Best Things to Do in Venice Florida (2026)

Venice, Florida is one of Southwest Florida's most charming coastal towns — a place where fossilized shark teeth wash ashore daily, scenic trails wind along the Intracoastal Waterway, and a walkable downtown feels like a step back in time. Officially designated the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World," Venice draws visitors who come for the fossil hunting and stay for the Gulf beaches, outdoor adventures, and local culture that make this town unlike anywhere else on Florida's coast.

Whether you are planning a weekend getaway or considering a longer stay, this guide covers the best things to do in Venice FL — from the beaches and trails to the dining, nightlife, and hidden gems that locals love.

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Quick Picks: Things to Do in Venice Florida by Trip Type

• First-time visitor: Shark tooth hunting at Caspersen Beach, sunset at the Venice Fishing Pier, and downtown dinner on Venice Avenue.
• Active day: Bike the Venetian Waterway + Legacy Trail, then paddle at Myakka River State Park.
• Family day: Venice Beach in the morning, splash pad and farmers market downtown, then live events at Wellen Park.
• Rainy-afternoon backup: Venice Theatre, shopping downtown, or a relaxed food crawl from our best restaurants in Venice list.

Hunt for Shark Teeth at Venice Beach and Caspersen Beach

No trip to Venice is complete without trying your hand at shark tooth hunting. Ten million years ago, when Florida was submerged beneath the Gulf, prehistoric sharks shed billions of teeth that fossilized in the sediment. Today those teeth wash ashore along the Venice coastline, and you can find them for free on any public beach.

Venice Beach near the Venice Fishing Pier is the most popular starting point. The dark, shelly sand along the waterline is prime territory — look for small, triangular, black or gray objects among the shells. Most teeth you find will be dime-sized, but specimens up to three inches occasionally appear.

Caspersen Beach, about two miles south, is considered the single best shark tooth beach in Florida. Converging currents deposit heavy sediment along shallow drop-offs here, and at low tide the receding water reveals concentrated pockets of fossils. The best strategy is to arrive at low tide — ideally on a morning after a storm — and use a sand sieve or the famous "Venice Snow Shovel" (a screened basket on a handle) to scoop sand at the waterline. You can rent one at Papa's Bait Shop on the Venice Fishing Pier for about $16 per day.

No permit is required to collect fossilized shark teeth in Florida, so scoop to your heart's content.

Fish from the Venice Fishing Pier

The Venice Fishing Pier at Brohard Park stretches 720 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, standing 20 feet above water that averages over 16 feet deep at the end. The pier is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and admission is completely free. Better still, no fishing license is required — the City of Venice holds the licensing for the pier, so you can cast a line any time without paperwork.

Papa's Bait Shop sits midway down the pier and sells live bait, frozen bait, tackle, and rod-and-reel rentals. Shark fishing is popular here after sundown, since sharks are nocturnal feeders. Florida regulations allow one shark per person per day, though catch-and-release is encouraged.

Even if you do not fish, the pier is one of the best sunset-watching spots in all of Southwest Florida. Grab a seat at Sharky's on the Pier — the only beachfront restaurant in Venice — and order a grouper sandwich while the sky turns orange over the Gulf. It is an experience that captures everything great about coastal Florida. For more dining ideas nearby, check out our guide to the best restaurants in Venice.

Explore Downtown Venice

Downtown Venice is one of the most walkable and picturesque town centers in Southwest Florida. Laid out in the 1920s with a Mediterranean-inspired design, the district features tree-lined avenues shaded by massive live oaks, pastel-colored storefronts, and over 130 independently owned shops, boutiques, and galleries.

West Venice Avenue is the main artery. Start at the Historic Venice Train Depot — built in 1927 and the only surviving passenger station in Sarasota County — and stroll west toward the beach. Along the way you will find art galleries, antique shops, upscale boutiques, and restaurants ranging from brick-oven pizza at Made in Italy to fresh seafood at Cassariano Italian Eatery.

Do not miss the Venice Shark Spotting Tour, a free self-guided walk featuring 10 bronze sculptures of native shark species scattered throughout the downtown area. Pick up a map at the Venice MainStreet kiosk in Centennial Park and hunt for all 10.

Centennial Park itself anchors the downtown with a gazebo that hosts free concerts, a splash-pad fountain for kids, and the weekly Venice Farmers Market every Saturday morning. The market features local produce, baked goods, fresh seafood, and handmade crafts — arrive before 9 AM for the best selection.

Bike or Walk the Venetian Waterway Park Trail

The Venetian Waterway Park is a 10-mile linear trail that runs along both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway, connecting downtown Venice to Caspersen Beach in the south. The paved, 10-foot-wide path is flat and accessible, making it ideal for walkers, joggers, cyclists, and skaters. Benches, picnic shelters, and dog cleanup stations appear roughly every half mile.

