Free Things to do in Venice, Florida

The best way to explore Venice, Florida is by heading outdoors and discover all of the free things the area has to offer. From shark teeth hunting to sunset views on the Pier, here’s where to get started. 

Venice Art Center

Although the Venice Art Center offers over 600 paid classes to the public, it also offers visual art exhibitions showcasing local talent to the public for free. You can support Venice’s artists by participating at the free community events and exhibitions that the Art Center offers throughout the year. 

Hunt for Shark Teeth

Venice, Florida is billed as the “shark tooth capital of the world”. The beaches in and around Venice are a treasure trove of fossilized shark teeth. It’s been said a shark can lose over 10,000 teeth in just one lifetime, making them a relatively easy find along Venice’s shoreline. The best beaches for shark tooth hunting are Venice, Caspersen, and Brohard Beach which are particularly rich with fossils, making a shark tooth discovery a perfect free keepsake from your Venice or Sarasota, Florida vacation! 

Sample the Farmers Market

The Venice Farmers Market is open year-round. Local vendors set-up shop in the parking lot of Venice’s City Hall. Get to know the vendors while tasting the free samples and browsing the freshly baked goods, artwork, fish and more. You can wander and shop each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. October to March and 8 a.m. to noon April through September. 

Soak up Sunset Views at Venice Pier

Take in views of the sparkling Gulf of Mexico waters from the 700-foot Venice Pier. The Pier is open 24-hours a day and is free to the public. And unlike many of the piers in Florida, you can fish right from the Venice Pier without a fishing license. Bring your own bait or purchase from the bait shop located on the Pier. End your day with glorious sunset views from the Pier, and if you want to splurge, stop for dinner at the adjacent Sharky’s on the Pier or Fin’s restaurants.

Centennial Park

Located in the heart of downtown Venice, Centennial Park features a pedestrian walkway, greenspace offering plenty of space for games and picnics, and a memorial to veterans. But it’s family-friendly draw is the free weekly concerts and the interactive splash fountain where kids can play and cool off. 

Venice Museum and Archives

This museum housed in the historic 1927 Triangle Inn building, has an impressive collection–over 30,000–of photographs, literature, and archeological objects for a historical exhibit of the history of Venice. Admission is free. The Venice Museum and Archives is open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the first and third Saturday of each month October through April. 

Brohard Beach and Paw Park

Paw Park in Venice is the best dog-friendly park in the state of Florida. It’s a fantastic place for dogs to play off-leash in a controlled environment under the supervision of their owners. amenities include doggie fountains, dog showers, boardwalk to the beach, separate fenced areas for small and large dogs, leash posts, waste disposal bags and trash cans, covered picnic tables, benches, and restrooms, make this the perfect spot to take your furry family member. Venice’s Brohard Beach and Paw Park also includes a wetland area ideal for fishing and bird watching.

Legacy and Venetian Waterway Recreational Trails

Walkers, joggers, bicyclists, nature lovers, and rollerbladers can enjoy the Venetian Waterway Trail running either side of the Intracoastal channel, and the Legacy Trail a paved recreational trail. See boats, birds, and even dolphins as you enjoy exercising in the fresh air.

Birding in Venice, Florida

A top Sarasota birdwatching location, the Venice Area Audubon Society was founded in 1965 to protect and conserve the habitat for wildlife and migrating birds. It now offers educational tours, bird counts, field trips, and birding walks. There’s an excellent Bird Sanctuary, Butterfly Garden, Venice Rookery at the Welcome Center on Annex Road where you may spot alligators, raccoons, and owls as well as herons, egrets, and ibis during nesting season. Learn about more Southwest Florida birding locations. 

Turn finding the best free things to do in Venice, Florida into an adventure. Pick and choose your favorite spots and create your own budget-friendly must-do list.