Venice Florida offers something rare: a place that’s genuinely weird, surprisingly cool, and refreshingly unpretentious.
The thing about Venice, Florida, is that you could easily pass through it on your way to somewhere else and not consider stopping. Most people seeking a picturesque pier and Gulf sunset views head north over to Clearwater Beach, and those wanting lots of shopping and authentic international food might head further south to Miami. Yet, although Venice might not sound like a hot spot for tourism, this weird little town that will be 100 years old in 2026, has what all the other popular beach towns have and many things they don’t, like hidden walkways for pedestrians and free parking throughout the city and its beaches. Venice also has a very interesting origin story, community culture, and prehistoric past that no other Florida beach town can compete with, which makes it kind of a cool place to visit.
Here’s what to do when you get to Venice, Florida.
