What an amazing, gorgeous place. Take a stroll on the white sand trails, enjoy a perfect view of the sunset from the top of the tower, watch the birds, connect with nature. Get your eyes lost where the peaceful blue water meets the rich green wilderness. If you like outdoor experiences, this is some of the best Manatee County has to offer. I hope to come back many times.

Robinson Preserve Park is not only a haven for nature enthusiasts but also a perfect retreat for family outings and romantic picnics. The well-maintained trails provide an ideal setting for leisurely strolls with children, while the scenic landscapes create a romantic ambiance for couples seeking a peaceful picnic spot. Conveniently, the park offers multiple parking areas on both sides, ensuring easy access and enhancing the overall visitor experience. Whether you're exploring with little ones or enjoying a quiet moment with a loved one, Robinson Preserve Park caters to diverse recreational preferences.

This preserve is nestled in elite neighborhood. Majority of trails are open without any shade but if you hike to the “Meade point” the trail is shaded - you walk along either edge of the water next to the mangroves. Lots of little crabs!!! Beautiful. Very clean. Parking. Bathrooms. There is someone on a golf cart that removes people after sunset. Dogs are allowed and they even have doggie poop bags. I also saw a group of people on kayaks and many fishing off the wooden bridges. There is also a large tall wooden tower you can climb for beautiful views.

What a great time to spend a Wednesday afternoon! The trails are well maintained, you can rent kayaks for $40-$50 for 4 hours, you can walk or ride a bike. A surprisingly cute place!

Nice place, nice trails. Wish there were more over hanging trees to walk through on hot days like yesterday. They have restrooms and water bottle fill stations. However, this park reminded me more of my hikes in the desert than in tropical locations.

My mom and I were in town for a girls week and hiked all around Robinson Preserve for a few hours one day checking out the wildlife and climbed to the top of the observation tower. This is a different perspective of Florida beyond the beaches and definitely recommend. It was so peaceful being out there.

Nice to walk, bike or scooter. 5-6 Osprey nest posts. Nice wood bridges and walkways as well as a 3 story viewing tower. Birds, fish, crab. My really good pics not on my phone to post. Great shots of osprey with zoom lens. 😉

This was our first time here. We took the Tower Trail from the North Entrance and went to the top of the tower. We got a very nice look at the surrounding areas from a perspective hard to get anywhere else. We were a little disappointed at the lack of wildlife on our walk of nearly 4 miles. We saw a lot of birds flying above but next to nothing at ground level. I suspect.if we had started at the South entrance we might have had better luck. We did see a small amount of fish and a single crab in the water (not the bay side of the trail). Still it was a good walk and well attended but not overcrowded. There are Kayak and Paddleboard rentals available and I think Kayaking looks calm enough that virtually anyone could do it and not be intimidated. We'll check it out again. Manatee County does a very nice job with preserving nature at its finest.

Fantastic nature preserve! It has great paths that give you a nice bounce to your step as you walk along and look at all the sites of the water ways they have within the preserve. You can even take out kayaks and enjoy the preserve that way! Looking forward to testing that out and a great place to walk your dog when the weather is cooler as the trails are a bit long if you have a small dog.

Beautiful preserve that’s well maintained and has wonderful trails to explore. There are maps located throughout the preserve and paths are well marked. You can come and enjoy running, biking, trail walking, fishing, and bird watching here. I’ve come twice on sundays and there isn’t much of a wait in the early morning. Parking gets a bit more tight later in the morning time. Bathrooms are clean. There is a small park and play area for kids. Kayaking launches are common as well. I love coming here. There is a family of owls located near the entrance as well!

Robinson Preserve, when combined with Perico Preserve is a place you really want to check out if you are in the area. There are about 7 miles worth of cycling between the 2 preserves. The trails are easy to navigate through on a hybrid bike. Plenty of casual riders on the trails. There are also trails specifically set aside for walking by parking your bike at the starting points. This gives walkers the best t opportunity to view wildlife. If you’re adventurous, there is the option of renting a kayak and paddling through the preserve. 3 great options or do them all!

Been here so many times and love it every time. Only warning, closes at sunset. Lots of different sections, mostly paved or torn up tire for walking, although a few areas have shells or dirt. Lots of great bike trails. Expect to see lots of lizards, birds and flowers.

Great spot for kayaking or paddle boards. The entrances to the bay are closed to prevent algae coming into the preserve (disappointing but understandable). Explore the mangroves, and viewing tower. There is lots to explore.

