Fisherman's Village

Fisherman's Village is an eclectic waterfront complex. For the day tripper, a unique variety of boutiques, shops, restaurants, day spa and a military museum awaits. Vacation villas overlooking the harbor and a full service marina are also on site.

The boutiques offer everything from beachwear and Florida casual (tee shirts and flip flops) to resort wear. In the gift shops, you'll find an assortment of art, collectibles, bath and body, novelties, pet accessories, souvenirs, toys and water sport apparel and equipment. One of the most unique shops is Fuse Weld Grind owned by Joe and Mackie Clifton. Joe is a "recycle" artist who recycles old farming implements, garden tools, kitchen utensils, propane tanks, rebar and more to create unusual yet beautiful works of art, animal sculptures and bird baths, human sculptures, planters, wind chimes and more.

The restaurants vary from sandwich shops, to casual, open air and even fine dining. Several offer a great view of Charlotte Harbor and with the waterfront location, it is no surprise that seafood is the main draw at many of them. Near the entrance, the Military Heritage Museum has artifacts from the Spanish-American War up to the recent Iraqi conflict. Admission is free, but donations are welcome to enable this non profit organization to continue their mission of promoting the military heritage of the Unites States and the sacrifices of veterans. Their web site domain name says it all: "freedomisntfree.org."

Fisherman's Village is located one mile west of U.S. 41 on Marion Avenue in Punta Gorda, Florida.The boutiques and shops are open Monday through Saturday 10am - 6pm and Sunday 12pm - 5pm but restaurant hours vary.

The Shell Factory

The Shell Factory, located off US 41 in North Fort Myers, is over 70 years old and a testament to perseverance. Despite being damaged by Hurricane Donna in 1960, nearly destroyed by a fire in 1980, ignored after the completion of I-75 detoured traffic away from US 41 in the mid 1980s, and in the clutches of bankruptcy in 1997, it remains as a historic tourist attraction thanks to Tom Cronin, a local businessman, who looked to preserve a piece of Florida history by saving the Shell Factory and improving upon its original stature.

The Shell Factory has always been a mega attraction for its massive collection of seashells, as well as, for its many shops of jewelry, Florida Style casual wear, Christmas items, collectibles, shell craft items and souvenirs. However, multimillion dollar renovations have added to the family entertainment experience with bumper boats, miniature golf and a nature park consisting of hundreds of animals, a petting zoo and a 7,000 square foot aviary with tropical landscaping and colorful birds.The renovations have also brought back some of the Shell Factory’s original flavor with a Florida souvenir and sweet shop, an old-fashioned fudge shop and an ice cream shop.

A steak and seafood restaurant, an outdoor bar, a post office, a Subway eatery, as well as, the largest free private Natural History Exhibit have also found a home at the Shell Factory. The Shell Factory remains in a constant flux of change while giving respect to the past, celebrating the present and looking to future.

The Shell Factory is open seven days a week where their motto is “At the Shell Factory we guarantee a warm welcome, magic moments and a fond farewell.”