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Bradenton is located just north of Sarasota on Florida’s Gulf Coast, at the mouth of Tampa Bay. Bradenton is a good place to vacation and explore historical attractions, fishing adventures, golfing excursions and shopping diversions. Bisected by the Manatee River, the city of Bradenton lies on the southern shore and it’s downtown area offers attractive riverfront areas.
The Bradenton area offers a nice selection of waterside activities such as fishing, boating, day sailing, parasailing, canoeing or kayaking. Most travel to the barrier beaches of Anna Maria Island or Siesta Key for sun and sand but swimming, sailing and waterskiing can be enjoyed at Palma Sola Causeway recreation area on Palma Sola Bay. Click here for a complete listing of beaches near to Bradenton.
Golfers will enjoy some of Florida's finest courses while on vacation in Bradenton. A visit to IMG Academies will help you improve not only your golf game, but also tennis and soccer, fishing, in fact almost every sport you can think of. It is one of the world's most successful multi-sport training camp. If you prefer to watch your sport rather than play it, the Pittsburgh Pirates play their spring training games at McKechnie Field in Bradenton and the Cincinnatti Reds spring training camp is based in nearby Sarasota.
Downtown Bradenton's cobblestone streets are filled with seafood restaurants, pubs and quaint bistros. To see the work of local artists and craftsmen, visit the Village of the Arts or enjoy a performance by The Manatee Players. A five-story library, restaurants and a marina line the riverfront.
There are many opportunities to learn about the history of the Bradenton area. South Florida Museum is the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida's Gulf Coast, and has just undergone a $5 million renovation program. Learn about the lost Indian tribes of Southwest Florida and explore 1200 year-old temple mounds at Emerson Point, see the oldest Antebellum Plantation House at Gamble Plantation or visit the Manatee Historical Village.
Children will enjoy a visit with Snooty the Manatee at Parker Manatee Aquarium or a day of fun and new experiences at Gulfcoast Wonder & Imagination Zone (GWIZ).
Round out your vacation with a day trip to the Tampa Bay area to the north or the Fort Myers area to the south.
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