Venice Florida-A Great Little Town

2012-02-12T20:23:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Venice Florida. Located on the Gulf of Mexico between Sarasota and Port Charlotte, this is one beautiful area. With a population of about 22,000, Venice is a very charming and scenic area, with
many things to see and do.

The main attraction here is the beach. With palm trees abound and white sandy beaches, visitors cannot get enough of being close to the water. Venice is the shark tooth capital of the world, and has an annual Shark Tooth Festival every year. Finding prehistoric sharks teeth is quite a thrill for everyone, especially the youngsters. Most people always bring a bucket and a small shovel to the beach here. Dig anywhere for a chance to find sharks teeth. A lot of people I have talked to over the years will take the sharks teeth they find and have a necklace made. Or if you are unlucky and cannot find a big enough teeth, their are shops on Venice Avenue that sell them already made.

The world class fishing pier is another popular place to go. The pier is open 24-7, and is a great place for catching all types of fish. The pier is located behind Sharkey's On The Pier Restaurant, a great place for food and your favorite island beverage with beach side tables for the perfect dining view.

Another great place to go is the jetty, where the intercoastal waterway empties out to the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. The south jetty is in Venice, and the north jetty is in Nokomis, next to Venice. This is a popular area for boaters, fishing, and people just soaking up the sun and the spectacular view. Also, dolphins are spotted daily here, especially just before sunset.

This area has some very good restaurants. The Crows Nest is very popular and is located by the south jetty. There is also Urbanik's Fish Market and Restaurant in Nokomis that I hear is very good. Another place is Bogey's of Venice for chicken wings and cold draft beer.

Another popular area is the quaint shopping district, boasting a wide variety of shops and dinning. Also the community park is nestled amongst the oak and palm trees with a gazebo and high shooting fountains for the kids to get wet and cool off. Also don't miss the community theatre on Tampa Avenue, just a block north of the main shopping district. Another great place.

This is shopping district on Tampa Avenue looking east towards Highway 41. The Venice Community Theatre is very popular and is located at the far end of the street. Grab a cup of coffee one block over on Venice Avenue and stroll this quaint and scenic area. A great variety of shops to explore here.

Another photo of the shopping district on Tampa Avenue. The tall palm trees that line the streets in Venice are beautiful.

This is the water fountain at the main park between Venice and Tampa Avenues. On a hot day, the youngsters wear their bathing suits and cool off. A nice quiet area right up from the beaches, and next to the shopping districts. Everyone loves visiting this relaxing and scenic park.

A gazebo in the main park between Venice Avenue and Tampa Avenue. A serene and senic place to relax and enjoy yourself under old oak trees. A great place to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy, either before or after heading to the beach, which is just west of here a mile or so.

Welcome to Sharkey's On The Pier Restaurant, located at 1600 Harbor Drive South. The small airport is just up the street, and supports private planes only.

This is the front of Sharkey's Restaurant, right at the pier. Get here early and grab an outside table right on Venice beach. There is always something to see at the pier with the anglers coming and going. Also you can enjoy a great variety of island music while dining. This is a great place to be

This is walking down to the beach on the south side of Sharkey's. The pier entrance is right at the back by the tiki hut bar. A great view while enjoying fresh seafood and your favorite island beverages.

The Venice Fishing Pier entrance. This is the place to be. Lots of fish, dolphins and sharks can be spotted almost anytime. The view of the coastline from the end of the pier is stunning. Also, you can purchase Sharkey's t-shirts, hats, etc., right on the pier. Don't forget to bring your pole and bucket. Bait is also available on the pier.

Grab a table at Sharkey's right on the beach. Great food with a spectacular view. Don't miss stopping by. The giant tiki bar here is a great place to sit and enjoy your favorite beverage with a spectacular view of course. This is also a perfect spot to watch the anglers leaving the pier with usually some nice size fish.

Another photo of the Venice Fishing Pier. If you come here without your pole, tackle box and bait, you will be kicking yourself. Trust me on that. This is a great place to park your chair and bring a cooler. The view is incredible.

This is on the north side of Sharkey's. You will pass right by the tiki bar at the entrance to the fishing pier. Again, just a great place to have lunch or dinner, and to watch the sunset. The grouper sandwich and fries are a favorite at Sharkey's.

The beach on the north side of Sharkey's. Very beautiful and very private. Bring a chair and drinks for a beautiful and relaxing day.

Another photo of the north side of the fishing pier. Don't forget your camera when you come here. You can usually see loggerhead turtles, dolphin, jellyfish, and stingrays almost every day.

This is the back of Sharkey's from the north end of the beach. You can see the tiki hut bar at the foot of the pier. A great place to be anytime of the day.

