Punta Gorda Farmer's Market

Every Saturday  8 am - 1 pm
On Taylor Road Near the Old Charlotte County Court House

"Beyond the Farmer's Market" 
A Guide for Discovering Downtown Punta Gorda

There are several directions you can head off in from the Farmer's market.  We've outlined some walks that all begin at the steps of the old court house.  Click here to download a map of the area.

To the Southwest of the Farmer's Market:  
(Downtown West on Map) 

Kitty corner across the street from the old court house is the two story green building that houses Presseller Deli and Presseller Gallery.  Head over there and we'll walk you around that block where you'll discover some fun shops and galleries. 

After visiting Pressellers, head west on Olympia to Sullivan Street and visit the brightly colored bungalows.  On the northwest corner of Olympia and Sullivan streets you'll find Giuditta's - a women's fasihon store.  South on Sullivan Street you'll find Sugar Island Cupcakes in the blue house.  At the corner of Sullivan and Virginia you'll find Papillon a new age gift shop.   Kitty corner from Papillon you'll find Swiss Chocolate +.  Not only do they have wonderful Swiss chocolate but they also offer up lattes and espressos!   In the same building you'll find Oddles loaded with antiques and collectibles and The Yoga Sanctuary!  

Now head back east on Virginia to Taylor Road.  This will lead you back to the Farmer's Market.  On the way back, visit Red Hat Studio and Sun Art Gallery.

Good Eats:  

If you are looking for something for lunch there are many great restaurants near the Farmer's Market.  Presseller's Deli offers up great sandwiches!  Other lunch eateries in the downtown area include Café Ruelle, Dean's South of the Border, Cubby's Ice Cream Shop, River City Grill, Encore Tea Room, Wood Street Grill,  Big D's, Jack's Restaurant, Lupes Tacos, Lulus, Spazzi's, Manatees Pizza, the Perfect Caper and the Celtric Ray.  (Click here for more information on Punta Gorda restaurants.) 

West on Marion Avenue From the Farmer's Market:  (Waterfront West on Map) 

Marion Avenue, a thoroughfare thru historic downtown Punta Gorda, intersects Taylor Road.   The Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce is in the two story yellow building at the intersection of Taylor Road and Marion Avenue.  Stop in to pick up information about area businesses.  The new high rise building across the street is the Sunloft Center where you'll find Jack's Restaurant and Big D's (hot dogs and burgers).  If you head west on Marion Avenue you'll have the opportunity to check out Bin 82, a tasting room and wine shop.  At the end of the block you'll find Cubby's Ice Cream.   Be sure to cross over Cross Street  (Hwy 41) to the Tropical Store (the bright yellow building) and check out their unique Florida items!  Located next to it is So Sausalito a cute women's boutique. 

When you leave the Tropical Store, walk on east past our beautiful historic City Hall.  Turn right on Henry Street and you'll pass the City Hall Annex with its historical mural.  At the end of the block you'll run into Gilchrist Park where you can take a beautiful promenade along the harbor.  If you keep heading west on Retta Esplanade you'll reach Fishermen's Village in about 10 minutes.  Fishermen's Village is an open air mall loaded with quaint shops and restaurants.  It's one of Punta Gorda's biggest tourist attractions.  If you head east on Retta Esplanade you'll pass the huge banyan tree that children like to play on at the Best Western and you'll come to the historic A.C. Freeman House.  The Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce is housed here and the first floor includes an historical museum.  Next to the Freeman house is an interesting sculpture carved from a tree. 

After leaving the sculpture, head south on Cross Street to Marion Avenue.  Enjoy your walk back to the Farmer's Market.  

East on Marion Avenue From the Farmer's Market:  (Waterfront West & East on the map)

If you head east on Marion Avenue you'll be strolling on what is often referred to as our "main street" or "restaurant row".  It's a hot spot in the evening.  Unfortunately these restaurants are not open for lunch on the weekend except during season.  But, you can check out their menus as you stroll along and if you hang around long enough they'd be happy to serve you dinner!  (Currently River City Grill and Cafe Ruelle are the only ones open.)

