A Local's Guide on Things to Do in Englewood, FL

With beautiful beaches, natural parks, and a thriving cultural scene, Englewood's appeal is hard to miss, even at first glance. However, if you dig a little deeper, you can find more things to do in Englewood than first meets the eye as you discover the charms that only residents truly appreciate.

A visitor to Englewood's beaches could easily believe they had already found some kind of local secret. The lack of crowds and well-maintained sands can leave one believing they have stumbled onto a hidden gem they should probably keep to themselves. Englewood is full of similar experiences that can impart a sense of enchantment.

Stretching 2.5 miles along the Myakka River, Myakka State Forest is a hidden gem of Englewood real estate accessible from River Road, approximately 11 miles south of Interstate 75. With 40 miles of trails, visitors can enjoy the park on horseback, bike, or simply hike the trails on foot. The unique ecosystem and pristine waters of the Myakka river beckon visitors to relax and forget about the outside world.

With primitive campground facilities, visitors to the state park can spend several days exploring by hiking or even paddling between sites by canoe or kayak during the day and settling down into the tranquility of nature at night. The park is a popular destination for wildlife viewing and is open to some small game hunting.

With year-round opportunities to catch a variety of fish, Stump Pass Beach State Park is a fantastic stop for anglers eager to try their luck fishing from the shore. Even those who do not fish can catch a prize along the park's shoreline, where seashells and shark teeth regularly wash up—though shelling goes best during the winter.

There is plenty to see from a kayak or canoe and a hiking trail that passes through five different ecosystems. Whether enjoying the beach with year-round swimming and sunbathing or paddling around the park's islands, watch for local wildlife such as manatees, gopher tortoises, snowy egrets, or at least terns and frigate birds.

While looking for things to do in Englewood, you are bound to work up an appetite. Fortunately, Englewood is home to a number of restaurants, bars, and cafes offering many great options, some better known than others.

Vino Loco is an interesting shop and restaurant appealing to wine lovers. On the restaurant side, you can order organic tapas and try out one of their 350 varieties of wine from across the globe. After dinner or brunch, you can check out the wine and cheese shop and maybe even take home a bottle of the wine you had with your meal.

If you are looking for a bit more mixed fare, Mango Bistro serves Brazilian and French cuisine with a twist that adds a modern American flair. Paninis, wraps, and crepes join garden fresh salads and unique soups among their creative and eclectic menu selections.

Culture Coffee makes a great morning stop or even a place to grab dessert as you explore downtown. Open from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the week and serving breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, Culture Coffee Offers a variety of coffees, teas, smoothies, breakfast and lunch meal items, and even a full complement of domestic and craft beers as well as wine by the glass.

While certainly no secret, Stump Pass Marina offers a marina store with everything you might need for a fishing excursion and boat rentals, allowing visitors to experience one of the best aspects of life as a local, even if only for a day. For those who want to make more of a long-term commitment to navigating and exploring the intercoastal waterway and its connection to the Gulf of Mexico, the marina has plenty of options for parking and storing your own boat.

And if you decide you would rather eat the fish than catch it, the marina even has fine dining dishes such as fried shrimp and smoked salmon. Or, if you just want to unwind after a day on the water, you can grab a cocktail at the restaurant's bar.

Perhaps fresh fish is not your preference, but you still appreciate the opportunity to catch something unique and closer to nature than the regular supermarket fare. If so, the Olde Englewood Village Farmers Market runs every Thursday from October to May, offering a wide selection of vendors right downtown in the Dearborn Street Plaza.

From authentic New York City bagels to farm-fresh veggies, this farmers market is a perfect addition to your grocery shopping routine and a great way to support small local business owners. And if you find yourself too hungry to wait until you get home and have a chance to cook up your finds, the farmers market also hosts various food trucks and carts.

Even if you are not looking for food, the farmers market is still a worthwhile stop, with artists and artisans selling handmade items that will be treasured in your home.

There is no better way to get a true local's view of things to do in Englewood than by taking your time and exploring. Simply driving from location to location, you are bound to miss everything in between your destinations, and while walking gives you the best opportunity to look around, it also limits how much you will be able to take in, let alone carry.

To really make the most of Englewood, there is no better option than cycling through town, and if you do not have your own, you can rent a bike for the day from Bikes and Boards. The local business offers single-speed and multi-speed bikes ranging from trikes to recumbents to kids’ bikes and even bike trailers, ensuring you and yours will have everything needed to get the most out of your Englewood adventures.

If you want to know where the best food and service can be had in any location, the best bet is to find someone who is an expert of the community. That same rule applies to finding a home that checks all of your boxes, and when you are looking for Englewood real estate, there is simply no substitute for a professional agency, such as The Dinan Group, with the knowledge and experience to help you with a home buying experience you will relish as much as a day at the beach.

_{*Header photo courtesy of Unsplash}