Venice, Florida Local Attractions

Historic Spanish Point

337 North Tamiami Trail
Osprey, FL 34229
Tel: 941-966-5214
Historic Spanish Point features places of ancient and pioneer history. The exhibits here examine the environmental history of the area, as well as archaeology. There are 30 trails guests can walk along, a visitors center, and an exhibit gallery. Some of the buildings here are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

DeSoto National Memorial

DeSoto Memorial Hwy.
Sarasota, FL
Tel: 941-792-0458
Showcases the 1539 expedition and landing of Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto. The foray began with over 600 conquistadors, 200 horses, and a pack of dogs storming ashore the lower Tampa Bay area of the state. They had numerous violent encounters with the resident Native American tribes in their quest for gold and jewels. After four years, De Soto died, and his remaining men returned to Mexico. This event did inspire other Europeans to settle and colonize this area, and others in the United States. The Memorial contains a recreation of De Soto's camp, and a half-mile long scenic trail that circles a mangrove jungle, and eventually leads to the ruins of the area's original settlements. Guests can also watch a short film that details the events that occured here. Park employees in 16th century costumes perform demonstrations in the park from December to March.

Gamble Plantation Historic State Park

3708 Patten Avenue
Ellenton, FL 34222
Tel: 941-723-4536
Features the oldest structure on the southeastern coast of Florida. Gamble Plantation is a good example of an antebellum plantation home, and was constructed over a six year period - beginning in 1840 - by Major Robert Gamble. Guests are welcome to explore the plantation grounds on their own, and guided tours of the home are provided. Inside, it features an extensive collection of 19th century furniture. It is the only antebellum plantation home that survives in the area.

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

5401 Bay Shore Road
Sarasota, FL 34243
Tel: 941-359-5700
Built by John Ringling, of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus fame, this museum houses 22 galleries of internationally important works encompassing over 500 years of European and American art. In addition, the museum is said to house one of the most significant collections of 17th century Baroque paintings.

South Florida Museum and Parker Manatee Aquarium

201 10th St. W.
Sarasota, FL 34205
Tel: 941-746-4131
features the oldest manatee that was born in captivity. The museum examines the history of south Florida, from prehistoric ages to the present day. Among the displays are life-sized diaramas of Native American life. Replicas of 16th century buildings are also here.

Sarasota Classic Car Museum

5500 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34239
Tel: 941-355-6228
The Sarasota Classic Car Museum, built in 1952, is America's third oldest automobile museum. It features three main exhibits including more than 100 cars, musical instruments and an antique arcade exhibit.

Cayo Costa State Park:

Cayo Costa State Park
Boca Grande, FL 33921
Tel: 941-964-0375
Cayo Costa State Park is located on a barrier island that is only accessible by boat. Camping is available here, either in cabins or tents, and recreational activities include shelling, hiking, fishing and swimming. It is important to note that there are no lifeguards on duty, and cabins must be reserved 11 months in advance.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

811 S. Palm Ave.
Sarasota, FL 34236
Tel: 941-366-5731
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens features, among other highlights, a collection of over 6,000 living orchids. Over 20,000 exotic plants are also here, many of which were obtained in the wild. A bamboo pavilion, hummingbird and butterfly garden, fernery, palm grove, waterfall garden, and more are also open for guests to visits. Native plants are also examined here as well. Many special events are held here throughout the year.

The Mote Marine Aquarium

1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
Sarasota, F 34236-1004
Tel: 941-388-4441
Toll Free: 1-800-691-6683
The Mote Marine Aquarium includes such exhibits as a touch tank, an interactive sea cinema, a manatee exhibit, a sea turtle exhibit and a shark tank.

Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary

1708 Ken Thompson Pkwy.
Sarasota, FL 34236
Tel: 941-388-4444
Situated in Ken Thompson Park, the sanctuary is home to 200 permanently disabled birds, representing 55 different species. Hours of operation are 10am-5pm daily. No admission fee.

Sarasota Jungle Gardens

3701 Bayshore Road
Sarasota, FL 34234
Tel: 941 355-1112
Toll Free: 1-877-861-6547 Sarasota Jungle Gardens features winding pathways through 10-acres of jungle habitat including palms, shrubs and plants. Some of the other attractions include the Flamingo Lagoon, leopards, alligators, cockatoos and plenty of other jungle wildlife.

Mixed Fruit Farms

2712 26th Avenue East
Bradenton, FL 34208
Tel: 941-748-5829
Enjoy the fruit groves and sample free fruit, juice and fudge.

Golden Apple Dinner Theater

25 N. Pineapple Ave.
Sarasota, FL 34236
Tel: 941-366-5454
Music... Comedy... Drama... Have it all at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre, Broadway on the Suncoast. As one of a dozen professional dinner theatres in the country and the oldest continuing dinner theatre in America, the Golden Apple guarantees a quality production. You can see Broadway actors and enjoy our excellent buffet for one low price (gratuity and cocktails extra). Open from mid-October to mid-May.

Asolo Theater Company

5555 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34243
Tel: 941-351-8000
From November through June the acclaimed professional Asolo Acting Company presents a unique rotating repertory ranging from classics to recent Broadway hits in the 500 seat Harold E. and Esther M. Mertz Theatre, a beautifully restored 1903 opera house from Dunfermline, Scotland. Theatregoers can choose as many as four different plays in a single weekend.

Circus Sarasota

P.O.Box 18636
Sarasota, FL 34276
Tel: 941-355-9805
Sarasota, known as the "Circus Capitol of the World," now has its own one-ring, five-star international circus. Circus Arts & Family Entertainment At Its Best! A non profit organization with one of the finest Circuses in the area as well as programs toward Education, Special Education, Community Service and Performance. All these activities merit the highest artistic level of quality.