The 27 best sights in Bradenton

It amazing place to ride bikes and take pics. There is a playground for the kids and watching all the boat going up and down the river. Love this place

Visited the Bradenton Riverwalk recently. I would’ve loved to spend more time there, but the heat and humidity quickly became overwhelming. My goal was to capture photos and videos throughout the entire park, but I only managed to scratch the surface of this beautiful walkway that runs along the Manatee River in downtown Bradenton. The Riverwalk offers lush vegetation, mature trees lining the wide sidewalks, children laughing in the splash park, perfectly manicured lawns, and historical markers placed thoughtfully along the trail—all contributing to a peaceful and scenic environment. While there weren’t many people out that day (understandably, due to the heat), it’s clear that the City of Bradenton is doing an excellent job maintaining this gorgeous public space. I fully intend to return during a cooler season to experience the Riverwalk in its entirety. For anyone visiting the area, this stretch of downtown is definitely worth the stop—a subtropical oasis nestled along the expansive Manatee River. Yes, I’ll surely be back to complete the excursion.

What a wonderful experience it is to go for a walk in this place, listening to the sea and admiring the landscape of the region. Thank you to the city hall for the beautiful place for a night walk.

What an excellent, well thought out community boardwalk! My wife really enjoyed it. It was the icing on the cake for our vacation.

So clean and engaging! I love all the signage, the spots to rest, or play, or just be in nature. A very special place.

Driving up from Sarasota to get to Bradenton to take a stroll on the Riverwalk was definitely worth the drive and I came here during the evening and the scenery was beautiful!

I’ve been coming here my whole life and they have continuously made small improvements. Water park for kids is running all the time. Free and it can make long term memories.

Robinson Preserve: A Nature Lover's Paradise (and Dog-Friendly Too!) Robinson Preserve is an absolute treasure and a truly fantastic destination for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors. It's a great place to go with your dog, offering ample space for them to explore alongside you. This preserve is perfect for those who love to exercise and enjoy nature. With its extensive network of trails, you can walk, run, or bike through diverse ecosystems, from mangroves to open fields. It's incredibly well-maintained and quiet, providing a serene escape from the hustle and bustle. The paths are clear, and the natural beauty is preserved, making for a truly pleasant experience. One of the absolute highlights is the view from the observation tower, which is beautiful. Climbing to the top rewards you with panoramic vistas of the preserve, the surrounding waterways, and even the distant skyline. It's a breathtaking sight that truly showcases the natural splendor of the area. Whether you're seeking a peaceful walk with your canine companion, a vigorous workout amidst stunning scenery, or simply a quiet moment to connect with nature, Robinson Preserve delivers. It's a meticulously cared-for natural haven that offers something for everyone. Highly recommended!

This place has a little something for everyone! The main trails are well maintained, but some of the side paths can be a bit less so. Regardless, the environment and variety of activities are second to none in the area. Just be warned, if you stay past sunset you will be chased out of the park.

Beautiful big park — great playground for kids of all ages (even adults!), awesome lookout tower, unique wildlife, a pretty long trail, and it’s not crowded even on a Saturday… perfect spot for a family adventure! Downsides… it’s a bit run down. Loose wires, rusty bolts, railings coming apart — clearly keeping this place in shape is not a priority... ...it’s sad how much trash people just leave lying around — empty cans, bottles, snack wrappers... like a weekend activists just rolled through the playground. Who does that? Dumping garbage where kids play… seriously, shame on them.

This place is one of my absolute favorites. It is so large and has a variety of landscapes. My favorite time to go is right before sunset to avoid the heat. There are restrooms and plenty of parking at the kayak drop off site. This is one of my favorite places to take people.

Great find! Boardwalk wasn't open, but still had plenty of trails to explore. The scenery was breathtaking, didn't see much wildlife but it was really hot. Hopefully next time!

One of my favorite preserves in Florida. So many amazing trails. Super kid friendly. Has the ropes course thing for kids that’s super cute and fun! I love this place.

Very neat place for a walk! There are several parking lots and the one by the canopy building seems like the easiest way to get to the walk amongst the mangroves. We walked the long way and it was a nice gravel path with little shade. Got super hot quick! Bring water if you plan to spend a lot of time there. The canopy is SUPER cool. Nice free activity for the kids to run around.

De Soto National Memorial: A Historically Rich Visit, Awaiting Full Restoration My recent visit to the De Soto National Memorial was a truly insightful experience, offering a fascinating glimpse into the history of the area. It was a great place to visit and learn about the history of the first European contact in Florida, with informative exhibits and beautiful natural surroundings. The historical reenactments and interpretive signs provided a vivid understanding of the past. An added bonus is that the memorial is also dog friendly, making it a great outing for the whole family, including your furry companions. However, it was clear that the memorial is still recovering from recent events. The place still shows the damaged caused by the hurricane from 2024. While efforts have clearly been made, there were visible signs of impact, which understandably affected the overall presentation of some areas. Despite the lingering effects of the hurricane, the educational value and the natural beauty of the memorial still shone through. I genuinely enjoyed my time there and the opportunity to connect with such a significant piece of history. I sincerely hope to go again once the place has been restored to its full glory. With its historical importance and scenic setting, a fully restored De Soto National Memorial would undoubtedly be an even more enriching experience. I look forward to seeing it brought back to its pristine condition.

I absolutely love the trail, relaxing and for me peaceful. I will definitely come back again with more time. Bring comfortable shoes put your sun block and dont forget your water bottle and bug repellent. My favorite trail this far. 👍🏽👍🏽

This was an awesome trail. One area is closed but you can still do the trail from different areas within the park. One of the monuments have been knocked over. Nice beach area. Recommend!

Lovely water side and elecated mangrove trail on an untouched end of a road. Visitors centre closed due to hurricane damage but there were still enough information boards providing information on the historical significance and local floral and fauna.

What a great day trip! Our daughters earned another Junior Ranger badge and we had the best walk! It was stunning views around each bend. There are a ton of picnic tables, so we packed a lunch and soaked in the view. There was a breeze coming off the ocean which made for a perfect experience. This is a dog friendly national park, so next time we plan on bringing our fur kiddo too. Most people go here for the beach we found out but the trails are totally worth it. They were easy enough for my 7 and 3 year old daughters and my senior parents. Very well maintained! The kids programs were not going on the day we were there, you have to check their schedule online to see the historic areas, but it gives us a reason to come back! Highly recommend!

During the summer they hold free ranger led kayak tours. This year they are at Robinson preserve due to construction but typically they are held onsite. During seasonal months they have living history museum and short historic trails. Lovely place. People go fishing and swimming and kayaking here. Definitely visit this national park. Free entrance.

Great place to go for a walk. Partially shaded trails and beautiful water views. Trails are not too long and well maintained. Also, dog friendly. Visitors are respectful and observe the dog and liter policies posted. Markers along the trail explain the historical significance of the area. Great place to bring family and friends who are visiting.

