Venice Florida Area
Venice, Florida is located in Sarasota County along the beautiful blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Numerous canals snake through the city, which earned it the name “Venice,” after its watery sister city in Italy. Just south of Sarasota and north of Port Charlotte, Venice has become known worldwide for the ancient shark teeth that wash up along its beaches. Charming, quaint, and surprisingly void of crowds, Venice is an interesting and beautiful little-known town and one of Southwest Florida’s greatest gems.
It is said that Venice was the very first planned city to have ever been built in the United States. Early planners in the 1920’s gave Venice an Italian architecture style that still lives on today in the historic district. In fact, the historic district has a revue board that ensures that any new builders must conform to an Italian renaissance style of architecture.
Many of the beautiful and stately homes in Venice mirror this Italian renaissance theme, and Mediterranean architecture can be spotted throughout the city. The population of Venice is around 20,000, and the crime rate is very low. On the Island of Venice you will find more upscale and pricier homes, but more moderate homes and condominiums can be found on the out laying areas. Venice has a number of amenities for you to explore including a charming downtown district, yacht club, community theater, library, art center, and professional dinner theater. Venice has wonderful hospitals, schools, restaurants, houses of worship, parks and a number of attractions. Venice is only a short drive from big city amenities like airports, theme parks, gigantic shopping malls, sporting events, and more. With its close proximity to I-75, Tampa, Orlando, Sarasota, Fort Myers and Naples are all but a short drive away.
While Venice maintains its small town charm, there are still many things to do, all while avoiding the masses of larger nearby cities. The city prides itself in their many cultural and artistic festivals, parades, theatre events and of course, their nature preserves. Venice Beach also offers everything that you would expect in a beachfront town. You can enjoy swimming, shelling, shark tooth scavenging, picnics, boating, fishing and anything else you can imagine on their tranquil sandy shores. Venice is practically a dream destination come true for art lovers and boating and fishing enthusiasts. This is, in fact, one of the few towns on Florida’s west coast that has direct access to the Gulf of Mexico without having to first pass outer barrier islands, making it easy for you to enjoy the fruits of the beautiful Gulf coast.
An ideal setting for young families, retirees and winter residents alike, Venice is the perfect place for just about anyone. Whether you enjoy cultural events, high action water sports, or just taking in a beautiful Gulf sunset, Venice may be just the place for your next dream home. Culture / Entertainment Stroll through a museum of art or history. Observe wildlife and nature. Listen to a full orchestra ensemble. No matter what your distraction from the beach, the area has a multitude of activities.
Attractions
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota - (941) 359-5700 Features European and American art, including works by Rubens, Poussin, Hals, and van Dyck. Also includes a Venetian-Gothic mansion (Ca d’zan) and circus museum.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 811 S. Palm Avenue, Sarasota - (941) 366-5731 - Open 10 am – 5 pm daily One of America’s Top 10 Botanical Gardens. Features 15 beautiful gardens rich in color.
G.Wiz, The Hands-On Science Museum 1001 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota - (941) 309-4949 Over 85 interactive exhibits, plus exhibits from the San Francisco’s Exploritorium.
Sarasota Classic Car Museum 5500 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota - (941) 355-6228 More than 100 automobiles, spanning over 100 years.
Museum of Asian Art 640 S. Washington Blvd., Sarasota - (941) 954-7117 An extensive collection of pieces from Asia and the renowned Yangtze River Collection.
Animal Attractions
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota - (941) 388-2451 – Open Daily 10 am – 5 pm Enjoy 135,000 gallon shark tank, manatee and sea turtle exhibits, two touch-pools and more.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens 3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota - (941) 355-5305 or 877-861-6547 Encounter exhibits of two- and four-legged creatures. Bird and reptile shows.
Pelican Man’s Bird Sanctuary 1708 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota - (941) 388-4444 Open air home and rehabilitation center to 55 different species of Florida birds.
South Florida Museum and Parker Manatee Aquarium 201 10th Street W., Bradenton - (941) 746-4131 Home of “Snooty,” the world’s most recognized manatee. View the area’s prehistoric past and mammals.
Performing Arts
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota – Box Office: (941) 953-3368 or 800-826-9303 Broadway musicals, orchestras, stage productions, dance, theater, comedy, music and more.
Sarasota Opera House 61 No. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota - (941) 366-8450 1920’s opera house hosts everything from opera, symphony and classical ballet to popular music, comedy shows and film festivals.
Florida West Coast Symphony 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota – Tickets: (941) 953-3434 Performing ensembles include symphony and chamber orchestras.
Sarasota Ballet of Florida 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota - (941) 359-0099 Area's major performing arts organizations that presents cultural events.
Shopping Explore the uniqueness of St. Armands Circle with its collection of upscale shops and specialty stores. Downtown Sarasota offers small-town Americana on Main Street, while the art galleries on Palm Avenue remind you of New York and L.A. Turn the corner onto Pineapple Avenue and you'll find fine antiques to true 1950s Florida kitsch. A little further south into Venice and you'll be standing among shops that look out onto one of the best-planned downtowns in America. If you like your shopping action packed, enjoy the variety of several indoor malls or the bargain bonanzas at the nearby outlet mall.
St. Armands Circle Shops & Restaurants John Ringling Causeway, Sarasota - (941) 388-1554 Island shopping center with more than 130 fine shops and gourmet restaurants.
