There are abundant things to do in Bradenton FL, a city set near the Gulf of Mexico and the Manatee River. As part of the Suncoast area of western Florida, the city provides both culture and recreation. Bradenton activities are great for families as well as those traveling with a loved one or solo.
Find out more about things to do in Bradenton with this handy guide to a variety of fun activities. In addition to these suggestions, McKechnie Field, the pre-season home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, attracts baseball fans in springtime. What to do in Bradenton is never a problem, as fun is both indoors and outdoors.
Read more about Bradenton
- Things to Do in Tallahassee, Florida
- Things to Do in St. Petersburg, Florida
- What to Do in Orlando Beyond the Waterparks
Where to stay in Bradenton?
- For the best prices on accommodations and the most choices, Booking.com has been my go-to choice especially once you reach Genius tier and you can find an additional 10-15% off places to stay.
Top Things to Do in Bradenton:
#1. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
As the most extensive of the natural and cultural history museums on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the Bishop also offers a planetarium. The whole family will enjoy the Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat and a host of exhibits that include fossils and archeological materials.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: 201 10th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Hours: Tues. through Sat. 10 am to 5 pm; closed Mondays, Sunday 12 noon through 5 pm.
Price: $19 to $10, children under 4 with an adult are free; military and teachers free.
Parking: Street parking and garage parking available; park in front for up to 3 hours.
#2. Riverwalk
Another of the fun things to do in Bradenton is free and offers panoramic views of the Manatee River. Stroll the park-like setting as you enjoy approximately 19 pieces of art. It’s 1.5 miles long and spans the downtown area.
Fish, dine nearby or gaze at the boats; beach volleyball is played here, and there is a free skate park. Relax on the concrete benches in a tropical setting.
An activity you might like: TreeUmph Adventure Course
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: 21805 E State Rd 70, Bradenton, FL 34211
Hours: The TreeUmph adventure is approx. 4 hours long
Price: $63.44USD
What to bring: These items are not included but recommended:
- Gloves (approx USD3)
- Water ticket (approx USD3)
Tips:
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No open-toed shoes on the course
- Long hair must be pulled back
- Adults (aged 12 and over) must be able to reach to 5’11” or 71” with their feet flat on the ground
- Juniors (aged 9-11 years) must be able to reach to 5’9” or 69” with their feet flat on the ground
- If a guest is under 16, they must be accompanied in the trees by an adult aged 16 years or older
Parking: Public metered lots, free on weekends.
#3. Anna Maria Island Beaches
Cortez Beach has been rated as a favorite, although there are several beaches to choose from when visiting Anna Maria Island. Shop at the boutiques and gift shops or dine at a restaurant overlooking the Gulf. Relax on white sandy beaches or swim in the warm Gulf waters.
Nature trails, bike trails, and beautiful pines and palms mark the area as well as the beach. You can enjoy a picnic at the tables near the trails. This beach and the others nearby are among the best things to do in Bradenton Florida and in the Anna Maria Island area.
Activity you might like: Anna Maria Island Dolphin Sunset Boat Tour
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club, Autograph Collection, 5325 Marina Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
Hours: The tour lasts approx. 1 hour 30 minutes.
Price: $35.90USD – This includes the cost of admission to Anna Maria Island
What to bring:
- Bottled water
- Bring sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses with a retaining strap.
- In the spring and fall, a light jacket is recommended.
- Don’t forget to capture your adventure with cameras, GoPro, and cell phones.
#4. ArtCenter Manatee
Culture buffs will love this diverse art center where you can see paintings, crafts and more. Exhibits constantly change and events and openings are part of the excitement. Their gift shop features a plethora of unique items, made by local artists.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: 209 9th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Hours: Monday, Friday, Saturday 9 am-5 pm, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9 am-6 pm, Closed Sundays.
Price: By donation
Parking: Next to the Art Center
#5. Robinson Preserve
You can walk the paths, fish, rent a kayak and paddle or just enjoy the beauty of its mangrove forests. Picnic or see dolphins and manatees in some of the areas. It spans 600+ acres, with some scenic spots offering views of Tampa Bay.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address:
- One aquatic entrance: 9800 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton Fl 34209 at the surferbus
- The main entrance: 1704 99th st, Bradenton Fl 34209
- Perico Island hike in entrance: 10600 block of Manatee Ave W. under the humpback bridge.
Hours: Robinson Preserve is open daily 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset.
Price: Free
Tips: A camera to capture the sights, good walking shoes, and a lunch for the walk.
Parking: Onsite. Cars left after sunset will be towed.
#6.Kayaking the Mangroves
One of the top things to do in Bradenton FL lies just to the south, in the northern area of Sarasota. Rent a kayak and paddle the beauty of the mangrove forests. The location is a county park, Ted Sperling Park, a nature preserve located across from Lido Beach on the Gulf of Mexico.
You might see manatees and cormorants while paddling in the mangrove area.
Activity you might like: Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: 190 Taft Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
Hours: approx 2 hours
Price: $53.40USD
Tips: If a child is booked, they will automatically put them in tandem with an adult. Please enter “TANDEM” in notes or call before booking if you’d like a tandem kayak otherwise single kayaks will be booked.
A Quick Bradenton Travel Guide
Money – The city has numerous banks and ATMs scattered about, with many close to the downtown area.
When is the best time? – Fall, spring and winter are best times to visit, as summers are hot.
Getting here – You can fly into Tampa Airport (TPA) and drive or take a shuttle to Bradenton. It is less than an hour by car, and I-75 south takes you right to Bradenton.
You can also fly into the Sarasota/Bradenton (SRQ) Airport.
Getting around – Public transportation is limited. Anna Maria Island has a free public trolley to take you from one end of the island to the other. Visitors explore this island by foot, bike, scooter, segway or electric golf cart. Downtown Bradenton, including the Riverwalk, shopping, dining and Bishop Museum, are walkable.
You can rent a car at either airport.
Where to stay
BUDGET
Americas Best
Value Inn
Your stay includes all the basic amenities including a small fridge. “Easy check in check out. Nice clean room. Nice pool. Housekeeping did a great job every day with clean towels and making the bed toiletries every day.”
MID-RANGE
Holiday Inn
Express & Suites
Guests can expect a free hot breakfast every morning and access to a heated pool and hot tub. The hotel includes a business center for printing, scanning, and faxing and also a fitness center.
CABINS
Jiggs Landing
Lakefront Cabins
Have a unique stay at this cute little cabin in Bradenton, Florida.This is a great place to stay for families as they have a playground and also help you book various activities like canoeing or kayaking. The cabins include a snack bar where you can enjoy a drink.
LUXURY
SpringHill Suites
by Marriott
Stunning views, spacious, luxurious rooms, and a great location make this hotel a top choice in Bradenton. “We loved EVERYTHING! It was our 5th wedding anniversary and the atmosphere was beautiful. Peace is one thing we wanted on this little getaway and peace is what we received!!!”
Frequently asked questions
– You can find the cities of Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater nearyby.
– As a general rule, the water anywhere in Florida will be warm enough to swim between April and October.
– The Atlantic hurricane season is officially from June 1 to Nov. 30. The peak of the season is from mid-August to mid-October.
Daniel says
I love Bradenton, it is kind of a Hidden gem in Florida. I lived in Sarasota most of my life so it is nice to see someone appreciate Bradenton! Another gem in Florida I think is Tampa. I know it’s been getting a little more crowded lately. Keep up the good work, I really enjoyed this article.
William Tang says
Thanks Daniel!