Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Venice, Florida

Venice serves as a prime illustration of a meticulously planned city; it emerged in the mid-1920s and has seen progressive growth throughout the 20th century.

Currently, Venice is recognized as an official Florida MainStreet City, showcasing beautiful architecture reminiscent of its Italian namesake, characterized by streets lined with palm trees and live oaks. The downtown area of Venice merges this sophistication with premier shopping, dining, entertainment, and cultural experiences.

The coastal aspect is equally impressive. Venice is located along an extraordinary stretch of the Gulf Coast, where the sands are imbued with numerous fossilized shark teeth.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a sifter to locations such as Caspersen Beach and the primary municipal beach. If you happen to visit in April, you can take part in a festival dedicated entirely to these extraordinary fossils.

1. Venice Beach

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The primary municipal beach is situated at the western end of Venice Avenue, bordered by low dunes adorned with sea oats.

This beach is the most accessible and frequented in Venice. One feature I particularly appreciate here is the Space Age pavilion, a symbol of Venice since 1964.

Visitors can search the sands for shark teeth, while scuba divers have the opportunity to explore a reef approximately a quarter mile offshore. Additionally, there is a concession stand/convenience store at the pavilion that operates during daylight hours.

As the sun sets on most nights, the pavilion transforms into a venue for live music, contributing to a unique atmosphere. This beach also boasts a contemporary ambiance, with regular yoga sessions and a weekly drum circle occurring around sunset on Sunday evenings.

2. Downtown Venice

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One of Venice’s significant attributes is its award-winning downtown area. This vibrant district is anchored by W Venice Ave and extends over a considerable area that intersects with Tamiami Trail, Nokomis Ave, and Nassau St.

The architectural landscape features refined Mediterranean Revival styles from the 1920s, flourishing palms, massive banyans, and majestic live oaks. Pedestrians and cyclists can navigate with ease, and the central Centennial Park provides a convenient retreat.

Over 100 independent businesses thrive within this picturesque environment. The shopping and dining options are particularly dynamic along W Venice Ave. Visiting on a Saturday morning is highly recommended to experience the weekly farmers’ market.

The cultural ambiance is equally engaging, with offerings at the Art Center and the renowned Venice Theatre.

3. Venetian Waterway Park

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Venice prides itself on being a bicycle-friendly city, as clearly illustrated by the Intracoastal Highway.

Along both sides of this waterway, nearly ten miles of paved pathways meander through downtown Venice, connecting seamlessly with the Legacy Trail at the historic 1927 Venice Train Depot. This trail extends almost 20 miles throughout Sarasota County.

Within Venice, the Venetian Waterway Park serves as a conduit from downtown to various destinations, including the Airport Festival Grounds and Caspersen Beach at the southern terminus. Along the route, keep an eye out for wildlife such as gopher tortoises, osprey, and alligators.

4. Caspersen Beach

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Caspersen Beach, located at the southern end of the Venetian Waterway Park trail, stands out as one of my preferred beaches in Venice.

Making the journey from downtown allows you to combine a visit to the beach with a scenic ride or walk along the trail. The beach itself is stunning, featuring a rugged shoreline and a more secluded atmosphere compared to Venice Beach.

A lengthy nature trail winds through the coastal hammock to the rear of the beach. If you are actively searching for shark teeth, Caspersen Beach is likely your best choice; with a sifter in hand, you can often find them nestled in the sand.

5. Venice Museum and Archives

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For those interested in delving into the city’s history, a visit to the Venice Museum and Archives is highly recommended. Situated on the Cultural Campus that encompasses the municipal library, art center, and community center, the museum building itself dates back to 1927.

Designated on the National Register of Historic Places since 1996, this site was originally known as the Triangle Inn.

The main exhibit, titled Venice’s Inhabitants, explores the various groups of people who have resided in the area, ranging from the Tocobaga and Calusa Native Americans to the author Walter Farley.

To further enrich your experience, the exhibit Fossils: Venice’s Land Before Time is particularly enticing, especially given the discoveries that can be made along Venice’s beaches.

6. Historic Venice Train Depot

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An impressive development project completed during the 1920s was the southern terminus for the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, located in the heart of downtown Venice.

Finished in 1927, this complex became part of the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. Visitors can view a caboose and an 85-foot retired circus car on the premises.

Passenger service began in 1971, and subsequently, approximately 20 miles of the original railroad has been transformed into the multi-use Legacy Trail. Notably, this depot continues to serve as a transport hub, supported by bus services provided by Sarasota County Area Transit.

The well-preserved depot structure offers guided tours, allowing visitors to gain deeper insights into its historical significance.

These tours are available on Saturdays from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM year-round, as well as on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, from November through April.

7. Centennial Park

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Centennial Park functions as a green sanctuary amidst downtown Venice, surrounded by shops and restaurants.

For families with young children, this location is sure to be a favorite on warm days, thanks to an engaging interactive fountain that will keep kids occupied for a significant duration.

Moreover, the ADA-accessible gazebo serves as the venue for Venice’s Friday Night Concert Series, featuring performances on the second and fourth Fridays of the month.

