Things To Do in Bradenton FL
Just south of Tampa along the Manatee River, we find Bradenton a sunny and gentle little town with vibrant energy. This city, formed in 1943, is one of the most frequented destinations of South Florida visitors. Its 20 miles of crystalline beaches makes Bradenton a great place for sun-seekers and water sports enthusiasts. The town offers fun and entertainment for every family member. Historic attractions with beautiful architecture, natural reserves and a vivid artistic scene are some of the must-see destinations of every visitor.
We don’t want you to miss any of the charming and unique places of Bradenton city, so here’s a little guide of 4 things you must do when visiting Bradenton.
Beaches and Rivers
Do you want to take a swim in the warm water of the Gulf of Mexico? Bradenton shores are waiting for you. Coquina Beach, on the southern end of Anna Maria Island, is a family-friendly place with white sand and beautiful waters. There’s a pier as well for all the fishing advocates. A long line of pines tress gives Coquina Beach a pleasant thermic sensation even in the sunniest days. You can spend the day under the shade of a pine in the picnic area and if you get hungry, just use the public grills to make some BBQ. Manatee Public Beach is also a very beautiful place with free parking where you can take in the sun, play volleyball and spend a wonderful afternoon with your family. The Riverwalk is a good place to do some relaxing activities such as hiking along the great Manatee River.
Get in Touch with Florida History
Bradenton is known for having several museums and memorial parks, most of them will offer you a relaxing, entertained and educative excursions. One of the most popular is DeSoto National Memorial, 26 acres of a mesmerizing and natural landscapes where you can see where the Manatee River meets the waters of Tampa Bay. This place honors the memory of Hernando de Soto, one of the first Europeans explorers to arrive to Florida in 1563. With 3,000 feet of coast, DeSoto National Memorial offers a variety of activities for its visitors, including natural hiking paths where you can watch many species of birds. You can join kayak tours or have a fishing class as well. The park will take you back to the 16th century with their live recreation of Hernando De Soto’s arrival.Manatee Village Historical Place will give you a trip to the past with their vast collection of historic buildings and artifacts. You will picture how life was for the pioneers with their 14 different points of interest including an 1887 church, and an 1860 courthouse. When arriving, you will be welcome with a 1914 Baldwin Steam Locomotive. One of the favorite spots of our visitors to take pictures of in Bradenton!
Art Is In The Air
The Village of Arts is a picturesque community full of restored cottages from the 20’s and 30’s. Over 100 colorful and vibrant houses were renovated by local artists. This little village is not only full of art galleries, studios and workshops, there’s also award-winning restaurants, cafés, bakeries, music stores, barber shops, libraries, spas, boutiques and more. These color-filled streets will always have something unique to offer. Have fun joining the popular art walks the first Friday night and Saturday afternoon of every month. Listen to live music performances while acquiring a marvelous piece of art from the local artists of Bradenton.
Golf Courses
If you’re a golf advocate, you can’t lose the chance to visit one of the most challenging Courses in America, Esplanade Golf & Country Club. This award-winning course contains 600 acres of green fields, being the largest green certified community in America. Esplanade Golf & Country Club offers professional coaching for their visitors to refine their game. Moreover, you can hit the Bahama Bar to have a snack or a drink inside their elegant facilities.
For a family adventure, we advise to visit Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, where all family members will have fun playing mini-golf. The kids may also have the chance to feed an alligator – with an expert’s help, of course – or play some video games in the arcade room.
Bradenton is a place full of surprises, beautiful landscapes and welcoming people.