This Natural History Museum is focused on Florida and is especially great for kids (and even has a dedicated play area for younger ones). You can spend around 2-3 hours here or more if you plan to see multiple planetarium shows. The Planetarium is great with a variety of programs and videos scheduled throughout the day. It is great that the shows are included in the price of an admission ticket. On top of fossils and human artifacts, there is also a live Manatee aquarium with a couple rescue manatees that they release back into the wild when ready. They do offer student discounts. Street parking is limited but there is a large parking structure across the street.

The Bishop Museum has a great history of the history of this area of Florida. The museum also houses a manatee rehab, which currently (7/19) has 3 manatees. There is a section of the different types of habitats of the area and the animals you may be able to find in them. There is also a planetarium that shows different movies throughout the day.

First laser light show here since the 80's. We went to see Pink Floyd the wall 🧱. I was having a phone issue and didn't get to buy the ticket ahead of time and they were nice enough to get me in anyway. We all enjoyed the show for sure. I thought the did a great job, I could only ask for a couple more songs to be included. I definitely will be back with a variety of different friends for the variety of different musical selections they offer. I recommend this experience for all and I am thankful we have this museum, planetarium and laser shows available.

Went here on a Saturday. Caught a planetarium show narrated by tom hanks. Spent prob 30 mins or so walking around and seeing the exhibits. Def a fun time. Seeing the manatees was really cool. Bought tickets right at the door. Free parking garage is super close.

Lots of displays with the history of Florida. A great play area for children. The planetarium runs several shows throughout the day. Another area changes it's theme periodically and there are interactive areas.

Excellent place for learning. All the staff were very nice and welcoming. Perfect for homeschool field trips. Clean. Shows are worth watching.

We couldn’t have asked for a better venue for our wedding on May 4th, 2025! The entire experience was incredible from start to finish. Danielle was wonderful to work with, and the entire team went above and beyond to make our day truly special. While we were a little disappointed that the manatees had been released before our wedding and we didn’t get photos with them, we were thrilled knowing they went home happy and healthy. An unforgettable place to start our new chapter together!

We always love finding artsy and quirky neighborhoods. This was really cool but we went too late to partake in the shops.

The Village of the Arts was a nice afternoon drive through all the local artists. Due to COVID-19 many stores were closed but the ones that survived were still open. The amazing artists and their products were worth the drive, especially being able to personally talk with each one. We drove through the area looking for open stores that were there and came across many that were still open and very friendly.They had an enormous amount of various items at reasonable prices. It was a good feeling to support area artists. They were all friendly and more than willing to discuss their products.

Check the website to see which galleries are open before you visit!!! Extremely unique arts district. Gallery owners live inside or next to their galleries, many of them have been there for decades and have so much great knowledge of art and the local area. I really enjoyed chatting with gallery proprietors while browsing the art. Looking forward to going back for their Skeleton Celebration (Day of the Dead) when all galleries will be open.

Interesting painted houses and art installations along several blocks. Can drive by to look or easy walk. Many of the houses have open galleries. Some houses in the area are private.

I have yet to explore it in full but I went the the village mystic, the kids went mining for crystals a Must! We went to Arte Cafe, fabulous authentic Italian food. Amazing experience!

Bradenton's Village of the Arts is a unique concoction of art galleries, studios, restaurants, and shops, and more centered in a live-work community. Over the past 20 years, pre-war bungalows have become a rainbow of lime green and electric yellow, an architectural vibrance that puts artists front and center. The Village of the Arts is not only a great place to visit but an enchanting place to reside. we met with (sorry I forgot her name), and she was so friendly, she guided us and told us how this community started and how they are going strong since the beginning. She even invited us into her home to see the painting and I was like why? She said" It’s a mix of both (Home and gallery). it’s a 1 BHK apartment, directions are there, you enter, you see the painting, and art collection in the hall, room, and common area (except kitchen & Bathroom) if you liked anything, the number is there -so cool concept. if you are visiting the Sarasota area and want to explore some out-of-the-track things, you wanna come here. Few stops you wanna check out- Frank Peter Antiques Art Junkies Birdrock Taco Shack Motorworks Brewing Forest to Finish Designs 11th Street Gallery Jerk Dog Records Parking: Street-side parking.

We made a quick stop, while passing through... Ended up wondering around for over an hour. Wish we could have stayed longer. Such a unique little neighborhood, with so much to see. We only went inside one gallery but we will be back when we have more time. The front yards, filled with local artists creations were amazing!

Lovely, small historic park with the oldest still standing courthouse in Florida from 1860. One can visit a well preserved house from 1912, a church from 1887, a store, and an old schoolhouse with signs that provide explanation on the history of each building. Upstairs are a few exhibitions. The park has picnic tables as well as clean restrooms. Friendly and helpful staff. Free entrance, but donations gladly accepted. Recommended!

Manatee Village Historical Park is a thoughtful and beautifully preserved window into early Florida life. Walking these grounds feels like stepping through a quiet chapter of local history, simple and beautiful old Florida wooden structures, pioneer craftsmanship, boatmaking tools, and the old courthouse that once shaped civic decisions. It’s peaceful, educational, and grounded in the story of place. Slow travel isn’t only for distant countries. Knowing your history, honoring the presence of place, and connecting with the roots beneath your feet is part of remembering who we are. Step inside the church and schoolhouse and notice the wooden floors worn smooth by generations, the pews and desks shaped by hands long gone. You can feel the everyday rhythm of ancestors here — their labor, devotion, struggle, and resilience — still humming gently in the Florida light. Manatee Village Historical Park is perfect for families, school groups, photographers, historians, and anyone exploring like a tourist in their own backyard. Entry is free, ( small donation is nice), signage is excellent, and the staff keep everything beautifully maintained. Life continues. Stories remain. Know your history. ~Jana Shakti Travels Located off 7th Ave E & 15th St E in downtown Bradenton

Awesome spot with historical buildings. Nice gift shop. Small and walkable, but lots to see. Ample parking. Free. It's similar to Heritage Village in Largo, FL.

Such an amazing place to remind us of the beautiful history and people that paved the way for us all! Preservation of history is so important and I am thankful for the opportunity to visit Manatee Village Historical Park!

I enjoyed this historical park and it’s free!Very informative of Florida way back to the 1800’s and some establishments in Bradenton ,FL itself!It was amazing to see the history behind Bradenton and how the lifestyle was back then.

It's free and educational. We went with our 3 year old and she had fun. There was a treasure hunt to find little cutout chickens around the property- that kept it fun to all of us and a little bonus gift at the end -brought even more joy. + there are actual live chickens walking around 🐔 with permission we took pictures with one

Was a good time! My girlfriend and I walked around the whole property, including the cemetery and really enjoyed it. Don’t get to see much history being preserved these days, and they offer it for completely free.

New to us-very quiet and green. Oasis like. Free entry. 20 acres of Floridian botanicals. Plants are in Hurricane recovery. Lots of birds and animals. Great restroooms. Picnic on the porch. Parking easy. Sculptures add interest. Thank you!