The preserve is over 700 acres with canoeing and kayaking (rentals available), extensive hiking(with 2.5 KM of rubberized trails), picnic tables and a new NEST and canopy area for kids. Beautiful area of mangroves, tidal marsh and coastal wetlands. Several parking areas and clean rest rooms. Boardwalks, viewing towers and good birdwatching. The preserve connects with the Perico Preserve.

wonderful, I like it. If you want to disconnect from noise and environmental pollution, you just have to go to this place. Very quiet, full of peace, the viewpoint is a place from where you can have excellent panoramic views. You can run, walk, bike, hike. There are places to rest and with shade. Very good place to connect with mother nature. I went to the place again because there are more trails and I added more photos.

Nice place for a walk, bike ride, or paddle. You can paddle directly opposite the observation tower, under a few walkways/bridges and then put in your kayak on the bank. Very short walk and you are on the beach looking at the Skyway Bridge. The swimming is just so-so, because the bottom is a little mucky.

Lovely area for hiking, biking, kayaking and leisurely strolls! We went on a Tuesday and there were a number of people enjoying the trails, but it wasn't too busy with people to enjoy nature. The restrooms were good and it looked like the playground would be great for little ones. They even had a place to add air to bike tires or make adjustments to a bike. There is no charge to enter the preserve. We saw a gentleman catch a beautiful sheepshead, so fishing might be fun here. Dogs are allowed also.

It had been around eight years since I last visited Robinson Preserve, but it was just as breathtaking as I remembered it. The park boasts well-maintained walking trails, some of which are paved while others are gravel, and are frequented by both walkers and cyclists. There are also beautiful boardwalks over the water. The intracoastal waterways are a popular spot for kayakers. I only walked the three-mile loop around the front of the park, but I found out that they have added more property to the west. Although I didn't spot as many birds as I have in the past, it could be due to the time of year." There were some nice views of the bay and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge from the trail.

I've hiked here several times. The big highlight here is the tower where you can view the beautiful natural surroundings of the Bay. This place is a landscape photographer's playground. Trails are easy and has plenty of options to navigate the area. Wildlife are abundant here as well. There are bathroom facilities at the entrance before your trek out.

Nice park with a lot of trails, a look out tower and places to kayak. Dogs are allowed, but not on the look out tower. You can see the Skyway Bridge from the tower! It's a big park, we only saw 1/2 of it in 2 hours. I'll definitely go back. There is also a botanical gardens down the street that looked like a good place to check out.

Go visit. There are many things to do and see here. The Planetarium currently has a great show about the planets, asteroids, meteors, and the history of Earth - Fire Fall. This is presented in a domed theatre so you are 'immersed' in the presentation. -There are multiple things for the little ones - Duplo blocks to create anything you want and many Lego block tables where you can sit and create. There are some interesting Lego real world building / structure creations with written /video explanations about them to spur creativity. -There is also an entire fake tree inside the building (pic) a tree house and play/discovery area. -People of all ages will appreciate the museum with Florida history - from the Indigenous peoples through the turn of the century and many full and partial fossils. There are many artifacts including clocks, lights, furniture, lanterns, and even a Ford vehicle. -There is a Manatee aquarium with three manatees (pic) you can see above or below the water line. Go and enjoy yourself and stop in the store if you need memorabilia or something to keep the kids thinking / expanding on what they have seen. There is even an entire Mastodon skeleton (pic) - amazing.

Pretty decent museum. I liked how the planetarium was free after admission. They have a first responder discount! We went and saw a nice movie about satellites in the planetarium. The first floor has some dinosaurs 🦖 🦕 sharks and other things. It has a nature play area for kids. The bathrooms were clean. Then we went outside to the manatee area. Took some pictures and saw some amazing pvc pipes. Once we were done we went to the Hispanic house. It was very nice. Then upstairs we went. I got out and saw some nice things. They had old shells and stones. Old medicines. Stem for girls. I think that it's good for all ages. Elevator works well. Free parking garage close to here and police station.

What a wonderful experience for young and old. It's Handicap friendly as well. I haven't been here since my kids were little. I now took my grandchildren in. What a long way they have come from the 80's!! If you haven't been in here in years, it's definitely on the get to now LIST!! You will not be disappointed. The staff are wonderful and very kind. We had such a great time. Unfortunately, there was a storm coming in, and we weren't able to see the second show my grandson and granddaughter and I wanted to see at the Planetarium. That was the only disappointing part. Other than that, it is so informative. I love the care they take of the Manatees, wonderful creatures they are. Thank you, Bishop Musem, for a wonderful afternoon.

