Port Charlotte Entertainment (Miami, Tampa, Orlando: waterparks, home, neighborhoods)

[Norrisrose2]

Despite all the negative treads, my wife and I have decided to relocate to Port Charlotte in 2008. Can anyone tell us appx. how far to nearest beach on the gulf, waterparks, theme parks, etc. We will be coming down in the spring for a 1st hand look and to scout neighborhoods, but just wanted to know the distances to entertainment.

Thanks guys!

[FLsunshine]

Honestly, it's a very nice area. You have to take everything with a grain of salt then make your own decision.

As far as things to do...Port Charlotte is in a very convenient location. It's in the center of several larger areas and only a few hours from large cities. From almost any area, you can easily access 75.

Fort Myers is about 45 minutes away, Tampa about an hour and a half, it's a straight shoot across alligator alley to Ft. Lauderdale/Miami.

I'd say the closest beach area is Englewood but I would make a day of it and go to one of the better (imo) beaches. Sarasota has some beautiful beaches. Same for Sanibel/Captiva. Some of the best in the world imo. Siesta Key (Sarasota) was on top 10 beaches on the travel channel. Sanibel/Captiva can't be beat for it's beauty. There area lot more but those are the best imo.

The bigger water parks/theme parks are of course in Orlando. It's only about a two hour+ drive from PC. There's a small water park in Cape Coral. It's open mainly in the summer.

Sarasota has a nice, small aquarium/research center called Mote Marine. We had annual passes. It sits on the water and it's close to beaches, restaurants, shopping.

Lowry Park Zoo is awesome if you're into zoos. It's in Tampa.

If you don't mind a bit of driving, you'll never be short of things to do. I could list things all day.

[2peaches2oranges]

Closest beach would be Manasota Key Beach in Englewood and then the beaches on Boca Grande (toll) off 771. Port Charlotte has a beach complex, but it is on the Harbor, not Gulf.

Water Park? Sun Splash in Cape Coral or Adventure Island in Tampa. They have some county run water parks in Lee and Collier Counties.

Theme Parks? Busch Gardens in Tampa and of course, Universal/Walt Disney World. They have been trying to build one on the beach in Ft. Myers.

In Port Charlotte, there are some bowling alley's, there is Kid Star Park which is a small amusement park open on weekends. Some putt-putt courses, kayaking outfits, horseback riding out east on 31. Imaginarium in Ft. Myers is a nice trip for the kids.

We have some spring training baseball games and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are making Port Charlotte their spring training home in 2008 or 2009, so lots of opportunities for baseball games.

Not much entertainment like that here.

[Anne1125]

With all the natural beauty in this area like beaches, parks, lakes, rivers, etc. what more do you need?

Except maybe golf courses. They have them too.

[Jen-Thompson]

Beaches are close by, Manasota Key and Boca Grande would be the closest however Siesta Key is rated one of the top 10 Florida beaches by the Travel Channel and is about a 45 min drive north. Lots of golf courses close by, water park in Cape Coral, everglades tours, even fossil digging available right here on the Peace River, and remember Orlando is only a 2 1/2 hr drive, Tampa 1 1/2 hrs, and Miami/Ft Lauderdale is 2 1/2 hrs so day trips are not out of the question, just depends on what you want to do.

There are lots of resources out there for finding things to do it just takes some digging.

[Floridasunshine]

I think you will like it there. I visit twice a year for a week. I stay at Englewood beach, but drive to port charlotte mall, love Boca Grande beaches, and Manasota Key, We love the area.