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.
Get in
By plane
- You can arrive by air at Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport (IATA: SRQ), on the border between Sarasota and Manatee counties, south of Bradenton.
- You can also fly into Tampa International Airport (IATA: 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
- Lake Manatee State Park, 20007 State Road 64 East, 27.4781°, -82.3361°, +1 941 741-3028. 8AM to sunset.
- Bishop Museum of Science and Nature (South Florida Museum), 201 10th St W (near the Riverwalk at the junction of 9th and 3rd), 27.4983°, -82.5719°, +1 941 746-4131, info@bishopscience.org. Where Snooty the Manatee lives.
- De Soto National Memorial, 8300 De Soto Memorial Hwy, 27.523889°, -82.644444°, +1 941 792-0458 ext 105. 9AM-5PM. Features live reenactments of Conquistadors shooting things. Free 2016-03-01
Do
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
- Americas Best Value Inn, 607 67th Street Circle East (I-75, exit 220, across from McDonalds), 27.4939°, -82.4771°, +1 941-745-1988. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. Economy motel with clean rooms. $40-90
- Springhill Suites Downtown/Riverfront, 102 12th St W, 27.4989°, -82.5736°, +1 941 226-2200. Swimming pool is open 6AM–10PM. 2021-07-31
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.
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