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!

 

One hour:

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

¨       Play Putt Putt next door

¨      Take a trolley ride and see the new murals in Punta Gorda!
..        Take a $15 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
¨       Visit the Edison & Ford Museums in Fort Myers

¨       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 old cars, corvettes, etc.
--         Go to Peace River Bird Sanctuary--very pretty setting - take your camera
..         Go the the Visani Comedy Club

6 to 8 hours:

¨       Visit Englewood beach and have lunch at the White Elephant restaurant 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, historical and 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!