Downtown Venice: Explore for a day, a weekend or a lifetime!
Beautiful, historic downtown Venice dates back to the 1920s and captures the charm of old Florida, with its moss-covered oaks and swaying palms lining the avenues. Venice’s unique location combines a vibrant downtown experience with parks, green spaces and Venice Beach, which is less than a mile away. Scan the pristine shoreline for shells and find out why Venice is known as the Shark Tooth Capital of the World.
Downtown Venice is more than just West Venice Avenue. Be sure to explore East Venice Avenue, Tampa Avenue, Miami Avenue, Nokomis Avenue and Nassau Street for an assortment of boutiques, restaurants, bars, sweet treats, and services. These local, family-owned, small businesses are the soul of the city and contribute greatly to its economic vitality. Don’t forget to check out the Venice Farmers Market on Saturday mornings for local and organic fresh produce, baked goods, seafood and more.
The heart of downtown is Centennial Park, where visitors can enjoy free concerts at the gazebo, get community information at the Venice MainStreet kiosk, and kids can play at the Intergenerational Fountain splash pad. It is also the location of free parking along with free street parking in the district. For lovers of history and architecture, downtown offers plenty to discover. From the historic Venice Train Depot to 1920s buildings throughout the district, take a docent-led or self-guided walking tour and learn about Venice’s fascinating history.
Venice holds many distinctions including being a Silver Bicycle Friendly Community, a Monarch City USA and has been awarded the Coolest Downtown Award and the Outstanding Achievement Award for Landscaped Areas by America in Bloom in 2020. Trails at Venetian Waterway Park and The Legacy Trail offer miles of walking and biking that connect directly downtown. A recent downtown infrastructure and beautification project, completed by the City of Venice, has elevated Venice as a destination on the Gulf Coast. We hope you enjoy your visit!
History, Culture and Businesses Abound on Tampa Avenue
Travel back in time with a stroll down Tampa Avenue. It is home to several important historical sites that helped shape the development of Venice: Hotel Venice, San Marco Hotel, and the Orange Blossom Garage. Don’t forget to shop and dine too!
East Venice Avenue: Exploring the Area Less Traveled
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.
West Venice Avenue: The Heart of the City
West Venice Avenue, the gateway to the Gulf, captivates visitors and residents with its tropical beauty. Stunning palm trees tower over the avenue, while hibiscus, jatropha, jasmine, and many other flowering plants and hanging floral baskets provide endless color along the street. And an abundance of shade trees and benches along the sidewalks create an inviting environment for shopping, dinning, and admiring the scenery.
Experience the Magic of Miami Avenue
Looking for a place to explore with lots to see? Take a stroll down charming Miami Avenue. Just a block away from West Venice Avenue lies Miami Avenue West, a beautiful, historic downtown street full of unique boutiques, cafes, restaurants and more. Hanging flower baskets and pots bring a splash of color, so grab a seat on one of the many park benches and take in the scenery.
Nokomis Avenue, Nassau Street, and Harbor Drive: Cross Streets Connecting the City Together
Nokomis Avenue, Nassau Street, and Harbor Drive provide much more than connection to downtown Venice. They also bring their own special charm to the city with numerous parks and green spaces, beautiful murals and artwork, historical buildings, and a variety of shops.
