• Getting there: Venice is about a 3 ½-hour drive from Miami. American Eagle flies nonstop between Miami and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, about 30 minutes north of Venice. Roundtrip airfare starts around $325.

WHERE TO STAY

• The Horse & Chaise Inn (317 Ponce de Leon Ave.; 941-488-2702 or 877-803-3515; www.horseandchaiseinn.com) features nine historically themed guest rooms in a circa-1926 Mediterranean-style home a few blocks from Venice Avenue. All rooms have private baths. Rates $115 to $169, including full breakfast.

• Rooms at the historic El Patio Hotel (229 W. Venice Ave.; 941-488-7702 or 800-941-0993; www.elpatiohotel.com) are simply outfitted but recently refurbished two-room suites. The location in the heart of downtown makes it easy to explore Venice by foot. Rates $160.

• Inn at the Beach (725 W. Venice Ave.; 941-484-8471 or 800-255-8471; www.innatthebeach.com) is just across the road from Venice Beach. Some of the inn's 49 guestrooms include fully equipped kitchens. Rates $100 to $250, including continental breakfast.

WHERE TO EAT

• Red benches, shoji screens, and decorative Asian fans help set the scene at downtown's Bushido (125 W. Venice Ave.; 941-485-1757, www.bushidosushi.com), an urbane spot for sushi and other Japanese cuisine. Dinner entrées $10.95 to $16.50, sushi $3.25 to $11.95.

• Diners at the always bustling Cassariano Italian Eatery (305 W. Venice Ave.; 941-485-0507; www.cassariano.com) can choose to nosh al fresco or inside the intimate restaurant. Salads and sandwiches make up the bulk of the lunch menu. Dinner includes a selection of pastas and meat dishes, including several scaloppines. Dinner entrées $11.50 to $23.50.

• Retro decor covers the brightly colored walls at Lucky Dug (602 Tamiami Trail South; 941-483-4840), located inside a lime green trailer across from Venice Regional Medical Center. Folks can eat at the counter or at a handful of indoor and outdoor tables. Breakfast and lunch offerings, including 15 kinds of hot dogs, $1.75 to $6.25.

WHAT TO DO

• JoeLee Boutique, 121 W. Venice Ave.; 941-484-8626; www.shopjoelee.com.

• Uptown Girls, 101 W. Venice Ave., Suite 3; 941-483-4593; http://uptowngirls-fl.com.

• Nifty Nic Nacs, 203 W. Venice Ave.; 941-488-8666; www.niftynicnacs.com.

• The Tabletop, 205 W. Venice Ave.; 941-485-0319; www.thetabletop.com.

• The Cat's Meow, 213 W. Venice Ave.; 941-445-5602; www.catsmeowinc.com.

• Seaside Chic, 217 W. Venice Ave.; 941-483-1177; http://shopseasidechic.com/.

• O Gallery, 240 W. Tampa Ave.; 941-228-2627.

• Abbacino Galleria, 243 W. Venice Ave.; 941-485-7600.

• Clyde Butcher's Venice Gallery & Studio, 237 Warfield Ave.; 941-486-0811; www.clydebutcher.com.

• Venice Theatre, 140 W. Tampa Ave.; 941-488-1115; www.venicestage.com.

INFORMATION

• Venice Area Chamber of Commerce, 941-488-2236, www.venicechamber.com.