Welcome to Venice
For those who crave a small-town community feel and the best of beach living
Located 15 miles south of Sarasota, Venice is a beautiful waterfront city nestled along the pristine blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Its downtown area is an architectural masterpiece with Italian-style buildings and palm tree-lined streets. The city is also known for its jetty, beaches lined with shark teeth, miles of waterways that are a playground for boating and waterfront activities, and a 700-foot-long pier that provides panoramic views of the coastline.
Venice's rich history can be traced to the 1800s, when settlers came to the area to farm, fish, and raise livestock. Frank Higel named the town "Venice" in 1888 because it reminded him of the Italian city where he spent his childhood. The completion of the railroad in 1911 paved the way for development in the area. This culminated in the incorporation of Venice as a city in 1927.
Modern Venice is a great city to live, offering homeowners an opportunity to live right on the beach. Real estate options range from modest condos overlooking beautiful rivers to grand estates with sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico and everything in between.
What to Love
- Quaint town with a charming downtown area
- Venice is a coastal beach town
- Beaches are known for shark teeth deposited at the coast by heavy currents
Local Lifestyle
For a small coastal beach town, Venice offers plenty of recreational opportunities. Every day feels like a dream for many of the residents, who have access to world-class beaches, and hiking and biking trails in nearby parks. Golfing, fishing, kayaking, swimming, fresh local seafood, and horseback riding attract visitors to Venice in the winter.
Despite the increased population in the colder months, Venice remains one of Florida's most laid-back cities. You'll fall in love with the lifestyle from the first moment you arrive.
Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping
Venice has endless options when it comes to dining, entertainment, and shopping options. It's a paradise for anyone with a taste for seafood, as there are hundreds of restaurants with delicious seafood menus. You'll also find Indian, Mexican, Thai, South American, Turkish, and Italian cuisines. Some of the local favorites include Blu Island Bistro, Cassariano Italian Eatery, and Chaz 51 Steakhouse.
Downtown Venice is a great place to shop, whether you are looking to update your wardrobe or something to spruce up your new beach house. At SunBug, you'll find a large selection of swimsuits, while Seaside Chic Boutique stocks fashion-forward dresses, jewelry, handbags, and other accessories. For the home, Seaside Chic will help you outfit your beach house in style with comfy reading chairs, starfish-emblazoned pillows, and more. Posh is a dreamy-looking boutique that stocks ornate mirrors, distressed furnishings, linens, and anything else you might need to give your home a vintage flair. You can pick up some sleek glassware and serving pieces from top brands like Bugatti and Alessi at Luxurious Interiors.
Things to Do
One of the main perks of living in Venice is the abundance of things to do. The city's beaches are known for shark teeth, some as big as your hand. There are endless inshore and nearshore fishing opportunities, including the Venice Fishing Pier. You can expect to catch a snapper, redfish, snook, kingfish, and grouper.
Venice is also for you if you love spending time outdoors. Residents enjoy kayaking, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, and biking. There are more than 40 parks with plenty of space to run, walk, and breathe fresh air. The amazing flora and fauna make spending time outdoors all the more fun.
Those interested in the arts will love living in Venice. You're never short of entertainment options with venues like the Venice Symphony and Venice Performing Arts Center. From full-scale musicals and cabarets to dramas and cutting-edge contemporary dramas, the performing arts scene always has something in store for the residents.
Schools
Venice is served by the Sarasota County Schools district. Here are the top schools in the community:
- Pine View School, grades 2 to 12
- Venice Elementary School, grades K to 5
- Venice High School, grades 9 to 12
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