Folklore has it that in the 1920's, a candidate for mayor promised that if elected, he would guarantee to have the US 41 run through town. Instead, Venice and Port Charlotte took off instead.
Englewood is a 30 minute drive south from Sarasota/Bradenton Regional Airport (SRQ), a 60 minute drive north from Fort Myers Regional Airport (RSW), and a 75 minute drive south of Tampa Int'l Airport (TPA).
Englewood is accessible from I-75 from exit 191 River Rd and to a lesser extent 193 Jacaranda Blvd.
You'll need to get a rental car from the airport as public transportation is nearly non-existent, and is impossible to use from town-to-town.
Englewood Beach on the Gulf of Mexico:
Boca Grande:
Stump Pass:
Indian Mounds Park:
Absolutely nothing besides the beach. Englewood is enclosed on three sides by the Gulf of Mexico and the larger cities of Venice and Port Charlotte, which both have more shopping and action, but the beaches aren't as nice. While Englewood has the necessities (Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Publix, Bealls), it doesn't have much else.
Lots of Florida trinket stores on Beach Road.
Englewood isn't big on hotel chains, but it offers a variety of beach resorts including the Veranda Inn and Weston Resort.