Family Getaways 2008 - (Page 16) cities&towns VENICE Since Venice claims to be the Sharks Tooth Capital of the World, it’s no surprise they’ve got a festival devoted to the coal-colored fangs. The Sharks Tooth Festival occurs every April, featuring awesome collections of fossilized teeth and the like from experienced collectors near and far. Inside the restaurant Sharky’s on the Pier at the south end of the island near the airport, look at giant shark teeth displays while enjoying this beachside restaurant. With so much water to enjoy – this is Venice, after all – it’s tempting to park yourself on a Jet Ski and get going. But Venice’s new Venetian Waterway Park is a trail that takes you by foot or bike along the Intracoastal Waterway, providing a great view of the water and ample opportunities to stop and relax at picnic shelters. The creation of the Intracoastal turned Venice into an island in 1967. While walking off malts and sno cones, tell the kids that it was built to prevent oil tankers from being sunk by the likes of German U-boats, which once patrolled in the Gulf in World War II. For a lesson in ecology, check out Englewood’s Cedar Point Environmental Park. Set right on Lemon Bay, this haven for bald eagles and bobcats gives kids 115 acres to roam, though guided nature walks Above, Venice Sharks Tooth Festival. Photo courtesy of Sarasota County. help structure your visit. The reception center here offers displays, and the park has four miles of hiking trails. Those who like authentic Florida will want to head 20 minutes south of Venice to Warm Mineral Springs in North Port. It’s located in an area of much recent Eastern European settlement, so keep an eye out for delis. The kids will appreciate the chance to soak in the sulfury springs’ 87-degree water (a staggering nine million new gallons produced every day) while you regale them with the story of Ponce de Leon and the Fountain of Youth (Warm Mineral Springs vies for the title). Adults can enjoy the water; salads and sandwiches are available at the Lake Side Café. There’s no greater pleasure then napping in the grass, the sounds of your family splashing around in the distance. When you go: Caribbean Sno-Ball Company, 941-483-9070 El Patio Hotel, 941-488-7702, www.elpatiohotel.com Lemon Bay Playhouse, 941-475-6756, www.lemonbayplayhouse.com Nifty Nic Nacs, 941-488-8666, www.niftynicnacs.com Sharks Tooth Festival, www.sharkstoothfest.com Sharkys on the Pier, www.sharkysonthepier.com The Soda Fountain, 941-412-9860, www.the-soda-fountain.com Venice Little Theatre, 941-488-1115, www.venicestage.com Warm Mineral Springs, 941-429-9183, www.warmmineralsprings.com Above, Venice Municipal Beach. Photo by David McRee, VISITFLORIDA.com Beach Expert. For more information, see VISITFLORIDA.com/Venice 16 VISITFLORIDA.com/family http://www.elpatiohotel.com http://www.lemonbayplayhouse.com http://www.niftynicnacs.com http://www.sharkstoothfest.com http://www.sharkysonthepier.com http://www.the-soda-fountain.com http://www.venicestage.com http://www.warmmineralsprings.com http://VISITFLORIDA.com http://VISITFLORIDA.com/Venice http://VISITFLORIDA.com/family
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