Set on the Manatee River, Bradenton is a sun-drenched city brimming with Old Florida charm, from the colourful Village of the Arts to the fascinating Manatee Village Historical Park. Spend your days relaxing by the river, visiting interesting museums and diving into Bradenton's pioneer past.
Things to do in Bradenton
For a colourful glimpse at Florida’s history, don't miss exploring the South Florida Museum. Inside you'll find engaging exhibits on ancient fossils and Paleo-Indian artefacts. It’s also home to the Bishop Planetarium and Parker Manatee Aquarium. The latter is a great place to get up close with the loveable marine mammals.
Stretching along the water, the Riverwalk is downtown Bradenton's centrepiece. It's lined with grassy plazas, skate parks, beach volleyball courts, open-air art installations, playgrounds and fishing piers.
Filled with galleries, studios and workshops, the Village of the Arts is Bradenton’s quirkiest district. The working artists community is filled with beautifully restored historic cottages painted in a rainbow of colours. It's also home to a handful of organic cafes, bakeries and artisan restaurants.
The Manatee Village Historical Park celebrates Florida's pioneer past. You can step back in time and peer into a host of historic buildings, including a courthouse, schoolhouse and general store. It's also home to a jet-black 1914 Baldwin Steam Locomotive.
Getting around Bradenton
Rental cars are the most convenient way to get around Bradenton, which can also be explored by bike, scooter or Segway. The drive to Tampa takes around one hour.