Another photo of the Venice fishing pier. I saw a guy one time catch a 4-5 foot shark. He said the state law requires people to pull the shark along the pier to the beach, and get him that way. State law prohibits anyone from using a grappling hook to pull a shark up on the pier. Just before he had it on the shore, the shark wrapped around a piling, broke the line and swam away. A bit of bad luck for sure. That guy fishes this pier usually 7 days a week.

A lifeguard shack on Venice beach. A tough job I'm sure, but.......

This is the south jetty in Venice. This is where dolphins are usually spotted every day just before sunset. The north jetty across the way is at Nokomis. This area is beautiful too with lots of Australian pine trees along the beach entrances. Two great areas.

Again the south jetty. On the other side is the north jetty in Nokomis. A great beach over there too.

This is the Shark Tooth Capital of the World. Pre-historic sharks teeth are all over the beach here. You will have a lot of fun looking for them. The Venice public beach is a great place to be. Don't forget a scooper and a bucket when you come here. And don't worry about looking silly. Everybody brings them.

This is the main shopping district on Venice Avenue. A great place to explore the many unique shops. Lots of great shops and eating places. On Saturdays this area is bustling.

The main shopping district on the south side of Venice Avenue looking west. A great variety of shops and stores are along here. Also lots of nice places to eat and drink. A nice place to spend a day.

Again this is the south side of the main shopping district on Venice Avenue, looking north towards highway 41.

Pops is a great place to eat right on the intercoastal Waterway in Nokomis, a small town on the north side of Venice. The tiki bar and the outdoor tables are on the water. Visit the small fish market and gift shop here also. Don't miss stopping by Pops. The food is fresh and excellent. Most people get the grouper sandwich with fries, and a pitcher of cold draft beer. Nice.

You have arrived at Pop's. Come early for a good parking spot and a table right along the water.

This is Pop's, right on the intercoastal waterway. On the weekends, the boats run up and down the water here, like cars on the highway. Also a lot of fat old men with bikini girls on their boats. It's quite a sight. Park your boat at Pop's boat dock for lunch. Very cool. Also right up the street is Pelican Alley Restaurant which is also on the water. Great food here also. Another nice place to eat is Ophelia's Pasta House, which serves authentic Italian cuisine. I hear the food is excellent. Don't miss any of these places.

This is the bridge on Albee Road at the intercoastal waterway. If you turn right at the beach, that is Casey Key Road. High priced real estate along the beach where Stephen King has a vacation home, and supposedly where John Gotti built a house.

A photo of the north jetty at Nokomis beach. A great place to spend the day and go fishing.

One of many boardwalks in Venice that takes you to the beach. It is so beautiful and relaxing here.

This is the north jetty in Nokomis looking south towards the Venice south jetty. The dolphins love this area here too, just before sunset. The pelicans are always here for the perfect photo-op. A lot of people bring their chairs along here to spend the day watching the birds and the boats.

This is Casey Key Road in Nokomis heading south. This is a very exclusive area with multi-million dollar homes. Reports are that John Gotti built a home here, with surveillance cameras everywhere. Another famous resident is Stephen King. Since you can Google his address, it is 1600 North Casy Key Road. When he is not in Maine. Some of the homes along here look like hotels, they are huge. Giant waterfalls and European-style fountains out front. Lush thick foliage and giant palm trees. I think some people would be surprised by how many famous people live down this road.

For a real taste of Old Florida in Nokomis is the Casey Key Fish House on Blackburn Point Road, right on the water. Since 2000 the Fish House has brought a relaxed layed back attitude to Casey Key. This place offers a casual way to dine by the waterside, with prices that are more then reasonable. Beginning at 11:30 am, customers enjoy their favorite beverage, a fresh fish sandwhich, and top notch hospitable service. The lunch menu is outstanding with "Fish and Chips" and daily lunch specials.

As afternoon becomes evening, the Fish House has an extensive dinner menu. Customers rave about the Almond Snapper and Ahi Tuna. just bring your appetite if you want to be dazzled by Willie's mouthwatering Bouillabaisse.The big attraction here is the tiki bar for enjoying your favorite beverage and some island tunes. A great place for some mouthwatering seafood. A real treat to stop here.

This is the water view at the Casey Key Fish House in Nokomis.

The Casey Key Fish House in Nokomis. Nothing fancy. But this is where some great food is. Don't miss stopping by.

Thanks again for stopping by my little blog. I hope you can add me and tell your friends about my blogs. All the best to you.

Visit Beautiful Venice Florida

Venice Florida-A Great Little Town