The Venice center point is approximately the area of Venice Regional Medical Center and 9 miles south of Potter Park.
Venice, Florida, enjoys warm sunny weather year round. Summers are particularly sweltering, with highs in the upper 80s and low 90s, as well as the highest precipitation levels of the year. Though this is one of the most popular seasons for tourists who are off school for the summer, it's not ideal for weather. Hurricane season lasts from June through November, and it often brings about daily showers. Summer events include the June Craft Festival on the third weekend of the month and the Christmas in July celebration on the third Friday and Saturday in July.
Autumn weather is still quite hot and humid with average highs in the 80s and upper 70s and lows in the 60s and 70s. You can attend the September Craft Festival the first full weekend of September, and the September Sidewalk Sale on the third Friday and Saturday. The November Art Festival takes place the first weekend of the month. The Venice Blues Festival brings Maxine Barritt Park to life the third Saturday of November.
In winter, average highs are in the 70s, and lows are in the 50s. This is an ideal time to visit if you're more interested in strolling the beach than swimming. You can escape harsher weather in the north during your holiday season. The city's Christmas Walk takes place on the first Thursday of December.
Spring is the best time to visit Venice, Florida. Temperatures are in the 70s and low 80s during the day, and they dip into the upper 50s or 60s at night. The rainy season hasn't quite hit, and aside from spring break, the tourist traffic remains relatively low. The March Art Classic happens the first weekend in March, and the May Sidewalk Sale takes place on the Friday and Saturday before Mother's Day.
Choice Hotels like the Rodeway Inn in Venice offer the benefits of the Choice Privileges program. If you've stayed at other hotels in the chain, such as the Quality Inn, Comfort Inn, or Sleep Inn, you can add you're your existing points or cash in perks you may have already earned.
Wyndham hotels like the Ramada Venice Hotel Venezia offer discounts for auto club members, AARP members, seniors, groups, and government employees. Marriott hotels like the Fairfield Inn & Suites offer AAA discounts and military and government rates.
Hilton hotels like the Hampton Inn & Suites Venice Bayside South Sarasota offer the HHonors rewards program. You can earn or redeem these rewards at Hampton, DoubleTree, Homewood Suites, and Hilton locations. These hotels also offer several discount programs for special guests, including deals for seniors, military families, government personnel, AARP members, AAA members, and Florida residents.
If you're looking for great value, start with an affordable choice like the Best Western Plus Ambassador Suites Venice. This hotel immediately helps you trim your travel budget with a complimentary breakfast complete with eggs, breakfast meats, fruit, and coffee. On-site amenities include a heated outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, guest laundry, meeting and banquet facilities, and photocopy and fax services. Rooms feature complimentary wireless internet access as well as a refrigerator and a microwave. Jacuzzi suites are available.
The Fairfield Inn & Suites Venice offers spacious rooms with a microwave, refrigerator, complimentary internet access, iPod dock, and flat-screen TV with HBO. Mornings begin with a free hot breakfast. You can head outside to enjoy the pool and whirlpool, or keep up with your exercise routine in the fitness center.
The Inn at the Beach is a charming local hotel in Venice that lets you get away from predictable chains and enjoy a bit more of the area's distinctive flavor. Standard guest rooms feature a refrigerator, microwave, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with 60 cable channels. Studio, one-, and two-bedroom suites are available with added space to stretch out. These accommodations include kitchenettes and separate living areas. The hotel's biggest draw is its beachside location, which helps you feel like you're really getting away from it all.
The Holiday Inn Express Venice is another smart value-packed pick with easy access to the beach. Guests enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast as well as a microwave and mini refrigerator in each room. The guest rooms also include wireless internet access and cable TV. Business travelers can reserve 312 square feet of flexible meeting space and a business center. For recreation, you have an on-site fitness center and outdoor pool as well as access to an off-site fitness center with more extensive equipment.
Venice is a lovely spot for biking. Venetian Waterway Park offers twin bike paths for 10 miles along both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway. The northern end of the trail puts you near historic downtown Venice. The Legacy Trail covers 10 miles between Venice and Sarasota, passing through Nokomis Park, Oscar Scherer State Park, and Culverhouse Nature Park.
SCAT buses offer service throughout Venice on Route 13. The Venice Island Trolley offers free transportation from January through April. It runs every day but Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The trolley covers a 30-minute loop with six stops throughout the city, including the Venice Community Center, Centennial Park, and Venice Beach.
If you bring a car to Venice, you'll find many areas that offer free parking. Take care to note time limits, however. Most street parking has a two-hour time limit. At Centennial Park, you're limited to five hours, and the lot behind the Venice Theatre is only free until 6 p.m.
Venice, Florida is a beautiful Gulf Coast destination that will help you escape the bustle of major metropolitan destinations. Though it enjoys a thriving arts and culture scene, it lacks much of the tack tourist pizzazz that's taken over other Floridian destinations.
For beach access, manicured parks, engaging trails, and diverse shopping opportunities, Venice, Florida is a well-rounded choice. The hotels here are as charming as the city itself, with diverse options to suit any stay, from a business trip to a budget getaway. Book your room and start planning now.
Below are reviews of the city of Venice, FL from an actual visitor's perspective.
The beach was nice!
The city of Venice is lovely and vibrant!
Lots of restaurants, shopping centers, sites. Always something to do!!!
Quite, nice neighborhood.
Close to restaurants. Quiet. Friendly area.
Close to restaurants. Quiet. Friendly area.
Venice very nice! Enjoyed the shops, the Gulf, and restaurants😀😀😀
Secure city. Clean and very nice. We loved it!
Beautifully kept, awesome beaches and great dinning.
Beautifully kept hotel, awesome beaches and great dining.
Beautiful town.
Casperson Beach. The jetty. Lunch at the jetty. Seemed to be a clean city (I'm from Chicago area!!). Enjoyed the rookery.
The beach and downtown are great.
Loved shopping in town!!
The shark teeth at the beach made my kids day! It was super cool, for a big family from Minnesota it couldn't have been better. It's not too fancy and yet no scary neighborhoods. It felt comfortable for us. Will come again.
City of Venice has a very nice shopping area and we toured some neighborhoods and it looks like a very nice place to stay or live. Will need to stay longer to get a better evaluation of the area.
Walking through the town, Sharkey's beach and lunch on the beach and "shelling" and looking for sharks teeth.