What is there to do in Bradenton, FL
July 1, 2025
Bradenton, FL offers a rich mix of outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, and coastal charm. Here's a curated guide to help you explore the best of the area:
🌅 Outdoor & Nature Highlights
- Bradenton Riverwalk – A scenic 1.5-mile stretch along the Manatee River featuring a splash park, playgrounds, fishing piers, and cafés buddythetravelingmonkey.com+2anchordownvacationrentals.com+2visitflorida.com+2.
- Robinson Preserve – Over 600 acres of mangroves and marshes with walking trails, paddling access, and birdwatching buddythetravelingmonkey.com+2familydestinationsguide.com+2visitflorida.com+2.
- De Soto National Memorial – A 25-acre historic site marking the 1539 landing of Hernando de Soto, ideal for kayaking and interpretive trails visitflorida.com+2thecrazytourist.com+2buddythetravelingmonkey.com+2.
- Beaches – Just a short ride from Bradenton: Coquina, Cortez, and Anna Maria Island beaches are great for sunbathing and swimming floridavacationers.com+9travel.usnews.com+9buddythetravelingmonkey.com+9.
🖼️ Culture, Museums & Historic Sites
- Manatee Village Historical Park – Explore preserved buildings from 1840–1918 that tell the story of Manatee County's roots buddythetravelingmonkey.com+3anchordownvacationrentals.com+3anchordownvacationrentals.com+3.
- The Bishop Museum of Science & Nature – Features a planetarium and the manatee rehabilitation habitat—perfect for families buddythetravelingmonkey.com+5anchordownvacationrentals.com+5visitflorida.com+5.
- Village of the Arts – A colorful live/work community showcasing local artists, galleries, and studios tripadvisor.com+4visitflorida.com+4visitflorida.com+4.
💧 Water-Based & Wildlife Adventures
Tripadvisor ranks these top experiences floridavacationers.com+11tripadvisor.com+11tripadvisor.com+11:
- Glass‑bottom kayak tours around Anna Maria Island.
- Sunset kayak with dolphins.
- Pedal‑kayak mangrove tunnel ecotours at Robinson Preserve.
- Other options include clear kayak day tours, fishing trips with charter captains, and private sandbar excursions.
Taverna Toscana 4.7(511) · $50–100 · Italian 1301 6th Ave W "Carlee our server was incredible, the entree, foods and drinks were amazing!" PIER 22 4.4(5.3K) · $$ · American 1200 1st Ave W "Outstanding atmosphere, dinner, cocktails and service with Bree!" Sofra Kitchen Bar & Bistro 4.9(163) · Italian 606 Manatee Ave W Closed ⋅ Opens 4 PM "From the atmosphere, to the service, to the food, we were very impressed." O'bricks Irish Pub & Martini Bar 4.7(2.8K) · $20–30 · Grill 427 12th St W "Food, service, atmosphere, and cocktails were outstanding!" Vernona Gourmet 4.5(399) · $10–20 · Hungarian 711 Manatee Ave E "Beer, Meals, Desserts, from scratch gourmet in a relaxed atmosphere." Restaurant Edelweiss 4.6(1.4K) · $20–30 · German 611 Manatee Ave E "The service was great and the food was unique and very filling." Château 13 4.7(377) · $50–100 · Restaurant 535 13th St W Takeout: 5 PM–8 PM "The ambience, drinks, service and food were amazing." Good Liquid Brewing Co. Downtown Bradenton 4.5(82) · $20–30 · Brewpub 1008 4th Ave W "The food is delicious and well priced and the drinks were very tasty." The Sage Biscuit Café- Downtown 4.6(1.6K) · $10–20 · Restaurant 1401 Manatee Ave W "The food,decor, and service were outstanding!" Fav's Italian Cucina 4.6(711) · $10–20 · Italian 419 12th St W "Friendly service, sat outside, tasty food and good beer specials." Clementines 4.9(42) · $10–20 · Restaurant 536 13th St W "The atmosphere food and service were unparalleled." Jaxx Wing Co. 4.7(59) · $10–20 · Chicken Wings 316 12th St W "Staff is awesome, food is exceptional, and the atmosphere is great!" Pee Wee’s Canteen 4.9(28) · $10–20 · Soul 401 7th St W "The ribs are exceptionally delicious." Cafe di Lorenzo Italian Restaurant 4.6(52) · $20–30 · Italian 608 14th St W Closed ⋅ Opens 4 PM "1st time diners last Friday night, Awesome experience, great food and wine." Sweet Deli Cafe & Catering 4.7(171) · $10–20 · Sandwich 531 13th St W "The food is delicious the atmosphere is great and the service is THE BEST!" The Bistro 4.0(27) · $10–20 · American 100 Riverfront Blvd "Cocktails are hand crafted and the food is all fresh and made from scratch."
Our Story When the world came to a standstill during COVID, Florida—like much of the globe—was wrapped in uncertainty. Fear gripped the hospitality industry, and many hotels, motels, and bed-and-breakfasts closed communal spaces, eliminated services like breakfast, and replaced warmth with warnings and restrictions. But where others saw limitation, our owner—an avid traveler herself—saw an opportunity. Instead of shutting down, she opened up. With expansive outdoor areas and fresh air all around, she welcomed guests seeking a sense of normalcy and freedom. Home-cooked breakfasts were served without plastic dividers or the sterile atmosphere of social distancing. Guests came not just for a place to sleep, but for an experience—a connection. We started with just a few rooms and a spirit of rebellion against cold, corporate hospitality. We shared mornings, meals, stories, and sunsets with like-minded travelers who valued choice, openness, and joy. Now, four years later, we’ve grown into a ten-room oasis—still intimate, still personal, and proudly different from the typical hotel. We are a luxury boutique bed and breakfast for those who are tired of endless hotel hallways and crowded buffets, where dozens of hands dig through your breakfast. Here, your stay is warm, intentional, and full of heart. No plastic. No pretenses. Just people, comfort, and good food in beautiful spaces.