Venice Florida is so much more than just the Shark’s Tooth Capital of the World!
Venice is famous for it’s beaches and the shark’s teeth found along the shore but this scenic Gulf Coast City is a popular destination and winter retreat for many other reasons.
Perfect Climate
Average temperatures in Venice range from the 70’s to 80’s, with the warmest months being July and August. Fairly dry and sunny throughout the year except for the months of July-Sept which is considered the rainy season with rainfall generally occurring in the late afternoon to evening hours.
Museums, Theatre and Music
There are a number of museums listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
- Armada Road Multi-Family District
Blalock House- Eagle Point Historic District
- Edgewood Historic District
- House at 710 Armada Road South
- Johnson-Schoolcraft Building
- Levillain-Letton House
- Triangle Inn
- Valencia Hotel and Arcade
- Venezia Park Historic District
- Venice Depot
Enjoy entertainment and music at the Venice Theatre (140 W. Tampa Ave. Venice, FL 34285) and the Venice Symphony at the Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave.
Annual Events and Entertainment
Annual Events are many with the most popular being the Shark’s Tooth Festival to celebrate the abundance of fossilized shark’s teeth that can be found on it’s Gulf Coast shores. Other annual events include; a Christmas Boat Parade the first Saturday in December; the Rotary Arts & Crafts Festival in January; the Italian Feast and Carnival in February; Downtown Art Classic and Wine, Beer & Food Festival in March; Shark’s Tooth Festival the second weekend in April; a Fourth of July celebration at the Venice Jetty; the YMCA Triathlon & Jazz Fest in September and the Sun Fiesta in October along with several parades and outdoor concerts by the Venice Symphony throughout the season. (Check back to our Blog as we will feature some of these popular events and area attractions in posts throughout the year)
Fishing and Boating
The Venice fishing pier at Brohard Park is one of the most popular free fishing spots. (it is one of the few places that you do not need a Florida fishing license) The 700 foot long pier is located off Venice’s main public beach at 1600 S. Harbor Drive.
Nearby are six picnic shelters, two sand volleyball courts, public restrooms, pavilion, restaurant and golf course. There is also a bait shop as well as Sharky’s and Fin’s Restaurants.
Parks and Preserves
If you’re a nature lover Venice is the place for you! Known for it’s beautiful parks and nature preserves, Venice has more than 30 to explore. Click Here for Venice Park locations and details. If you’re visiting with a canine friend, be sure to check out Paw Park at Brohard Park Beach where dogs are welcome on the beach and in the water.
Shopping and Dining
The adventure continues with fine dining on the island of Venice or at one of the waterfront restaurants. There are dozens of great restaurants with many located along Tamiami Trail. For reviews and more information visit Trip Advisor or Yelp’s Venice Restaurant pages.
The quaint shops in Downtown Venice Village have something for everyone to explore and more shopping can be found along the ‘Trail’ (Hwy 41) from Sarasota. Osprey & Nokomis just North to South Venice and Englewood.
Venice Attractions
The Venetian Waterway Trail and The Legacy Trail
Venice has two incredible paved walkways for walkers, bicyclists, rollerbladers, and all other outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy! The Venetian Waterway Trail runs along both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway providing a calming view of boats and dolphins making their way through the channel. The Legacy Trail, just opened this year, is a rails-to-trails project that links Venice directly to Sarasota via a paved lane through several different ecological habitats
The Legacy Trail and Venetian Waterway Park Map Guide
Historical Walking Tour of Venezia
Venezia Park is one of the residential subdivisions developed by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) according to the John Nolen Plan for the City of Venice. The houses were constructed during the 1926-1927 development period in the Mediterranean Revival style.
This neighborhood was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. Be sure to visit the Historic Triangle Inn where the Venice Archives & Area Historical Collection are located. Walking Tour maps are available at the Chamber of Commerce, 597 Tamiami Trail S.
Audubon Rookery
Founded in 1965, the Venice Area Audubon Society serves the area including Venice, Nokomis, Osprey, North Port and Englewood Florida. Their mission is to promote interest in wildlife and foster the cause of conservation with an emphasis on birds and their habitat.
Photographers and birders from near and far come to the rookery to enjoy and photograph nesting birds from January through March, which is the busiest time of the year.
The rookery is on a small island in a very small lake. During nesting season it is quite crowded with Great Blue Heron, Great Egrets, Anhingas and Night Herons. The best time to photograph is early in the morning or late in the afternoon from the path to the left of the pavilion.
Venice’s Murals
Commissioned local artisans have decorated the Venice community with historical murals that can be seen at these locations:
- Circus mural on S. Tamiami Trail on the island (across from GoldRush BBQ)
- Fun and decorative mural at Barclay Pharmacy
- Historic mural on back side of Venice Gondolier’s print shop along the Waterway Trail
- Wildlife mural at Michael Biel Park located near Venice Theatre
- Sealife mural/mosaic at the Children’s Fountain at Centennial Park
