The original inhabitants of the area that would become Venice were the Paleo-Indians, who lived there as early as 8200 BCE. The first European settlers arrived in the area during the 19th century. At the time, Venice was referred to as Horse and Chaise because of a carriage-like tree formation. Several homesteads were established in the area during the late 1800s, and in 1888, a post office was built with the area name Venice. The name was due to the area's resemblance to the famous canal city in Italy of the same name. The city of Venice was officially incorporated on May 9, 1927. Today, the beautiful community on Florida's Gulf Coast has a population of around 25,000.
The most famous spot in Venice is the picturesque Venice Beach, which lies only a short walk from the downtown area and features pristine white sand. You could go for a swim in the pleasantly warm waters or stop by one of the many quality restaurants and cafés that line the beach. You should also take some time to explore downtown Venice, which boasts historic buildings and a wide variety of shops, eateries, and bars to check out. Another lovely spot to visit is Caspersen Beach, known for its exceptional beauty and nearby rocky areas to explore. There are quite a few other fantastic beaches and parks to see around Venice as well, including North Jetty Beach, Oscar Scherer State Park, Myakka State Forest, and Centennial Park.
If you're interested in learning about the history of the area, the Venice Museum and Archives is certainly worth a visit. There's also the Historic Venice Train Depot, which dates back to 1927 and has been preserved as a fascinating museum. If you feel like picking up some tasty fresh produce while you're in town, Detwiler’s Farm Market is a wonderful option. And when you're looking for a superb dinner spot, you should absolutely consider Sharky’s on the Pier. There, you can enjoy some excellent food and tropical drinks while watching the gorgeous sunset.
Annual Downtown Venice Art Festival - The Annual Downtown Venice Art Festival is happening in early November in downtown Venice. Admission is free, and attendees will enjoy artwork from more than 100 of the nation's very best artists.
Downtown Venice Craft Festival - The annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival features lots of fantastic ceramics, jewelry, stained glass, and metal works. The event will be taking place on Miami Avenue in downtown Venice in early September.
Sun Fiesta - The annual Sun Fiesta event is a family-friendly festival taking place in mid-October in Historic Downtown Venice. Come on out to enjoy food, drinks, crafts, a parade, and much more.
Comprising more than 1.5 million acres in southern Florida, Everglades National Park is a vast tropical wilderness containing pine flatwoods, sawgrass marshes, and coastal mangroves. Home to amazing creatures like manatees, Florida panthers, and crocodiles, the park is a unique place for wildlife viewing. During your visit, you can explore the amazing natural area by taking an airboat tour. Other popular activities to enjoy in the park include hiking and bird-watching.
Located about 70 miles west of Key West, FL, Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote water wonderland, which is only accessible by boat or seaplane. Visitors to the park can explore the unique landmarks, such as the 19th-century fortress and the magnificent lighthouse. If you're looking to enjoy some water-based fun, you can partake in activities like boating, paddling, fishing, swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Another wonderful destination for water-based recreation is Biscayne National Park, which is found just off Florida's southeastern coast. Known for its pristine waters, the park is a perfect destination for world-class snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing. Those who choose to do some diving can check out the many shallow-water shipwrecks found in the area for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Located just outside Osprey, FL, Oscar Scherer State Park is a great place for fishing and swimming in the Gulf. There are also some scenic hiking and biking trails to explore and plenty of lovely spots to enjoy a picnic.
Myakka River State Park is a natural area along the Myakka River containing wetlands, prairies, and pinelands. The scenic park offers opportunities for lots of recreational activities, including wildlife viewing, bird-watching, boating, fishing, canoeing, and hiking.
Lake Manatee State Park, located near Bradenton, FL, is a picturesque natural haven featuring placid waters, colorful wildflowers, and abundant wildlife. The nearby lake is a great spot for boating, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing, and there are also some excellent nearby hiking and off-road biking trails to explore.
It's definitely worth taking a few detours to visit some of Florida's many cool landmarks and monuments. If you visit Key West, you can stop by the southernmost point in the continental United States. The spot is clearly marked with a multi-colored buoy, which offers a unique photo opportunity for visitors.
Located east of Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center is a unique attraction where visitors can learn all about the amazing subject of space exploration. The center features a variety of awesome exhibits and lets visitors see where real rockets have launched.
Orlando's Walt Disney World is one of the most famous attractions in the world, and it's certainly worth stopping by if you're traveling with the family. The complex actually features four separate theme parks containing tons of awesome rides, entertainment, and restaurants.
You'll have a number of peaceful camping areas to choose from around Venice, and one example is The Tides RV Resort. The park is home to a whopping 389 RV campsites with full hookups available. There are a variety of great amenities for guests, including a huge clubhouse, pickleball courts, heated pools, spas, a modern fitness center, and many more.
Another great campground is the Citrus Hills RV Park, which features 283 full-hookup RV campsites available for $28 per night or $154 per week. The campground is known for having a lovely atmosphere and a friendly staff.
You could also stay at Bickley RV Park. There, you can rent one of the 185 RV campsites for between $75 and $105 per night. There are full hookups available, and the campground is located conveniently close to the beach.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Venice, FL, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Venice?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Venice from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Venice?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.