Red Barn Flea Market Plaza 1707 1st Street East, Bradenton - (941) 747-3794 Over 450 inside booths and 200 outside booths with a variety of restaurants and snack bars. Free admission.
Prime Outlets - Ellenton 5461 Factory Shops Blvd. (I-75 to Exit 224), Ellenton - (941) 888-260-7608 130 manufacturers’ outlets and factory-direct stores offer top quality at bargain prices.
De Soto Square Mall 303 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton - (941) 747-5868
Sarasota Outlet Center 8303 Cooper Creek Blvd, Bradenton - (941) 359-8303
Centre Shops of Longboat Key 5370 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Sarasota - (941) 387-3135
Westfield Shoppingtown Southgate 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota - (941) 955-0900
Westfield Shoppingtown Sarasota 8201 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota - (941) 922 9609
Venice Village Shoppes 4115 Tamiami Trail S, Venice - (941) 493-2800
Recreation Relax and enjoy the area’s gulf coast beaches. Paddle through lush tropical forests. Make a tee time, or if you prefer, make time for tea.
Beaches
Siesta Beach Beach Road, Siesta Key - (941) 861-9830
Venice Beach Venice Avenue, Venice - (941) 861-9830 Shelling, shopping, picnicking and volleyball.
Nokomis Beach Albee Road, Casey Key - (941) 861-9830 Two boat ramps, concessions, dune walkovers, lifeguards, fishing, volleyball, picnic tables, free parking.
North Jetty Park Casey Key - (941) 483-9830 Swimming, fishing, boating and canoeing, horseshoes, volleyball, lifeguards, concession.
Parks
Oscar Scherer State Park 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Opsrey - (941) 483-5956 Camping, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, picnicking and more.
Myakka River State Park 13207 S.R. 72, Sarasota - (941) 361-6511 Fishing, canoeing, boating, biking trails, horseback riding trails, 39 miles of hiking trails, camping, picnicking and ranger-guided tours.
Historic Spanish Point 337 N. Tamiami Trail, Opsrey - (941) 966-5214 30-acres and more than 5,000 years of history. Tours of pioneer dwellings, nature trails, formal gardens.
Stadiums
Ed Smith Stadium 12th Street and Tuttle Ave., Sarasota - (941) 954-4101 Cincinnati Reds spring training, minor league games by the Sarasota Red Sox from April to August.
McKechnie Field 1611 Ninth Street W., Bradenton - (941) 747-3031 Pittsburgh Pirates spring training.
Transportation Sarasota County provides public transportation, in addition to the convenience of three international airports.
Sarasota County Area Transit 5303 Pinkney Avenue - (941) 861-1234 (5:00 am – 8:00 pm Monday – Saturday) Sarasota County Area Transit provides quality, reliable, cost effective public transportation services for the benefit of residents and visitors of Sarasota County to ensure personal mobility and enhance their quality of life.
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) 6000 Airport Circle - (941) 359-2770 The airlines at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport serve the people of Sarasota and Manatee counties and adjacent areas. SRQ, which is the official FAA Airport Designation for the airport, is geographically located on the West coast of Florida just south of Tampa Bay. It is located approximately 30 miles from Sarasota National.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) 5503 West Spruce Street - (813) 870-8700 Tampa International Airport is located approximately 80 miles away from Sarasota National.
Southwest Florida International Airport (SWFIA) 11000 Terminal Access Road - (239) 590-4800 Southwest Florida International Airport is located approximately 70 miles away from Sarasota National.
Medical FacilitiesVenice Regional Medical Center 540 The Rialto, Venice - (941) 485-7711 Venice Regional Medical Center is a 312-bed regional healthcare system that provides a comprehensive array of healthcare services to the greater Venice area and beyond. Always striving to meet the area’s growing healthcare needs, the system has steadily expanded to include a number of facilities offering fully integrated health services. Located on US 41, just south of Venice Avenue.
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System 1700 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota - (941) 917-9000 or 800-764-8255 Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, an 845-bed regional medical center, is the second-largest public hospital in Florida. It is a full-service facility, providing cardiovascular care, acute stroke intervention and rehabilitation, cancer care, Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, obstetrics, inpatient pediatric services, outpatient services, and nursing care. Located on US 41, close to downtown Sarasota.
Doctors Hospital of Sarasota 5731 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota - (941) 342-1100 Doctors Hospital of Sarasota is licensed for 168 general acute card beds. Accredited by the JCAHO, Doctors Hospital offers services including cardiac catheterization, cardiac rehabilitation, endoscopy, 24-hour emergency, diagnostic imaging, inpatient and outpatient surgery, orthopedics, oncology, urology, neurology, physical rehabilitation, pulmonary, rehabilitation, woulnd management, senior programs and fitness, and physician referral. Located on Bee Ridge Road and Cattlemen Road, near Exit 207 off 1-75.
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center 8330 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, Bradenton - (941) 782-2100 Emergency Dept: 941-782-2200 Lakewood Ranch Medical Center is a new 120-bed acute care hospital. It’s advanced medical services include emergency care, critical care, inpatient and outpatient surgery, and women’s services. Located on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, near Exit 213 off I-75.
SchoolsDistrict: Sarasota South County Taylor Ranch Elementary Elementary 941-486-2000 Venice High High School 941-488-6726 Venice Middle Middle School 941-486-2100
Local UtilitiesThe following utilities serve this community.
Comcast Cable 800-266-2278 Florida Light and Power Electricity 941-917-0708 Verizon Telephone 941-483-8000 Sarasota County Water 941-861-6790 |