So I’m wondering around downtown and stumble upon the MOSH. What a cool place. They have done a super job of presenting a wide range of items and still remain true to Fl History and the local area. The staff were very friendly and pleasant and even though I was an hour before closing they welcomed me in. I’m most impressed with the richness of the wood grain presentations and the attention to detail. There’s an out door 🦕 dinosaur animated display and a planetarium 🪐 Definitely check it out when your near Bradenton

We loved the bishop museum! We started off watching the planet and astro show, followed by the dino exhibit outside. My kids were ecstatic about the dino exhibit. Such a cool experience. They also like the indoor backyard and watching the manatees. There is so many coop things and so much you can learn. Recommend ! We will be back.

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is filled with things to do - there is a Manatee Habitat, Planetarium, Mosaic Backyard Universe, Exhibitions on the first and second floor, and much more! The Bishop participates in several discount programs so I highly recommend visiting their site to find out how you can save during your visit. Upon arrival we were greeted and given a map and schedule of events. Our visit was about 2 hours long. You are allowed to leave and re-enter during your visit (which I thought was pretty cool). We will definitely return some time in the near future.

Massive lines to try to see a show at the planetarium. Manatees are not currently there and we bought tickets in advance unfortunately. Apparently the entire aquarium is closed when the manatees are gone, so don't expect to go and see any other fish or underwater exhibits. The cost of the museum is $25 which is a higher price than the Louvre , but lower your expectations. Most exhibits do not list whether items are authentic or replicas so you are left to assume for yourself. The amount of content probably warrants about a $5 admission relative to other museums of the world.

We visited the Dinoventure. They had multiple life size dinos that moved and roared. They did a good job with this exhibit. We also saw the manatees. They have two viewing areas, one that you can view through glass and another that is upstairs so you can look down into their tank. You can pay to visit the Dinoventure exhibit without visiting the rest of the museum. We did both and enjoyed all they had to offer. The Planetarium was my favorite part of the museum.

Plan your day accordingly so you can catch all 3 shows in the planetarium. Students and seniors get discounts. The shows were great, seating was comfortable and spacious. I am recommend sitting closer to top. Plenty of exhibits to keep you busy in between and the manatees are a must see!! Enjoy

I was in awe of this museum. The planetarium was amazing. Definitely bring your kids here. They may even just want to watch the manatees.

The planetarium is something to see. Each of the shows are magnificent and very educational. At present they have two young Manatee calves that are a pleasure to watch. Overall, the museum is a great place to visit to explore the depths of Florida history. Loads of great exhibits.

Educational Opportunities for local history and of course the Manatees!!! They have rescued manatees that are temporarily staying with them until they can be rereleased! There is a planetarium with show’s playing about every hour (get there 10 minutes prior because the theater fills up quickly) and an early learning garden for children! Calm and friendly atmosphere with helpful staff! Loved my visit! Parking was free and easy!

Visiting from out of town. Great place for toddlers & adults! The planetarium was awesome too! Wonderful location - by River Walk. Shops, restaurants, and playgrounds all in walking distance.

I have been coming to The Bishop Museum since I was a kid. It's a great place for family fun and learning. The manatees being rehibliated and the planetarium are my favorite parts.

The kids loved seeing the manatees. Unfortunately, these beautiful animals decided to have lots of intercourse, which brought a ton of questions I wasn't ready for. But it's all good. It's part of life. We also enjoyed the video on space

A great place to take our kids (under 5). Great play areas, discover zones, planetarium, a manatee and more. Staff was super friendly and very helpful. A great time.

A good day for museum wandering. Liked the exhibits. Don't rush through, it's not large!

Me and my 2yo niece had an amazing time at the museum. Our favorite was the 2 manatees.

This was a great place to go. They had some impressive displays and also some really fun Interactive displays. Probably not the best for really small children but we were there with our 12 year old granddaughter and she really enjoyed reading about the different epoch's in the earth's development. We really enjoyed watching the Manatees and learning about them. We loved the planetarium and had we had more time we would have done several more shows at the planetarium if possible. I don't know if the ticket price was really worth it. We really enjoyed the museum but it did seem a bit high.

We really enjoyed walking around this trail and seeing all the life sized cardboard cutouts of Indians and history information. They have cute huts at the beginning. We had the privilege of seeing two dolphins swimming and playing only like 10 ft from us. But, in the future, we won't be bringing our dogs. They were excited but very good on the very long drive there, because they thought we were going to a beach where we could swim and play in the water. There was one tiny spot accessible to the water but there was already a family there so no more room. The trail hurt my dogs paw. Otherwise, this place is pretty cool!

