Venice Area Description and History

Venice is one of the few cities on Florida's West Coast without a barrier island. The soft white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico form the western boundary of Venice. Fourteen miles (22.5 km) of beaches from Casey Key to Manasota Key offer unparalleled recreational opportunities including swimming, sunbathing, fishing and boating. Shelling is also a favorite pastime, and fossilized sharks teeth can be found in abundance by sifting through the sand. Golfers enjoy excellent courses in the greater Venice area.

Venice, Florida is a Florida Main Street City; northern Italian architecture and beautifully landscaped boulevards that date back to the original city plans of 1925 grace its downtown. A historical treasure, Venice was originally called 'Horse and Chaise,' suggested by a tree formation along the coast. The settlement was named Venice after the canal city in Italy in 1888. Venice is a pleasant getaway for the vacationer who wants to relax and enjoy the Florida sunshine.

Things To Do in Venice

Take a walk along the miles of golden, sandy, uncrowded beach to search for shells or fossilized shark?s teeth. Venice is known as the 'Shark's Tooth Capitol of the World'. Sunbathe, swim, or fish in the surf. Enjoy golfing at any one of the seven public golf courses located within the Venice area. At nearby Fisherman?s Wharf, you can rent scuba & snorkel gear. You may also try catching that big one at the Venice public 750-foot long fishing pier. Stroll along Venice Avenue in the historic downtown area of Venice that is very much alive with exciting activities, shopping and dining. Browse the many quaint specialty shops. Play tennis at the municipal courts located just beyond the downtown area. All shopping, restaurants, supermarkets, Venice Regional Medical Center, golf, tennis, charter-fishing, pier-fishing, and water sports are within a 5 - 10 minute drive.

Venice Area Restaurants and Regional Attractions

There are many area restaurants with several of them having an oceanfront or waterfront view. These include: Sharkey's on the Pier (a must - Sunday night is ?Reggae Nights? featuring a live Calypso Band), Marker 4 Oyster Bar which has a Friday night fish fry, and The Crows Nest Marina Restaurant. For those landlubbers, try Luna Ristorante (great Italian fare), Ntinos Pizzeria and Restaurant (inexpensive and plentiful), Saltwater Caf? (superb seafood), Goldrush Barbeque (great baby back ribs), and MI Pueblo Mexican Restaurant (muy bueno Mexican food and Mariachis too). Regional attractions include: Sarasota Kennel Club Dog Racing, Ringling Brothers Circus and Art Museums, the Mote Marine Aquarium and Laboratory, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, The Gulfcoast Wonder and Imagination Zone, and the Museum of Cars and Music which are all located in Sarasota only 30 minutes north of Venice. Fort Myers is 1 hour south; Tampa and Busch Gardens are 1.5 hours north.

Golf Information:

* Bird Bay Executive Golf Course, 602 Bird Bay Dr W, Venice, FL 34292, (941)485-9333, semi-private, 18 hole, 2423 yds, Par 56 * Capri Isles Golf Club, 849 Capri Isles Blvd, Venice, FL 34292, (941)485-3371, semi-private, 18 hole, 6472 yds, Par 72 * Jacaranda West Country Club, 601Jacaranda Blvd, Venice, FL 34293, (941)493-2664, private, 18 hole, 6589 yds, Par 72 * Lake Venice Golf Club - First/Second Course, S Harbor Dr, Venice, FL 34284, (941)488-3948, public, 27 hole, 6629 yds, Par 72; Second/Third Course, S Harbor Dr, Venice, FL 34284, (941)488-3948, public, 27 hole, 6345 yds, Par 72; Third/First Course, S Harbor Dr, Venice, FL 34284, (941)488-3948, public, 27 hole, 6330 yds, Par 72 * Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club * Hatchett Creek / Meadows Course, 575 Center Rd, Venice, FL 34292, (941)496-4653, semi-private, 27 hole, 7049 yds, Par 72 * Meadows / Preserve Course, 575 Center Rd, Venice, FL 34292, (941)496-4653, semi-private, 27 hole, 7192 yds, Par 72 * Preserve / Hatchett Creek Course, 575 Center Rd, Venice, FL 34292, (941)496-4653, semi-private, 27 hole, 7009 yds, Par 72 * Plantation Golf & Country Club The Bobcat Course, 500 Rockley Blvd, Venice, FL 34293, (941)493-2000, private, 36 hole, 6840 yds, Par 72.