Bring your binoculars to spot manatees, dolphins and wading birds in the wetlands. The Laishley Marina gives easy boat access to the nearby Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park, one of the largest nature reserves in Florida. Laishley Park in the Punta Gorda Harbor also has a walking trail and fishing pier, along with a memorial garden and concert area. Ponce de Leon Park is a great place to be early in the morning to enjoy the children’s park, fishing pier and mangrove boardwalk trail. The wildlife center overlooks Charlotte Harbor and on Friday afternoons in winter you are invited to come sip wine and nibble on hors d’oeuvres here as you watch the sun set. To see local species, go to the Peace River Wildlife Center to meet the rescued residents, including an albino owl, cranes, cheeky pelicans and bobcats. If you’d rather listen to the roars of nature, visit the Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary & Rehabilitation Center to see the rescued wild cats, reptiles, bears and monkeys that have found a new home in Punta Gorda. Car enthusiasts should check out the spacious Muscle Car City Museum and follow the crowds to the Punta Gorda Speedway when a racing event is on. Continue the history theme with a trip to the Military Heritage Museum to peruse its army memorabilia. Freeman House to see a preserved example of a late Victorian-era home. For a quieter experience, take a boat cruise or rent a kayak or boat to explore the Gulf of Mexico. Enjoy the views and live music at Harpoon Harry’s, the village’s iconic seafood restaurant and bar with scenic waterfront porch. Pick up some souvenirs or a suitable tropical outfit to wear in this steaming Florida city. Humble wooden houses with tin roofs and retro street lights mark Punta Gorda’s iconic Fisherman’s Village. Punta Gorda has shopping, boating and walking opportunities, a heritage fishing village, animal parks, and a palm-lined shoreline that can keep you entertained for days. Hundreds of swimmers and paddler annually attend the Freedom Swim - flotation devices and swimming with a buddy are highly encouraged - which is scheduled to start at 11 a.m.Whether it is wildlife, history, racing, shopping, fishing or sunset dining that you love, this Gulf Coast city in Florida can deliver. “It will sort of be a Y route, two starting places, rather than one,” Haymans said. Michael Haymans, the Punta Gorda attorney who helped start the swim, said people who want to use that traditional starting point for the swim, should get there by boat, then hop into the water.įor people who can’t get there by boat, Haymans said the alternate starting point is at Gilchrist Park - where people can park, enter the water and swim to the traditional finish line at Fishermen’s Village at 1200 West Retta Esplanade. The 28th annual Freedom Swim from Port Charlotte to Punta Gorda will continue as a July 4 tradition though with a little bit of a twist because construction of a waterfront boardwalk blocks the traditional starting point at the foot of southbound U.S. Boaters & Swimmers are reminded to stay away from propellers.Swimmers are encouraged to have a spotter and a support vessel.The swim begins after the Star Spangled Banner has been sung at 10:55 AM.Folks usually assemble at the starting location at about 10:00 AM There are TWO alternative starting areas this year.The start of the swim begins immediately after the National Anthem.Ĭategory 5's FREE CONCERT will then move out to marker #4, the point where the two freedom swims will combine for the last leg to Harpoon Harry's at Fishermens Village THINGS TO KNOW: The Star Spangled Banner will be performed by Category 5's own Brian Stover at 10 55 AM. Easy, direct water entry can be had at the east side of the park, adjacent to the Punta Gorda Waterfront Hotel & Suites.īeginning at 10:00 AM A FREE ON THE WATER CONCERT WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE CATEGORY 5 BAND. Direct swimmer access is available at Gilchrist Park, just off Retta Esplanade in Punta Gorda. Brenda Peck at 10:55 AM The swim begins immediately after the National Anthem. The Star Spangled Banner will be performed this year by Ms. Travel by boat only to the traditional starting point near the north side of the bridge and hop in the water. There are TWO alternative ASSEMBLY areas this year 1. THE 2018 SWIM IS NOW HISTORY, CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO:Ģ018 SWIM DETAILS: There is no SWIMMER access AT the north side bridge this year, due TO construction OF THE NEW BOARDWALK. 2019 FREEDOM SWIM INFORMATION TO BE POSTED HERE SOON.
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