Most people, when spending time in Venice, flock to the downtown area. But for those interested in exploring some of the less traveled areas of the city, check out the east side of Venice Avenue in the historic district.
THINGS TO DO
A must-see is one of the most important historical sites in Venice, the historic Train Depot. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the depot was constructed in 1927 by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. It was the last stop on the line of the Seaboard Air Line Railway that extended south from Tampa through Sarasota. Free docent-led tours are provided by the Venice Area Historical Society. Check the Society’s website veniceareahistoricalsociety.org for dates and times. East Venice Avenue is also home to Venice Lodge No. 301 F.&A.M. The Masons’ history in Venice dates back to the 1950s.
For nature lovers, there are green spaces to explore. Legacy Park is located across from the Historic Train Depot. It has a shaded train-themed playground with a climbing apparatus and swings. From the historic Train Depot, you can connect to the paved biking and walking trials of Venetian Waterway Park and Legacy Trail. Ruscelletto Park, tucked away off North Grove Street, has a sidewalk for walking and biking around a stormwater pond that is home to numerous water birds and other wildlife.
The Venice Urban Forest is a greenbelt corridor created in an abandoned railway site between the Seaboard Industrial District and the Intracoastal Waterway. Walk the nearly two-miles of unpaved trial from the historic Venice Train Depot to Center Road. Native trees and shrubs have been planted to create a habitat for migratory birds and native wildlife. For boaters, the Marina Park and Boat Ramp provides easy public access to the Intracoastal Waterway, which connects to the Gulf.
For fitness and beauty, visit Endless Summer Hot Yoga and Timeless Beauty Studio. Looking for home decor? Stop by Once More Decor and Venice Living Furniture and Interiors. There’s something for lovers of art and music too. Troll Music provides instrument sales, rentals, lessons and is also a concert venue bringing top-notch musicians to Venice. The Venice Gallery and Studio of Clyde Butcher showcases the renowned artist’s large-format black-and-white landscape photography, books, and gifts (located just off E. Venice Ave. at 237 Warfield Avenue).
SEABOARD
East Venice Avenue on the mainland side is also part of Seaboard—Venice’s industrial district. This area, running parallel to the old railroad tracks, was designated for industrial use by Venice’s first city planner, John Nolen, and has been used for such purposes since the 1920s. Today, it serves as an economic engine, supporting local residents and other local businesses. Numerous businesses operate in this zone, providing an endless array of services—automotive; plumbing; painting; swimming pools; storage; remodeling; water conditioning; and window installation, just to name a few. The City of Venice is currently working on a master plan for this vital mixed use area.
Photo credit: Venice Aerial Photography