Beautiful small botanical gardens with discretionary entrance fee. The exotic fruit varieties were really interesting.

It's a few nature park that takes donations. It said there was a cafe onsite that we would have liked to check out but our dog was too hot to spend more than 45 minutes here. Idk if I was supposed to take it but I found this really randomly beautiful piece of art in the notch of a tree. It is the most awesome thing I've ever found. I should try a Google image search to try to find the artist...

Nice place to walk around for an afternoon. Not too crowded, laid out well. Hard for people with walkers or wheelchairs, online pictures make trail look like it’s concrete, it is however shell.

We stopped in for a quick visit (we had just learned about this place). The office/gift shop was closed (Sunday) but parking was easy, trails were open and the plants were thriving. We started near the Butterfly Garden area-very nice, lots of milkweed and other appropriate foliage. Moving along toward the fruit trees, we were joined by Michael-he was a wealth of knowledge of the fruit trees. Gave us a great education about each of them. He pointed out trees across the pond and gave us some fun details about them. The Hibiscus Island is full of many different colors of Hibiscus flowers--so pretty. The aloe plants are huge. Ducklings in the pond, turtles in another pond--life is quite abundant. Lots of benches for resting or just enjoying the scenery. Excellent for nature photography. Free to wander about, donations are suggested and welcomed.

It was great, small place, but a great place for kids. Bring the kids to the outdoors, this is a great place to take pictures, many fruit trees and great area to have lunch with the kids. (Bring your food ). The access if free. Make sure to keep it beautiful by placing the garbage in the container.

This was a nice well kept garden. Nice pavilion n cute little gazebo by the big lake, which was relaxing to sit by. Very nice little walking trails along the way. They had a small trail that had all different kinds of fruit trees which was neat. They may have a little gift shop or café but it was not open when I was there. Nice to just relax n stroll around. When you do go it is free although they ask for Donations to help maintain the park.

We love Coquina Beach because the distance between the parking area and the water is very short, which is handy for our family, especially with our son with special needs. There is a snack bar available if needed. The restrooms were destroyed in hurricane Milton last year - they have portable toilets, but the changing restrooms and cubicles they used to have were great - hoping they rebuild those. It is very busy at peak times, but there is a generous amount of parking all the way along the public beach area - but it is advantageous to come early. The beach is very shallow out to the buoys - maybe 12 feet or so at max. And there are lifeguards right there. The sand is great, but not quite as fine and white as Siesta Key, but it is still a beautiful beach.

Great beach, not very busy. Amenities are ok. Plenty of parking! Sand isn’t as clean as other beaches close by.

As someone who is from the UK, believe me when I say that this beach is an absolute sight to behold. Me and my now wife got married here on the beach a couple of weeks ago and it couldn't have been any more picturesque. That sunset is mesmerising. Counting down the days till we can go back there.

Soft white sand beautiful water, plenty of lifeguards and patrols on side by sides. The small tiki bar and very small gift shop is perfect and the parking area is huge.

One of the most beautiful beaches in the Sarasota area. Many parking spots but fills up fast on weekends and tourist season. Very peaceful, many bathrooms.

Coquina beach is perfection! The location was wonderful, the beach was well kept, clean bathrooms and ample parking. There are waves. The sunset viewing opportunity was amazing. Also, near downtown restaurants. Perfect beach!

Beautiful beach - The picnic tables and grill area were a huge plus for us! We cooked hot dogs and hamburgers, picnic table and trash can are right next to the grill. Parking was very close so we didn’t have to carry everything very far. Water temp- It’s the beginning of June. Extremely hot outside but the water felt great. There are a lot of choppy waves that my kids and mom found difficult to stay a float comfortably. Besides that 100% recommend!

It's a lovely building. They have some nice art for sale. I tried to take 2 classes here. One that was several weeks long and had a long list of required supplies needed for the first day of class was canceled the day before the class. This was ridiculous to cancel with less than 24 hour notice. The reason given was not enough people signed up for the class. They had to know this longer than 24 hours before the first class. The second class did go ahead. It actually wasn't much of a class. The instructed, Mr Camp, acted liked he would rather be anywhere but in that class. He just came out and said he would show us new people a couple of things to get started then if we had questions to ask. He was rude and condescending to me and by an hour into the class I realized I had wasted my money. This is NOT a beginners class. It is a time that anyone can pay to attend and if you are the new person you'll maybe get lucky and have another person in class teach you what to do. I was told to watch lots of YouTube videos. Yeah, no thanks. Just beware. If you already have an idea this might work for you. If you are a complete newbie and never touched cly before, beware you may as well watch You Tube videos and save the cash. ***** My Reply to ArtCenter***** I will not go back to your center. I wasted enough money on a class that was led by an instructor who didn't care and was rude. I lost all the money I spent on supplies that I could not return for the canceled jewelry class for two people. No one ever contacted me after I only went to one clay hand making class,. That just showed that I made the right decision to cut my losses. I had such a poor experience I never even mention your center when people ask for things to do.

Kathy has a paper mache class the likes of which I've never experienced. She is a genie! The entire class is pre-mapped and therefore successful for all. What a total treat!!

Good idea, poor execution. Beautiful Arts, No classes. Staff doesn't care to explain anything. I asked about Art Classes for my son and was referred to look into a magazine. When I asked about one of the listed classes going on today, front office told me: "Oh, well no one signed up for that one so it was cancelled."

A nice place in the area to take Art classes, see exhibitions, and discover beautiful artwork made by local artists

Art museum was amazing and had beautiful pieces and the staff was so nice

We brought our 5 year old here for art classes. She loved it. And great encouraging teachers! All staff super friendly! *** update. Our daughter is now 9 and just finished some summer weeks of art camp and still a hit! The classes she was in are from kids ages 6 to 10 with many kids so just realize not all kids have the maturity yet to sit and follow through with all their pieces. It's not a one on one experience. But they will make friends and they will have great instructors/ helpers!🙂

Can't say enough about this place. As a member student for over a year now I have been able to learn from magnificent teachers. Pottery...Sandra and Jewelry...Donna. Both of these teachers have taught me so much and made taking their classes a joy. The Director Carla and the Staff are wonderful. Gallery exhibits are outstanding and the events are a blast. It is my pleasure to be a member and to volunteer here in addition to taking classes.

It is said that the east coast of Florida sees the sunrise and the west coast of the sunset. It’s really beautiful. Although there are some clouds today. The sand here is very thick, and the shells are broken a lot. The parking fee is ten dollars per hour. It‘s quite expensive.

Tony and I shared our "Last Day" at the Beach at Cortez Beach on Anna Maria Island. The waves were very high today and strong. Much stronger than rest of week! The sand was wet like "Sand Castle making" feel to it! The water was clear but there was a lot of seaweed rolling in! We had a nice 2.5 hrs Going to miss this area but we Def have a new place to venture too! Cortez has lifeguards no drinking no pets no smoking rules it also hasno bathrooms no showers or changing rooms! But it does have free parking! Lots of shells!

