggy in the summertime. The summer season also brings rain, which is a good respite in the heat. However, my personal recommendation would be to visit from early October through mid-December and from mid-February through late April.
Although, depending on when you get married, the temperatures are fairly mild and don’t get excessively hot or cold. It’s safe to say that the Punta Gorda Florida weather year-round is perfect. Just take a sweater for chilly nights in the wintertime.
Punta Gorda Florida Map
The city is located on the west shore of Florida 30 minutes above Fort Myers and an hour and a half below Tampa. It’s in a harbor, so it is located on the water. However, the Punta Gorda Florida beaches are more limited than oceanside towns. The Punta Gorda Florida map shows where it’s located along the Peace River on Charlotte Harbor.
The Punta Gorda Florida map shows where the town is located in relation to the harbor.
Where to Stay in Punta Gorda Florida
We had a lovely stay at the Holiday Inn Express Punta Gorda. It was clean and cozy. A big plus is that it was conveniently located near the Punta Gorda Airport, yet it was also easy to get to the many attractions the area offers.
However, there are many lovely accommodations if you don’t want to stay at a traditional hotel. There are a few resorts open and some boutique accommodations that are a perfect fit.
Best Things to Do in Punta Gorda This Weekend
Want to make an impromptu trip? There’s a website for that! If you’re looking for things to do in Punta Gorda, there is an up-to-date calendar that makes it easy to find events. You may be interested in the best things to do in Punta Gorda this weekend or at the time you’ll be traveling.
There are many shows, events, markets, and music-centric festivals throughout the year. You may even want to book your Florida honeymoon at a time when there are entertaining activities going on.
The calendar is a fabulous way to discover the Punta Gorda, Florida upcoming events. Be sure to check it before you go!
13 Best Things to Do in Punta Gorda Florida
Now, we are finally onto our list of best things to do in Florida. I personally experienced each and every location on the list with my husband. It was a romantic trip that we remember fondly. We had such a great time, and here’s what we did.
Why is Punta Gorda so popular? You’re about to find out why!
1. Visit the Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens.
What a perfect excuse to get outside and stroll in the sunshine! The Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens is an interesting collection of sculptures peppered in between lovely plants and flowers.
It’s along the Peace River, so you may even see a bit of wildlife. Many of the sculptures cause you to do a double-take as they look so real.
The Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens is perfect for experiencing Punta Gorda Florida weather.
2. Eat fresh seafood at Peace River Seafood.
While you’re by the river, you may as well stop by Peace River Seafood, although it’s worth the drive if you aren’t close by. The food is so good that they have a stash of dollars that came about because of the cuisine.
When complimented, it was remarked that if “they had a dollar for every time they heard” how great it was. Well, people started giving dollars, and a trend was born. Not only is the seafood amazing, but the folks there are so hospitable. And the dishes are gorgeous to photograph!
The food is so amazing that Peace River Seafood has a dollar for every time someone told them that!
3. Do a tasting at Alligator Bay Distillers.
I am a big fan of locally owned businesses, and if a family is involved—even better! That’s exactly how Alligator Bay Distillers is. Two brothers operate the distillery. Plus, they are more than happy to show you around to show you the process of how they make their spirits.
One point of note is that they use locally-sourced sugars to make their tasty creations, which adds an extra element of homemade goodness.
Alligator Bay Distillers is owned by two brothers who do tours and tastings in Punta Gorda.
4. Head out on a mural tour.
I’m an art nerd, so I totally geeked out over this tour. And I’m not ashamed of that fact at all! The Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society has a specific mission. Their goal is to beautify their buildings while showcasing the history of the area.
You can learn about the city while looking at gorgeous artwork that focuses on historical events, the town’s citizens, and wildlife. The ones below showcase a cattle drive and some of the sea creatures in the area.
My advice? Take a peek at the artwork commissioned by the Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society.
5. Visit the Historic Park (on a Sunday).
A little backstory here. Someone had told us about the old jail that was located in Punta Gorda, and we simply had to see it! It’s basically a cage with no privacy. Also, it was VERY difficult to find—it’s obviously not the main attraction, ha!
We happened to go on a Sunday, and the History Park Farmers Market was going on. There were fruits, veggies, and local artisans galore. We had fun walking around and looking at the historical buildings and community gardens. Several talented artisans were set up, too.
