Overview
Bradenton is a city on the Florida West Coast. Its economy is based on tourism and agricultural products. Tropicana, the orange juice company, and Bealls are headquartered here.
3 sights · 2 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Bradenton
Lake Manatee State Park
Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
Where Snooty the Manatee lives.
De Soto National Memorial
Features live reenactments of Conquistadors shooting things.
Robinson Preserve
Kayak.
Carousel Sea Horses
Horseback riding at Palma Sola Bay.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 52°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Jul. (climate data from nearby Sarasota)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SRQ Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, Sarasota/Bradenton — 6 mi away (major hub). Directions
- PIE St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport, Pinellas Park — 30 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Lake Manatee State Park, Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, Carousel Sea Horses
- Lunch Pier 22
- Afternoon Robinson Preserve, De Soto National Memorial
- Evening RJ Gators
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
- You can arrive by air at Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), on the border between Sarasota and Manatee counties, 6 mi south of Bradenton.
- You can also fly into Tampa International Airport (TPA), in Tampa. Tickets to Tampa are generally cheaper and it's easier to get a direct flight since the airport is bigger.
- The third option is a smaller airport St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport. (PIE) The airport is predominantly served by Allegiant Airlines and features direct flights from many mid-sized northern cities.
By car
- Easy access by car from Interstate 75.
Get around
- The MCAT (Manatee County Area Transit) bus system stops at all the major shopping areas, beaches, schools, hospitals, etc.
See
Do
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Stay safe
For the most part Bradenton is a safe city, with crime rates among the lowest in Tampa Bay Area. However some areas, especially south of downtown, tend to have a higher concentration of crime, especially at night.
Don't walk around by yourself late at night or carry around expensive objects or large amounts of cash. Driving is normally pretty safe, though carjackings have been known to happen. When driving around at night, lock your car doors and windows and stick to major roads to avoid getting lost and ending up in a bad neighborhood.
Go next
- Sarasota
- Saint Petersburg
- Palmetto
- Anna Maria Island — swim, jetski, windsurf, or ride the trolley
- Longboat Key Beaches
Nearby
Palmetto
City / town · 6 listings · 3 mi away
Longboat Key
City / town · 8 listings · 7 mi away
Anna Maria Island
City / town · 13 listings · 9 mi away
Sarasota
City / town · 55 listings · 11 mi away
Siesta Key
City / town · 9 listings · 13 mi away
Ruskin
City / town · 3 listings · 18 mi away
St. Pete Beach
City / town · 42 listings · 19 mi away
Saint Petersburg
City / town · 87 listings · 20 mi away
My experience
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