Venice in Florida – where no Gondoliers are singing
Venice is a little paradise on the Gulf coast named after its Italian sister city. The city manager, who came to Venice, Florida, in the 1920s, was fascinated by the Italian counterpart. He had been there many times, and he loved it there. Therefore, he tried to copy a few architectural details to give Venice that Mediterranean touch to the new world. So, Venice, FL, is about nine square miles wide and sits on one Island, and a limited number of canals is also part of the concept. But compared to Venice in Italy, which sits on 118 islands in a shallow lagoon, Florida’s Venice is not nearly as sophisticated. Still, it has a least a little taste of the Mediterranean. There are also a lot of residences from the past that resemble the distinct Mediterranean architectural style.
Venice Island is Where the City’s Heart Beats
The whole city of Venice is about 17 square miles in size, with a significant portion located on an island. The Island of Venice itself, with its downtown area and historic district, is only an artificial island. How did that happen? When the US Army Corps of Engineers built the Intracoastal Waterway, the new canal cut off this piece of land from the mainland. Now you can only reach the Island via three modern drawbridges. At least there are no ferries or boats needed.
The historic district, the downtown area, the municipal airport, and three of the four beaches are a part of the “Venice Isle.” And there is also a public Golf Course on the Island, which is not very common on the barrier islands. Only Longboat Key and Boca Grande have one, too. Space on islands is scarce.
No Commercial Activity on Venice Island, please.
The community banned all Commercial activity on Venice Island. Don’t have your car fixed in such a beautiful spot. You also won’t find any major chain stores like Home Depot or Walmart on the Island because they are also not welcome. Don’t be surprised that you won’t see any fast food outlets on the Island, too. The rule is that only individually owned restaurants, small stores, and shops and boutiques are permitted.
As a result of the prementioned rule, Venice has a vibrant downtown area with a great variety of unique small stores, boutiques, local coffee- and wine shops, bakeries, restaurants, and ice cream parlors. Some grocery shops, banks, and medical facilities are also still within walking or biking distance.
Entertainment in Venice, Florida
Come to Venice and get into the swing. Especially the Venice Downtown area is a very active place to be. You can go to parks concerts, art exhibitions, parades, and wine and music on Fridays. Those events are attracting a lot of people from all over the county and beyond.
Enjoy evenings filled with shows at “The Venice Theater“ or concerts at the “Venice Symphony.” Live Music is also performed on the beach or in the downtown area. If the visitor is in the mood for a spectacular sunset, the Venice Fishing Pier would be the spot where he can watch the sun dipping into the “ocean.”
Venice Florida Parks, Beaches, and Outdoor Activities
Venice has more than 30 parks, ranging from tiny pocket parks to parks with miles and miles of biking and hiking trails. The smaller parks are scattered all over the town. Many of them are small shadowy spots with benches and flower beds where the visitor can rest for a while to enjoy the gentle breeze blowing from the Gulf of Mexico. Sometimes people may not even recognize that they are in a park. However, in the middle of July, the visitor will appreciate every spot that provides a cool, shady canopy of trees.
There are “serious” parks in Venice, as well. They come with tennis and basketball courts, boat ramps, canoe and kayak launches, and miles of walking and biking. The Legacy Trail, keep that name in mind if you like biking, runs through Venice, connecting all the communities along its way with Sarasota. This former railroad track provides miles of excellent biking and hiking. Some day, this trail may run from Canada to Key West; however, that dream might not come true too fast. There are still some obstacles in the way.
Venice Florida Golf Courses
Are you looking to buy a home in one of Venice’s golf course communities? You may start your search here. If you want to play a round of golf on one of the world-class golf courses in the area, or if you’re going to explore the half-dozen area nature preserves, walk with your eyes wide open. You will find them everywhere. We should also not forget to mention the number-one reason everybody is here: the beaches and the weather, golf, boating and all outdoor activities.
Venice, Florida, has Four Beaches.
This charming and quaint community on the gulf coast is not only known for its great cultural events but is also known for its breathtaking beaches. Nokomis Beach, Venice Beach, Brohard Beach, and Casperson Beach are the places where you can soak up the sun, take a dip in the Gulf of Mexico or hunt for shark teeth. People say that the 7-mile long beach in Venice is one of the most unspoiled stretches of public beach in all of Sarasota County. Well, there are other beautiful beaches on other barrier Islands as well.
Venice in Florida is the Shark Tooth Capital of the World
“Shark Tooth Capital of the World” is Venice’s nickname. Every day, hundreds of those ancient teeth wash up on its shores. Scientists say that there are old shark burial grounds off Venice’s coasts, and current and wave action moves the black, brown, or grey teeth on the beach. Usually, they are tiny, maybe, 1/8 or ¼ of an inch long. But occasionally, a lucky beachcomber finds one that is more than 3 inches long. However, that doesn’t happen too often. There is still no need to be depressed when you do not find such a black tooth. Those who do not see a spectacular shark’s tooth may have more luck finding a magnificent shell instead. If you are depressed because you couldn’t find one of those shark dentures, come to the annual Shark Tooth and Sea Food Festival. There you can buy a big one while enjoying tasty seafood and a cold one.
Venice Florida Dog Beach – a place where your furry friend can sniff out the Gulf Water
Brohard Beach has something unique and dedicated to men’s best friends. Brohard Paw Park is a dog-friendly beach with drinking fountains, showers, decks, fire hydrants, and leash posts for your furry friend. It is the only park in Sarasota County where dogs may roam free and swim with the owner in the Gulf of Mexico. The park, located just south of the Venice Airport, is in the vicinity of the Fishing Pier. There you can have fun with your furry friend and make friends with other pet-loving people.
Venice, Florida, offers Great Fishing.
Venice is also notorious for its excellent fishing. Launch your boat, rent a boat, or go on a charter boat. Out in the turquoise water of the Gulf of Mexico live hundreds of fish species, including snapper, snook, grouper, and tarpon. However, stick to the rules. You cannot take home everything that is biting into your hook. Make yourself familiar with the rules and regulations governing the type of fishing you are doing. If you violate the laws, ignorance is not a defense. Although not everybody is required to have a license, you may better check if you need a fishing license for fresh and or saltwater fishing before you cast a line. However, all those rules should not spoil your fun. Venice is a boaters’ and angler’s paradise, even if there are some rules you may need to obey. With a bit of common sense, you will have a wonderful time in Venice.
Buying Real Estate in Venice, Florida
Because many vacationers flock to Venice every year, this is an ideal location for purchasing a piece of investment property. Its relatively large “snowbird” population is making rental homes and condominiums in this area very profitable. Many homeowners rent their place out for a few months to offset the costs and use it when renters do not occupy it. But Venice also has another advantage: Waterfront homes are considerably lower in price than other popular areas like nearby Sarasota, Fort Myers, and Naples.