Make your Venice reservations now and SAVE!
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 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 is a Florida Main Street City; its downtown is graced by northern Italian architecture and beautifully landscaped boulevards that date back to the original city plans of 1925. 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. Just north in Osprey, visitors to Historic Spanish Point have the opportunity to explore 4,000 years of culture. Along the green waters of nearby Englewood, the community celebrates its heritage with Pioneer Days on Labor Day weekend.
The area includes the history of native Americans, the original pioneering settlers and the influence of Mrs. Potter Palmer who persuaded the Seaboard Railroad to extend its tracks to the little village of Venice, spreading its fame. Oscar Scherer State Park, located five miles north of Venice, comprises 1384 acres of pine and scrub flatwoods on the banks of a small tidal creek. The park contains streams for canoeing, a swimming lake, campgrounds, nature trails, bicycle paths and picnic areas. You will find that with its casual style, Venice is a pleasant getaway for the vacationer who wants to relax and enjoy the Florida sunshine.