The De Soto National Memorial, located in Florida, commemorates the landing of Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto in 1539. The park offers a fascinating glimpse into early colonial history, with exhibits, guided tours, and scenic trails along the Manatee River. It's a great place to learn about the interactions between European explorers and Native American cultures. The site's historical significance and natural beauty make it a must-visit for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Great place to visit in Bradenton! I went on the weekend and did not have problems parking. Nice little walk and some greats views. Visitor centre has nice bathrooms and water stations (one by the side door for water bottles and dogs). Saw some wildlife too!

I love this park so much! My husband and I come every Sunday and grab our secret fishing spot and spend the entire day here. The other side of the park(main entrance) is also cool. You walk with a guide (if you want) and walk the trails alongside the water. There are bathrooms and a doggie drinking fountain and a bottle filler fountain at the main entrance of the park. Staff is great too!!

Had an excellent experience taking my little brother here for the reenactment of DeSoto's landing in Tampa Bay. It was informative and engaging. The great people stayed for photos and to answer specific questions. They all knew so much! The only thing I would suggest is putting a bench halfway down the trail to the reenactment area. I'm disabled and could really have used a place to sit down.

The location is beautiful and the nature trail surrounding the memorial is easy to navigate. The nature trail is also pet friendly which was a very pleasant surprise. As you walk around the trail you will find many educational signs, but you may be distracted by what natural Florida has to offer. Inside the visitor center there is a theater where you can learn more about DeSoto. Can't wait to visit again (with the pup this time!)

Quite public space providing a calm and relaxing environment. Ample green space overlooking the inlet to Tampa Bay in addition to short nature trails along the shoreline. The nature trails are a mix of well maintained boardwalks (with periodic seating) and crushed shell walking trails along the shoreline (benches available). There is a National Park's Building onsite which provides educational material about the memorial. A few things available which I didn't get to experience in detail were the educational environments set up to provide information about the memorial. There are recreations of buildings as well as information posts placed throughout the space. Overall, certainly enjoyed my time relaxing along the shoreline! Important Note: Parking gate closes at 5 PM The staff actually closed the gate to get in at 4:30 PM but left the leaving gate open for people already at the memorial. They seem very strict about all cars being out of the parking area by 5 PM (multiple signs placed plus staff actions). A few cars actually arrived after the gate was closed, turned around, and left. The memorial grounds are open until sunset but parking definitely closes at 5 PM.

Nestled along the Manatee River, overlooking Snead Island, Desoto is a hidden gem. I came here to find a great place to walk and was not disappointed. New to the area, I wanted to put my National Park Pass to use, but Desoto is free! It was a beautiful southwest Florida day with winds creating rip tides along the coast. Throughout my walk, I encountered a handful of people along the way, but for the most part I was left alone to enjoy the beautiful coast, awesome trails and monuments that encompass the park. It was quite nice for a Sunday afternoon. Full of plants and animals, there is beauty to be found in every inch of the park. The visitor center located just inside the parking lot with bathrooms and a wealth of information about Desoto's Army and their landfall in Tampa Bay. I look forward to making Desoto Park a place a visit often to take a nice walk to clear my head and see stunning views. The wonderful transitions from beach to forest to sandy path is excellent and I highly recommend stopping by and checking out all it has to offer.

Great little spot. Living history staff were enthusiastic about their subject and the short nature walk was ideal for our laid back day. Probably wouldn’t drive more than an hour to check it out as we were only there for an hour but if combined with the nearby Robinson Preserve could make for a great day. Somewhat filled parking lot when we got there at 11 AM on a Friday in March so coming early would be advised. I liked the waterside spots on the trail and that it connects with the adjacent park to the south. Also very family friendly and accessible.

De Soto National Memorial was a HUGE reason we decided to move to Northwest Bradenton, as it is within walking distance of many friendly and beautiful communities. De Soto is a fantastic place for families and pets to come together and explore some history. There are several things to do here, from walking/running on the nature trail to kayaking along the beautiful river. It's truly fascinating to learn about the journeys of the Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto and his Expedition while walking through the museum. There are also educational programs for children that make the experience even more engaging. There's something for everyone here, and pets are allowed, so be sure to bring your furry friend along!

Great place, visitor center with stamp station, bathroom and 20 min presentation. Nice walking trails with awesome views. Nice history lesson.

Great place to go for a walk. Partially shaded trails and beautiful water views. Trails are not too long and well maintained. Also, dog friendly. Visitors are respectful and observe the dog and liter policies posted. Markers along the trail explain the historical significance of the area. Great place to bring family and friends who are visiting.

