anyone near Venice Florida?

10 years ago

My parents will be spending the next month at a friends house in Venice.
I would like surprise them with tickets to a show or a nice dinner out...or something that would require limited mobility.

Could be a little north or south, but would prefer to not have them drive more than 20 miles or so at night, but a really good day theatre farther away would be an option

Any suggestions?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

SunnyDJ
10 years ago
When you asked if anyone was near Venice, I wanted to reply, no, but I'd sure like to be.....I can't help you with your request but only add that Venice beach has to be one of the prettiest and nicest beaches we've ever been to......
Hope someone can help......
terilyn
10 years ago
Just did a Google search on Venice attractions and Trip Advisor had a top twenty list. Venice theatre was ranked number one.
Related Discussions
North Florida, roadside, pinkish blooms, near ditch
Q
Comments (2)
I am leaning toward Rosy Camphorweed (Pluchea rosea) but am uncertain.
...See More
Looking for more exotic fig varieties near Ft Myers Florida
Q
Comments (2)
I know that Celeste (aka Celestial) do well in the sub tropics. My neighbor in south Texas near Corpus Christi (right on the humid, Texas coast) has a Celeste that is only about 6' tall and it gets loaded with fruit every year. Small fruit but very tasty. FF
...See More
recommendation for nursery near Haines City - Central Florida
Q
Comments (1)
Got this add on Craigslist...I'm not far away and always wanted to ck it out myself....let me know..It's in davenport...next down on 17-92...so very close Craigslist Orlando listing : Thompsons Nursery is having a Sale on a variety of landscaping plants. We are a licensed nursery and state inspected. Skip the high prices at the stores, and come by your local nursery and Save. Azaleas Formosa in 3 gal $4.50 Arbicola Trinnette in 3 gal $4.95 Boxwood in 3 gal $4.95 Hibiscus in 3 gal $4 Gold Mount in 3 gal $4.95 Mexican Petunia in 3 gal $4.50 Gardinia in 3 gal $4.50 Lantana in 1 gal $2.35 Roses in 3 gal $8 Dwarf Mondo Grass in 1 gal $1.85 Mondo Grass in 1 gal $1.85 Aztech Grass in 1 gal $1.25 Jasmine in 1 gal $2.25 Juniper in 3 gal $4.95 Loropedlum in 3 gal $5.25 Viburnum in 3 gal $4.75 Liriope in 1 gal $1 We are easy to find, just 2 miles from i4 in davenport. Call jc 407-729-8505 or email. Thanks for viewing
...See More
Anyone See Any Hummingbirds In SW Florida Yet?
Q
Comments (41)
TY! Yes, one of the Hamelias . A Monarch and a Gulf Fritillary nectaring side by side. I have several different firebush plants through-out the garden. As for feeders, I keep feeders on hand and only put them out when after I see a hummer. I keep them clean , replacing small amount of sugar syrup every other day in hopes it may be just the extra encouragement too keep hummers in the garden. The one year we did have hummers nesting, they were so illusive, we only saw the male once, the female once, then suddenly there were babies :) I never did see any of them use the feeders :( Luckily, the babies followed a schedule, feeding on flowers every few hours. :) We found the nest months later blown onto the ground in a storm. As soon as the male babies started to develop their ruby colouring, they all departed. I wish I had videoed them, but at the time, had my hands full with my own babies :)
...See More
juneroses Z9a Cntrl Fl
10 years ago
Salgal: You might consider posting your question on the Florida Gardening Forum. I know your query doesn't involve gardening, but the folks at that Forum have responded to similar questions in the past.

I'm a newer resident of the state but Venice isn't my usual stomping grounds so I can't help. - June
kayjones
10 years ago
Here's a link to the Chamber of Commerce/visitor's bureau of Venice, Fl. - email and ask for such information:

http://www.venicechamber.com/VisitorInformation/PresidentsMessage/tabid/58/Default.aspx

Here is a link that might be useful: Venice, Fl. Chamber of Commerce
bob_cville
10 years ago
My in-laws lived 5 miles north of there for years, and we would visit them for Christmas most of the time. I know we went to a play in Venice one year and a couple of other years to shows in Sarasota, which is probably 20 miles away but more like 45 minutes to an hour away. It has been a few years so I'm probably not much help, I don't even remember what show we saw in Venice. Also for restaurants, several of the ones I remember have changed names or at least changed chefs so my experience isn't so helpful. My father-in-law would always take us to Sharky's on the Pier which sits right on the water with beautiful views and sunsets, is a great location, and a fun atmosphere, but only slightly above average food.
hounds_x_two
10 years ago
What a thoughtful idea!
Sorry I can't help. Just wanted to applaud your thoughtfulness.
kathyg_in_mi
10 years ago
We're going to be in Venice this winter. Have all ways been near there and there are some wonderful restruants there.
One of our favorites is Sharky's. They just have great food and a wonderful view of the Gulf of Mexico. There is a pier that goes out into the gulf and is a nice walk. You can watch the fishermen catching sharks (small), sometimes see jelly fish in the water, and just have a good time.
Kathy G in MI

Here is a link that might be useful: Sharky's
bob_cville
10 years ago
If they are going to Sarasota perhaps they could get lunch at Duval's New World Cafe. We went to previous incarnations of this restaurant with the same chef/owner, and the food was stunningly good. The last time I was at their previous restaurant on US-41, my order was "surprise me." I haven't been to their new place in downtown Sarasota, (and some reviews seems to suggest that the Chef Wes Duval is no longer cooking at Duval's) but the food I've had was good enough to be worth the trip.

This blog posting I found describes the current restaurant pretty well. Duval's New World Cafe Review

With that said after checking the link KathyG included, Sharky's might be a great choice. My complaint with their food has been that they seem to cut corners in making the food, with side dishes that seemed like they bought them frozen, and just heated them up in a microwave, and several times the fish I've ordered has been overcooked and dried out as if it sat under a heat lamp for a while, and the sauces have tasted factory made. I've often thought this was due to the menu being so big and the restaurant being so big that they can't do everything well, and that if they would get rid of 2/3 of the menu and do a better job on the remaining choices the restaurant could be truly outstanding. It seems that that is what they have recently done in opening a more upscale sister restaurant, named Fins, upstairs from the main restaurant. It would be worth finding out whether the gift certificates they sell for Sharky's are also good for Fins, if so then your parents could decide whether to go upscale upstairs, or somewhat touristy fun downstairs.

As a final suggestion Sharky's website mentions another place called "Snook Haven" which is more of a glorified snack bar, with outside tables. A lunch at Snook Haven with a river tour could make for a fun day as well, although its not clear whether the Snook Haven gift certificates would be usable for the river tour.
oldfixer
10 years ago
Hope they get a chance to be at the beach and find a Shark Tooth.
teddybear_2009
10 years ago
Sorry I cant travel there but I looked at sharkey"s site and what a good recipe I found for Sharky Bars makes a big batch which I will try and make. HAPPY TRAILS EVERYONE