Top 19 Things To Do In Port Charlotte, Florida

1. Catch a musical show at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Pop by the Cultural Center of Charlotte County for a wide range of concerts, art fairs and other events. These vary depending on when you choose to visit, so do check out their website to find out more before your next trip. Previous events include concerts by Jordan Feliz, Hotel California and Big Daddy Weave, all famous American singers from around the country.

Cultural Center of Charlotte County

Address: 2280 Aaron St, Port Charlotte, FL 33952, USA

Website: Cultural Center of Charlotte County

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 3pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

2. Kayak in the morning calm at Port Charlotte Beach Park

Looking for a laid-back thing to do in Port Charlotte this weekend? Port Charlotte Beach Park is a one-stop park that will satisfy all your sporting needs. At Port Charlotte Beach Park, you can fish, canoe and kayak, play basketball, volleyball, tennis or swim at the swimming pool or beach. Port Charlotte Beach Park’s recreation centre also hosts many fun activities for adults and children alike, including an open-water scuba diving class and story sessions at their library.

Port Charlotte Beach Park

Address: 4500 Harbor Blvd, Port Charlotte, FL 33952, USA

Website: Port Charlotte Beach Park

Opening hours: 6am - 9pm (daily)

3. Enjoy physical activities at North Charlotte Regional Park

North Charlotte Regional Park, also called Centennial Park, features a combination of adult and teen baseball fields and also includes four soccer fields and a disc golf course. For young ones who are more keen on some fun playtime, a playground is available for use. Baseball fans hoping to catch a match in Port Charlotte should note that North Charlotte Regional Park has served as playing ground to many baseball tournaments, including the Snowbird Baseball Classic, which attracts many great American teams such as those from the Ohio State University, University of Michigan and the Air Force Academy.

North Charlotte Regional Park

Address: 1185 Centennial Blvd, Port Charlotte, FL 33953, United States

Website: North Charlotte Regional Park

Opening hours: 6am - 9pm (daily)

4. Improve your game at Maple Leaf Golf and Country Club

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Maple Leaf Golf and Country Club is a great place to play a game of golf with your friends and family. This country club boasts scenic views of crystal clear ponds and open green spaces. Although it doubles as a community, those who want to play golf while in Port Charlotte can still book a tee time at this facility and enjoy its well-manicured course. Just be sure to book up to six days in advance.

Maple Leaf Golf and Country Club

Address: 2100 Kings Hwy, Port Charlotte, FL 33980, USA

Website: Maple Leaf Golf and Country Club

Opening hours: 5am - 11pm (daily)

5. Kayak around Bayshore Live Oak Park

Bayshore Live Oak Park runs across the scenic coastline of Bayshore Road. It comes with many walking and biking trails, a picnic pavilion, plus fishing jetties and boat piers. If you are looking to spend a fun day out with your family to soak up some sun, Bayshore Live Oak Park is the place to go.

Bayshore Live Oak Park

Address: 23157 Bayshore Rd, Port Charlotte, FL 33980, USA

Website: Bayshore Live Oak Park

Opening hours: 6am - 9pm (daily)

Price: Free

6. Spot rare bird species at Tippecanoe Environmental Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Include this place on your list of what to do in Port Charlotte. Tippecanoe Environmental Park is a sprawling nature reserve boasting three different terrains of coastal scrub, pine flatwoods and salt marsh all located within the same vicinity. This Environmental Park provides its visitors with the unique opportunity to view endangered wildlife species like the Florida scrub jay and bald eagle. Also seen more commonly year-round is a vast range of species that include wading birds, songbirds and birds of prey, along with many other migratory birds during the winter season.

Tippecanoe Environmental Park

Address: 2400 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte, FL 33948

Website: Tippecanoe Environmental Park

7. Watch baseball training in action at Charlotte Sports Park

Charlotte Sports Park is a great place to watch an exciting game of baseball or try the game yourself! Although the entry to Charlotte Sports Park is free of charge, should you wish to use their baseball fields or open spaces, a rental fee applies. Other amenities in the area include a children’s play area, an outfield bar, some batting cages, a covered pavilion and meeting rooms.

