Venice Louisiana is the perfect destination, providing excitement and relaxation in equal measure. Located near the southeastern tip of Louisiana just a short drive from New Orleans, just where the Mississippi River flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Venice is the jumping-off point for some of the finest fishing and boating adventures you could imagine. Whether you want to charter a boat to fish the gulf, explore the back waters in a kayak, or kite fishing for tuna and marlin the boats captains and outfitters in Venice Marina will make sure your trip will be one you remember for years to come.
The Venice area has several incredible restaurants like Crawgators in the Venice Marina, they will even cook your catch for you. Changes Restaurant that serves Seasonal seafood and Cajun dishes and just north of town, The Black Velvet Oyster Bar and Restaurant has the best steak and oysters around. For basic supplies the are both Dollar General and Family Dollar stores located nearby.
Venice is known for world-class fishing and boating but folks in the area enjoy many other activities like bird watching, exploring historical forts, scuba diving and if you want to see the area in style, you can take a helicopter, sea plane or air boat tour. While there are to many activities available in and around Venice to list them all here below you will find a sample to get your Louisiana adventure started. For more ideas take a look at the official Plaquemines Parish tourism site
Visit Historic Forts
Fort Jackson is an historic masonry fort located some 40 miles up river from the mouth of the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. It was constructed as a coastal defense of New Orleans, between 1822 and 1832, and it was a battle site during the American Civil War. Fort De La Boutaye also known as Fort Mississippi, is the site of a fort built by the French in south Louisiana in 1699–1700, to support their claim of the Mississippi River and valley. Native Americans forced the French to vacate the fort by 1707. Fort St. Philip is a historic masonry fort located on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, about 40 miles upriver from its mouth in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, just opposite Fort Jackson on the other side of the river. It formerly served as military protection of New Orleans, some 80 miles up the river, and of the lower Mississippi River.
Diving and Snorkeling
With more than 400 miles of coastline Louisiana is an ideal place for diving and snorkeling. Diving in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico gives people the chance to experience an amazing look into the habitats of tropical fish, coral, and reef sponges as well as historic ship wrecks and oil rigs. One of the best offshore locations is the Flower Gardens, a group of ancient salt domes and coral reefs located about 100 miles offshore near the Texas and Louisiana border. Other popular destinations include oil and gas rigs that are no longer in use. Dozens of rigs off the coast of Louisiana are now artificial coral reefs, where fish and other sea creatures congregate.
Bird Watching
The Grand Isle Migratory Bird Festival, held annually in April, was first established in 1997 by several nature organizations dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the Grand Isle's chenier habitat. Originally, the festival was held on a single day, but due to increased popularity and funding, the festival has grown into a three-day event. Each day during the festival, multiple tours are given throughout the diverse habitats of Grand Isle where experienced guides instruct beginner birders on the different techniques used to find and identify birds as well as the ecological aspects of the island. Other tours are offered that guide visitors through the chenier forests and teach them about the native plants found on the island, including the species that are not only edible to birds but to people as well. Other features of the festival include bird banding and mist netting demonstrations, as well as games and other activities.
Take a Riverboat Tour
Step aboard one of last authentic steam-powered sternwheelers for a memorable cruise around New Orleans on the Mississippi River. Hear stories of the Big Easy's rich history as you tap your feet to acclaimed live jazz music from the Dukes of Dixieland.
You board the Natchez near the illustrious French Quarter, and then watch as the crew throws off the mooring lines and listen to the puff of steam engines as the massive paddle wheel pushes you off along the Mississippi's winding banks. As you cruise, listen for the catchy jazz riffs of the Dukes of Dixieland as you relax in the comfortable interior by the bar or out on the open-air deck.
Along the ride, overhead commentary retells the details of the Battle of New Orleans, and you can imagine how Mark Twain got his inspiration for his stories of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. For the full experience, you can also opt to enjoy dinner onboard, with a buffet-style meal of Cajun favorites and New Orleans classics that's sure to please even the pickiest eaters.