Murals, Museums and Gardens in Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda’s sights are small in scale and close together: painted murals, a military museum, a sculpture garden, a park of relocated historic buildings and two parks on the water. The city was rebuilt after Hurricane Charley, a Category 4 storm, on 13 August 2004, and the downtown historic district around Retta Esplanade and Marion Ave carries Old Florida and Mediterranean Revival styles. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from 1 June through 30 November, so ask about closures after any storm.
Quick reference
| Sight | Where | Cost or hours |
|---|---|---|
| Historic murals | Downtown | Free Otocast audio |
| Military Heritage Museum | 900 W Marion Ave | Tue to Sat, 10 to 4 |
| Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens | 5827 Riverside Dr | $21 adults |
| Punta Gorda History Park | Downtown | Sunday Market 9 to 1 |
| Peace River Wildlife Center | 3400 Ponce de Leon Pkwy | Free |
Murals
More than 30 historic murals are spread around downtown. The Otocast app gives free audio for self-guided viewing all year. The Mural Society also offers private guided walks for $200 for up to 10 people, with extra guests at $10 each up to age 18. These run from December to March, so book through the society.
Military Heritage Museum
The museum fills 17,000 square feet and holds more than 20,000 artifacts. Adults 15 and up pay $18, veterans $14 and youth 5 to 14 pay $10. Entry costs nothing for children under 5 and for active duty personnel. Four days a year are off: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens
The gardens cover about 30 acres. Adults pay $21, seniors 65 and up $18 and students 6 to 17 $10, and ages 0 to 5 are free. Winter hours, October to May, are daily from 9 to 4. In summer, June to September, the gates open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 to 2, with Mondays and 4 July off. Last entry is 45 minutes before closing.
Punta Gorda History Park
The park holds relocated historic buildings, including the Trabue Land Sales Office, the Price House, the Quednau-Hindman House, the Cigar Workers Cottage and the Calaboose. The Sunday Market, 9 to 1, is a good time to visit.
Waterfront parks
Gilchrist Park runs along the harbor on Retta Esplanade. Laishley Park sits on the river off Nesbit St, with a marina, fishing pier, boat ramp and Veterans Memorial. Parking is available near both.
Wildlife Center
The Peace River Wildlife Center cares for non-releasable native wildlife. Its education center and gift shop are open about 11 to 4, entry is free and donations are welcome. Check prwildlife.org before you go, because a new education center is still being built.
Where the historic district is
The old downtown around Retta Esplanade and Marion Ave is the historic area. Punta Gorda Isles, the canal neighborhoods nearby, was laid out in the 1950s and 1960s and has a different character.
Read more: walking tours stitches several of these stops into a route, and family friendly activities picks the best ones for children.
Official pages: Military Heritage Museum , Peace River Gardens , Punta Gorda Murals and Punta Gorda History Park . Guided outings can be compared at GetYourGuide .