Wildlife sightings are common along the trail — expect to see dolphins, manatees, osprey, and the occasional bald eagle. The western path passes directly through residential neighborhoods and connects to Caspersen Beach Park, while the eastern route runs past the Venice Municipal Airport and Venice High School.

At the Historic Venice Train Depot, the Venetian Waterway Park connects seamlessly to the Legacy Trail, an 18.5-mile paved rail trail running north to Sarasota through wetlands, coastal forests, and Oscar Scherer State Park. Together, the two trails create nearly 30 miles of continuous, car-free riding — one of the best cycling experiences in all of Florida.

Paddle and Hike at Myakka River State Park

Myakka River State Park is one of Florida's oldest and largest state parks, covering more than 37,000 acres of wetlands, prairies, hammocks, and pinelands just east of Venice. The Myakka River itself holds the distinction of being Florida's first state-designated wild and scenic river, and the park is home to an estimated 4,000 alligators.

The best way to experience the park is by water. Rent a canoe or kayak at the concession and paddle Upper Myakka Lake, where alligators bask along the shoreline and wading birds fill the shallows. Guided airboat tours on the "Gator Gal" are also available and offer close-up wildlife encounters you will not forget.

On land, the Myakka Canopy Walkway is a must — a 100-foot-long suspension bridge that hangs 25 feet above the forest floor, ending at a 74-foot observation tower with panoramic views of the river valley. The park also offers 39 miles of hiking trails maintained by the Florida Trail Association, including the Deep Hole Trail, a 4.4-mile round-trip hike to a legendary alligator gathering spot. Only 30 visitors per day are permitted on this trail, so arrive early and grab a permit at the ranger station.

Camping options range from full-facility sites to CCC-era palm log cabins built between 1934 and 1941 — each cabin sleeps up to six guests and includes a kitchen, bathroom, and fireplace.

Discover Wellen Park

Wellen Park is Venice's newest lifestyle destination, built around an 80-acre Grand Lake that serves as the centerpiece for dining, shopping, entertainment, and outdoor recreation. Everything at Wellen Park is open to the public, making it a fantastic day-trip addition to any Venice itinerary.

The Downtown Wellen district features restaurants like Oak & Stone (known for craft beer and weekend brunch with bottomless mimosas), waterfront seafood spots, and a rotating lineup of food trucks. Every Sunday from 9 AM to 1 PM, the Wellen Park Farmers Market sets up with over 30 vendors selling local produce, baked goods, and artisan foods.

On the water, the Wellen Park Outfitter rents kayaks, paddleboards, and e-bikes. Paddle from the Grand Lake into connecting waterways to reach the Myakka River Rookery, where you can spot nesting birds, turtles, and alligators in a wild mangrove setting.

Free live concerts happen weekly on the Solis Hall stage, and special events like the Wellen Park Fine Arts Festival and the Night Market (held the second Thursday of each month) keep the entertainment calendar full year-round.

Catch a Show at Venice Theatre

Venice Theatre is the second-largest community theatre in the United States and a cornerstone of the local arts scene. The theatre operates two stages and produces a full season of Broadway musicals, contemporary dramas, comedies, cabarets, and youth productions.

The 2025-2026 season includes major productions like Annie, opening February 27, along with thought-provoking works like How I Learned to Drive (a Pulitzer Prize winner) and The Cake. The theatre also hosts concerts, tribute acts, and special performances throughout the year.

Tickets are affordable and available online at venicetheatre.org. For a complete evening out, pair dinner at one of the downtown restaurants with a show — the theatre is located just blocks from West Venice Avenue.

Attend the Venice Shark Tooth Festival

Held every April at Centennial Park in downtown Venice, the Venice Shark Tooth Festival is the signature annual event in town and one of the most unique festivals in all of Florida. Admission is free, and the weekend celebration features fossil displays with museum-quality Megalodon teeth and prehistoric shark jaws, live music from regional bands, and food vendors serving fresh Gulf seafood and barbecue.

Interactive exhibits led by marine biologists and paleontologists make this a great event for families, and shark tooth hunting competitions add a fun competitive edge. Vendor booths sell polished fossils, jewelry made from shark teeth, and handmade crafts.

The 2025 festival took place April 12-13, so expect the 2026 dates to fall in mid-April. Check visitvenicefl.org for official announcements.

Relax on Venice's Gulf Beaches

Beyond shark tooth hunting, Venice's beaches are simply beautiful stretches of Gulf coastline worth visiting on their own merits. Venice Beach at the end of West Venice Avenue is the most accessible, with free parking, restrooms, a pavilion, and lifeguards on duty. The sand is soft and wide, the water is warm and calm, and the sunsets are extraordinary.

Brohard Beach at the fishing pier is one of the few dog-friendly beaches on the Gulf Coast — South Brohard Beach Paw Park allows leashed dogs to enjoy the sand and surf.

