Florida Vacation Homes, Inns & Resorts

Accommodations

Englewood offers a relaxing, nature and sun oriented getaway with a variety of condos, vacation homes, hotels, and resorts. Choose an accommodation near any of Englewood's local attractions that offers comfort while making the most of the beautiful beaches and attractions at affordably priced rates.

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Activities

There are four very good public beach areas across Lemon Bay on Manasota Key. At the north end is Blind Pass Beach Park in Sarasota County. South from there in Charlotte County is Manasota Beach. Englewood Beach at Chadwick Park is the most popular and built up. Stump Pass Beach State Park is a more natural setting. Englewood and Manasota Key has a variety of shells for the shell collector to find. Many of these shells not only arrive on the beach intact, but are still inhabited and very much alive. Another common find is shark teeth, usually found after a storm. Some of these shark teeth are over a million years old, ranging from tiny 1/8th inch to three inches long.

Events

The Pioneer Days Celebration, put on by the Englewood Jaycees, commemorates the pioneers who were responsible for the beginning of Englewood. Pioneer Days is celebrated each Labor Day weekend with golf tournaments, fishing tournaments, boat races, games, arts and crafts, food and more food. On Labor Day a huge parade goes through town and Englewood residents are either in the parade or lining the streets watching it. Other annual celebrations include street fairs, Englewood Art Guild shows, a seafood festival, Chamber Hob Nob, Country Store, many fishing and golf tournaments, Suncoast Choral Concerts, and in the summer an annual Turtle Watch. Nearby Port Charlotte is the Baseball Spring Training home of the Texas Rangers.

Water Sports

The Gulf Coast beaches of Englewood and the Sun Coast are perfect for swimming, surfing, or catching up on your tan. You can also find powerboat and sailboat rentals, as well as jetski rentals. The warm Gulf Stream waters are inviting for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Golfing

Whether you're an expert or a beginner, Florida is a golfer's dream and draws more golfers than any other state. The Charlotte County area alone offers 21 golf courses and many more within an hour's drive. Naturally, the most common elements on Florida courses are water and sand. Challenging elements include the island green and prevailing coastal winds.

History

Englewood was settled in the late 1800's by pioneers like William Goff, who opened a trail from El Jobean to Vineyard, and Lorin Ainger, who set up a store to serve area fishermen. In 1884, Herbert Nicholas, of Englewood, Ill., and his two brothers came to the area to create a business growing lemons, a cure for the scurvy, which were in high demand throughout the world. Following two hard freezes in 1894 and 1895, most of the lemon trees were destroyed and the brothers had to find an alternative use for their land. They advertised Englewood as a fine place to raise families, or retire, with an easy lifestyle pace and excellent fishing and hunting.