Venice Florida Downtown
Daily Photo Blog
Time and good design has blessed Venice Florida's Downtown. Thanks largely to the design for this city back in the 1920’s downtown Venice today is a wonderfully distinctive, Mediterranean inspired paradise of locally owned gift shops, clothing stores, antique shops, art galleries, restaurants, and more.
The downtown area has an established “Main Street” status through Venice Main Street Inc. and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. While many downtown's struggle to compete with suburban malls downtown Venice is thriving. It is a very enjoyable place to stroll, shop in one of a kind stores, dine in popular local restaurants, and enjoy a unique atmosphere.
One of a kind locally owned shops is an absolutely essential aspect that makes downtown Venice so special. This is HUGE to me. Even with it’s historic designation, if downtown was filled with national chain stores that you could find anywhere it just wouldn’t be nearly as interesting or attractive.
Locally owned businesses help make Venice Florida Downtown a place worth visiting rather than just a clone of every mall in America. There are some wonderful stores here that you’ll never be able to find in suburban malls.
Time and good design has blessed Venice Florida's Downtown. Thanks largely to the design for this city back in the 1920’s downtown Venice today is a wonderfully distinctive, Mediterranean inspired paradise of locally owned gift shops, clothing stores, antique shops, art galleries, restaurants, and more.
The downtown area has an established “Main Street” status through Venice Main Street Inc. and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. While many downtown's struggle to compete with suburban malls downtown Venice is thriving. It is a very enjoyable place to stroll, shop in one of a kind stores, dine in popular local restaurants, and enjoy a unique atmosphere.
One of a kind locally owned shops is an absolutely essential aspect that makes downtown Venice so special. This is HUGE to me. Even with it’s historic designation, if downtown was filled with national chain stores that you could find anywhere it just wouldn’t be nearly as interesting or attractive.
Locally owned businesses help make Venice Florida Downtown a place worth visiting rather than just a clone of every mall in America. There are some wonderful stores here that you’ll never be able to find in suburban malls.
You’ll also find many very friendly and helpful merchants here with exceptional customer service that I also feel would be very hard to replicate in those copy cat corporate malls where most people are working for big business rather than for themselves.
The main shopping area is made up of three streets. Miami Avenue the southern most of the three is home to several high end consignment shops, antique stores, boutiques, and restaurants.
Fountain Park at Miami and Nokomis Avenues is my favorite small park on the island featuring an Italian cast iron fountain. Of several shops in this area my favorite is the Erlenbach Jewelry Studio which makes handcrafted jewelry that I feel could and should be displayed as art.
Two of the three main avenues making up the shopping district boarder Centennial Park. This park offers ample parking and green space, it is further enhanced by a park gazebo (the site of many concerts), an interactive fountain, and public restrooms.
The main shopping area is made up of three streets. Miami Avenue the southern most of the three is home to several high end consignment shops, antique stores, boutiques, and restaurants.
Fountain Park at Miami and Nokomis Avenues is my favorite small park on the island featuring an Italian cast iron fountain. Of several shops in this area my favorite is the Erlenbach Jewelry Studio which makes handcrafted jewelry that I feel could and should be displayed as art.
Two of the three main avenues making up the shopping district boarder Centennial Park. This park offers ample parking and green space, it is further enhanced by a park gazebo (the site of many concerts), an interactive fountain, and public restrooms.
Centennial Park and the streets around it feature many events throughout the year. Events range from art shows covering a large part of the downtown area to concerts at the gazebo in Centennial Park, and Saturday Markets featuring fresh produce from local farms. During the Third Thursday Strolls downtown is really hoping with live music and events.
The new interactive water fountain is a lot of fun for kids of all ages. It is a delightful new feature whether you like playing in the water or not. I rather like the lighting at night.
The fountain, most of the events and other enhancements are made possible through Venice Main Street Inc. They work with a variety of partnerships including the City of Venice, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice, and local businesses to keep downtown a place that people and businesses want to be.
While I still haven’t gotten used to Christmas in Florida downtown is an even more magical place that time of year, not just with decorations but with parades and special holiday events.
The new interactive water fountain is a lot of fun for kids of all ages. It is a delightful new feature whether you like playing in the water or not. I rather like the lighting at night.
The fountain, most of the events and other enhancements are made possible through Venice Main Street Inc. They work with a variety of partnerships including the City of Venice, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice, and local businesses to keep downtown a place that people and businesses want to be.
While I still haven’t gotten used to Christmas in Florida downtown is an even more magical place that time of year, not just with decorations but with parades and special holiday events.
Venice Avenue as the name implies is the main street here. It truly is an avenue with a wide palm tree lined and landscaped median running down the center. Here you can find men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, wine and gourmet shops, jewelry, gift stores ranging from gaudy beach souvenirs to high end gifts for those with very discerning taste, home décor, stationers, and more.
Holiday Dreams & Memories is one of my favorite shops on Venice Ave. Seeing all the wonderful ornaments and one of a kind treasurers here will create a great memory in itself.
I have to admit that I am also partial to The Soda Fountain, it’s a great place to enjoy ice cream or a full meal in a real old fashioned atmosphere.
Tampa Avenue on the north side of the park is home to Venice Mall. This building is one of the original hotels built in Venice Florida Downtown, it later housed the Kentucky Military Institute.
Holiday Dreams & Memories is one of my favorite shops on Venice Ave. Seeing all the wonderful ornaments and one of a kind treasurers here will create a great memory in itself.
I have to admit that I am also partial to The Soda Fountain, it’s a great place to enjoy ice cream or a full meal in a real old fashioned atmosphere.
Tampa Avenue on the north side of the park is home to Venice Mall. This building is one of the original hotels built in Venice Florida Downtown, it later housed the Kentucky Military Institute.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, specialty shops, salons, and a delightful French restaurant now fill the main floor with condos above. The Mediterranean ambience of this building makes it a delightful place to get a cooling respite on a hot day.
Venice Theater also on Tampa Avenue is a wonderful place for an evening out. This is the 3rd largest community theater in the U.S. and the justifiably proud recipient of many national awards, there is almost always a show on stage here from comedies and dramas, to Broadway musicals and concerts.
A great night out in Venice Florida’s downtown could start with dinning at one of the many restaurants with choices ranging from casual to fine cuisine. Need I even mention it, of course there is Italian food, this is Venice! There are also American classics from BBQ to seafood, plus French, Japanese, and more.
Next catch a show at the Venice Theater or a Friday night concert in the park and top it off with drinks and dancing at one of the island night spots with live entertainment. For a quite evening enjoy a spectacular sunset on the beach in the company of your love.
Visit Venice Florida Downtown and you’ll discover a real Florida treasure.
Venice Theater also on Tampa Avenue is a wonderful place for an evening out. This is the 3rd largest community theater in the U.S. and the justifiably proud recipient of many national awards, there is almost always a show on stage here from comedies and dramas, to Broadway musicals and concerts.
A great night out in Venice Florida’s downtown could start with dinning at one of the many restaurants with choices ranging from casual to fine cuisine. Need I even mention it, of course there is Italian food, this is Venice! There are also American classics from BBQ to seafood, plus French, Japanese, and more.
Next catch a show at the Venice Theater or a Friday night concert in the park and top it off with drinks and dancing at one of the island night spots with live entertainment. For a quite evening enjoy a spectacular sunset on the beach in the company of your love.
Visit Venice Florida Downtown and you’ll discover a real Florida treasure.