Despite its elegant appearance and burgeoning popularity with vacationers, Venice prides itself on its small town feel and homespun charm. Designated a 'Florida Main Street Community', it lights up regularly with parades, festivals, and outdoor concerts at the town's central gazebo. Shops stay open late for the popular Evening Strolls on the third Thursday of every month as large crowds, street performers, artisans, and food vendors take over the streets. Venice is a 45 minute drive from downtown Sarasota and its array of cultural attractions, but theatre lovers don't have to leave the island to enjoy Broadway shows and concerts at Venice Little Theatre.

Historic Spanish Point
377 North Tamiami Trail, Osprey
(941) 966-5214
www.historicspanishpoint.org

Located in nearby Osprey, the 30-acre site is the county's premier historical attraction. Guided tours and fascinating exhibits offer insight into the lives of early Floridians. Nature trails wind past an ancient burial mound and pioneer homestead.

Venice Little Theatre
140 West Tampa Avenue, Venice
(941) 488-1115
www.venicestage.com

Despite its diminutive title, Venice Avenue's art deco-style theater offers big splashy Broadway productions to large crowds of appreciative theater buffs. The smaller of the theater's two stages features cabaret-style concerts, edgy dramas, one-man shows, and children's programming.

Myakka River State Park
13207 State Road 72, Sarasota
(941) 361-6511
www.myakkariver.org

Florida's largest state park gives visitors a sense of what the state was like a hundred years ago. 29,000 acres of primal wilderness surrounding the Myakka River teem with alligators, vultures, and herons. Guided tours by foot, canoe, and kayak offer nature lovers an interesting look at wild cypress swamp, mangrove forests, and marshland.