Top Things to Do in Bradenton
Updated: Feb 25, 2018
Grab your smartphone and immerse yourself in local history, public art, and find your next place to eat, shop, stay, and play. Explore downtown like a local at https://walk.realizebradenton.com/bradenton
Downtown Bradenton
Whether you're looking for great places to eat, places to explore, shop, or find some nightlife, Old Main Street has something for you.
Highlights include the Riverwalk, the Farmers Market, and Village of the Arts!
Whether you're looking for a quick bite, or to taste chef-created specialties, you'll find it downtown.
A farmers’ market, free films, cultural history museum, performing arts center, planetarium, historic Main Street, Riverwalk park, an aquarium, Major League Baseball, and a lively Village of the Arts — there's something for everyone.
Shop for unique gifts, souvenirs, or find something special for yourself. You're sure to find what you are looking for in many of our boutiques, shops and specialty stores.
For evening entertainment, or getting together with family and friends, downtown and Old Main Street offer a mix of establishments for your enjoyment.
For more information go to Realize Bradenton
Preserves and Conservation Lands
Please also check out our blog post, Preserves and Conservation Lands, for all of the wonderful nature preserves in Manatee County.
The South Florida Museum is the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The museum interprets the region from the Pleistocene to the present. Highlights include fossil evidence of Florida’s earliest mammals and marine species, the Montague Tallant collection of prehistoric and early post-contact archeological artifacts, and the Environmental Wing focusing on Florida’s ecology and bio-diversity in the Pine Uplands and Riverine Galleries.
The Bishop Planetarium (part of the South Florida Museum), featuring one of the most advanced all-digital projection systems in the world, presents astronomy programs the whole family will enjoy.
The Parker Manatee Aquarium (part of the South Florida Museum), is part of Florida’s Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership, having served as a temporary home to 35 rehabilitating manatees since 1998.
Experience a haunting adventure throughout downtown Bradenton.
Manatee Village Historical Park is a collection of historic buildings and artifacts which tell the story of pioneer life in Florida.
Owned and operated by the same family since 1981, the Red Barn in Bradenton, FL, combines a traditional flea market, plaza shops, food courts and open-air farmers markets in a 145,000 sq.ft. former lumber yard
Manatee Performing Arts Center
The Arts center is committed to being the community’s premier theater and the region’s center for cultural, educational and artistic expression.
A Bradenton attraction with something for everyone! You'll find things to do with the family, including farm tours, wildlife refuge, and a gift shop and even a place to enjoy your wedding!