Cortez Beach is absolutely beautiful—clean, peaceful, and a great spot to enjoy the ocean. The water and sand were gorgeous, and the overall atmosphere made for a relaxing day. The only downside was the parking, which was a bit expensive. Other than that, it’s a wonderful beach to visit and worth the trip!

Nice beach the piers are great for fishing while the kids are in the water it's not as crowded as Coquina you do have to go further down for showeres or bathrooms but you won't get stuck in traffic as bad park is ok depending on the day but most of the time I go it's not crowded

Beautiful water!! Beach is small. Nice piers, for fishing off, or jumping. Barnacles and other sea life live underneath. Tiny sea snails, pencil fish, and crabs!’ You can catch so many. I had a great experience at this beach. We had to drive down to another to use showers and restrooms though.

My family's favorite beach: a peaceful and tranquil place, with a beautiful alley of pine trees planted along the shore providing shade on hot days. Convenient parking and accessible spots for rinsing your feet before getting into the car

Beautiful waters and not over crowded!!

Smuggler’s Cove in Bradenton is a fantastic place for family fun and a little friendly competition. The pirate theme is done really well, and the course is both creative and challenging enough to keep everyone engaged. Each hole feels unique, and the overall setting is well kept and enjoyable to walk through. A big highlight is the live alligators, getting to feed them adds a special touch you don’t find at most mini golf spots. The staff is always welcoming and makes sure guests have a great experience from start to finish. It’s the kind of spot that works equally well for kids, adults, or even a date night. A Bradenton gem that’s always worth a visit!

Great golfing experience and great course the employee was very nice. The shop was pretty cool aswell

Sweet staff and interesting decor. It was during the day so maybe that is why the water falls and such were not on. Poor alligators looked hot but it was fun to feed them

I like the theme, not the price. By far the most expensive mini golf i ever played. But my wife and i had fun

Wonderful Place That Was Really Cool. The Alligators Were Cool To Look At And The Employee Was Super Nice. Five Stars

Terrible Experience – Waste of Time and Money My family loves putt putt and we were excited to try this course, even driving over an hour to get there. Unfortunately, it was a huge disappointment. We spent over $100, and it felt like a complete waste. The entire course smelled like feces, which made the experience unpleasant from the start. There was absolutely no shade, so playing under the sun was miserable. They also advertised alligators as part of the attraction, but there weren’t any. Overall, it was a letdown on every level. Save your money and go somewhere else. We won’t be back.

Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf has been a favorite of mine since childhood, and I’m happy to see it’s still thriving! It’s a great spot for family fun, a date night, or just hanging out with friends. The courses are well-maintained and full of character, with plenty of challenges to keep it interesting. Parking can be limited, so plan ahead, and if you’re visiting in summer, bring water and sunscreen because it gets hot out there. Always a fun time!

The tour is pretty cheap, but worth it if you show up at tour times. You'll learn about hushpuppies and why the ceilings are so high. The guide was knowledgeable and was able to answer the other patrons' questions.

This park was small but the grounds were clean, and well kept. My family and I showed up on a Saturday at 3pm and stayed until after 4pm. The visitor center was closed due to another tour happening. My family along with another family were the only ones there. There was no tour happening. We waited until after 4pm for any employee to show up and none did. Only when we were in our car, leaving the park did a park ranger show up. We were disappointed as we've always wanted visit the park and experience the full tour.

Amazing History! Make sure to go outside and see the monument. Car shows twice a year (April & November).

Guided tour was very informative and reasonably priced. Air conditioned visitors center with several displays dealing with the plantation. Was able to hangout in visitors center until guided tour started.

Grounds are beautiful! However the staff disappeared at break time and didn't come back for scheduled tour. Not sure if the hours changed after COVID and they never changed the signs or website. Would have loved to learn more on a tour :(

We enjoyed our visit today to Gamble Plantation. The location was educating and fun. We walked around and explored the property. We did not go in as tours aren't open Sunday. We still had fun. Very pretty location. Thank you.

Beautiful historical place, the only surviving plantation house in South Florida. The tour was great, we learned a lot and It is only $6. The house is beautiful, the yard is so green and well maintained. The museum is at the entrance, very interesting. Nice place to walk around...

A pleasant place to enjoy the arts. Small but with ample seating. Some wine and beer options. Difficult to get to since you have to cross Hwy 64.

Had a wonderful time at The Rocky Horror Picture Show. They offered specialty themed cocktails, along with beer, wine and mixed drinks at the bar. They also offered “Prop Bags” for $5, making it a more engaging experience. The cast were all terrific. The performance was fantastic. I had a great time. The venue was clean. This was my first time in the little Theater. The ladies room was exceptionally clean. I look forward to my next experience there.

Awesome place. Went to see the Steve Blass event and it was terrific. What great baseball stories and what a great person he is. Everyone at this facility was awesome. Signed up for the news letter already. First time going there, but we will be back for sure.

The Manatee Performing Arts Center is a hidden gem. We just recently heard about this venue. Crimes of the Heart was fantastic! The very talented actors, who had an incredible amount of lines to learn, were so engaging. The theater we were in was intimate and every seat made you feel like you were in the action the entire time. At intermission you can purchase alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages as well as snacks. The restrooms were very clean. Actually, the entire venue was spotless. Every person we had contact with was helpful and polite. I loved how they had local student art on display in the lobby. We will be returning this week to watch the musical Oklahoma! Check this venue out!

The performance was great, saw swan lake. Two complaints about venue, it was so hot inside I was sweating through my makeup. Also during intermission the line was so long and they had one person making drinks and one on the register. It took way over the intermission time to get a drink so missed the first 10min once got done.

I just saw Evita!! Standing Ovation! The talent is good!! Actors, singers, dancing, music, stage, sound, lights!!! No photos are allowed!! Can not wait to aee the next show.

Performance was outstanding. Thank you so much. Mtge director is always amazing. Just loved this evening.. so loved it. The dancing,the artists! Everything. Thank you!!!!!!!!

While the museum itself is not open yet, still undergoing construction from last year's hurricane season, the staff are still there holding workshops on the covered deck. I was really impressed with the friendliness of the staff as well as the knowledge. The workshop I attended was called 'Saving Your Stuff.' It was a lot of great information, and they even encouraged us to put on gloves and try to save some materials they had intentionally 'destroyed'.

Finally went to the Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez Fishing Village, another neighborhood treasure! This was Wednesday of this week 💙🤍⛵🛶🤿 FYI - This is a FREE attraction that is an amazing window into the past, present and future of our little slice of heaven. Everyone should check it out!

Fantastic little museum chronicles local fishing legacy as well as hurricane impacts. Very nice exhibits. Kid friendly with lots of activities. Free! Closes for lunch noon to 1:00.

