Along Florida's Gulf Coast, this calm beach town has Spanish Mediterranean buildings, white sand beaches, and fossils of ancient sharks beneath its shores.
Along Florida's Gulf Coast, Venice's white sand beaches hide thousands of prehistoric shark teeth waiting to be discovered. You can walk among Mediterranean Revival buildings from the 1920s, spot tiny fairy doors in downtown walls, or cycle beside dolphins on the Intracoastal Waterway. Watch Atlanta Braves players practice at CoolToday Park, or swim with fish at the coral reef just offshore.
Finding Shark Teeth on Venice Beaches
You'll find fossilized shark teeth scattered across Venice's shoreline, especially at Venice Beach and Caspersen Beach. Look for dark, triangular shapes in the sand during low tide or after storms - sizes range from tiny fragments to three-inch specimens. The Shark's Tooth Festival takes place each August, where you can meet fossil experts, browse craft stalls, and learn about shark species that once swam these waters.
Water Activities and Recreation
Swim or snorkel at the coral reef 1,300 feet from shore, where snook and tarpon swim through the clear water. Cast your line from the 700-foot Venice Fishing Pier, or watch pelicans dive for fish at sunset. The Venetian Waterway Park Trail runs 10 miles along the Intracoastal Waterway, with separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians. Launch your kayak into the Myakka River from several points at the county park to paddle through mangrove tunnels.
Family Activities Beyond the Beach
Two treasure hunts wind through downtown Venice: follow the map to spot painted shark sculptures on street corners, or search for 30 miniature fairy doors hidden in building walls. The Venice Theatre puts on regular family shows and musicals throughout the year. At Oscar Scherer State Park, walk nature trails where you might spot Florida scrub-jays, one of the state's rarest birds.
Mediterranean Revival Architecture
The 1920s buildings in downtown Venice reflect Italian design influences, with arched windows and red-tiled roofs. The Valencia Hotel and Arcade still maintains its original facade, while the Triangle Inn now serves as a local history museum. Palm-lined streets lead to shops selling beachwear and coastal decor. Eleven buildings in the district appear on the National Register of Historic Places, including the restored Venice Depot.
Getting to Venice
Private planes can land at Venice Municipal Airport, two miles from downtown. For commercial flights, use Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, a 45-minute drive north. Downtown's central location puts Venice Beach, shops, and restaurants within a 10-minute walk. Local police patrol the area by bike and boat, making it safe to explore day and night.
