First Shopping Stop:
Historic Downtown Punta Gorda
Your first stop will be
Cafe Ruelle located down the little alleyway between Sea Grape Gallery and Pomegranate and Fig. We suggest you arrive around 9:30 am so you'll have plenty of time to enjoy a cup of coffee and a pastry. Cafe Ruelle has a delightful outdoor dining area where you can sit and plan your day!
When you're done dining, walk back to Marion Avenue and visit Tiki's Clothing, Sea Grape Gallery, Pomegranate & Fig and Al Morgan's Fine Jewelry Gallery.
Next walk west on Marion Avenue a couple blocks to Cross Street (Hwy 41 southbound). You'll pass the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce on the north side of the street! You might want to stop in to pick up info on other Punta Gorda businesses!
When you come to Cross Street turn right and you'll see
Basix @ the Bag Lady a really cute shop. When you're done there, go back to the intersection of Cross Street & Marion Avenue and cross over Cross Street (Hwy 41) to bright yellow building that houses
The Tropical Store. You'll find some delightful Florida style-treasures there! Right next to the Tropical Store you'll find
So Sausalito a cute women's boutique!
Just North of the Tropical Store is the historic Freeman House home to the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce. The first floor of the home is a free museum and is open to the public for viewing. You can pick up additional info about Charlotte County businesses from the chamber.
When you finish there, head back to Marion Avenue (the avenue you started on) and walk east one block to Sullivan Street. Stroll down Sullivan Street one block.
At the corner of Taylor and Sullivan Street you'll find Guiditta's fine fashions. After visiting there, continue south on Sullivan where you'll find Sugar Island Cup Cakes in the blue cottage. Next door, at the intersection of Virginia Avenue and Sullivan Street you'll find Papillon - a new age gift shop. Visit them all!
Kitty corner from
Papillon you'll see a yellow building that houses
Swiss Chocolate + where you'll want to sample a piece of exquisite chocolate, including Norman Love Chocolates. In the same building, you'll find
Oodles loaded with antiques and collectibles and
The Yoga Sanctuary - where you'll find items to calm and refresh you!
Now, we'll guide you back to Marion Avenue where you parked but along a different route! Proceed east on Virginia Avenue to Taylor Road. Walking south on Taylor Road visit Red Hat Studio, Sun Art and Presseller's Gallery (on Taylor next Presseler's Deli)!
Soon you'll come to Marion Avenue where you left your car. If you're up for a bit more walking there are a few shops and galleries east of Hwy 41.
Peggy's Bow Wow, Gabrielle Child's Studio and Gerro's Painted Jeans and Creation Gallery to name a few.
Click here to learn more about the shops Between the Byways!
Tired and hungry for lunch? There are several great restaurants downtown or hop in your car and drive to your Second Shopping Stop where you'll find
Pies & Plates, one of Punta Gorda's most popular eateries and a great shopping adventure.
(See coupon below for a free gooey butter cake at Pies & Plates!)
Second Shopping Stop:
Pies & Plates - a gourmet store with culinary academy and bakery cafe'
On Marion Avenue drive east to southbound Hwy 41 (also known as Cross Street). Turn left on Hwy 41 and continue south. On your way to Pies & Plates you might want to stop at
Wriggles Jewelry and Tennis and
Anthony's - a women's clothing store. Watch for them on the west side of Hwy 41.
You'll find
Pies & Plates in the Punta Gorda Crossing Shopping Center at the intersection of Airport Road and Hwy 41.
Pies & Plates is an affordable award winning restaurant and gourmet store! It's where the locals take their out of town guests when they want to dine and entertain them! It's a must see when shopping in Punta Gorda. While there, be sure to take a peek in Pies & Plates' Culinary Academy where they teach cooking classes for foodies of all ages!
While at the Punta Gorda Crossing Shopping Center be sure to visit Star Jewlery in the building next to Pies & Plates!
When you visit Pies & Plates be sure to let them know if you enjoyed this web site! Pies & Plates is the sponsor of it!
Third Shopping Stop:
Fishermen's Village Shopping Mall and Resort
When you leave Pies & Plates exit the shopping center onto Airport Road. Don't turn on Hwy 41....keep going west on Airport Road/Pompano past Charlotte State Bank and take a right on Shreve Street. About two blocks down on Shreve Street, you'll see the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association. In the association building, you'll find a cute little shop called The Gifted Gator that sells items made by its members.
Get back on Shreve Street and follow it all the way down to Marion Avenue. Turn left on Marion Avenue and continue to
Fishermen's Village! This is one of Punta Gorda's main tourist attractions. Here you'll find fine boutiques co-mingled with tourist shops! The Military Museum is also at Fishermen's Village. This is a covered mall so it's a great place to hang out on a hot or rainy day! There are lots of great restaurants located there as well! For more information on Fishermen's Village visit
www.fishville.com. Across from the entrance to
Fishermen's Village is the Punta Gorda Visual Arts Center where you can enjoy galleries and a gift shop.
We encourage you to stay in Punta Gorda for dinner! Punta Gorda's famous for its award winning restaurants!
Click here for restaurant page!
If you are visiting on a Thursday, a great way to end the day is to stroll down Retta Esplanade to Gilchrist Park and watch the sunset on the water! On Thursday evenings dozens of musicians gather around sunset to jam in clusters through out the park. It's a unique and wonderful Florida experience and it's FREE!
Heading Home: When you leave Fishermen's Village cross over Marion Avenue to reach Olympia Avenue. Take a left on Olympia and head back downtown. Olympia Avenue will take you to Hwy 41 (north and south bound) and to the interstate.
Want to share this guide with a friend? It's easy...just click below!
