Venice, FL is situated on the west coast of Florida, right on the Gulf of Mexico. Thanks to the millions of shark’s teeth that end up on its sandy white beaches every year, Venice, FL is known as the “Shark’s Tooth Capital of the World. The city has an incredible variety of recreation opportunities — from incredible family-friendly beaches, gift and specialty shops, to some of the best public golf courses. All in all, Venice, FL is an excellent spot for both short sojourns and long family breaks.
If you are thinking about heading over to Venice with the family sometime soon, here is a list of the 9 best Venice, FL family attractions. We’ve chosen these activities keeping you and your family in mind. So, go out there and share some quality time and build some great, long-lasting memories.
And Away We Go!
THE SHARK’S TOOTH FESTIVAL
Naturally, since we are talking about the “Shark’s Tooth Capital of the World,” it’s only right we start off our list of family- and kid-friendly activities in Venice, FL with the annual “The Sharks Tooth Festival”.
The festival takes place every spring at the Venice Airport Festival Grounds next to one of Venice’s best shark tooth hunting beaches. When you attend the festival, you’ll have the opportunity to see fossil collectors display their collections of shark teeth along with other prehistoric fossils.
Additionally, dozens of artists from the State of Florida set up displays of their work, and food vendors are on hand, dishing up everything from BBQ to fresh seafood.
Live entertainment performs all weekend long, and there are special events just for the kids like the Mote Marine hands-on exhibit and the Shark’s Tooth Scramble.
CENTENNIAL PARK
A beautiful little park where you can sit on a waterside bench to watch the sunset over Longboat Key. The splash park is fabulous fun for any age. Even adults can choose to get wet or just sit under the beautiful trees and watch the kids have fun. The park itself is a hub for community events like Farmer’s Market. It also has picnic tables, a gazebo, the veterans’ memorial, restrooms and free parking.
DEER PRAIRIE CREEK PRESERVE
Deer Prairie Creek is a horseback riding tour company that offers customized trail rides. Families are welcome with kids age 8 and up. Riding tours last one hour and are guided by trained professionals.
EASY KAYAKING
Whether you are an experienced kayaker looking to see more of Florida in this unique way, or a newbie looking for some instruction, Easy Kayaking has a package to suit your needs.
Short yet informative kayaking tours are their specialty. They offer a large selection of individual tour packages all of which are complete with wildlife viewing, stops for photography, and basic instruction as needed.
FATHER FISH AQUARIUM
Father Fish Aquarium is a specialty hobby shop set up to provide everything you need to keep Tropical Fish. Different species from around the world are displayed in their natural environment.
Whether you are a novice just starting out, a serious collector, or just passing through and want to see the fish, Father Fish Aquarium is a great place to stop by and look around.
SNOOK HAVEN RESTAURANT
Not your standard family dining experience. As one of Florida’s most unique restaurants, Snook Haven has resided on the banks of the Myakka River since 1948. Enjoy a true Old Florida setting either in their new dining room or out on the deck.
The peaceful view of the river and wildlife creates a beautiful backdrop to their delicious food, exceptional service, and local entertainment. Whether you are in the mood for Smokehouse BBQ, fresh fish, or astounding shrimp, your taste buds will be thanking you.
Snook’s outdoor entertainment area is a favorite haunt for local and regional musicians playing music that varies from traditional southern rock, bluegrass, and banjo standards, to country music, blues, and jazz. You can check out their monthly entertainment calendar to see who will be performing during your stay. Then, plan to make it an entire afternoon of music, food, and fun.
SHAMROCK PARK & NATURE CENTER
Looks can be deceiving, and with 80 acres, don’t let the amenities at the entrance fool you into thinking you’ve arrived at your ordinary, average park. In addition to the tennis and basketball courts, the kid’s playground, picnic areas complete with grills, they also have a butterfly garden and a 1.2-mile multi-use trail that winds through the central portion of the park.
Hike or bike through the nature preserve or take a stroll along the Intracoastal Waterway(ICW). Expect to encounter a variety of native wildlife including gophers, tortoises, and pelicans.
Best of all? It is totally free!
VENICE FISHING PIER
If fishing is your thing, you must experience the Venice Fishing Pier. Stretching 700 feet into the Gulf, the pier offers the convenience of its own bait shop and restrooms nearby. All this and the opportunity to catch sea trouts, king mackerels, and even barracudas.
VENICE MUNICIPAL BEACH
The 2008 winner of the Best Restored Beach Award, the Venice Municipal Beach is a certified Blue Wave Beach.
The Blue Wave cert program is a national environmental certification for beaches. The certification process is specifically designed to help maintain healthy, vibrant beaches that are safe, and clean.
Venice Municipal Beach is a great place to hunt for shark teeth and other fossils. It also has volleyball courts, boardwalks, and picnic areas, making your day at the beach a truly enjoyable family experience to share and remember.
FUN FOR A DAY OR TWO OR FIVE
We hope you’ve found our list of fun things to do in Venice, FL with kids helpful and handy as we planned it to be. In this era of digital technology, it’s more important than ever to take some time off your busy life and enjoy some quality family time. The activities you do together now will be the memories you look back on later — hopefully with a smile or a laugh!