Interesting place to visit. Really gives you a nostalgic feeling of Cortez. Some of the shells they have are beautiful.

This was a family friendly small museum with beautiful grounds. Very beautiful Pulmeria Flowers were in full bloom. An inexpensive museum asking for small donation or low cost entrance fee. This Museum is very close to the beaches and some restaurants.

A great museum to learn about marine life and the history of Cortez village. Lots of hands on activities for children. Free admission!

Good stop in Cortez for some local history and info about the centuries of fishing in the area. Many examples of sea life and related artifacts. Free admission and clean restrooms make it all the better. Small gift shop has some books and items geared toward kids.

-No Dogs Allowed A bit underwhelming especially considering the amazing nearby preserves available. We had never been and decided to see what it had because we frequent other natural preserves near us. We probably won't go back.. it's very small and having the noise from Manatee ave traffic doesn't allow for you to feel like your in nature. It has sand/shell trails and some boardwalk as well. The boardwalk areas definitely need work as we saw(and nearly missed) several holes and chunks missing from the wooden planks. You can tell that this place has not been cared for in a very long time. It's sad to see a preserve like this. Most of the signs showing specific trees or plants didn't actually have those trees or plants there to view which is not typical of a preserve. After all that's why they have the signage.. Overall as local lifetime floridians we were very disappointed in the lack of care and size of this location. I can only hope that the future shows something more for the area.

Nice trail made of shells and wood boardwalk. Plenty of parking at the time of my arrival (apprx. 8:30am). If you walk every trail, you will cover just under 1 mile (I measured .8 mile on my Garmin GPS watch). The lookout tower gives a nice 360° view of Neal Preserve. This preserve is located directly across from the Compass by Margaritaville Hotel. We saw an Osprey, a rabbit, a few common birds, and numerous crabs.

Trails beautifully constructed in natural surroundings. Little shade. Water views

Beautiful little preserve with lots of wildlife and interesting history. There are burial mounds that are hundreds of years old which is cool. There is also a 3 story observational tower that gives a pretty good look around the area. The only reason it's not a 5 star for me is that its so small. You can walk the entire preserve in about 10 minutes. Still worth checking out!

Nice easy trail. We started counterclockwise on the boardwalk then continued on the shell trail. Signs with interesting history of the area tell the story of ancient graves found in the shell mounds. A tower allows overviews. Overall a simple and nice short walk. We spent less than 1 hour slowly strolling observing Osprey and palm warblers. Plenty of parking. Picnic area with outhouse available .

This was a great little preserve! It's pretty short, definitely much smaller/shorter to walk than Perico Preserve down the road, but it's nice to do both in the same day, too! I did get to see quite a few birds, and it is neat that they include history along the paths, too. The flat wooden pathways are easy to walk on, as well.

This is a small reserve and relatively overlooked by others (very few people are ever there). There are some burial mounds, historical signs, and observation deck. There is a small parking lot (for about 10 cars), and pavilion. Free admission. Note there are no bathrooms available. We saw wildlife, including great blue Herron, spoon bills, and egrets.

Such a great "mom and pop" type Fruit Farm and tour. Was a wonderful hour or 2 excursion. Wildlife and a little bit of knowledge about the farm really make it a great day trip for kids! They get to pet and hold some reptiles and animals, while also getting some history about how Oranges originated in Florida. Ice cream after the tour was a nice end to the tour, while the gift shop has a little bit of something for everyone at great prices. Nabbed myself a perfect hat! If you are within driving distance, it is definitely worth a visit!

The Mixon store is all about oranges and citrus. Fresh oranges, fresh grapefruits, orange juice, orange ice cream, orange wine and much more. The great thing is, you can taste everything before you decide to buy. Souvenir hunters also get their money's worth. In the small cafeteria there is of course, how could it be otherwise, orange juice, orange muffins and other snacks. Everything sparkling clean and friendly staff everywhere. Thank you very much. 👍😎 Let's get to the “Orange Blossom Tram Tours” !!! VERY HONEST: WE ARE DISAPPOINTED AND HAVE PROMISED MORE OF THIS !!! 👎 A ride through measly citrus plants, NONE AND WIDE OF THE BEAUTIFUL ORANGE PLANTATIONS that we actually expected !!! 🧐 The only positive thing was the stop at the animals, where a ranger reports a lot of interesting facts about the local animals. It was really nice to get to know the baby alligator lady "AMI". And to feel such an animal and hold it in your hands. This was a great experience for young and old children. 👍 Otherwise, for $ 10.00 per person, this ride was an absolute botanical letdown. We recommend investing this money in fine oranges! The shop therefore gets 5 stars, the tram only 1 star, TOTAL ERGO 3 stars for everything !!!

This is a great place! They have a self guided factory tour where you can see the oranges being reviewed and sorted. The gift shop is large with wonderful samples and their ice cream is delicious! The tram tour is a must - it takes you through the groves and they tell you the various tree types but the best part is the rescue animal area where you see and can touch turtles, snakes and baby alligators. Our whole family enjoyed it (ages 3 to 65). I rarely give anyone 4 stars rather than 5 and the only reason I did is because when we visited to see if we wanted to take our whole family there the tram had problems starting. We assumed it was a fluke but sure enough when we took our family the tram wouldn't start... it took an entire hour to fix but we then had our tram tour. They need to replace the engine! Besides that, everything was wonderful.

Even though my family visited outside of citrus season, we had a terrific visit. The tram tour is a “must do.” The tram guide provided a lot of history and facts we would otherwise never know. My children especially enjoyed seeing the rehab wildlife. The gentleman there knew exactly how to address his audience and provided an unbelievable wealth of information. Please donate to this organization! Once we finished the tram tour, we scoped out the wedding pavilion area, the maze garden (which was simple, but still neat as it was like a little secret garden), and also walked to the koi pond. We finished our visit by ordering lunch from the cafe—the ladies that run it were very friendly and the food was mighty tasty. My dad raved about the Cuban sandwich. I seriously was wowed by my hot dog. We polished off our meal with swirl ice cream…save room…the portion size is huge! Mrs. Mixon, unbeknownst to us, was also greeting diners during lunch and was very friendly and down to Earth. All in all, I would rate Mixon Fruit Farms a “must do” for those visiting FL, or for those wanting a taste of “old Florida.” We hope to visit again when citrus is in season to see all the machinery in action, too.

Maybe the best citrus farm to visit in west-central Florida! A large and diverse shop area, they have fresh citrus depending on what’s in season, tasty orange ice cream, wine tasting area, free samples of citrus drinks, and other market type food options. You can do a self-guided tour of their citrus packaging operations also. The other part is their wildlife tour, which is on the back of the property and you ride on the tram. It’s kind of a long tour, slightly boring, you get to see a few regional animals and hear lots of info about them. Kids get to touch a small gator. Maybe fun to do once, but the shop itself is nice enough to explore, sample, and shop if your need to save a little money.