Lots of historical sitings to see here. Has a Nature Trail you can bring your dogs on trail. Learn about the history and while on trail you will have a beautiful view of the waters overlooking The Gulf of Mexico. Has Handicapped parking. You can lock your bike up at the bike rack. Have facilities you can use and plenty of picnic tables to benches for gatherings. Has a visitor center open to the public. Free to get in National Memoral open 8 am to 5 pm seven days a week.

What a great day trip! Our daughters earned another Junior Ranger badge and we had the best walk! It was stunning views around each bend. There are a ton of picnic tables, so we packed a lunch and soaked in the view. There was a breeze coming off the ocean which made for a perfect experience. This is a dog friendly national park, so next time we plan on bringing our fur kiddo too. Most people go here for the beach we found out but the trails are totally worth it. They were easy enough for my 7 and 3 year old daughters and my senior parents. Very well maintained! The kids programs were not going on the day we were there, you have to check their schedule online to see the historic areas, but it gives us a reason to come back! Highly recommend!

Such a beautiful area!!! Absolutely a great place to go for the day. You can also bring your dogs too!!! Our pups become bark rangers. Try on the armor there because it definitely puts a lot into perspective on what they had to wear and the weight. Don't forget to bring your national park passport to get stamped!!!

Such an unsung story and great site. Check the movie at the visitor center and then do the beautiful trail long or short.

Fun little beach in the back. It has a little steam that drains the mangroves, me and my kids have fun building dams and changing the direction the water flows out. Fishing can be hit or miss. You won't get a line in on the weekends because boosters will beach and moor there. Unless of course it's football season, then Sundays you can get some fishing in.

Very nice small park that is run by the NPS. Park is dedicated to DeSoto, the Spanish conquistador who landed here and spent 3 years exploring the southeast USA. There is a 20 minute movie at the visitor center giving the history of the Spanish in North America and a 3/4 mile hiking trail around the park. The hike is on level ground and a very easy walk. You can see everything in a couple of hours. It is also free to the public.

Wonderful! Really enjoyed the crunchy sea shell trail. Friendly ranger. Nice Jr. Ranger program. A very pleasant place to have a picnic and spend the afternoon

Cool historic spot. Easy walk with younger ones. Good views of the bay/river and a small beach.

Really enjoy this area by the river. We have stopped several times when traveling through this area. There are many clean bathrooms along the path. If you want refreshments or food, you simply need to walk into town a bit. On the far west end, there was an ice cream shop by the water and a marina. Parking - I have not found a main designated parking area but have parked each visit without problem. Our last visit we used a free parking garage just west of the Bishop Planetarium. There are many places to sit as you walk along the river enjoying the views. There is a different feel to each area but connected by the walkway along the river. Some areas have bench style swings, some with concrete loungers under palms. Very unique place and I enjoy all the settings. Skate Park - One area has a skate park where you can enjoy watching those willing to put some wheels under the feet and navigate the bowls, bars. I don't know enough to even describe it well. If you enjoy any of these wheeled activities, you'll like this spot. I myself really enjoy just watching everyone from the youngest who are learning to those that truly know how to navigate these things. A fun stop. It is under the one set of bridges. Splash Park and playground - The kids love this place as I have witnessed on each visit. It is sizeable and some of the bigger sets of bathrooms are located at this area. There is a lot to do here for the little ones. Volleyball - There is a sand volleyball court where we often see families and friends enjoying some friendly competition. Park like setting - The far east end of the walk has a park like setting. Lots of lawn and a workout course. Docks and Piers - A fishing pier lets you get right out into the river and see if anyone is catching anything. There is a dock along the walk that I believe hosts some ferry services. Ampitheater - it is small, but our last visit we watched some young people practice a group dance. There is just so much free entertainment to pop in on for a moment as you travel along. The crowd is friendly, and we have watched as dolphins swim along and play in the river. Several pieces of public art to enjoy. I especially enjoy the "Parabolic Dishes" You stand between two giant symbol looking creations and noise you create becomes amplified to you. Look for them. Give it a try. For a relaxing time by the river, this a great spot and the views of sunset are really nice.

Very nice walking path along the Manatee River with splash pad and sitting areas. Stopped for smoothie at Corwin's while taking in the sights. Love seeing the water fowl swoop down from the air to pick off fish.

What a nice place to take a stroll along the water, play at the playground, or simply sit and enjoy a nice day. I was walking with someone who has limited mobility, so the flat, wide walkway with plenty of places to sit and rest was so appreciated. It's also nice that the public restrooms are clean and easy to access.

