2023 Newcomers Guide

10 | SOUTHWEST FLORIDA • NEWCOMERS GUIDE TO PARADISE community has a charter school, restau- rants, a lakeside boardwalk and a band shell for live entertainment. BOCA GRANDE Boca Grande is an affl uent residential community and resort town on Gasparilla Island. It is highlighted by a circa-1890 lighthouse and has a walking- and biking- friendly downtown small shops and restau- rants. The Gasparilla Inn, with its three croquest lawns, is the centerpiece. Boca Grande has long been an elite retreat for business leaders, politicans and movie stars, including Katherine Hepburn. ENGLEWOOD Englewood straddles two counties, Char- lotte and Sarasota. The heart of the arts district, as well as popular restaurants, is on West Dearborn Street. The Ringling College of Art & Design also has a center in town. Visitors can hike, camp and ride bikes just east of Englewood in Myakka State Forest. Nearby Manasota Key, a beautiful barrier Island, is home to the Hermitage Artist Retreat where some of the nation's top artists escape to create. NORTH FORT MYERS North Fort Myers is on the Caloosa- hatchee River and has a blend of town and country. There are plenty of restaurants and shops as well as nature trails and rural attractions such as the Rosy Tomorrows Heritage Farm. It's also home to The Shell Factory, the world's largest collection of shells and coral. NORTH PORT The community has more than 26 parks and open spaces which appeal to people who love the outdoors. There are several miles of horse trails, mountain bike trails and natural hiking paths. Myakka State Forest is just south of North Port, and is a great spot for hiking and camping. Also nearby is Warm Mineral Springs visited by thousands of people seeking the soothing mineral waters believed to be helpful in healing many ailments. PORT CHARLOTTE The unincorporated community has a vari- ety of shopping, recreation and cultural op- portunities. The Port Charlotte Town Center is the area's major mall and the Charlotte Sports Park is the spring-training home to the Tampa Bay Rays and the regular season home to the Charlotte Stone Crabs. SUN FILE PHOTO The Ca' d'Zan or "House of John," on the Ringling campus. The Venetian Gothic residence was the winter home of the American circus owner, developer and art collector John Ringling and his wife Mable. The campus also is home to the John & Mable Museum of Art, the Ringling Circus Museum and the Historic Asolo Theater. FILE PHOTO Soak in the Warm Mineral Springs, 12200 San Servando Ave., North Port. FILE PHOTO Bumper boats and paddle boats are just two of the many outdoor attractions at the Shell Factory. FILE PHOTO The Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum on the south tip of Gasparilla Island.

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