Charlotte Sports Park

Address: 2300 El Jobean Rd, Port Charlotte, FL 33948, USA

Website: Charlotte Sports Park

8. Scuba dive in Florida's warm waters with Fantasea Scuba

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Fantasea Scuba is a one-stop diving shop dedicated to selling and renting dive equipment, snorkel equipment and spearfishing gear. In addition, if you are looking to try your hand at scuba diving, Fantasea Scuba acts as the booking centre for a wide range of United States accredited classes for all levels, including the NAUI Scuba Diver certification and the NAUI Specialty Diver Courses. These diver courses bring you out into the deep waters of Port Charlotte’s harbour, all with the safe guidance of a certified and experienced diving instructor. If you are looking for a unique experience in a city famed for its deepwater life, Fantasea Scuba is definitely the place to drop by on your trip to Port Charlotte, Florida.

Fantasea Scuba

Address: 3781 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, FL 33952, United States

Website: Fantasea Scuba

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 6pm; Sat: 9am - 1pm (closed on Sun)

9. Shop till you drop at Port Charlotte Town Center

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Do you want to have a great shopping experience in Port Charlotte? In Port Charlotte Town Center, you’ll find apparel stores such as Hollister Co., American Eagle Outfitters, Old Navy, Torrid and more. If you are looking to shop for home goods, Yankee Candles, JCPenney, and Dillard’s are available. Start your day off with brunch at Starbucks, a movie at Regal Cinemas, and a shopping spree.

Port Charlotte Town Center

Address: 1441 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, FL 33948, USA

Website: Port Charlotte Town Center

Opening hours: 10am - 9pm (daily)

10. Take a trip to Audubon-Pennington Nature Park

If you are looking to reconnect with nature on your next trip to Port Charlotte, Audubon-Pennington Nature Park is the place to visit. This nature park boasts three different types of vegetation communities, including the cyprus swamp, oak hammock, and pine flatwoods. If you are a bird lover looking to catch sight of rare endemic species of birds, the endangered little blue heron, Cooper’s hawk and Louisiana tricoloured heron are all frequently sighted at this park.

Audubon-Pennington Nature Park

Address: 1153 Alton Rd, Port Charlotte, FL 33952, USA

Opening hours: 7am - 9pm (daily)

11. See a local play at Charlotte Players Inc

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Charlotte Players Inc is a non-profit theatre house dedicated to showcasing some of the community’s best stories. Plays such as Don’t Dress for Dinner, written by local playwright Marc Camoletti, or Mama Won’t Fly, a comedy written by Jones Hope Wooten, are put up in the playhouse. If you plan on visiting with children over the summer holidays, you can consider signing the kids up for the playhouse’s ever-popular Kids on Stage Summer Camp, where children get to try out all facets of theatre production, including backstage craft, props, costumes, acting and dance. Visit this Port Charlotte tourist attraction for a fun time in the city!

Charlotte Players Inc

Address: Charlotte Players Inc, 1182 Market Cir Unit 1, Port Charlotte, FL 33953-3888

Website: Charlotte Players Inc

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 4pm; Sat: 10am - 1pm (closed on Sun)

12. Take a leisurely stroll through the beautiful Larry Taylor Kiwanis Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Kiwanis Park is a family-friendly park perfect for a slow walk in nature. There are playgrounds and restrooms clustered around the park’s entrance and many fitness and strength stations for those who wish to train while immersed in mother nature. Many of Florida’s local birds are often spotted in this park, such as the Northern mockingbird, grey catbird and the American robin. If you are a nature lover hoping to do some bird-watching, Kiwanis Park is definitely the place to go

Larry Taylor Kiwanis Park

Address: 501 Donora Street, Port Charlotte, FL 33948

Website: Larry Taylor Kiwanis Park

Opening hours: 7am - 9pm (daily)

13. Have a hearty laugh at Visani Italian Steakhouse and Comedy Theater

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Food and comedy are part of the essence of Port Charlotte, Florida, and Visani Italian Steakhouse and Comedy Theater manages to combine the two into a fun and gastronomic experience for diners. Hilarious local acts such as Jon Lowitz and Al Ernst do regular stand-up at the theatre. The restaurant serves amazing Italian food to complete the dining experience, with highly recommended comfort food dishes such as chicken parmesan, shrimp, and scallops being served up to diners.

