You’ve got a couple of days
to spend in Venice. Get ready to have some fun. Here are things
you can do in 48 hours.
STORY By Pam Johnson
PHOTO: The Snake Island site was discovered in 1994, eroding from the shore of the spoil island at the mouth of the Venice Inlet. Background research indicated that the island was once connected to the mainland. A low tidal marsh was cut from the mainland in 1907, during the initial dredging of the Intercoastal Waterway and used as a spoil site for dredged materials. Beneath the marsh, mud-covered with spoil lay a coastal shell midden dating from
A.D. 600-1500. The site was apparently inundated by the rising sea level.
A City of Art
Visit the Venice Art Center, 390 S. Nokomis Ave., where you can take a class or admire the work of others. This is a great place to buy one-of-a-kind souvenirs or gifts. Open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Learn about the latest exhibits at veniceartcenter.org. Then have lunch at the Art Caffe, where you can enjoy a freshly made crema Catalana.
While at the Venice Cultural Campus, walk over to the Venice Museum and Archives, 351 S. Nassau St., where you can learn about Dr. Fred Albee, the famous orthopedic surgeon who developed bone grafting. Albee was responsible for hiring John Nolen to design this early planned city. Kids will enjoy the display of prehistoric fossils from the area. Hours are Monday – Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Learn more at venicemuseum.org.
Then cross Nassau Street and stroll through the Monty Andrews Arboretum at West Blalock Park where more than 80 species of palms and other trees are identified. Three kid-proof statues by Atlanta sculptor Thomas Prochnow can be found throughout the park.
No Venice art tour is complete without a visit to the Venice Gallery & Studio of world-renowned photographer Clyde Butcher, 237 Warfield Ave. The gallery is open Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For information, see ClydeButcher.com. You’ll be fascinated with the detail in these large black and white photos captured in the Florida wilderness.
Stroll the streets of downtown Venice to admire a multitude of artists’ murals capturing the history and semitropical environment of the area.
Healthy Food and Souvenirs
Venice Farmers’ Market, 401 W. Venice Ave., is open Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Fresh produce, baked goods, and hand-made souvenirs, from sandals to ceramics, are all reasonably priced. When you finish shopping, walk about a block south to John Nolen Park and read about this early planned city.
Get Close to Nature
Spend some time with nature at Caspersen Beach, 4100 Harbor Dr., at the south end of the road. But before you go, stop off at Shark Frenzy, 262 S Tamiami Trail, to purchase your Florida snow shovel to aid you in sharks’ teeth hunting. After spending the morning searching for sharks’ teeth, take the kids across the dirt road to the playground or walk to Venetian Waterway Park to watch the boats sail by on the Intracoastal Waterway. Later drive to the South Jetty, 2000 Tarpon Center Dr., for one of the most spectacular sunsets you’ll ever see. Get there a little before dusk to catch a glimpse of manatees or dolphins.
Bring Your Best Buddy
Traveling with a furry friend? Your favorite canine will love Paw Park at Brohard Beach, 1850 S. Harbor Dr. Let your pup run along the sandy shoreline and take a dip in the salt water. There’s always a big dog party there. When ready to leave, rinse Fido down at the doggy showers. You can also take your buddy for a walk on Venetian Waterway Trail. Then head back downtown for al fresco dining at any number of restaurants that allow dogs to sit under your table in their outdoor dining areas.
A Flight to Take
Ever dream of flying through the air with the greatest of ease? In Venice, you can be that daring young man or woman on the flying trapeze. At Tito Gaona’s Flying Trapeze Academy, 1401 S. Ringling Dr., you will experience the exhilaration for yourself. Gaona thrilled the audiences of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and the Big Apple Circus with his daring trapeze feats. Now you can learn the art from the master. Find out more at titogaona.com.
Take Flight
Herons, egrets and bats, oh my. That’s what you’ll find at the Venice Rookery, 4002 S. Tamiami Trail, turn south on Annex Rd., and pass the county administrative building. Bring a camera (but not your dog) to capture photos of some of the most stunning birds in the world. Be prepared for the cuteness of fledglings in spring. Although the rookery is available to everyone year round, the Audubon Center is open September through May. Learn more at veniceaudubon.org.
Anyone for Croquet?
Did you know Venice is home to one of the top croquet clubs in North America? You too can learn the sport on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. Or you can watch the best in competition at the course, 1400 Lucaya Ave., off Pinebrook Rd. Check out the schedule at Sarasotacountycroquet.com.
Just Want to Chill?
Stroll through the streets of downtown Venice to shop among the beautiful, unique stores. When you’re ready to drop, the Daiquiri Deck, 300 W. Venice Ave., has your order, with more than 30 daiquiris to choose from and a menu of irresistible snacks. Lean back and let the live island music take you there. Learn more at daiquirideck.com and find out more about the downtown area at visitvenicefl.org. It may be time now to find out what’s playing at the internationally acclaimed, award-winning Venice Theatre, 140 W. Tampa Ave. Go to venicetheatre.org for the schedule.
Your 48 hours may be almost up, but you’ll have memories to last a lifetime. Didn’t find that precious shark’s tooth? No worries. The Venice Area Chamber of Commerce, 597 S. Tamiami Trail, has a handful for you to take home. It is open Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. You can do all this and more in just two days. But, be forewarned. If you spend 48 hours in Venice, you’ll never want to leave.