In April, Centennial Park also hosts the Venice Sharks Tooth Festival, which will be elaborated upon later in this article.

8. Venice Fishing Pier

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Venice has maintained a fishing pier since 1966, although this iconic 700-foot structure has undergone several rebuilding projects, with the latest in 2019. This renovation included the installation of specialized light fixtures to prevent confusion among sea turtles.

It is highly recommended that everyone experiences a visit to the end of the pier at sunset at least once. The breathtaking views evoke a sense of tranquility that lasts long after your visit.

This pier is unique in Florida, as it does not require an entry fee for guests. Additionally, visitors are not required to possess a fishing license to fish here. The recent updates included the addition of benches and fish cleaning stations.

9. South Jetty

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During the 1930s, two jetties were constructed at the Venice Inlet. Along both sides, visitors can take leisurely strolls to appreciate the stunning vistas while watching the sunset.

The South Jetty is particularly accessible from downtown Venice, eliminating the need to navigate around the bay.

In contrast to the North Jetty, this location presents less sandy coastline along the beach.

Thus, the primary draw here is its scenic beauty. At the base of the jetty, Humphris Park offers benches and picnic tables shaded by palm trees lining the inlet.

Spending time here, you might witness a manatee or dolphin, and with many fishermen in the area, various water birds like pelicans are always nearby.

10. North Jetty Beach

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On the north side of the Venice Inlet, visitors will find another splendid coastal retreat located in Nokomis. Upon parking at North Jetty Beach, you can wander along the paved path that traces the inlet and runs parallel to the jetty.

Both the inlet and jetty feature a vibrant community of individuals casting fishing lines. I have spent many enjoyable hours watching boats navigating the waters while spotting dolphins at play.

Further north, the beach provides an excellent place to relax on the sand and enjoy the scenery. There are ample amenities available, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely day, lingering until sunset.

11. Oscar Scherer State Park

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Oscar Scherer State Park encompasses a region of hardwood hammock, scrubby flatwoods, and pine flatwoods along South Creek.

The extensive scrubby flatwoods in this park play a crucial role in supporting the vulnerable Florida scrub jay, offering visitors the chance to see this unique bird endemic to Florida. Additionally, the bald eagle nests in the pines during the winter months.

For recreational activities, Lake Osprey provides a small yet charming water body suitable for swimming or leisurely relaxation on the beach. The park also features more than 15 miles of trails, including a segment of the Legacy Trail, allowing you to ride from downtown.

Lastly, I recommend renting a canoe or kayak near the campground. Navigating South Creek is manageable, leading through a dense corridor of vegetation teeming with wildlife, including alligators.

12. Venice Theatre

Among the largest and most active community theater groups in the United States is Venice Theatre. Established in 1950, it is situated in a historic building that once housed the Kentucky Military Institute, located downtown.

The venue includes a Mainstage with 432 seats and the 90-seat Pinkerton Theater, catering to smaller productions. It is fair to say that there is always something happening at the Venice Theatre.

Each season is filled with large-scale Broadway productions, dramas, comedies, cabaret performances, and unique solo plays.

During my visit, the Venice Theatre was navigating challenges posed by Hurricane Ian; nevertheless, the season continued as scheduled.

13. Venice Audubon Rookery Park

My visit to Venice Audubon Rookery Park revealed an unexpected enclave of Florida’s natural environment within the urban landscape in the city’s southern region. The park features an island within a pond that serves as a vital nesting site.

From December through May, a diverse range of wading birds, such as snowy egrets, great egrets, great blue herons, glossy ibises, and others, come to this rookery to build their nests, incubate eggs, and raise their young.

In this area, alligators are a common sight, and intriguingly, they serve a protective role, guarding the nests from potential predators. For optimal birdwatching experiences, it is advisable to visit early in the morning or during the evening.

14. Venice Performing Arts Center

In 2014, a state-of-the-art performing arts center was inaugurated on the Venice High School campus, providing seating for over 1,000 guests. This venue stands out as an exceptional location for experiencing high-quality entertainment.

The center hosts several prominent arts organizations, including the Venice Symphony, Venice Chorale, and the Venice Concert Band.

With over 120 events each year, the center presents a diverse range of performances, from classical concerts featuring nationally acclaimed guest artists to musicals and tribute acts.

During my visit, I was fortunate to attend the Venice Symphony’s 50th anniversary season, which featured an outstanding performance of Berlioz’s Symphony Fantastique.

15. Venice Sharks Tooth Festival

If I were to choose an ideal time to visit Venice, it would be mid-April. The weather is nearly perfect during this period, coinciding with the city’s signature event.

Held at Centennial Park, the Venice Sharks Tooth Festival spans two days and celebrates the fossilized sharks’ teeth found along the city’s shores.

The festival features a main stage showcasing local and regional bands, food trucks offering a variety of cuisines, and a designated area for children’s activities. The beach and the theme of sharks’ teeth fossils remain prominent throughout the event.

Additionally, the festival includes educational talks about fossils, exhibitions featuring remarkable fossil collections, and vendors presenting impressive specimens discovered along Venice’s beaches.