Overlooking the tranquil waters of Lemon Bay, Englewood lies between Fort Myers and Tampa on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It was first settled by Europeans in 1878 and was developed by three brothers, who named it after their hometown near Chicago. Many of the town’s streets are also inspired by the “Windy City”.
Things to do in Englewood
Occupying a whitewashed residence in the heart of town is the Englewood Museum, which details the region’s history throughout the last 100 years. In addition to old photographs and vintage homewares, it exhibits everyday objects donated by residents old and new. The museum is a short stroll from the Englewood Veterans Memorial and Freedom Pavilion, which overlooks Lemon Bay.
Take a step back in time at the Pop Culture Antique Museum, which is packed with retro toys, trading cards, and games. Established in 2009, it dubs itself a “paradise for freaks, geeks, gamers and collectors”, with an abundance of collectible items that are hard to find anywhere else. It’s the ideal place to reminisce about your childhood interests or find a rare gift for someone who would like to do the same.
You can immerse yourself in Englewood’s natural beauty at the Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center, which encompasses 80 hectares of black mangrove forest, pine and scrubby flatwoods along the shores of the Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve. Stretch your legs along one of the nature trails, join a guided bird walk or launch a kayak to explore the park from the water.
Getting around Englewood
Englewood is around 40 minutes’ drive from Sarasota and 45 minutes from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the United States. Buses connect to Englewood while renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the area.