Visani Italian Steakhouse and Comedy Theater

Address: 2400 Kings Hwy, Port Charlotte, FL 33980, USA

Website: Visani Italian Steakhouse and Comedy Theater

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 11am - 10pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

14. Grab some hotdogs at Portside Tavern

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Portside Tavern is known not just for its delicious cocktails but also for its great finger food. Items on the menu such as the nachos and Fiery Wings are sold at affordable prices. Portside Tavern is famed in particular for its wide range of delicious hot dogs, all with quirky names such as the Clevelands Famous Ball Park Dog, the West Virginia Dog and the Coal Miner Dog. Delicious drinks are served during happy hour.

Portside Tavern

Address: 3636 N Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, FL 33952, United States

Website: Portside Tavern

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 7am - 2am; Sun: 9am - 1am

15. Listen to live jazz at The Grill at 1951

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you are looking to indulge in some hearty comfort food elevated to restaurant quality, The Grill at 1951 is the place for you. Remember to make a pre-booking before arriving at the restaurant to avoid any disappointment! Their specialities include the herb-crusted salmon with citrus hollandaise and Boursin-whipped potatoes as well as the spiced duck breast with watermelon pico de gallo and roasted sweet potatoes.

The Grill at 1951

Address: 1951 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, FL 33948, USA

Website: The Grill at 1951

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11:30am - 3pm, 3pm - 8:30pm (closed on Sun)

16. Go on a scavenger hunt with the Charlotte County History Services

Charlotte County History Services is hosting an ongoing program known as History Quest. If you are bringing kids along with you to Port Charlotte, Florida, this is a perfect activity for the whole family to participate in. This educational treasure hunt is designed to encourage visitors to immerse themselves in local historic sites through a fun and engaging geocaching experience. For those wondering what geocaching is, geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt using GPS devices to find a geocache, or container, hidden at a specific location.

Charlotte County History Services

Website: Charlotte County History Services

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

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17. Bike down the winding Cape Haze Pioneer Trail

You can walk, run, skate or bike along the Cape Haze Pioneer Trail, a former rail line that was used primarily to transport phosphate between Florida’s inland mining sects and deepwater ships at Boca Grande Harbour. Today, the trail has been expanded to include many off-shooting bicycle paths, picnic grounds and hiking trails, making this location a perfect stop-by for families and large groups of friends looking to spend quality time in the outdoors together.

Cape Haze Pioneer Trail

Address: 1688 Gasparilla Road, Rotonda West, FL 33981

Website: Cape Haze Pioneer Trail

18. Go fishing at the El Jobean Fishing Pier

If you want to catch a beautiful schoolhouse snapper or catfish, El Jobean Fishing Pier is the place to go. Fishing gear can be rented from any shop along the coast for an entire day. Even if you are not a fan of fishing, this tourist attraction near Port Charlotte is a great place to go to enjoy the sea breeze and watch fishing boats sail by.

El Jobean Fishing Pier

Address: Garden Road at River Beach Drive, El Jobean, FL 33953

Website: El Jobean Fishing Pier

19. Watch the sunrise from Chester Roberts Park

Chester Roberts Park is a tranquil park located by the beautiful Peace River. If you are looking for a serene walk by the park to start off your morning before a fun-packed day of sightseeing, Chester Roberts Park is the place to go. While you take your morning stroll, you will be greeted with gentle sunlight, well-trimmed gardens and beautiful park benches. Better still, Chester Roberts Park is a park located along the coastline, meaning that you will get to catch glimpses of the serene blue sea while you walk. If you want to snap a photo for your social media by the beach, Chester Roberts Park is definitely the place to go.

Chester Roberts Park

Address: 5084 Melbourne Street, Punta Gorda, FL 33980

Many great things to do in Port Charlotte, Florida

There is a whole host of adventures in Port Charlotte, Florida. Whether you are making the trip down to enjoy some wildlife or to spend some quality time with your family by the beach, there will be something fun, engaging, and exciting waiting for you in Port Charlotte, Florida. If you are planning your next trip there, be sure to check out the above fun things to do in Port Charlotte, Florida, now!