Top Things To Do In Bradenton

Located on the banks of the Manatee River, Bradenton is full of colorful attractions and outdoor activities. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy the city’s vibrant art community, local food scene, and historic landmarks. Keep reading for recommendations on some of Bradenton’s most popular attractions and things to do.

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Tampa Bay CityPASS
6 Locations31.8 mi
4.7
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31 ratings
$139
Tampa Bay CityPASS
Basic Party Package for Up to 10 People at DEFY. Bradenton (Up to 16% Off).
Up to 16% Off Basic Party Package at DEFY. Bradenton
7385 52nd Place East, Bradenton7.8 mi
4.7
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25,283 ratings
$250 $210.28
16% discount_off
Basic Party Package for Up to 10 People
Beer Bundle for Two, Four, or Six at Motorworks Brewing (Up to 62% Off)
Up to 62% Off Beer Bundle at Motorworks Brewing
1014 9th Street West, Bradenton0.6 mi
4.7
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2,153 ratings
$41 $19$15.58
 Sale Ends 6/10
Beer Bundle for Two
90-Minute Sand and Swim or Sunset and Sea Beach Horseback Ride at Carousel Sea Horses (Up to 42% Off)
Up to 42% Off Beach Horseback Rides at Carousel Sea Horses
8400 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton4.6 mi
4.8
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33 ratings
$328.60 $246$201.72
 Sale Ends 6/10
90-Minute Sand and Swim Beach Horseback Ride for Two People; Valid Wednesday-Saturday
Up to 47% Off on Room Escape Game at Smashed: A Smash Room Experience
Up to 47% Off on Room Escape Game
441 Cortez Road West, Bradenton2.7 mi
4.9
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157 ratings
$240 $156$127.92
 Sale Ends 6/10
30-Minute Smash Room Experience for Two
One or Three Personal Introductory Dance Lessons at Fred Astaire Dance Studio (Up to 77% Off)
Up to 77% Off at Fred Astaire Dance Studio
14415 East State Road 70, Bradenton12.0 mi
5.0
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2 ratings
$120 $34$27.88
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1 Introductory Personal Dance Lesson
TreeUmph Adventure Course
TreeUmph Adventure Course
21805 East State Road 70, Bradenton17.0 mi
4.7
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1,134 ratings
$65.13
TreeUmph Adventure Course
Up to 67% Off on Dance Class at Evo Ballroom Studio
Up to 67% Off on Dance Class at Evo Ballroom Studio
6513 14th Street West, Bradenton5.1 mi
5.0
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1 ratings
$90 $30
67% discount_off
One 45min Private Dance Lesson
Up to 33% Off on Children's Party / Event at The Bee Haven
Up to 33% Off on Children's Party / Event at The Bee Haven
5517 21st Avenue West, Bradenton2.9 mi
$250 $168
33% discount_off
Kids Birthday Party, for up to 10 guests, Valid Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday evenings, Saturday & Sunday
1 bought

Surrounded by water, Bradenton is no stranger to boating, sailing, and other aquatic activities. However, this 20-mile stretch between Tampa and Sarasota is also home to a variety of other attractions.

Discover the city for yourself with some of the best things to do near Bradenton:

  • Fish, canoe, and swim at Lake Manatee State Park
  • Hike, bike, or jog through the beautiful Emerson Point Preserve
  • Learn about Florida’s maritime history at The Florida Maritime Museum
  • Take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the city on the Manatee Riverwalk
  • Explore the sandy beaches and hot dining spots on Anna Maria Island