Fantastic Park And Walk. Both River Walks are very scenic and interesting with side tracks on nicely carried out dock/walk. Lot's of activities and areas.

Enjoyed a brisk, scenic walk on a breezy Sunday morning in January. There was ample free parking. There are numerous sights and activities, including outdoor exercise equipment, skateboard ramps, playgrounds, and a sprinkler park. Views along the Manatee River are pretty. There are clean public restrooms and the area seems very safe.

What a nice area to take a walk. Beautiful view, lots of seating areas, kids playground, public restrooms. Everything you could desire for a leisurely stroll on a beautiful day.

Nice place for evening stroll. Very safe, have Pier fishing. Skate park. Marina has ice cream shop or walk one block to a wide vary of food choices and entertainment. Pier 22 is excellent choice. We were there for boat races.

This is really nice little river walk. More cities should learn from this for jazzing up outdoor spaces!! My only gripe, which is not major is I wish there was some more businesses along for a meal or a drink. With some other economic development along the river walk it would be 5 star for sure.

This is a beautiful park, check out the photos. We have been here a few times and will be back when on the west coast of FL. Clean, breezy because of the water, which is unheard of in this state. Team Pain was the builder on this bad boy!

Definitely a cool area! As you walk along they have sand volleyball , a skate park and cool interactive activities to do. Tons and benches and cool places to sit next to the water

Unexpected great time. Once we walked out on the pier we were greeted by a young girl with her dad fishing. She said this was the friendly pelican. And he was. We then ordered a drink and some grouper bites to hold us over and sat down to just relax and watch the water, when it started to rain, it was nice that there was a part that was covered so we moved over. Then we met a nice couple from a England and Scotland. It is convenient with the trolly stop right at the beginning of the pier.

Nice views, Interesting stops along the way to see small parks like volleyball, skateboarding, butterfly area, outdoor gym, round shaped objects to make sounds, etc.

We saw a playground for the kiddos, a pier to fish off of also, and a place to exercise yourself. We also saw one of Jane Seymour's Open Heart Icon statues that was neat.

Another free adventure! Parking is also free. This river walk along the Manatee River is very family friendly. It's about a mile and a half and soon to be longer. We visited the new tower, that will soon be connected to the current walk. Along the current river walk there is lots to do. There is a skateboard park, a beach volleyball area, an amphitheater, docks to walk out onto and much more. The playground is fantastic! It also has a scaled down playground for toddlers. There is also a very cool splash pad area. Bathrooms are available along the walk as well. Don't be surprised if you see a dolphin or two along the way! Lots of places to sit, in both the sun and the shade! This is a very pleasant way to spend a morning or evening.

Nice peaceful walk along the Manatee River - A few concessions along the way like icecream and brewery - walk along the marina and see $22 million dollar yachts- nice playground - limited parking

It was an excellent place to watch the fireworks from! There was a very secure feeling police presence with all the people that were down there that was nice. You could sit literally right up on the pier or up against the rail and watch the fireworks which was awesome for my kids! But what was more awesome is the several different Park options literally on the Riverwalk right by where we were at. Beautiful atmosphere very nice bathrooms as clean as they could be for the amount of use they were getting!

Love it right on the manatee River and Friday nights live music in the Pavilion. Always fun

We attended LECOM Park to watch a game. Plenty of parking nearby and very easy to enter the park. Seating was also easy to find. There were plenty of vendors selling food and drinks and a wonderful area with tables and umbrellas to enjoy the game. We sat on the 3rd base side, very disappointed to not be able to see the scoreboard, which is recessed just enough to make it impossible to see, which was a shame. Suggest getting tickets on the first base side or behind the plate and avoid tickets on the third base side if you are interested in seeing the scoreboard.

Beautiful park to watch the Pirates play. Very clean and well maintained. Also, super friendly and helpful staff.

Lecom has been renovated and it is very nice inside! Parking was great! Not happy that Braden River High School had its graduation here! Aside from that rebuilding in this area gives promise of more renovation in the area surrounding!

Love this in-town park! Great old, local feel; lots of spaces to chill and watch the game, or just relax and snack. Drinks were not terribly expensive, nor was the food. Can’t wait for next year!

Fun time for only $12. We watched Bradenton Marauders vs Dunedin Blue Jays. Bradenton Marauders Minor League Team play there after the Spring Training of the MLB Pittsburgh Pirates ends. Not all concession stands were open but there was usual ballpark fare. In fact the Italian sausage was pretty good.

What a spring training experience. This place has so much history. Lots of wide open walkways plenty of food and drinks to be had. There are a couple of breweries one right across the street and a couple of blocks away.

