From a towering mastodon skeleton to a funky art village and a serene riverwalk, here are supercool stops in the Friendly City.
8 Reasons Why You Should Visit the Bradenton Area

When a potpourri of purveyors sets up their tents downtown, it’s markettime in Bradenton. Kids carry cotton candy under a canopy of oaks, and the smell of kettle corn fills the streets at the weekly Bradenton Public Market.

Every Saturday from October through May, Old Main Street is transformed into a massive diverse marketplace featuring nearly 100 full-time vendors from local farmers and artisans to chefs and jewelers and other craftspeople. 

A husband-and-wife pottery duo sell their hand-crafted shrubs with fresh fruit, raw cane sugar, and raw apple cider vinegar, while a mother and her two daughters offer beach-themed art – mermaids, frogs, and octopuses  – made with resin and other materials.

Stop for a Nutella-topped waffle or cup of local coffee at one of the many food trucks. Other goods range from all-natural dog treats and house plants to crocheted toys, handmade jewelry, fresh produce and meats, clothing, Caribbean-inspired hot sauce, and lots more. 

Each week, the market also offers a long roster of local musicians and seasonal celebrations, like trick-or-treating and face painting for Halloween. 

Downtown Bradenton Public Market is held on Saturdays, October through May, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bradenton’s stunning Riverwalk stretches from 15th Street West to 2nd Street East beyond the DeSoto Bridge along the Manatee River. Though the path is packed with activities, like a skatepark and beach volleyball, there’s another draw to the route: art.

The 7-foot bronze “Open Heart Icon,” was created by actor and artist Jane Seymour in 2019. The sculpture’s two interlaced hearts symbolizes the philosophy that an open heart lets love in. 

Don Brandes’s 2012 painting, “Spring Training,” pays homage to the city’s heritage as a baseball city. Since 1923, the site that’s now known as LECOM Park, has been host to both major and minor league teams, and the Pittsburgh Pirates have used the park for spring training since 1969. 

Find a moment of tranquility between two “Sound Dishes,” vertical stainless steel installations that create an acoustic space for reflection. In all, there are eight works of art along the Riverwalk Art Tour.

Shaded by a canopy of century-old oak trees, Manatee Village Historical Park shares the rich and diverse story of Bradenton’s county, Manatee. Through 15 distinctive historic and replica sites, visitors can learn the ways of life of the pioneering era. 

Opened in 1976, the historical park’s mission is to celebrate the Bradenton area's founding period, from 1840 to 1918. Step inside Stephen Settler’s House and explore what life must have been like on Florida’s frontier. Wow the Amazon-era kids at the 1903 Wiggins General Store, which spotlights what shopping was like at the turn of the 20th century—it even included a boarding house for long-distance travelers.

A 1913 steam engine, known as “Old Cabbage Head” for its rounded smokestack, served north Florida’s once-thriving turpentine industry before making its way to Manatee to transport supplies for a local company. A blacksmith shop, a rough-cut pine potter barn, and mill are also of interest.

Reflect as you take a self-guided walking tour through the peaceful Manatee Burying Ground, the county's oldest organized cemetery. Notable pioneer families, soldiers of the Seminole Indian Wars, and even an aide to General Ulysses S. Grant are all buried here. 

Admission is free and the park is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.

Art Caffe delivers a true taste of Italy to Bradenton. Italian native Remo Mambelli came to the U.S. in 1990 and worked in the restaurant industry in New York City for 15 years. That’s where he met his wife, Meridith, who specializes in the sweeter side of the café, making fresh pastries and breads.

Fittingly located in a vibrant bungalow in the Village of the Arts, the cafe’s colors – lime green, magenta, and teal – are reminiscent of those found in the small island of Burano in Venice.

Enjoy an espresso and fresh-made scone or grab a group and share a hearty antipasto platter. Mains range from several staple pizzas to pasta dishes and sandwiches. For something near to Remo’s heart, opt for the lasagna, made with besciamella, meat sauce, and Parmesan-Reggiano cheese—the same way his mother used to make it. Daily fresh-baked focaccia bread is another favorite. Italian imports like olive oils and fine meats are available in the market. Dinner reservations are required.

At the Carnegie Library, dig deep into the history of Manatee County, while sifting through marriage certificates, deeds, criminal dockets, maps, hand-drawn maps, vintage postcards, and more. 

A history buff’s haven, the downtown Bradenton landmark was built in 1918 and now serves as the Manatee County Historical Records Library, with papers and artifacts dating to 1855.

Lacking a dedicated library, townspeople petitioned the Carnegie Foundation for a grant in 1906. It took over 10 years, but finally a $10,000 grant helped fund the project. The library is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and tours are available. 

 The massive jaw bones of a Megalodon, a towering skeleton of a Mastodon, and a 60,000 gallon tank for rehabilitating manatees are just a few of the awe-inspiring attractions at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature. 

Founded by Dr. William D. Sugg in 1947, the museum has grown into the largest natural history museum on the Gulf Coast of Florida. 

On the first floor, learn all about the state's earliest animal inhabitants and discover archaeological remains from Paleo-Indian, Archaic, and other cultures. Journey through the night sky in the planetarium, and don’t miss the Mosaic Backyard Universe, where a 30-foot sculpture of a live oak soars over a tree house-style learning area. 

The Bishop is also integral in the effort to save manatees through its Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, which has been home to 40 rehabilitating manatees since 1998. Watch them swim through the underwater viewing area. 

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 12 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Closed Monday.

Immerse yourself in a Spanish moss-filled eden at the 365-acre Emerson Point Preserve in Manatee County. Here, it’s common to encounter Great Blue Herons, turtles, egrets, and other wildlife as you scan the endless horizon off the coast. 

Find a waterside bench and watch others kayak by on the peaceful waters or bring bikes and travel the many winding trails. Boardwalks guide you through mangroves and oaks to stunning views. 

The preserve is also home to the Portavant Mound, one of at least 15 sacred temple mounds found in the area. Interpretive signs detail the ways of life of these ancient inhabitants, as well as the pioneering Floridians who followed. 

The preserve is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Once a neglected neighborhood, Bradenton’s Village of the Arts has grown into one of the most eclectic and vibrant areas in Bradenton. Over 275 houses, restaurants, shops, galleries, and more create a melting pot of places to live, work and play. 

Nearly 20 galleries invite visitors to peruse a variety of art styles, from mosaic sculptures and hammered brass jewelry to watercolors, acrylic pieces, and lots more. Find unique pieces and gifts at The Dancing Crane Gallery and stop in Divine Excess Folk Art Gallery for eclectic folk pieces. 

A quilt fabric shop, record store, yoga studio, and a shop dedicated to energy healing are also draws, as are several restaurants, including Cottonmouth southern soul food spot and the Sicilian-influenced Ortygia.