Events in BradentonView All

Up to 50% Off on Amusement Park at Sunken Gardens US
Up to 50% Off on Amusement Park at Sunken Gardens US
1825 4th St N, Saint Petersburg20.5 mi
4.8
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20,740 ratings
$30 $18
40% discount_off
Two adult admissions
 Admission to Clearwater Marine Aquarium /Up to 7% Off)
Admission to Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage, Clearwater36.3 mi
4.3
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4,774 ratings
$26.95 $24.95
7% discount_off
Admission for One Child
Up to 43% Off on Museum at Imagine Museum
Up to 43% Off on Museum at Imagine Museum
1901 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg19.5 mi
4.9
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1,087 ratings
$15 $13$10.66
 Sale Ends 6/10
Admission for One Person
Casino-Cruise Package for One or Two with Food, Drinks, and Slot Play from Victory Casino Cruises (Up to 42% Off)
Up to 54% Off Casino Cruise 
180 Christopher Columbus Drive, Cape Canaveral
4.3
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18,623 ratings
$59 $40
32% discount_off
Casino-Cruise Package for One with Lunch or Dinner, Two Drink Tickets, and $10 in Slot Credits
60-Minute Pass for Up to Four People at Selfie WRLD Tampa (Up to 39% Off)
60-Minute Pass for Up to Four People at Selfie WRLD Tampa
250 Westshore Plaza, Tampa31.1 mi
$25 $20$16.40
 Sale Ends 6/10
60-Minute Pass for One Person
30+ bought
SeaWorld Orlando Admission with Dining Option, or 2, 3 or Unlimited SeaWorld Park Visits (Up to 57% Off)
Up to 57% Off Admission to SeaWorld Orlando
7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando
4.7
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1,509 ratings
$134.99 $57.99
57% discount_off
*FLASH SALE* SeaWorld Orlando Single-Day Admission Ticket: Valid 365 Days from Purchase
Memorial Museum Admission for two (Up to 45% Off)
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American Victory Ship Mariners Memorial Museum – Up to 45% Off
705 Channelside Drive, Tampa31.8 mi
4.7
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2,744 ratings
$24 $16$13.12
 Sale Ends 6/10
Admission for two
Pentatonix – The World Tour with special guest Lauren Alaina on August 10 at 8 p.m.
Pentatonix – The World Tour with Lauren Alaina – Up to 52% Off
4802 US-301, Tampa
$41.30 $20
52% discount_off
Pentatonix - The World Tour with special guest Lauren Alaina at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds on August 10, 2023
700+ bought
Busch Gardens Tampa Admission with All-Day Dining Option, 2- or 3-Park, or Unlimited Visits (Up to 49% Off)
Up to 49% Off Admission to Busch Gardens Tampa
10165 McKinley Drive, Tampa38.4 mi
4.5
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406 ratings
$134.99 $94.99
30% discount_off
*FLASH SALE* 2 Day Admission to Florida Parks of Choice: Valid 365 Days from Purchase

With beautiful beaches and a vibrant local art scene, Bradenton is a hotspot for both natural and cultural activities. These are some of the best tourist attractions in the city (your Instagram will thank you later).

Popular attractions near Bradenton include:

  • Kayaking or paddle boarding around the city’s scenic waterways
  • Searching for shells on the beaches of Beer Can Island
  • Taking a dolphin, manatee, or sunset tour with Captain Patsy Charters
  • Eating a meal at The Waterfront Restaurant, a local favorite with a great view
  • Getting a good seat for the Bradenton Area River Regatta

This seaside town offers plenty of activities for tourists and residents. Consider adding a few of these recommendations to your daily or weekly routine.

Fun things to do in Bradenton today include:

  • Manatee Beach, one of the most popular beaches on in town
  • The Red Barn Flea Market, a local favorite for more than 30 years
  • Darwin Brewing Company & Taproom, one of the best breweries in the city
  • The Sea Hag, an quirky store that hosts book signings, fishing festivals, and pirate-themed shows
  • Pine Avenue Shops, a small village with art galleries, puppy spas, and a truly unique donut shop

At nighttime, Bradenton comes alive. With a healthy selection of breweries, restaurants, and live music venues, there’s a little something for everyone.

Some of the best evening activities near Bradenton include:

  • The Lost Kangaroo Pub, a dog-friendly bar and eatery
  • Motorworks Brewing, a microbrewery with taproom tours and a neon-lit beer garden
  • The Swordfish Grill, a homey waterfront restaurant with fresh seafood and live music
  • 3 Keys Brewing & Eatery, a brewery with live music and home-brewed amber nectar
  • The Freckled Fin Restaurant, a beach-themes eatery with pizza, live music, and outdoor seating

Bradenton is home to a ton of free and inexpensive activities for the whole family. With options ranging from museums to oranges groves, you’re sure to find an activity that can entertain the pickiest children.

Some of the best things to do in Bradenton with kids include:

  • Touring the orange groves at Mixon Fruit Farms
  • Taking a ecotour of the bay with the help of Captain Kathe’s Boat Cruises
  • Playing a round of minigolf with the whole family at Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf
  • Attending Family Night at the South Florida Museum on the first Saturday of the month
  • Playing conductor and learning about the history of the state’s railroad system at the Florida Railroad Museum

Bradenton is known for its beaches, but it still offers several relaxing things to do indoors. With everything from spa treatments to art classes, there are plenty of ways to explore the great indoors.

Some of the most popular indoor activities in Bradenton include:

  • Treating yourself to a relaxing massage from Spa Northwest
  • Taking a pottery workshop at the Art Center Manatee
  • Learning about our solar system at the Bishop Planetarium
  • Exploring your artistic side with a glass of wine at Pinot Picasso
  • Sipping ceylon during an afternoon tea party at The Londoner Bed & Breakfast

Unleash your adventurous side while horseback riding on the beach or hiking through the Florida wetlands. You can also try your hand at fishing from one the city’s many piers—you never know what you’ll catch.

Bradenton’s best outdoor activities include:

  • Hiking through the wetlands in the Robinson Nature Preserve
  • Horseback riding and swimming with the help of Beach Horses
  • Fishing at one of the best spots in town, Sunshine Skyway Piers
  • Testing your balance during paddleboard yoga with Happy Paddler
  • Renting a jet ski from Wavesplash Watersports