Caspersen Beach to the south is the most natural and least developed option. Beyond the shark teeth, the beach features tide pools, mangrove shorelines, and a quieter atmosphere that appeals to visitors looking to escape the crowds. It is also a starting point for the Venetian Waterway Park Trail.

For a broader look at the region's coastline, see our guide to the best beaches in Southwest Florida.

One-Day Venice Florida Itinerary (First-Time Visitors)

• 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM: Shark tooth hunt at Caspersen Beach at low tide
• 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM: Walk downtown Venice and grab coffee
• 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM: Lunch from the best restaurants in Venice
• 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM: Bike or walk the Venetian Waterway Park
• Sunset: Venice Fishing Pier, then dinner near the water

If you want a second day, add Wellen Park for live music and lakefront dining.

Venice Beach Cam and Live Conditions

If you are checking wind, surf, or crowds before heading out, search for a Venice Beach live cam or Venice Fishing Pier live cam before you leave. Locals use cams to confirm water color, wave size, and weather breaks after afternoon storms. For shark tooth hunting, combine cam checks with low-tide timing for your best chance of finding fresh teeth.

More Venice and SWFL Guides to Pair With This Trip

If you are building a full weekend itinerary, use these companion guides to plan meals, nearby beaches, and optional day trips:

• Best restaurants in Venice
• Best hotels in Venice Florida
• Wellen Park things to do
• Retiring to Venice guide
• Things to do in Sarasota
• Things to do in Siesta Key
• Best beaches in Southwest Florida

Plan Your Venice Getaway

Venice rewards visitors who slow down and settle in for more than a day trip. Between the fossil hunting, miles of scenic trails, a vibrant downtown, world-class community theatre, and a growing entertainment district at Wellen Park, there is easily a full week's worth of things to do here.

If you are considering a longer stay or even a permanent move, our guide to retiring in Venice covers the cost of living, neighborhoods, healthcare, and lifestyle details. For accommodations, browse our picks for the best hotels in Venice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Venice Florida for first-time visitors?

Start with Caspersen Beach or Venice Beach for shark tooth hunting, walk downtown Venice for shops and lunch, then finish at the Venice Fishing Pier for sunset. If you have extra time, add Wellen Park for food, live music, and a lakefront stroll.

What is Venice Florida best known for?

Venice is officially designated the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World." Fossilized shark teeth wash ashore daily along Venice Beach and Caspersen Beach, making it one of the top fossil-hunting destinations in the United States. The town is also known for its charming 1920s Mediterranean-style downtown, scenic biking trails, and beautiful Gulf of Mexico beaches.

When is the best time to find shark teeth in Venice?

The best time to hunt for shark teeth is at low tide, ideally on a morning after a storm. Rough weather stirs up bottom sediment and deposits fresh fossils along the waterline. Winter and early spring tend to produce the best finds because of more frequent cold fronts, but teeth can be found year-round. Look for dark patches in the sand — the black specks indicate concentrated fossil deposits.

Is the Venice Fishing Pier free?

Yes, the Venice Fishing Pier at Brohard Park is completely free to access 24 hours a day, seven days a week. No fishing license is required to fish from the pier — the City of Venice holds the necessary permits. You can rent rod-and-reel setups at Papa's Bait Shop on the pier for about $16 per day.

How long is the Legacy Trail from Venice to Sarasota?

The Legacy Trail is an 18.5-mile paved multi-use trail running from the Historic Venice Train Depot north to Fruitville Road in Sarasota. Combined with the Venetian Waterway Park Trail (10 miles) that connects at the Venice Train Depot, the system offers nearly 30 miles of continuous car-free riding through wetlands, forests, and coastal communities.

What is there to do at Wellen Park in Venice?

Wellen Park is a lifestyle destination built around an 80-acre Grand Lake featuring restaurants, a weekly farmers market (Sundays 9 AM to 1 PM), free live concerts, kayak and paddleboard rentals, over 30 miles of connected trails, a monthly night market, and special events throughout the year. Everything is open to the public and most activities are free or low-cost.

Do you need a permit to collect shark teeth in Venice Florida?

No. While Florida generally requires a permit to collect vertebrate fossils on state land, fossilized shark teeth are specifically excluded from that requirement. You can collect shark teeth freely on any public beach in Venice without a permit or fee.

Where can I check a Venice Beach cam before I go?

Search for "Venice Beach live cam" or "Venice Fishing Pier live cam" to see current beach and weather conditions before driving over. It is a useful way to time beach visits around afternoon storms and peak crowds.

Is Venice walkable for a car-free day trip?

Yes in the downtown core. Once parked near Venice Avenue, you can walk shops, restaurants, parks, and nearby attractions. For beach hopping, Wellen Park, or Myakka River State Park, a car is still the easiest option.