Guide to Day Tripping for Ladies Apparel: 

Our Guide to Day Tripping for Ladies Apparel features four major stops including downtown Punta Gorda, Cross Trails Center and Fishermen's Village.  Most of the shops open at 10:00 am.  We recommend you start your day early...shop some...grab a bite for lunch then shop till you drop! 

You'll love Punta Gorda's many fashion boutiques.  So, gather a few friends up and head to Punta Gorda!  If you follow the adventure guide below you won't miss any of the highlights!  Driving and parking instructions are in gray lettering!  Most of the shops listed are open Monday - Saturday between 10 am and 6 pm.  The shops at Fishermen's Village are also open on Sundays.  

From the interstate:  Take Punta Gorda Exit 164 and head west.  The road you are on Marion Avenue will lead you to downtown Punta Gorda sandwiched between north and southbound Highway 41.  Watch for northbound Hwy 41 as you'll want to park on the block immediately after you pass over it.  If you can't find parking on the street then take the first right (Taylor Rd.) and pull into the large vacant parking lot. 

From south of Punta Gorda on Hwy 41: Follow Hwy 41 north to Marion Avenue in downtown Punta Gorda.  Turn left on Marion Avenue and park.

From north of Punta Gorda on Hwy 41:  Cross over the bridge from Charlotte Harbor into downtown Punta Gorda.  Take a left on Olympia and go two blocks to Hwy 41 northbound.  Turn left and go one block to Marion Avenue.  Turn left and park.   

First Fashion Stop: Your first stop will be at Tiki's Clothing on Marion Avenue which features wonderful Florida fashions, shoes and jewelry as well as decorative items for your home.  (They carry men's fashions, too!)  While at this stop you might want to grab a cup of coffee at Cafe' Ruelle (just down the adjacent alleyway) and peek in at the Sea Grape Gallery, Pomegranate & Fig, and Al Morgan's Gallery of Fine Jewelry all on the same block.  

After visiting the shops on Marion Avenue get back in your car and proceed west on Marion Avenue getting immediately into the left hand lane.  Just ahead is Sullivan Street.  Turn left on Sullivan Street, pass over Olympia Avenue and park on Sullivan across from the brightly colored bungalows. 

Second Fashion Stop:  Here you will visit two fashion boutiques -- So Sausalito and Guidittas.  So Sausalito features casual wear while Guidittas specializes in more formal attire.  After visiting these fine boutiques, we recommend you stroll south to Virginia Avenue to visit Swiss Connections for a chocolate fix. While there visit Gallery Joe Mathis.  Then walk back east on Virgina Avenue to Taylor Road and take a left. You will be circling the block you started on and will end up back at your car.  Along the way, be sure to visit the galleries at Red Hat Studios, Sunart and Presseller Gallery.  Your final stop will be at Carly's Consigment Boutique on the corner of Sullivan and Olympia. 

Get back in your car heading south on Sullivan Street.  Turn right on Virginia Avenue.  Take a left at the first light (Cross Street a/k/a southbound Hwy 41).  Get in the right hand lane.  If you are into tennis clothing and jewelry watch for Wrigley's Tennis and Wrigley's Jewelry on the right hand side (425 Cross Street).  Proceed to Cross Trails Center and park in front of Anthony's. 

Third Fashion Stop:  Anthony's is currently Punta Gorda's largest ladies' fashion store.  Here you will find Florida style fashions, including swimwear and loungewear.  Also, handbags, hats and other fun accessories. 

Lunch Break:

By this time, you should be getting a bit hungry. You have many options - Punta Gorda serves up some great food! 

A)   You can stay at Cross Trails Center and dine at one of the restaurants there.  We suggest you stroll down the mall and take a look at their menus as most are posted in the window.   

B)   You can hop in the car and head back downtown and dine at one of the excellent downtown restaurants (River City Grill, Turtle Club, Café Ruelle, Dean's South of the Border, Perfect Caper, Pressellers Deli, Cubby's Ice Cream Parlor or the new Encore Tea Room and Cafe).

C)   You can hop back in the car and continue south on Hwy 41 a few blocks to the Punta Gorda Crossing Shopping Center and have lunch at Pies & Plates or Monty's Pizza.  (Punta Gorda Crossings will be on the left side at the intersection of Airport Road and Hwy 41).  Even if you don't dine at Pies & Plates we highly recommend you visit this unique specialty store!  Half of the store is a restaurant featuring wraps, paninis, homemade soups, quiches, pot pie and decadent desserts.  The other half is a wonderful gourmet and gift store!  It's a must see when visiting Punta Gorda.     

D)    You can travel on to your final destination which is Fishermen's Village and have lunch at one of its fine restaurants.  Offered cuisines include Italian, American and, of course, lots of seafood!

To get to Fishermen's Village you will need to head north on northbound Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) until you reach Marion Avenue.  Take a left on Marion Avenue and wave to the folks at Tiki's as you pass by your first fashion stop!  Proceed on Marion Avenue through the historic section of town.  Notice all the lovely historic homes located on Marion Avenue.  These homes not only survived Hurricane Charley in 2004 but also Hurricane Donna in the 1950s.  You will pass by a large complex of white buildings.  This is Impac University.  After passing Impac University you'll see signs pointing to Fishermen's Village on the right.  Follow the signs and park in its parking lot.  

Final Fashion Stop:  Fishermen's Village

There are many wonderful fashion boutiques at Fisherman's Village, including Courtyard, Nichole's Collection, Caribongo, The Ruby Slipper, Island Fever, Turtle Bay, the Limin' Shack and Harborware.  Other specialty stores of special interest to women shoppers are Bijoux Bead Studio, Company's Coming and Wash Basin!  Take a stroll and have a great day!  For more information on Fishermen's Village visit their web site www.fishville.com. 

Heading Home:  When you leave Fishermen's Village cross over Marion Avenue to reach Olympia Avenue.  Take a left on Olympia and head back towards downtown.  Olympia Avenue will take you to Hwy 41 (north and south bound) and to the interstate. 

Additional fashion shops of interest along the way:

Starr Jewelers - Just a few doors north of  Pies & Plates in the Punta Gorda Crossing Shopping Center.

Tyner's Western Wear - located just a bit east of the interstate on Highway 17 (north side of road).  Great clothes for the cowgirl in you!

When you get home we hope you'll take a few minutes to email us your comments on your fashion adventure and the effectiveness of this adventure guide!   We thank you so much for visiting our community!