Travel Tips

One-Tank Trips from New York, Chicago & More

Sarika Chawla
Locations in this article:  Chicago, IL New York City, NY Tampa, FL

Tampa to Charlotte Harbor

94 miles
I-75 S

Locals know Charlotte Harbor as a golf getaway, but it’s also a hub for artists and laid-back beach culture.

Along the way…

Leave Tampa on 1-75 and within about 60 miles and a short detour west you’ll reach Sarasota. This seaside community is known for its miles of beaches, but there are also some quirky stops. The Ringling Museum of Art is housed in a 30-room mansion. Yes, you’ll find a museum dedicated to the circus, but you’ll also find a whole collection of Baroque art. Grab some ultra-local seafood at Owen’s Fish Camp.

Head a little southeast of Sarasota to Myakka River State Park, one of the oldest and largest state parks in Florida. This is an outdoor mecca, huge among local birders and hikers. Cruise the lake on an airboat or explore the marshes and forests on a tram safari.

Charlotte Harbor

Once you reach Charlotte Harbor, you’ll find yourself not in one town but in nine communities. Punta Gorda, another Charlotte Harbor town, has cobblestone streets and Key West-style homes. What’s surprising here is the collection of 23 murals depicting the history of the state. The area is also home to a number of art galleries featuring regional artists, like the Seagrape Gallery, plus exhibitions and hands-on workshops at the Visual Arts Center.

Even cooler, the Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary is home to retired circus bears and exotic animals, while the Peace River Wildlife Center has wildlife rehabilitation centers for orphaned or displaced animals. Charlotte Harbor is also known for its fishing (it’s considered the tarpon capital) and one of the top sailing communities in the U.S. Love marine life? The barrier island of Don Pedro Island State Park is the place to see gentle manatees swimming in the Gulf waters.

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By Sarika Chawla for PeterGreenberg.com

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