The actual tour of the fruit farm at Mixon Farm is quite minimal and we were rather disappointed at the limited tour of the farm itself. It basically consists of a short ride along one side of a short orchard, then down along the side of another and then the tour stops at the wildlife refuge. The Wildlife Refuge was really the highlight of the tour for us, as Damen, the wildlife expert, was extremely knowledgeable and engaging regarding all the animals that have been rescued and reside there. He is fantastic at imparting all of his knowledge about each species and is focused on important ecological and environmental issues as well, which was very informative. People also get to hold a small alligator if they choose to and pet one of the tortoises, which the children and adults both enjoyed! After the wildlife presentation was over we got back on the tram and went back behind the buildings and the tour was over. We thought we would go see more of the orchards, but we didn’t. The gift shop that is located at the farm is a very nice gift shop and contains a wide variety of items that were fairly reasonably priced. They also have orange ice cream, which was very good. We preferred the twist, which was vanillla and orange combined. The lady that was serving the ice cream was quite rude and unfriendly, which was unpleasant to deal with. She was an elderly woman and didn’t appear to appreciate having to deal with the public in general. We had purchased a Groupon before going to the farm, which saved us over half off, which made the tour much more reasonably priced. I would recommend others to do the same if they are considering going, as it includes free ice cream also. Overall, I would not recommend the tour to others, even though the wildlife presentation was excellent. I would probably just go to the store itself and purchase some of the local items that they sell there.

A few months after moving to Florida, we found a Groupon and ventured to Mixon Fruit Farms just for something to do. We had no idea how much they offered. We were expecting a tour of Apple trees and pumpkins but received a mini wildlife experience. My husband and I were just as entertained and amazed as our [then] three-year-old daughter. We are more than excited to return when out of town family come to visit. Definitely a great family experience.

What a beautiful beach! We drove all the way to Bean Point Beach and stopped in here on the way back home, what a nice surprise! They have a nice little playground for the kids and have a few volleyball courts set up, which are close to the showers and enclosed changing stations. The sand is perfect and doesn't contain all the shells like Lido Beach does. We were very impressed!

A great place for a fun beach day. There's tons of beach space, even some under trees for maximum shade. That area also has picnic tables and grills. The parking fills up pretty fast so you should arrive no later than 10 for a good spot. The water was clean and clear and the sand was nice and white with some spots filled with shells.

Wonderful beach, water incredibly clear and warm, sugar white sand, showers and changing rooms for visitors. There are no public restrooms but instead they set 3 or 4 porta potties near the parking lot. Gross… The restaurant at the Beach is handy if you don’t want to leave the area for lunch, but the food wasn’t good. Our Philly steaks came burned and the fries soggy. The playground is adorable and has lots of swings for the little ones. They also have volleyball nets. The natural beauty of the area is worth the visit.

WORTH THE DRIVE! Our favorite Florida beach! Better than anywhere along St. Pete or Clearwater. We swam for two hours and had lunch at the cafe. We had beef & chicken tacos, burgers, and the fish & chips and loved it all.

A little crowded but super clean in comparison. Soft sands and good energy. We spent a few hours there and had a lot of fun!

One of the best beaches in the region, with very close restrooms, changing rooms, wide parking and restaurant. The sand and the water are perfect.

Great little beer hut! Not siesta key that I am use too, but friendly people and clean beach. Bathrooms, drinks and food is all assessible.

I absolutely LOVE Earth’s Finest booth #619! Rob is always smiling & creates such a warm environment! They sell such beautiful crystals and jewelry for the whole family. I go there pretty regularly because they are just awesome people working at that booth. The calming music, warm atmosphere, & beautiful creations they make. I recommend Earths Finest to everyone!

A lot of these reviews are spot on as you could have many views of the market. Yes, the outside areas, in parts, have the feel of a glorified yard sale. That being said, there are many items and areas worth checking out. The inside area has the permanent shops along with a small food court. There are many interesting items. I am sure you’ll find things you like and things you are not interested in. All in all, a well spent 3 hours for us checking things out and buying a few items. Definitely worth a visit in my opinion. I’ll be back.

Maybe because we went on a Wednesday, they didn’t offer much of a produce selection?? That’s what I was looking forward to, so I was a bit disappointed to see only one produce vendor. Maybe the weekends is where it’s at. I don’t know….but we were down for vacation so we didn’t get to come back. Other than that though, parking was free—which was nice and there were a lot of other vendors with an assortment of products to sell.

My husband and I come to the Red Barn almost every weekend. One of our favorite booths to visit is Earth's finest at both 619! Rob and Claudia always have smiles and exude a radiant positivity that makes the Barn feel like home.

Right inside there is a food spot. I got tacos! They were soooo goooodddd! Carnitas. The green sauce was perfect. It’s a cute little flea market. I walked around a bit.

Red Barn Flea Market is a hidden gem! It has an amazing variety of vendors offering everything from fresh produce and unique antiques to handmade crafts and delicious food. The atmosphere is lively and welcoming, and there’s always something new to discover. It’s the perfect spot to spend a weekend morning browsing and finding great deals. Highly recommend for anyone who loves shopping local

The Earth's Finest store has a great selection of gemstones. The people there are very knowledgeable about each stone and the uses for it. They have a great selection of jewelry. They're always willing to custom make a piece for you. They are very kind people in explaining things to you. I love going there!! Store 619.

We had a wonderful experience with AMI dolphin tours the week my Italian cousins were visiting. We had booked a sunset tour, but the weather was iffy so we rebooked a two hour day dolphin tour at 12:30. Our captain Andrew was really superb… You could tell he loved the water. He was very respectful of everyone who was on the boat in terms of safety and making sure that we were understanding and enjoying our journey. In my book, this is a reasonably priced adventure for anyone of any age.

This is great for a family outing! The boat captain was very knowledgeable of the area and all the different creatures we saw in and around the water. We had a blast! He also played good, relaxing music to add to the experience. I can't say enough about this place. If you don't go you are really missing out, and I have to question your commitment to your family's happiness. 😀 Just kidding about that last part, but seriously, get your butt on this boat!!!

Our tour guide was SO knowledgeable about all things AMI - but particularly the marine life we were there to see. The ride was safe and comfortable with more than enough room for everyone. We saw SO MANY dolphins. It was almost unbelievable. The young man who was there earning sea hours graciously took family photos in the sunset. I highly recommend this sunset tour.

Captain Chad at A.M.I. Dolphin Tours did an excellent job on our sandbar tour yesterday! He is very knowledgeable regarding the area & the marine life. We HIGHLY recommend that you book this excursion on your next trip to A.M.I., Florida! Can’t wait to visit again! The sandbar at Passage Key is stunning and the dolphins we encountered on the way back to land were simply incredible! You won’t regret a second of this tour. Thank you Captain Chad! We will be back!

Captain Chad was awesome!!! He was very helpful and a wealth of information on the area and marine life. The sandbar trip was so beautiful out to Passage Key. One of the best parts was seeing the dolphins on the way in. The captains all worked together with their boats to create a wave for the dolphins to play in. I am so thankful for this amazing opportunity and am so glad I went. Go see Captain Chad when you come to Anna Maria!