Our unexpected stop at the jail caused us to stumble upon the Historic Park Farmers Market.
6. Stop at TT’s Tiki Bar for a bite and drink.
TT’s Tiki Bar is right on the water. You also have the option to eat outside or undercover, but it’s all in the open air. The drinks were fabulous, the food was delicious, and the views were beautiful.
The restaurant is also located along the bike path, which I’ll get to in a bit. However, you can also take a pre or post-lunch stroll around the harbor.
TT’s Tiki Bar is located along the walking/biking path and has views of Charlotte Harbor.
7. Gawk at the harbor birds.
Ok, maybe this doesn’t count as an actual stop, but bird watching was fun! They were all over the pilings in the water. Sleeping, standing, watching us watch them.
Pelicans and other water-centric birds were within view. It was interesting to see after lunch as we walked around the waterway.
The variety of birds in Charlotte Harbor was interesting to see.
8. Explore Fishermen’s Village.
Fishermen’s Village is a fabulous place to pick up a few souvenirs or grab a bite to eat. You can also walk around and see the boats in the harbor. There are such lovely views!
Why is Punta Gorda so popular? You get the best of the water and the land while you’re vacationing in Florida.
9. Take a sunset cruise.
After soaking it all in at Fishermen’s Village, board King Fisher Fleet for a stunning sunset cruise. We saw dolphins and had a fabulous ride that was capped off by a gorgeous sunset over Punta Gorda. Things to do are plentiful, but seeing the sun’s final display of the day is a must!
Leaving from Fishermen’s Village to take a sunset cruise with King Fisher Fleet is a must!
10. Use the bike share to explore the harbor trail.
We love to go biking. It’s a fun, quick way to explore an area while getting some exercise. Of course, the waterside views are beautiful as you ride on boardwalks and trails. I highly recommend it!
One of the best parts is that you can use a bike for free. The loaner bikes can be signed out at several locations. Plus, with a bit of ID and the right gear, you can be well on your way to exploring via bike.
Using the Punta Gorda free bike loaners to explore was a highlight for us.
11. See the animals at the Peace River Wildlife Center.
You’ll love this wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center if you’re a sucker for animals like I am. Peace River Wildlife Center has a variety of birds in large cages, but they also bring several animals out of their enclosures.
We saw a turtle and an adorable little bird, both of which were rescued. The staff is taking good care to ensure that they are recovering from their injuries and can return to their natural habitats someday. Such a worthy cause and a fun place to go.
If you love animals, be sure to stop at the Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda, FL.
12. Eat gator bites at the Gator Shack.
Into odd meats? You’ll love the chance to nibble on some gator bites at this cute little restaurant. It’s on the same site as the eco-tours (mentioned below!). Therefore, the Gator Shack is a fabulous place to eat right before heading out to view wildlife in its natural habitat.
They have several picnic-style tables on the inside. Just order, claim a table, and get ready to consume a colorful feast. The macaroni and cheese was yummy, too!
If you want to test out gator bites, the Gator Shack is the perfect place to do so.
13. Explore the swampland with Babcock Ranch Eco Tours.
Don’t miss the opportunity to board a big, camouflage bus and head out to find wildlife. Alligators, deer, wild boar, and all sorts of birds await your presence with Babcock Ranch Eco Tours. The bus even stops to feed the animals along the way.
It’s exciting to drive through the water safely with your tour guide at the helm. This was the last thing we did before we headed to the Punta Gorda Airport. However, it was the perfect way to end our trip.
Wildlife and water abound on a Babcock Ranch Eco Tours bus ride.
Final Thoughts on a Florida Honeymoon
There are plenty of things to do in Punta Gorda Florida. We were only there for a few days and didn’t even get to explore it all. The people were hospitable, the views gorgeous, and the Punta Gorda Florida weather in February was just perfect!
Again, flying from the Richmond Virginia Airport directly to the Punta Gorda Airport with Allegiant Air made our trip easy. Everything was accessible, and we had a lovely time.
In my opinion, it’s one of the best honeymoon destinations in February in USA. So, get ready to pack and head south, no matter the time of year. Happy honeymooning!
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