Lucille & John’s guidebook
Food scene
Cass Cay Restaurant & Bar
3200 Matecumbe Key RdThey stop serving food early. Before 8 p.m.
The Trading Post at Burnt Store Marina
3190 Matecumbe Key RdThey offer sandwiches, beer, wine, souvenirs, t-shirts.
Wonderful local seafood. We took our friends and they couldn't get enough of this place. During season they have stone crab claws.
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Blue Dog Bar & Grill
4597 Pine Island RdWonderful local seafood. We took our friends and they couldn't get enough of this place. During season they have stone crab claws.
Toula's
119 West Marion AvenueWonderful Greek food. Casual restaurant tucked in between a bunch of fancier ones.
If you're looking for a nice restaurant this is a great spot. You can sit outside and listen to steel drums or other relaxing island type music. Great food.
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The Blue Turtle Tavern
139 W Marion AveIf you're looking for a nice restaurant this is a great spot. You can sit outside and listen to steel drums or other relaxing island type music. Great food.
This place wins best fish and chips in Florida, and #5 in the whole country. The fish is special cod and the batter is light. Not greasy. Outside feels like a regular outdoor bar. Indoors feels like you're in Ireland. Wonderful selection of beers on tap.
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Celtic Ray Public House
145 E Marion AveThis place wins best fish and chips in Florida, and #5 in the whole country. The fish is special cod and the batter is light. Not greasy. Outside feels like a regular outdoor bar. Indoors feels like you're in Ireland. Wonderful selection of beers on tap.
Sightseeing
Punta Gorda
Wonderful outdoor series of houses and gardens. You'll see where the Fords and Edison's wintered. You'll see the areas where they worked and lived.
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Edison & Ford Winter Estates
2350 McGregor BlvdWonderful outdoor series of houses and gardens. You'll see where the Fords and Edison's wintered. You'll see the areas where they worked and lived.
Great rooftop bar
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The Wyvern Hotel Punta Gorda- an Ascend Hotel Collection Member
101 E Retta EsplanadeGreat rooftop bar
You can only get here by boat--40 minutes from Burnt Store Marina. You can catch a boat in Punta Gorda or drive your own.
Or if you are a member of Freedom Boat Club. Great cheeseburger in paradise. Arrive by 11 to avoid the crowds who come at 11:15. Dollar bills hang from ceiling.
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Cabbage Key
You can only get here by boat--40 minutes from Burnt Store Marina. You can catch a boat in Punta Gorda or drive your own.
Or if you are a member of Freedom Boat Club. Great cheeseburger in paradise. Arrive by 11 to avoid the crowds who come at 11:15. Dollar bills hang from ceiling.
Siesta Key
90 minutes north but worth the drive. Powdered sugar sand.
Seems close but takes at least an hour and a half to get there. Once you arrive the traffic on this little strip of island will drive you nuts but you can't miss it. Go to the Muckey Duck restaurant at the north end of Sanibel or maybe it's on North Captiva. Lots of little tourist shops and ice cream spots. Some of the best shelling in the world. Bowman Beach is where we like to go.
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Sanibel Island
Seems close but takes at least an hour and a half to get there. Once you arrive the traffic on this little strip of island will drive you nuts but you can't miss it. Go to the Muckey Duck restaurant at the north end of Sanibel or maybe it's on North Captiva. Lots of little tourist shops and ice cream spots. Some of the best shelling in the world. Bowman Beach is where we like to go.
This is a must do spot for first time visitors. It's right on the water overlooking the bridge that goes before Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda. Great place to grab a cocktail and watch the walkers go by. They often have live music and volleyball pit.
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TT's Tiki Bar
33 Tamiami TrailThis is a must do spot for first time visitors. It's right on the water overlooking the bridge that goes before Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda. Great place to grab a cocktail and watch the walkers go by. They often have live music and volleyball pit.
Wonderful collection of restaurants and shops right on the water in Punta Gorda. This is the #1 spot where locals and tourists go.
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Fishermens Village Resort
1200 W Retta EsplanadeWonderful collection of restaurants and shops right on the water in Punta Gorda. This is the #1 spot where locals and tourists go.
Wonderful fun art in a quirky little town. Be sure to see Leoma Lovegrove's shop and backyard. You can even come by boat. Stop by Blue Dog for some wonderful seafood. Twenty minute drive.
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Matlacha
Wonderful fun art in a quirky little town. Be sure to see Leoma Lovegrove's shop and backyard. You can even come by boat. Stop by Blue Dog for some wonderful seafood. Twenty minute drive.
This is ten miles across the water as the bird flies but takes about 20 - 30 minutes by boat and 90 minutes by car. You'll have to pay a $6 toll but once you arrive you'll find a silent sweet place with wonderful beaches. People ride around on golf carts. celebrities come here and people leave them alone. The Bush Family is famous here. Be sure to stop by the Gasparilla Inn and ask if you can look around on the first floor. This area hosts the world's best Tarpon fishing. There are some lovely beaches but this area is also notorious for sharks.
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Boca Grande Key
This is ten miles across the water as the bird flies but takes about 20 - 30 minutes by boat and 90 minutes by car. You'll have to pay a $6 toll but once you arrive you'll find a silent sweet place with wonderful beaches. People ride around on golf carts. celebrities come here and people leave them alone. The Bush Family is famous here. Be sure to stop by the Gasparilla Inn and ask if you can look around on the first floor. This area hosts the world's best Tarpon fishing. There are some lovely beaches but this area is also notorious for sharks.