What Clients Are Saying about Laishley Park (on GG)
5 /5 Ivette: Good for walking, fishing, have a picnic day or celebrate something, there is an area where you can have a party.
5 /5 Richard Coradi: Nice park on Charolette Harbor. Went there for the Punta Gorda Seafood and Music Festival. Lots of food, booths selling products and people. The music was pretty good on Saturday (the first 3 bands). Parking was what you would expect, mot easy to find a place up close. The prices didn’t seem too bad to me. We went 1/18/25 and will go back in 2025
1 /5 Sherrie Elliott: Beautiful park right on the water
Views of the bridge our gorgeous
And craft show
4 /5 Kelly Novinski: Leaving a review with photos so others dont do what we did--there is no play structure for kids! It was a nice place to walk around, but they must have removed the playground. It would be five stars if they gave it a little TLC. The location is beautiful.
Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park - Punta GordaThomas Corrao: The Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center at the State Park offered an immersive experience into the rich and diverse ecosystem of the Arcadia area. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by knowledgeable staff who provided us with invaluable insights into the local flora and fauna.
The environmental center itself served as a hub of information, with interactive exhibits and displays showcasing the various habitats that make up the preserve. From the intricate mangrove forests to the vast wetlands teeming with life, every aspect of the ecosystem was explored in detail.
Venturing out onto the trails, we found ourselves enveloped in natures embrace. The well-maintained paths led us through a tapestry of landscapes, each turn revealing something new and unexpected. Along the way, we encountered an abundance of wildlife, from delicate songbirds flitting through the trees to majestic raptors soaring high above.
One of the highlights of our visit was the birdblind, a hidden gem tucked away amidst the foliage. Stepping inside, we were transported to a world of tranquility, where we could observe the avian inhabitants up close without disturbing their natural behaviors. It was here that we captured some of our most memorable photographs, each frame a testament to the beauty and diversity of the birdlife that calls the preserve home.
Of course, no visit to the Charlotte Harbor Preserve would be complete without encountering its most iconic residents—the alligators. From the imposing presence of the massive snapping turtle to the youthful exuberance of the young gator adorned with vibrant yellow stripes, these ancient reptiles served as a reminder of the delicate balance of life within the preserve.
Overall, our adventure at the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center was nothing short of extraordinary. It was a journey of discovery and wonder, a chance to connect with nature in its purest form. Whether youre a seasoned naturalist or a curious traveler looking to experience the beauty of Floridas wilderness, this hidden gem is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Thomas Corrao
Stray Compass Photography
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Ponce De Leon Park - Punta GordaJacqueline Phillips: Great spot to watch the sunset! Beachy area to hang out, and also little small areas to hunt for shells and play in the water. There are also areas specific for fishing and a boat launch. It also has a nice playground for the smaller kids and an animal rescue place. Didnt visit the animal rescue yet, but it looked interesting.
A.C. Freeman House - Punta GordaIna Griffin: Although I missed the open hours I plan to return. A fantastic trip back in time to the Victorian Era in Florida. A must see for romantics!!!
Blanchard House Museum - Punta GordaVeronica Voncile: This is an Awesome museum to visit. Take your family and especially young ones. The historian is wonderful and is passionate about black history. We expected to walk in, through and out. But ended up staying over an hour it was so interesting and educational.
Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens - Punta GordaDeer Raar: We loved it! They had a Zimbabwe sculpture exhibition when we went, and there were a lot of sculptures for sale in the tent. The mangroves were gorgeous, and the plant life was stunning. The gift/snack shop was a welcome relief from the heat, and they offered some good frozen snacks. They even had ice cream for dogs! My favorite part was the gazebo that extended into the Peace River. Great view! The only thing Id change would be to add some shade on the walk to the riverside of the place. The parking was up by the welcome booth, sculptures, and butterfly house, but you have to go down past the entrance and across the street the see most of the plants. We didnt mind. It was just hot. And we went in March. Other than that, we loooved it! Would absolutely recommend.
Punta Gorda Boat Center - Punta GordaCassandra Nolan: The boat is in good condition as pictured and John, the host was quick to respond. My reason for 3 stars is due to the lack of disclosure about the motor being governed, only allowing us to move at 10mph max. It wouldn’t have been a major problem that I’d even bother mentioning if we weren’t encouraged to make the trek out to Boca Grande, which unnecessarily took us over an hour. It was a bit demoralizing to have others fly right past us with half the horse power. Aside from that, the boat couldn’t plane even with all of us sitting up front. 6/8 out of us ended up with heat exhaustion on the way back due to the inability to cool down from the lack of breeze while going max speed. I’m Florida born and raised and have spent my entire life on the water but yesterday was by far the worst bout of heat exhaustion I’ve ever experienced. I debated even sharing this information as I believe the governess is placed with good intention to prevent renters from injury but really would have appreciated the information so we could have made a more informed choice about where to travel about with 3 young children.
Babcock Wilderness Adventures - Punta GordaPetw K: This was our third time out on the echo tour. Every trip is different because you never know what youre going to see as its thousands of acres and many animals roam around free and wild on their own. There are set routes that the open bus takes so you can sit back and take it all in. Conditions change with the seasons so depending on when you go the terrain can be anything from dry as a bone to something short of flood stage. It can get pretty bumpy on certain stretches of the trip but that is the charm of it and the buses are built for it too. The driver " guides" are full of local knowledge and the hour& half passes quickly. Kids of all ages should enjoy it. There is a small gift shop, snack/lunch shack , museums and other assorted features. I think next time well check it out during the wet season .
Sea Grape Artists Gallery - Punta GordaJason McKinney: We stopped in while walking the streets on a nice day. The staff was friendly and insightful, telling us about the local artists they featured and the process by which artists connected. A great variety in works was on display, both in 2D and 3D selections.