We had the best experience! Ben was our guide, and he was awesome-fun, positive, and knowledgeable. We saw many dolphins, needlefish, two manatees, and many other water critters. The water was super calm and warm. Many of us are prone to motion sickness and we were not bothered at all. We anchored to play and explore at the sandbar and we all loved it. We boated to beer can island and explored there. The kids loved the slide and snorkeling. We had a great morning!

Had a great morning on the water with CJ and Jim, they were very nice, friendly, cool and shared many stories and facts about the area. They even steered us towards dolphins, letting us enjoy them for multiple minutes. Really recommend going with them!

This is a great little place to spend some time, either fishing or just enjoying one of the bench swings. There are covered picnic tables, bathrooms, a bait shop, and a restaurant. Watch out for your catch if you're fishing. The birds will want to be your best friend 🐟 🐦

The location offers great views of pelicans, gulls, boats, and bridges, making it a lovely spot for nature enthusiasts. The pier is lively with people fishing, and there's a nice bar restaurant nearby for refreshments. Additionally, the charming benches provide a perfect place to relax and enjoy the scenic surroundings.

Very nice place for fishing. If you enter by boat, you can docked to pier and go play around or go to restaurant.

We love visiting this pier when we come to AMI. It’s surrounded by beautiful scenery as you can watch boats, birds, the water and local bridges. You can take in the gorgeous homes and beach life while you swing on the bench swings, sit at a picnic table or bench, or fish there.

We had a blast. We fished off the pier after renting a fishing pole and buying bait. It was my first time fishing in the ocean and I even caught a fish. We also bought tickets for a dolphin tour and walked around to all the nearby shops. It's super close to the beach and you could easily spend a whole day there and the nearby shops and restaurants.

Nice pier that's really set up for people of all ages. Be warned though- while the pier is open 24 hours, the restrooms are Not. At the end, there's an opening in the middle with green underwater lights. Use a Sabiki rig to get bait at the end of the pier. Snook seem to enjoy the pier as well. Don't keep it on the bottom or you'll get catfish. Plenty of lights and benches. After about 8 or 9 pm the parking opens up more. Don't let the golf carts take your parking spot, they will certainly try to steal it even if you were there 1st and turn signals are apparently something foreign to golf cart drivers. Locals say get to the pier before 8 AM to get parking and get fish.

Fishing pier in Brandenton very well equipped without parking or entrance fees,at the entrance you will find a fishing shop equipped with baits and rental rods. At the head of the pier there is a large shelter with tables and benches, there are also cutting boards and water to clean the catch. at the beginning of the pier there is a bar restaurant where you can use the bathroom and eat or drink something,enchanting panorama to visit absolutely

Pretty good food. I tried the pork schnitzel with mushroom and onions and it was good, nothing great. My wife tried chicken schnitzel with tomato and cheese. She liked it but nothing special. I thought her cheese wasn't very good. The service was a little slow because there was only one waitress.

As a local real estate broker I often get asked where to go eat on Anna Maria 🏝️ island. I had no experience with German food and I had to ask a lot of questions which seemed to annoy the woman behind the bar. If you like German food this family seems be be authentic and passionate about what they do. Seems to also be a hangout for a very large mug beer 🍺. Cheers and I hope you enjoy your stay on AMI. I live close by and have been in the business of helping buyers and sellers for 29 years as the broker owner of Coastal Key Realty… look me up ready to help.

Saw a review for this restaurant and decided to try. So glad we did!! Abby, our hostess, was great! Portion sizes were generous, the food tender and flavorful, and the prices more than reasonable. We will certainly return the next time we visit the island!

Food was excellent. Service top notch and great attitude. Small quaint resraurant where reservations are preferred. We had the brats with sauerkraut and potatoes and my dad had the wiener snitzel.My husband had some beer which he thought was very good. We took home a slice ( more like a giant wedge) of the black forest cake--- it was really good. We all said we would go back.

We have dined here before and must return whenever in AnnaMaria Island. We dined Tuesday and returned on thanksgiving for another fabulous meal. We had the Jager Schnitzel on Tuesday and tried the Capern Schnitzel with white wine & capers with a Hollandaise sauce! It was outrageously good! Both times we were served a steaming hot dish which included red cabbage and freshly made spaezl! It was all delicious! Don’t miss this German Gem in Anna Maria Island, Florida!

BEST German Restaurant in the USA! Delicious and authentic German food that is even better than in most places in Germany. The wonderful hosts, Gary and Armin, are making every visit a unique experience of German hospitality!

From the moment you walk in, Gary and Ivonne make you feel like family. The food is amazing, their customer service is second to none and the fun we had was beyond our expectations. Our family of 5 highly recommends this restaurant for all ages. Our kids loved it and want to go back! I can honestly say it's the only place we've ever been where we hugged the server and owner goodbye in appreciation for such a great meal and experience. We will definitely be going back.

I so want to leave a 5, but last night was a no. It was valentines and there was no mention of it. However, hesitantly I ordered the Nashville Hot Chicken. I even asked our waitress how it was was and our waitress said good. This is NOT Nashville hot chicken this is a hot BBQ . Our waitress said it was sweet baby rays. It was so yuck! I’ve had a lot of NHC and this was terrible. This is false advertising. Everything else we have ever had here was yum so this was disappointing to say the least. Especially on Valentines. Regretful. It islets not cheap, I think $27, total waste of money!

My server was Zack the bartender get energy and super friend I got the hulk smash burger and a ghostface Nilla beer absolutely delicious I will be a repeat customer. Great food and beer amazing service.

Acknowledged us as soon as we entered. Excellent service from Jenna throughout out lunch. They have vegetarian choices including Impossible animalmeatsubstitute. The beef is local free-range and everyone loved it. Had a local draught lager, crisp and refreshing & tasty 5.5%. Great atmosphere with large bar and all the regulars have their own tankard hanging on the wall. Lots of seating, DOG friendly, live music areas indoors and outside. Plus heaps of parking. Def going back.

Great experience and best cauliflower crust pizza I’ve had around town. Their beer and some food items could use a little more but we will be back for sure!

Fantastic array of beer on offer. Really nice food too and great service. Also a talented young singer as well.

Just moved next-door to this lovely little gem. We stopped in last night for the eight dollar hamburger special and let me tell you that was the best burger I have had anywhere on this earth in my 54 years of life. The beef is so clean tasting and tender, and purchased from a local farmer. I will happily pay full price any day for that burger. Ryan, our bartender was welcoming, knowledgeable about everything and friendly. This will definitely be our new regular spot. Can’t wait to try something different with each visit. Oh and they are well behaved dog friendly in the outside patio!

