Location: Bradenton
Top Things to do in Bradenton
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10 Nature & Parks in Bradenton That You Shouldn't Miss
Visitors find the perfect blend of culture and fun in Bradenton. Discover Florida’s Spanish heritage at the De Soto National Memorial, go for a bike tour of the beautiful Robinson Preserve, and explore an authentic fishing village at Cortez. Be sure to visit the South Florida Museum and catch a Pittsburgh Pirates spring training game — and don’t miss vibrant downtown Bradenton, the picturesque Riverwalk, and the working artists’ community at the Village of the Arts.
Restaurants in Bradenton
1. De Soto National Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 749 reviews
Reviewed By DOOR_COUNTY_FANS2015 - Brazil, United States
We've visitied the Memorial a couple of times, walking the trails through the mangroves and watching the short movie about DeSoto's travails after landing here in the early 1500's. Good for families.
2. Robinson Nature Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,260 reviews
Reviewed By armandarce - Rising Sun, United States
This is a really beautiful preserve with great views and sites. We saw a pair of osprey taking care of business in the nest. Great trails and beautiful vegetation.
3. Palma Sola Botanical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 147 reviews
Palma Sola Botanical Park is a lush, quiet and tranquil 10 acre park located in NW Bradenton, Florida. Planted with native and exotic flowers, trees and bushes, and rare fruit trees, the Park is full of local birds and butterflies, turtles, fish and pond life. Nature photographers and painters are welcome, as well as, visitors who enjoy wandering the shell paths as they discover plants familiar and new to them. The Park grounds are open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk, admission to the Park is free. The Park Office is open M-F 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Reviewed By 734sarajm - Valdosta, United States
I enjoyed walking around and taking pictures of flowers and lizards. Most were labeled with scientific and common names. I wasn't expecting to see the fruit tree garden. Never saw bananas on a tree in real before. Several places to stop and rest. Restrooms on site. Office was closed. Two other groups of visitors while I was there, so not busy if you are looking for less traveled destinations. Closed swing by water was nice too.
4. G.T. Bray Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By justbeachy777 - Sarasota, United States
Lots of variety here. They have pavilions, you can take a walk through the park trails, play at the playground, has a fitness center, olympic-sized pool, kiddie pool and splash pad, teen center, hard and clay tennis courts, racquetball, pickle-ball, also a gym to play basketball, volleyball, badminton, and corn-hole.
5. Tom Bennett Park
6. Perico Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By marlenemJ6033XO - Louisville, United States
What a special treat to be staying within walking distance of Perico Preserve this year!We love this walking trail. You’re able to get up close to nature by viewing birds in their natural habitat at the Blind. There’s a segment that has these old trees with huge limbs touching the ground as well as vines and beautiful Spanish Moss hanging all over the trees that glistens in the sunlight. There are three bridges and one walkout dock that allows you to overlook a large area of water. When the tide goes out, occasionally you can catch hundreds of birds including pink flamingos, Egrets, Blue Herons, White Pelicans, White Ibis, Anhinga, to name just a few gathered on the low water, absolutely nature at its best! This preserve seems to be very well maintained. I feel certain we’ll make the most of Perico Preserve throughout our entire visit this year!
7. Cortez Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By callis2s - Natick, United States
Cortez Beach joins up with Coquina Beach to provide miles and miles of beautiful sand for strolling the shoreline. Cortez is closer to the rental properties in Bradenton Beach whereas Coquina is the section of beach further south, toward Longboat Key. No restrooms at Cortez, but lots on Coquina. The beach area on Cortez tends to be somewhat narrower to the tide line than Coquina, but nonetheless, both are wonderful. The dunes at the edges can even provide a little shelter from north winds on chillier winter days. Anna Maria Island has been “discovered,” so the beaches are even getting a little crowded in spots in January.
8. Lake Manatee State Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 133 reviews
Reviewed By AWHEMH - Southington, United States
We camped here in jan. 2021 as we are snowbirds and spend all our camping in florida's state parks, we had a great spacious camp site water and electric provided, a few hiking trails and as others have mentioned a drag strip nearby, which never bothered us with the noise, it all depends which direction the wind is blowing
9. Twin Dolphin Marina
10. Neal Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By Camper73129 - Anna Maria Island, United States
A great destination for learning about Fla. History. The boardwalk goes to the bay where there is a lookout point to Anna Maria Island. The beauty and serenity of this place is profound. It is easy to understand why this would have been chosen as a sacred burial ground for the First Floridians. The tower is a special treat for a wider view of the mangrove and coastal waters. The trails and signage are well maintained. This is a free and easy hidden gem. I highly recommend it!
