12 Best Things To Do In Placida, Florida: Enjoy The Natural Wonders

Art and beauty

1. The Margaret Albritton Art Gallery

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

Albritton used to be a traveling artist, showing her work in local galleries and shows. She etched for 30 years. The gallery is a friendly format of creativity and with her own gallery, she can sell directly to those who visit. This Placida attraction is a live studio environment and all art is created at the studio. Framed art, unframed art, placemats, aprons, coasters, and note cards are all available.

The Margaret Albritton Gallery

Address: 13020 Fishery Rd., 33947 Placida, Florida

Open Hours Thursday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Website: Margaret Albritton Gallery

2. Wildflower Preserve

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

Previously a golf course until 2006, the 32-hectare (80-acre) wildflower preserve is on the Cape Haze Penisula at the southeast corner of the Gasparilla Pine, in Charlotte County, Florida. The Lemon Bay Conservancy purchased the property and made it into a preserve. It contains freshwater ponds that connect to Lemon Creek and many upland habitats. The property is maintained by Conservancy members and volunteers.

Wildflower Preserve

Address: 2980 Placida Road, 34224 Englewood, FL

Website: Wildflower Preserve

3. Placida Art Market

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

Don’t know what to do in Placida? Visit the Placida Saturday Art Market! It was created seven years ago to promote artists who do original work. There is art of all kinds, as well as handmade items like jewelry for sale.

Placida Art Market

Address: 13020 Fishery Road, 33947 Rotonda West, Florida

Open Hours Saturdays

Facebook: Art Market

4. Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum

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

The Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum is dedicated to the preservation of Boca Grande waterways along the southwest coast of Florida. The museum has collected many artifacts such as gill nets, buoys, a room full of tools, a whale skull and two beautiful mahogany fighting chairs used by Ernest Hemingway and Zane Grey which were donated by a boatbuilder. Historic photographs and albums are available to view. The museum is a nonprofit organization and accepts donations.

Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum

Address: 190 1st St. E., 33921 Boca Grande, Florida

Website: Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum

Outdoor recreation

5. Placida Park

For the budget-conscious out there, make sure that you add attractions that come with free admission to your itinerary. If you want to spend some time with your loved ones in an idyllic and picturesque setting, head over to Placida Park where you’ll have access to canoeing, kayaking, and paddling. It is not a park brimming with amenities, but it gets the work done if you simply want a laid-back hangout with your closest friends and family. You can wait for the sunset seated at the benches or walk along the banks and take those beautiful snapshots!

Placida Park

Address: 6499 Gasparilla Rd, Placida, FL 33946, United States

Website: Placida Park

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

6. Eldred's Marina

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

There’s always something so wonderful about getting things done on your own. Fishing could be one of those activities that you do in Placida. If you’re interested, come down to Eldred’s Marina and make it happen for yourself! This sporting goods store is your one-stop-shop for all that you want to do once you start sailing the Placida waters. From the basics like ice and bait to trivialities like shark tooth necklaces, t-shirts, and ice cream, it’s all sold here. Once you fill a bucket of your own catch, Eldred’s Marina also has cleaning stations that you can use.

Eldred's Marina

Address: 6301 Boca Grande Causeway, Placida, FL 33946, United States

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 7am - 5pm; Fri: 7am - 7pm; Sat: 7am - 6pm

7. Kayaking

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

Grande Kayak is at the entrance of Florida’s largest network of mangrove tunnels. It’s surrounded by islands, sandbars, and beaches. They are a kayak tour and rental outfitter.

Not only are the tours throughout the local mangrove tunnels, but dolphin and manatee exploration trips are also offered. Experienced guides are professional naturalists with a passion for the beauties of Florida’s Gulf Coast area. All supplies are provided by Grande Kayak. Just bring yourself and be prepared for a day of fun.

Grande Kayak

Address: 13084 Fishery Rd., 33946 Placida, FL

Time Needed 2 to 4 hour tours, rentals up to 4 hours

Costs Tours are 55 USD per person, kayak rentals 1 person 35 to 45 USD, 2 person 50 to 60 USD

Website: Grande Kayak

8. Try a glass bottom boat tour at Florida Glass Bottom Boat Rental

Florida Glass Bottom Boat Rental allows you to see the crystal-clear waterways of Florida at your own pace. Visitors get to see the waterways and wildlife of the area. The boat seats up to four adults and two children, has an electric motor, a swim platform, and safety flotation devices and is very comfortable.

Try a glass bottom boat tour at Florida Glass Bottom Boat Rental

Address: 9435 SW 190th Avenue Road, 34432 Dunnellon, Florida

Cost Half day for 120 USD, full day for 160 USD

Website: Glass Bottom Boat Tour

9. Golfing at Rotonda Golf & Country Club

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

Rotunda Golf has five courses: The Hills, Long Marsh, The Palms, The Links, and Pinemoor. All courses are well maintained and challenging, and with 99 holes, it is good for all skill levels. They were awarded a Beginner Friendly Certification from the National Golf Course Owners Association.

Golfing at Rotonda Golf & Country Club

Address: 100 Rotonda Circle, 33947 Rotonda West, Florida

Rates Morning 22.99 USD, afternoon 14.99 USD, evening 12.99 USD

Website: Rotunda Golf

10. Don Pedro Island Park

Don Pedro Island State Park is part of a chain of barrier islands on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The island is only accessible by boat or ferry. There is a tie up at the dock for boats.

The park is 92 hectares (230 acres) and has trails to enjoy, a kayak launch, picnic shelter and fishing dock. Endangered species live on the island, including West Indian manatees, gopher tortoises, bald eagles, and American oystercatchers. The beach lets visitors enjoy sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and shelling.

Don Pedro Island Park

Address: 8450 Placida Road, 33946 Placida, Florida

Hours open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Rates Island fee is 2 USD for pedestrians and bikes and 3USD for cars

Website: Don Pedro Island Park

11. Amberjack Environmental Park

Amberjack Environmental Park has 87 hectares (217 acres) of conservation land on Cape Haze Peninsula. The park is accessible by boardwalk and mangrove tunnel. A great location for birding, it has panoramic views with pine and scrubby flatwoods. With money from the state of Florida, an additional 14 hectares (34 acres) was acquired in 2002. This joined the county-owned preserve land with the Charlotte Harbor Buffer Preserve State Park.

Amberjack Enviromental Park

Address: 6450 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., 34224 Englewood, Florida

Website: Amberjack Enviromental Park

Food

12. Waterside Grill

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

With all the activities that you can do in the laid-back town of Placida, you’re bound to be famished and craving some hearty meals. Seafood restaurants sure are popular on this side of Florida, and one such place that has the best seafood in the area is Waterside Grill. For mouthwatering platters, make sure that you get your hands on Havana Banana, which is mahi-mahi, shrimp, or chicken that’s been prepared jerk-style accompanied with black beans, plantains, and lime sour cream drizzle. If that does not make your stomach growl, we don’t know what will!

Waterside Grill

Address: 15001 Gasparilla Rd, Placida, FL 33946, United States

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11am - 9pm; Sun: 7:30am - 9pm

Enjoy the nature of Placida

Come to the beaches in Placida and all that it has to offer to the outdoor enthusiasts and those looking to escape reality and relax. There is a natural beauty in the water, art, history, and other activities this area has to offer.