Update. The service here was excellent. The food and beer came out quick and the wait staff was very attentive. We haven't had service like that in a long time. We had their award winning burgers and they were good, just not exceptional. They do have a nice selection of types of burgers. The place looks better now under new management with nice updates, while keeping the original layout and adding a beer garden. The beer is good with a decent variety. 3 Keys stays on our list of favorite places to go.

I was there to play pickleball as a guest. Good games but crowded due to the holiday. The lighting is very difficult on some courts which hampered my game because I couldn't see. Better to be shaded versus good vision?

Plenty f parking space lots of recreational areas to do may sport wether you like soccer , football,tennis,gym,skating ,running, jogging I mean the options are endless it’s up to your preference.

Wonderful large dog park really nice dogs and humans, and with lots of trees, but very dirty sanding ground. Would definitely come back here again they have plentiful water and pools for your dogs to pull off in.

Great park with many playground throughout. The newest playground is by the dog park and pavilions. However the new gear spin broke when my child used it. Great playground for older kids and brave little ones. Just need to fix the gear spin.

Awesome park with a beautiful pool area and , woodland trails , sports fields , etc. Lot's of wildlife and squirrels that will chase you down , someone must feed them because they have no fear ! Ducks and water fowl everywhere as well. Fantastic park ample parking , great experience!

Great facility, easy parking, and yes... bathrooms!

This place has changed so much, this is a good thing, they updated alot of the park and its good they are keeping on top of this..

Nice place for a short walk. The view was not as impressive as I was expecting. It's interesting to see the native species

Nice short walk with views of Sarasoda Bay. Not alot to see but great place for a stroll to stretch the legs and get some exercise away from busy AMI traffic. Can be done in about 20 min. See Pics If this helped you hit the THUMBS UP so others find this faster.

Nice little trail with several board walk lookouts on the main loop and a slight incline/hill in the middle of the loop with lookout points. The main trail is a flat gravel loop with benches throughout. Depending on when you go, the majority of the loop is in the sun while the board walk lookouts are shaded, so keep that in mind and bring water. Overall, great spot to stop for a quick and easy walk with pretty views!

We got to experience a nature variety on this walk, including mangroves, seeing fish, watching crabs cross over the trails, and even dolphin watching on the coastline decks. The trails were easy to walk. We spent a little over an hour walking much of the area. It was a great little nature walk!

Nice trail around mangroves. It's not paved and some parts are very sunny. Bring water! I loved the little decks that went over the water. Those were lovely. There was also some higher lookout points that made for lovely views.

We absolutely loved visiting this preserve! We went up to the overlook area and the view is amazing! Not to mention when we took one of the bridges out to the bay we got to see dolphins! It is clean with wildlife everywhere.

What a beautiful spot for a morning walk/hike. Be aware that it's truly a natural setting, so a little hot and steamy inside the mangroves, and watch out in the early morning for spider webs across the walkways. Beautiful and peaceful way to connect with nature and lots of signage to educate about the Florida environment.

This is a great little museum and have several buildings to explore. They have a lot of family events and if your lucky the Early Learning Coalition book bus might be there. North River pizza was there recently and their pizza is great ( see my review). Will I go back? Most likely.

Get a tour at the palmetto historical park and then walk to the museum which is Amazing. Information in simple format and engaging! Free to enter.

Awesome small museum... Shows impact of agriculture on the county's economy... Souvenirs available for purchase... Helpful staff... Donations are helping to keep it open, so donate, if you can, during your visit...

Make and Take activities were very well set up. The volunteers did an excellent job.

Great hands on historical district!

I went to get a license from the office which was handled quickly and efficiently by the friendly staff.

Pretty neat place, and it's free!

Such a peaceful place to reflect or watch dolphins occasionally. I raised my children not far from here and I would definitely recommend for an awesome place to ride horses which they have daily now.

🌴 Palm Sola Bay - Bradenton, FL: A Hidden Gem for Family Fun! 🌊 We had such a lovely Sunday at Palm Sola Bay in Bradenton. It’s a simple but charming spot, perfect for a family day out. There are covered cabanas, picnic tables, BBQ grills, public restrooms, and drinking water available. The atmosphere is peaceful and very family-friendly. We caught some blue crabs, and one of the highlights of the day was seeing a manatee about 10 feet long swimming right in front of us — it was amazing to see a manatee so close! The water is calm and safe for kids, and just across the street there’s a busy beach area where people fish, relax, and enjoy the sun. Nothing fancy, but everything you need for a perfect, relaxing day. We will definitely be back! ⭐ Tip: Bring chairs, sunscreen, and fishing gear if you can — it’s a great place for it!

It was such a beautiful beach. We went to Ana Maria Island but couldn't find parking at all. So we head out and just 10min from the island is this wonderful, amazing beach that reminds me so much like Key Biscayne in Miami. Me & my hubby love it so much. And what's great you can bring your fur babies. Definitely coming back to enjoy a good beach time, fishing and bringing our fur babies to. Will recommend to anyone

Nice area to picnic and can bring your dogs as they enjoy the beach aswell 😀 came to relax and eat my crabs 🤭

Love to go to Palma Sola with the family to ride our jet skis and go out in the boat. Ramp is accessible

Great for paddle boarding. Though wish the jet ski people not go crazy fast so close to shore in the no wake zone. Other than jerks on jet ski Great place to go canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding.

Too close to the busy causeway and dirty. Not great for off leash dogs. Perhaps would be a good day with family with the jet ski amenities and just a good walk. We were looking for a nice swim and play spot for our large dog and it wasn’t suitable for that.

Went to a birthday party yesterday 3-16-25. There was also another birthday party going on. There were at least 50 people in the vicinity. And all the bathrooms were closed not one for repair but all of them. This is not right I drove an hour and 10 minutes to get there and no place to use the restroom or wash our hands. This is a public hazard and should be closed until you repair the restroom.

This park gets better every time we go!

Update to my review from a few years ago: This place is still awesome! Nowadays we park a half mile or so East of the playground and walk/bike/skateboard along along the riverwalk to get here. Lots of shade, and they even put Astro turf down!

I'm going to get this part five stars because the people that come around to pick the trash up have their hands full on a daily not just busy days or the weekends which is most of the time anyway but even on rainy days they are out there picking up the trash and plenty of it. People are so unappreciative these days. Sometimes it looks like Little Mexico down there or specifically Juarez Mexico cuz I've been there and it's trash everywhere and that's what this park looks like most of the time but the people that do the maintenance and cleaning of it are excellent addict cuz they have to be and probably because they want to be.

Great free place to go with kids! Super clean, so much shade, plenty of places to sit while your kids play! It’s ALL astroturf so no dirt! My 19 month old loves the splash pad and so did I! There’s also multiple playgrounds for varying ages. 10/10 worth the visit! It was also very scenic being right on the water.

Great park for kids! Built within past 5 years. Restrooms etc. A local said they had problems with homeless people. I didn't see any, never once felt like we weren't safe. Loved our visit to the town.

Beautiful park. Beautiful scenery. Lots for kids to do in the small space. Fishing dock is wonderful.