Punta Gorda is the only City in Charlotte County and what a city it is! Entering historic Punta Gorda on Hwy 41 South from the Charlotte Harbor Bridge is a spectular site, especially with a setting sun. On the 4th of July you may see hundreds of swimmers in the bay making their way to Fisherman's Village. Or you may just see beautiful sailboats coming up the harbor and wish you were onboard. Recently featured as "An affordable, undiscovered corner of the Gulf Coast", in New Jersey's The Record, 8/14/2011, which list Punta Gorda as "a thriving, livable community with a postcard-worthy harbor" , and also rated as No 4 out of the Top 10 Places to live in the South by Money Magazine! , this SW Florida City should definately be on your list of places to visit. Punta Gorda has done a beautiful job of rebuilding after the hurricanes and the downtown area boasts many wonderful restaurants, shops and art galleries. On the 3rd Thursday of every month, a Gallery Walk is featured where you can shop until 8:00 p.m., with complimentary food & beverages provided by local shop owners as well as live music on the streets and in various establishments. Stroll the quaint streets or even take the free trolley which is provided! The city is a rich mix of cultures and age groups offering many clubs, organizations and civic groups in which to be involved. The name Punta Gorda, which means "fat point" in spanish, was given to the City because a broad part of the land juts into Charlotte Harbor. Charlotte Harbor is approximately 100 miles south of Tampa on the Gulf Coast and is where the Peace River meets the Gulf of Mexico. A good portion of the city is dotted with historic buildings that date back to the early 1900's and give signs of the city's rich history. Punta Gorda has recently expanded the municipal airport and regional jets are now arriving from the Eastern Seaboard allowing ease of travel to the area, direct from various cities. Of course, only a few miles North we are also serviced by the Sarasota Airport and Tampa International Airport and from the South, the Fort Myers International Airport. |