What a nice ballpark! I love taking the family to a game. The facilities are clean and well maintained. The field looks great. Very family friendly experience. Every chance we get we go to Lecom park to catch a Marauders game! I suggest going if you are on the fence about attending a game.

Great place to watch a game! It’s an older park which has been updated, not a bad seat in the house. Parking and tickets are very affordable.

What an overpriced experience. $10 for a beer, really? Other than that it was fun to watch the kids running around and catching foul balls. 2,404 people showed up. It was not crowded at all unless you wanted food then it was horrendous. A family sitting in front of us had two of the members miss the first couple innings just because they wanted to get a hot dog. Not sure but there may have been three of them that went to get the food but only two came back. (I know if the beer was that expensive a little bit of mystery meat must have cost an arm and a leg and then just kept the rest of the body.) They have got to do something to save this institution. Possibly management of operations could affect making this enjoyable if they tried.

Very nice ball park. Southern home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. People were helpful. The seats were okay. Definitely will be returning for more games.

Doing tourist things Beach n Ballgames was on the list of to-do's .....Great place to catch a game! Not a bad seat in the house in my perspective. The small number of food stations had a variety of menus and pricing wasn't expensive.. The beverage stands both adult and kid friendly had reasonable prices and I was pleasantly surprised. I could only Imagine how rockin this place is during spring training season!!! The parking is super close to the main gate - I am in firm belief that the overall planning and logistics of this stadium are professionally done and handled well! We parked right behind home plate!!! This stadium is a must visit if in the area and you like baseball. With the family friendly vibe. The walk to the outfield is just was the girls needed. Bartender at Kona bar was super nice and got me a much needed cup of ice and ice cold beer on this day. 10/10 times I would return... I have yet to have a bad time at a minor league game Thank you Bradenton for having us!!! We shall return! Respectfully, Bryan Yukon, Oklahoma

The gentleman at the guest services booth was wonderful. My wife and I had a great time watching the game and exploring the ballpark. The tickets were affordable, and concessions were reasonably priced. Hope to be back!

Lecom is the Pittsburgh Pirate spring training stadium. Today’s game was against the Philadelphia Phillies. Tickets were scarce and seemed a bit pricey for spring training. But it was a rivalry game and Philly won 9-7. The seats were ok but parking was a bit difficult. The ushers where extremely pleasant. Perhaps because they are volunteers and not paid. Not sure. But they were not your typical ushers and made for a very nice experience. Highly recommend this stadium.

Always love a baseball game. We saw Blue Jays @ Pirates- park is the oldest spring training stadium in the league. The left field and scoreboard are obstructed along third baseline seats. This is due to a party deck they constructed where they had nothing before. They don't tell you this when purchasing seats - but they should - you can't watch the entire game from that area and scoreboard is also recessed to the point that it's also obstructed- poor design. So disappointing for a stadium that holds MLB games. Atmosphere is cool - got to meet Justin Turner and told him I drafted him in two fantasy baseball leagues I'm in. Also asked him not to disappoint and he responded that the pressure is on. He and Kevin Kermier hit home runs in first inning (Kev's on my teams too)! Go Jays! 😉💙🤍💙🤍💙 As far as Lecom - Pirates host a great game. People are friendly- great entertainment for the kiddos. Food looked good - didn't eat due to the lunch we had. Drinks are typical baseball game prices. We are seeing Yankees at Pirates on Sunday and luckily those are behind Yankees dugout.

Friendly staff, always a great MLB spring training experience at this historic venue. Up close & personal behind home plate unlike some of the newer parks.

Had a great time at the Lecom Ball Park. If you get a chance to go there to see a baseball game I would highly recommend the trip there!

The place is clean, they have a big long food place. The toilet is big too so it’s good for a stadium. Not much I can review, we got our ticket in advance. There were lot of people try to sell ticket outside the stadium/park. I’m surprise it’s allowed. Parking, they have parking nearby but if you want to pay cheaper the neighborhood open their place and you can walk. We hang out at brewery nearby afterwards too, so this place pretty strategic.

Nice park. Reminds me of my childhood... Going to baseball games, sitting in the stands, eating a hot dog, and listening to all of the old sound bites. We only live a few hours south so we will be back for sure.

Great place to enjoy some Spring Training baseball and support your local Minor League team, the Bradenton Marauders.

I love their oils and soaps. I come here to get the big bottle of skin so soft! Great deals. Has everything you need and want. From fresh produce, authentic Mexican food to bicycles. I have to come back here and explore some more. Plenty of parking! 🅿️

Fun place to get your 10k steps in and do some people-watching. Great vegetables and fruit selection.

