Wildlife officials can only assume it was brought there by someone. While crocodiles aren’t native to this area (but alligators are), a 70-year-old croc turned up in a canal. Not only are there alligators in Punta Gorda, in 2020 a rare crocodile was spotted.I once walked through this area in flip-flops and paid for it the next day with sore feet and calves.

There’s a lot of walking to do in Punta Gorda, so wear sturdy shoes.

There are places you’ll be alone and you will need to make sure you can navigate your way back. You’ll most likely be kayaking through the region, and you need to bring a compass, GPS, water, and sunscreen. It spans 43,000 acres of mostly untamed wilderness.

Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park is a popular outdoor adventure in this area.

While it’s not dangerous to be here at night, definitely use the same safety protocols as you would in any other city. It’s got a certain charm and the night air is filled with music coming from one of several bars. It’s not a typical downtown with homeless people everywhere. There’s a small downtown historical corridor that comes to life at night, and this is the best place to find live music. The streets are well-laid out and GPS will keep you on the right route. This is a mostly residential area, so you don’t have a reason to be driving around those areas. I would recommend always staying in well-lit areas and, unless you are going out for a nice dinner, don’t spend a lot of time walking around at night. Since it’s not a big city, there aren’t going to be surveillance cameras everywhere. That said, there are parts of the city that are very dark at night.

There just isn’t a dangerous part of Punta Gorda.Ĭrime rates are anywhere from two to ten times lower than the national average. If you want a little more excitement, check out the Southwest Florida Skydive Club and see Charlotte Harbor from 10,000 feet in a freefall (the ripcord is pulled at 5,000 feet). Freeman House, a national register of historic places landmark, showcasing a rare Victorian home in this area. The Interactive Foundation is a great way to cool off for kids and adults. You can also visit the Veteran’s Park Memorial Garden.

Military fans will love the Military Heritage Museum with artifacts from wars from the Revolutionary Period through current-day military challenges. The harborwalk in Punta Gorda stretches 2.4 miles and is great for a morning run or a sunset stroll.Īlong this path, you’ll see Laishley Park, where there’s a Hurricane Charley memorial. There are several great restaurants here.įor a casual meal, I’d recommend Harpoon Harry’s and if you want a more upscale dining experience, you shouldn’t miss The Captain’s Table with second-floor views of the harbor. While some tourist shopping areas have pressure-driven salespeople everywhere, that’s not the vibe here. The decorations and photo ops of the village are worth the trip before you even set foot in a store. The design of the village perfectly balances an old fishing village feel with modern amenities and the most unique shopping you’ll find in the region. Safest Places to Visit in Punta Gordaįisherman Village is a great starting point for your Punta Gorda visit. The area is low-lying and surrounded by water, so contamination of the drinking water can happen quickly. The only time you should be extra cautious is after a heavy rainstorm or any kind of flooding. The water passes all state and federal requirements, so there's a low risk. The small-town vibe is complemented by a very low crime rate. There’s a memorial to commemorate the solemn day in history.įrom a fishing village filled with shops and restaurants that could easily fill a day to the harbor walk where you can stroll along the Peace River to parks where you can become one with nature - this unique city is worth a visit. The city took a nasty hit from the Category 4 storm and it rose from the ruins to be the Punta Gorda of today. What you won’t see today are the scars that Hurricane Charley left behind in 2004.

Not only is this city of fewer than 20,000 people the Charlotte County seat, but it’s also a charming town filled with history and growth. Let me tell you as someone who spent a lot of time in Punta Gorda - don’t blink. Punta Gorda, Florida, is one of those cities between Tampa and Fort Myers that if you aren’t looking for it, you might not even give it a second thought.Ī “blink and you’ll miss it” kind of town in a state filled with beautiful adventures. United States - safety as a country Florida - state review

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