Banana Bay Waterfront Motel

where to go

Englewood Beach!

The Gulf beaches with the blue water and white sand are approx. 50 minutes away--Englewood Beach on Manasota Key. Secret beach: Blind Pass Beach is on Manasota Key about 2 miles North of the Englewood Beach and there is no charge to park! It is very secluded and has a bunch of sharks' teeth!

BE CAREFUL CROSSING THE STREET!!! IT'S NOT CALLED "BLIND PASS" FOR NUTHIN!

Port Charlotte/Punta Gorda is centrally located with Sarasota only 45 minutes to the North and Fort Myers just 35 minutes to the South.

Here are just a few of the attractions and activities the area has to offer.

So much to do, so little time!

In one hour:

.. Walk across the bridge to Punta Gorda for homemade ice cream

¨ Play Putt Putt next door

3 to 5 hours:

¨ Take a trolley ride and see the new murals in Punta Gorda

.. Take a boat cruise and see the Harbor

.. Shopping & lunch at Fishermen’s Village

.. Tour Solomon's Castle - very cool!

.. Visit the Shell Factory and its pirate room

.. Walk across the bridge and have lunch at Benedetto’s on the water

.. Go to Manatee Park and see live manatees very close (Nov-Jan is best)

.. Take a sunset cruise from Fishermen’s village

.. Take an airboat ride up the Peace River--amazing

¨ Recline with a good book at the pool

¨ Rent a pontoon boat and go to an Old Florida Restaurant up the river

¨ Go to the Murder Mystery Dinner Train in Fort Myers

¨ Catch a Tampa Bay Rays or Stone Crab game

¨ Visit the Muscle Car Museum – 99,000 sq. ft. of antique cars & hot rods

.. Go to the Octagon Wild Animal Sanctuary - wonderful for animal lovers

.. Go to Peace River Bird Sanctuary - take your camera

.. Go the the Visani Comedy Club

6 to 8 hours:

.. Visit Englewood beach and have lunch at the White Elephant across the street

¨ Go to Boca Grande for shopping, lunch and/or beach (bridge fee)

¨ Visit St. Armand’s Circle – exquisite shopping in Sarasota

¨ Play golf at Bobcat Trail

¨ Go to Arcadia for quaint antique shopping

.. Rent a pontoon for the day and go to Cabbage Key, famous island for lunch.

¨ Visit Sunken Gardens in Sarasota

¨ Go to Venice Beach and collect sharks teeth

¨ Go to Sanibel Island—plan long day—take walking shoes (bridge fee)

¨ Raining? Go shopping at Port Charlotte Town Center Mall—catch a movie

¨ Hire a fishing guide for the day for exciting tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass

¨ Visit Mote Marine Aquarium in Sarasota

¨ Visit the Bird Sanctuary across from Mote Marine

¨ Go to a live Theatre performance in either Venice or Sarasota

¨ Go Kayaking with Canoe Outpost or rent one of ours

¨ Gamble at Hard Rock Café

10 -12 hours:

¨ Go to Busch Gardens in Tampa (great for adults & kids alike)

¨ Go to Adventure Island in Tampa (great for 6 yrs and older kids)

¨ Visit MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry – great for kids all ages)

¨ Go deep-sea fishing

14 + hours:

¨ Take the High-speed catamaran to Key West (8:00 – 8:00 plus travel to and from Ft. Myers. Stay overnight—the price of the catamaran includes return trip regardless of the day!

Navigator's Airboat Ride

Take an Airboat Ride

Take a tour up the Peace River on a 6 person airboat. Captain Kirk will take you within a few feet of alligators (don't worry) and large nesting birds! You will be amazed!