When you reach River City Grill stop for a moment and look north towards the historic clock across the street.  This clock stopped at about 4:20 pm on Friday, August 13, 2004 during the worst of Hurricane Charley.   Some thought the clock should remain stuck in time to commemorate the event.  But Punta Gorda is a city that looks forward...so it has been repaired and now, like the city, the clock takes measure of the moment while racing into the future.   

Beyond the clock, you'll see a big empty lot that was cleared courtesy of Hurricane Charley.  One day, this block will be filled with retail shops and businesses.  But for now...take note of the new Charlotte Harbor Events Center   The Wyvern Hotel is now completed and the roof top is a pleasant place to dine!  Between the bridges you'll also see the new Sheraton Four Points.  On the east side of the Peace River bridge you'll see our new City Marina at Laishley Park.  (Did I mention that Punta Gorda is a great city to boat to?)   The Crab House Restaurant recently opened there to rave reviews and underneath it you'll find Fat Point Board Shop and Breeze Gallery.   Coming soon is Harborwalk Scoops & Bites.  If you like strolling along the water the new harbor walk now extends from Fishermen's Village and well past the Justice Center. 

Now, keep walking past the restaurants on Marion and you'll find Al Morgan's Jewelry Gallery, Pomegranate & Fig, the Sea Grape Gallery (an artist collective) and Tiki's Clothing & Carrie's Interiors!  (Punta Gorda is known for its unique shops and galleries).  Just down the walkway between Pomegranate & Fig and Sea Grape Gallery is Café Ruelle.

If you keep walking east you can cross over Tamiami Trail and visit Skintopia...(they recently told me how much lipstick can be found in the average woman's stomach! Ugh).  Keep walking and you'll pass the old post office building that now houses The Perfect Caper restaurant.  Chef Jeannie Rolland has been named a James Beard Award semi-finalist for several years in a row.   Down the block and across the street is the Encore Tea Room.  Before long you'll come to Gerro's Painted Jeans and Creations Gallery.  You'll also pass the Celtric Ray, an Irish pub.  Note our new Justice Center on the left.  Finally you'll come to Wood Street where you'll find Wood Street Grill and a dive shop, pet store, cigar shop and more!  

If you want to head back to the Farmer's Market from a different direction...go south on Wood Street to Olympia and turn right.  (Downtown East on the Map)  Here you'll find Gabrielle Childs Studio and Gallery (open by appointment only)....and at the intersection of Olympia and Hwy 41 you'll find the new Ice House Pub (cool dart room), Manatees Pizza, Lupe's Tacos and on down Olympia Spazzi's - an Italian restaurant.   Soon you'll find yourself back at the Farmer's market.

Helpful Hints: 

While you're strolling along be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the many beautiful historical murals painted on the buildings throughout downtown.    

If the weather turns rainy or you need to get out of the sun for a while, get back in your car and head for Fishermen's Village or Pies & Plates.   Both are great places to shop and refresh yourself!  (Click here for a coupon for a free gooey butter cake from Pies & Plates).

Many of the downtown restaurants and retail stores are closed on Sundays.  If you're visiting on Sunday Fishermen's Village is always a safe bet.

Boaters - you can easily boat in for this event and dock at the City Marina in Laishley Park or at Fishermen's Village. 

If this is your first trip to Punta Gorda...you'll want to plan another trip back...there's much more to see and do! 

How to get to the Farmer's Market - From the interstate take exit 164 and west head into town.  When you get downtown park anywhere in the area of Taylor Road.  The Farmer's Market is near the old Charlotte County Court House.  Taylor road intersects Marion and Olympia Avenues and runs parallel north and southbound Hwy 41.  It's easy to find!  There is  plenty of free parking along the street and in public parking lots scattered around downtown.

Have a great day!