Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast between Tampa Bay and Sarasota, the Bradenton, Anna Maria Island & Longboat Key region impresses visitors with over 150 miles of coastline.
Here is a unique opportunity to experience Florida without artificial entertainment and noisy crowds. Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key and neighboring communities feature award-winning beaches and island experiences. Unobstructed by hotel and residential developments, the horizon offers unparalleled views of rolling sand dunes, shore grass, peaceful waters and colorful sunsets. A bike ride to the colorful shops along Pine Avenue is ideal. Freshly caught seafood and fish can be enjoyed at a quaint beachside café. Or you can experience the living tradition of the historic fishing village of Cortez.
Just minutes from the islands is a completely different but equally fascinating area on the mainland: the communities of Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Palmetto and Ellenton. Bradenton has a cozy downtown area with local restaurants and unique shops. The town’s welcoming streets are a mix of historic architecture and modernity. There is also an extensive park right on the river bank where you can simply enjoy nature or open-air concerts. In an eccentric artists’ village, one can be inspired by the colorful houses, the artistic spirit and the works of art. Lakewood Ranch boasts a gorgeous Main Street with boutique shops and eateries, as well as top-flight golf and polo tournaments. Palmetto is home to scenic parks and preserves along the Manatee River. According to allcitycodes.com, Ellenton is home to Florida’s largest outlet mall, with numerous brand name stores and countless bargains.
The range of accommodation is wide: from beach cottages to cozy resorts, private accommodation and exquisite guest houses to well-known brand hotels that offer every comfort.
Inhabitants
Almost 54,000 people live in the city of Bradenton. Longboat Key has about 7,000 residents.
Arriving
by Air
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is located 70 km (45 minutes drive) north of Bradenton. Longboat Key is approximately 95 km (1 1/4 hour drive) and Anna Maria Island is 106 km from TPA International Airport.
Climate
The sun shines an average of 249 days in Bradenton and Longboat Key, the maximum temperature in July is 33° C and the minimum temperature in January is 11° C. The average annual rainfall is about 140 cm.
| Average temperatures in Bradenton and Longboat Key in °C | ||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Max | 22 | 23 | 25 | 28 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 26 | 23 |
| Min | 11 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 18 | 15 | 12 |
Bradenton, Anna Maria Island & Longboat Key Highlights
Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria is a dream island almost 12 kilometers long in the Gulf of Mexico. With its white sandy beaches, turquoise water and pastel-colored houses in the “Old Florida” style, it exudes tropical flair and inspires every vacationer. With the Manatee Trolley, travelers can easily get around the island at any time. The offshore island consists of three small towns: Southern City of Bradenton Beach, Central City of Holmes Beach and the Northern City of Anna Maria. If you visit Anna Maria Beach at the very north end of the island, you will find yourself in a cozy little place that hasn’t changed much since the 1970s.
Cortez Village
“Cortez”, founded in the 18th century, is one of the last remaining commercial fishing villages on Florida’s west coast. Visitors can tour historic fishermen’s homes and learn more about life on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The village also has a modern maritime museum and a few fish restaurants. Cortez Marina also offers a variety of inshore and deep sea fishing charters.
Downtown Bradenton
Bradenton is the largest city in Manatee County with a population of around 54,000. It is also the seat of the county government. Downtown has numerous restaurants, the South Florida Museum, and a riverfront area with walkways and an amphitheater. If you want to spend the night here, you will find some cozy private pensions.
Museum Tour
The South Florida Museum is the largest natural and cultural history museum on the Gulf Coast. With planetarium and large historical exhibition.
The Parker Manatee Aquarium in downtown Bradenton is also home to Snooty, the nation’s oldest manatee (62 years old) living happily in captivity. Visitors can watch her daily feedings, during which she consumes almost 41 kg of feed. South Florida Museum, 201 W 10th Street, Bradenton, Tel: 941-746-4131
Sports School
The IMG Academies offer golf, soccer, baseball, basketball, lacrosse and American football training camps as well as the IMG Performance Institute.
IMG’s Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, which has produced world-class players such as Maria Sharapova, Monica Seles and Andre Agassi, is a mecca for tennis enthusiasts. The famous tennis academy features 35 US Open outdoor hard courts, 4 US Open indoor hard courts, 16 green clay courts and one red clay court. Visitors can play at the tennis academy for a day, a week or a month.
IMG Academies, 5500 34th St West, Bradenton
Bradenton Riverwalk Tour
The 1.5 mile Bradenton Riverwalk stretches along the beautiful Manatee River in downtown Bradenton. The park contains a family fun zone with a playground, as well as “lounge areas”, volleyball courts, a skateboard park, an amphitheater and a fishing pier. The Riverwalk is also a free art gallery. The park is open 24 hours.
808 3rd Ave West, Bradenton, FL 34205
“Village of the Arts”
In downtown Bradenton, art enthusiasts will find the well-known artists’ quarter “Village of the Arts” with its colorful houses and the ornate roof and facade decorations from the 20s and 30s. With more than 40 galleries and studios, some of which are occupied by the artists, it is considered the largest artist community in the state of Florida. Every first Friday and Saturday of the month, painters, sculptors, photographers, designers and musicians open their doors to the public and invite art enthusiasts to visit, have stimulating discussions or actively exchange experiences. Original, one-of-a-kind fashion and furniture, imaginatively designed jewelery and unique paintings are available here at moderate prices. 1113 12th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205
Shopping Mecca – Ellenton Premium Outlet
Great fashion from Nike, DKNY, Banana Republic, etc. awaits you here in the Ellenton Premium Outlets. Fashion lovers will be delighted, because this premium outlet offers a colorful selection of well-known brand names at reasonable prices. 5461 Factory Shops Blvd, Ellenton
