Places To Visit: Tarpon Lodge – Pine Island, Florida

This summer, my family and I wanted to visit a place we had never been before and I knew one thing…. I wanted it to be centered around nature. I didn’t want to visit a resort and I didn’t want to be part of the action, I wanted to relax with my family.

I did my research and came upon Pine Island, Florida. Wasn’t too far, surrounded by beautiful scenery and I knew it looked peaceful.

Pine Island’s secluded, quaint and “country waterfront” atmosphere is a huge part of its charm. Fringed with mangroves rather than white sand beaches, Pine Island has escaped the concrete, blacktop and skyscrapers found in the more touristy, beachy communities.

Pine Island offers many enjoyable activities, including outstanding fishing and boating, an excellent golf course, a local museum, nature trails, and art galleries.

Sounded like the perfect place to visit.

I read about The Tarpon Lodge and decided that it would be the perfect spot for a relaxing weekend with the family. The Tarpon Lodge is a historic landmark in a breathtaking environment. Visit the pre-Colombian Indian mounds of the ancient Calusa civilization right across the street!

Adjacent to The Tarpon Lodge is the Pineland Marina where, by boat, the islands of Cabbage Key, Useppa, Boca Grande, Sanibel, Captiva, and the spectacular beaches on Cayo Costa are a “shell’s throw” away.

We stayed in The Cottage and it’s best described as the perfect little hideaway on the water. We reluctantly returned our keys wishing we could live there forever! Its bungalow feel encourages a warm, easy-going existence which is hard to leave. There’s a kitchenette with a four-top dinette; living space with a loveseat and a sofa; one bathroom; one King bed in the bedroom; and a small deck in front of its entrance.

The restaurant on property, Tarpon Lodge Restaurant, was absolutely delicious. If you are a meat lover, please try the Filet Mignon ~ 8 ounce cut served with a brandy peppercorn sauce. Also, order the Bruschetta and the Avocado & Mango Salad.

Enough of the talking, I hope these photos speak for themselves:

Isn’t the little cottage so adorable?

The inside of the cottage was very relaxed and comfortable. Gave off the perfect beachy/laid-back vibe.

The view outside the cottage was stunning.

Dinner at the Tarpon Lodge Restaurant was nothing short of amazing. Their food is delish!

Seriously, Mac N Cheese? But of course! And it was A+++.

Even piggy liked it!

Coconuts!

We found a coconut on the ground so we decided to drink some water from it!

Got a little chuckle, it totally looks like a face!

We walked across the street to the Calusa Heritage Trail!

After the trail, my daughter built a fort where we then watched a movie on the iPad in her “secret location”.

We ended the evening watching a beautiful sunset.

The perfect laid-back place to visit. We highly recommend The Tarpon Lodge in Pine Island, Florida! Find out more about The Tarpon Lodge by visiting their website: http://www.tarponlodge.com/home/