Head to the south end of the Key, where
quieter beaches like Turtle Beach and
Crescent Beach provide a more intimate
Gulf-side hangout.
Gulf Gate Village
Just south of Siesta Key on Tamiami Trail, and
home to the famous late-night Munchies 420
Cafe, the Gulf Gate Village is best known for
its casual nightlife. Fill up on hearty bites at
Off the Hook Seafood Co. or gorge on cupcakes
at Heavenly Cupcakes. Grab a cup of coffee at
Clever Cup or hit up the walkable bar strip and
cool hangouts like the Thirsty Turtle and the
West End Pub. For a robust craft beer
selection, find your pint at Mr. Beery’s.
Gulf Gate Village is also a great little shopping
hub, featuring the Wild Ginger Apothecary,
Just a Basket Case, and Boho Cottage Market.
Venice
n what was once a modest fishing and
farming community, small-town charm
and leisurely beach-style living continue
to define the city of Venice. The city’s
vibrant downtown, beautiful beaches and
family-friendly events have in recent years
made Venice a popular vacation getaway.
Today, Venice is known as the “Shark
Tooth Capital of the World” for its famous
prehistoric shark-tooth-laden beaches.
You’ll also find eclectic downtown shopping,
delicious dining, and award-winning
community theater, the Venice Theatre.
John Ringling moved the Ringling Circus
winter headquarters to Venice in 1960 to utilize
the historic railway at Venice Depot which
now serves as a trailhead on the Legacy Trail
bike path that connects Venice with Sarasota.
Whether you’re biking the Legacy Trail to the
Venetian Waterway, fishing at the Venice Pier,
strolling the streets of downtown Venice or playing
Frisbee with your pup at the Brohard Paw
Park on the beach, there are plenty of ways to
enjoy the Sunshine State outdoors in Venice.
Pack a picnic dinner for an evening concert
at Centennial Park—every second and fourth
Friday of the month—and return downtown
on Saturday morning to restock on fresh local
produce from the Venice Farmers Market.
Osprey, Laurel, Nokomis & Casey Key
In between the cities of Sarasota and Venice lie
the communities of Osprey, Laurel and Nokomis.
On the mainland, Oscar Scherer State Park and
Historic Spanish Point are among the most
important ecological sites in Sarasota County.
At Spanish Point, the “Window to the Past” is
the only archaeological exhibition in the U.S.
that is dug into an ancient shell mound, documenting
5,000 years of native history.
Venture off the mainland onto Casey Key to
hunt seashells on Sarasota’s oldest public beach,
Nokomis Beach. Casey Key is one of the most
private residential areas in Sarasota County, and
home to some of the area’s most secluded seaside
vacation rentals.
The gazebo in
downtown Venice
Oscar Scherer State Park
VisitSarasota.com 11
/VisitSarasota.com