Drinks & Nightlife
Harpoon Harry's
1200 W Retta EsplanadeOn the water, Bar, Music and Food
http://deanssouthoftheborder.com/
Usually live music. Late night party.
36 locals recommend
Dean's South of the Border
130 Tamiami Trailhttp://deanssouthoftheborder.com/
Usually live music. Late night party.
http://hurricanecharleys.com/hc/menus.php
Usually has live music. On the water. Late night.
51 locals recommend
Hurricane Charley's Raw Bar & Grill
300 W Retta Esplanadehttp://hurricanecharleys.com/hc/menus.php
Usually has live music. On the water. Late night.
http://thecaptainstable.com/
Little nicer dining. On the water. Above Harpoon Harry's
23 locals recommend
The Captain's Table Restaurant
1200 W Retta Esplanadehttp://thecaptainstable.com/
Little nicer dining. On the water. Above Harpoon Harry's
Celtic Ray Public House
145 E Marion AveClose to the Waterway house, decent live music
Fun Tiki bar right next to Laishley Park, casual, waterfront, often feature live music, great people watching and drinks in the sand -- look for all the colorful chairs to the left after you cross the Charlotte Harbor bridge
50 locals recommend
TT's Tiki Bar
33 Tamiami TrailFun Tiki bar right next to Laishley Park, casual, waterfront, often feature live music, great people watching and drinks in the sand -- look for all the colorful chairs to the left after you cross the Charlotte Harbor bridge
Food Scene
http://laishleycrabhouse.com/
Pretty good food out on the water overlooking the marina.
61 locals recommend
Laishley Crab House
150 Laishley Cthttp://laishleycrabhouse.com/
Pretty good food out on the water overlooking the marina.
Olympia Restaurant
3245 Tamiami TrailGreat place for breakfast
Sharky’s On The Pier
1600 Harbor Dr SGreat place on Venice Beach. Food, Drinks and Music.
If you just want an upscale meal that feels far from the FL tourist scene....don't let the exterior fool you-- this is a rat packy, swanky spot with great food & live jazzy music. Great for a date night.
9 locals recommend
JD's Bistro & Grille
1951 Tamiami TrailIf you just want an upscale meal that feels far from the FL tourist scene....don't let the exterior fool you-- this is a rat packy, swanky spot with great food & live jazzy music. Great for a date night.
Its a little bit of a drive...but what the heck? Boca Grande is a really charming area with cute coastal shops and upscale neighborhoods....South Beach Grille has good food & beautiful beach front dining--(get a Pina Colada or 3 :) after dinner, take off your shoes & walk a few yards out to the ocean to watch the sunset :)
22 locals recommend
South Beach Bar & Grille
760 Gulf BlvdIts a little bit of a drive...but what the heck? Boca Grande is a really charming area with cute coastal shops and upscale neighborhoods....South Beach Grille has good food & beautiful beach front dining--(get a Pina Colada or 3 :) after dinner, take off your shoes & walk a few yards out to the ocean to watch the sunset :)
Cool spot for hanging out on the waterfront, live music and casual 5 oclock somewhere crowd
58 locals recommend
White Elephant Pub
1855 Gulf BlvdCool spot for hanging out on the waterfront, live music and casual 5 oclock somewhere crowd
just Yum!! get a gelato, browse the shops, drive a few minutes to stroll Venice beach-- nice way to spend a sunny afternoon
12 locals recommend
Ciao Gelato
317A W Venice Avejust Yum!! get a gelato, browse the shops, drive a few minutes to stroll Venice beach-- nice way to spend a sunny afternoon
Great fresh tableside guacamole and yummy margaritas
17 locals recommend
Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar & Grill
2390 Tamiami TrailGreat fresh tableside guacamole and yummy margaritas
Wallys Southern Style BBQ
3591 Tamiami Trailgreat BBQ and very close to the house
Hands down-- best Italian food in the area! huge portions, lots of options
12 locals recommend
Bella Napoli Pizzeria & Restaurant
1938 Kings HwyHands down-- best Italian food in the area! huge portions, lots of options
Decent food, good service, nice views- close to Venice Beach
66 locals recommend
Crow's Nest Restaurant & Marina
1968 Tarpon Center DrDecent food, good service, nice views- close to Venice Beach
Indoor & outdoor waterfront dining at Fisherman's Village - Indoor bar seating, Asian inspired menu. Unique cocktails, have the lobster bisque -scrumptious, crabcheese wonton dip and sushi- all very good.
9 locals recommend
The Pier PG
1200 West Retta EsplanadeIndoor & outdoor waterfront dining at Fisherman's Village - Indoor bar seating, Asian inspired menu. Unique cocktails, have the lobster bisque -scrumptious, crabcheese wonton dip and sushi- all very good.
Everything Else
http://www.fishville.com/
All kinds of shops next to the marina. Nice place to just walk and check out the shops, get ice cream etc.
191 locals recommend
Fishermens Village Resort
1200 W Retta Esplanadehttp://www.fishville.com/
All kinds of shops next to the marina. Nice place to just walk and check out the shops, get ice cream etc.
thewyvernhotel.com
Has a pretty nice bar and pool on the roof.
9 locals recommend
The Wyvern Hotel Punta Gorda- an Ascend Hotel Collection Member
101 E Retta Esplanadethewyvernhotel.com
Has a pretty nice bar and pool on the roof.
Parks & Nature
Sunrise Park
20499 Edgewater Dr3 min walk to great nature trails, wildlife, kayaking, picnics....
Beautiful quiet beach about 25 min drive from Port Charlotte, great parking, easy access
239 locals recommend
Englewood Beach
Beach RoadBeautiful quiet beach about 25 min drive from Port Charlotte, great parking, easy access
Essentials
Winn-Dixie Pharmacy
3280 Tamiami TrailBest and closest grocery store (corner of Olean and Tamiami Trail)
Walgreens
1800 Tamiami TrailWalgreens (corner of Port Charlotte Blvd & Tamiami Trail)
If you forgot your swimsuit, blew out your flip flop or need a sweatshirt for a chilly night-- swing by Bealls (near the Winn Dixie @ Olean & Tamiami Trail)-- they have quite a bit of everything for reasonable prices
Bealls
1441 Tamiami TrailIf you forgot your swimsuit, blew out your flip flop or need a sweatshirt for a chilly night-- swing by Bealls (near the Winn Dixie @ Olean & Tamiami Trail)-- they have quite a bit of everything for reasonable prices
Getting Around
Although its not located at the airport-- they offer reasonable prices and dependable rental options
13 locals recommend
Budget Car Rental
259 U.S. 41 Bypass NAlthough its not located at the airport-- they offer reasonable prices and dependable rental options