Fun place to visit by yourself, friends or with family :) There's something for everyone to browse, and there's food and drink options inside, including ice cream and beer! The bathrooms could use a bit of sprucing up though. We did also find a nice shop inside called "Earths Finest" that was wonderful to visit. They had passionate staff and beautiful items :) Highly recommend at least a stop in!

Large flea market with just about everything you could need. Even has a bar and food court. Great bargain shopping. We had a great time and left with a lot of treasure.

As a flea market this is one of the best we have seen here in Florida. So many diverse vendors. Lots of places to eat with plenty of tables. Several places for fruits and vegetables. Lots to look at. We really enjoyed ourselves today. My wife really liked the handmade soap that Tony sells. We will be back

Have been coming here since my dad moved back in late 90s. Being from Texas, this is always a must go to for anyone looking for niche items in a wonderfully large setting. Love the produce section to get fresh ingredients for meals & the food places there are amazing. Something for everyone and fairly decent prices. You have a great place to burn off any breakfast/lunch and a great way to learn about all different aspects of crafts and bringing members of the community continuously run a great spot. Sure the parking situation is different but they keep it well organized and tame for the huge area its in. Cant wait to come back this July!!

Lucy and Ricky’s has the best selection of corn hole boards! They even can do a custom one if you have an idea. These make great gifts! We have had ours over 2 years and they look brand new! Quality surpasses any other ones we have owned! They are very helpful! Booth 172

Lots of stuff!!! Lots of walking. Inside with AC fruits, veggies and plants outside. Best booth is Coastal Gourmet Travels #279. Most amazing soup and dip mixes! Debbie is helpful and gives free samples and she ships all over the US. So yummy! #bestsoupmix

Great variety of items! Good prices on vegetables and fruit. Definitely recommend shopping at the Red Barn they have something for everyone!

Spent the morning wondering the many halls. Good variety of vendors, prices seemed to be good and we came away with some great purchases. It's not as big as some but it is indoors so if the weather is poor, this is a great way to spend time for free.

Basic Flea Market. I'm Personally Not A Big Fan Of Flea Markets Meself.

Awesome, I love this place friendly people, great atmosphere, lots of wonderful vendors and their merchandise is very unique. They have a food court they have restrooms and free parking

This is a great market. A lot of traffic. Reasonable prices and friendly staff. Unfortunately, my product line may not be a good fit for this venue.

Went to the Red Barn Flea Market today. They have plenty of parking and there is air conditioning in part of the building. The Red Barn has something for everyone including a Farmers Market with fresh produce. The Red Barn has food, drinks, and public restrooms.

Very difficult to navigate without missing things or doubling back over the same things. Good size food court which was kept clean, but the taco salad we had was bland; I didn't even eat it. Our favorite find was the fresh produce which there was a lot of.

Cool 80's flea market vibe happening here. Bit of a tourist trap. The fresh vegetables and fruit were cheaper than publix and while certain vegetables were nicer than publix some of the fruit was not so good and actually rotten. There is a bitcoin machine in here ! I went on a Thursday so not everything was open. My photos explain better than words.

As someone who loves flea markets, I think this one is pretty awesome. There was maybe 2/3 book places. My favorite one was the one run by this older lady. I found some great books there. I just wish she could organize the back area. You can't really look at the rest of the books when you got things blocking your way. There were some places selling crystals which is my first time seeing that at a flea market. I bought a crystal from this cool looking place but they were rather expensive. I saw another crystal shop that was cheaper, oh well. The fruits and produce seemed fresh. BTW there will always be people selling actual junk. It's a good place to walk around. You'll never know what you will find.

Somewhat hard to explain. Good place to kill some time on a weekend but nothing extravagant. Me personally I was looking for more. I mean the place is pretty big but to me it seems like they sell a lot of useless junk. They got produce stands outside which are pretty cool but I'm just sort of torn. Stop by and you be the judge is probably my best advice to you. Maybe you'll like it ???

Patrick (and the entire staff) at Legacy Hotel Restaurant are amazing! He is friendly, hospitable, and offers guests consistently great service. Always happy to accommodate requests, large parties, and remembers our favorite foods/drinks, which is an added bonus. Thank you sincerely!

Hosted a State Association meeting for 4 days with 150 people. Staff was friendly and helpful. Food was great and on time. Convention area served us well but probably near capacity. We were even able to get a tour of IMG Academy. Highly recommend!

We spent three nights at the Legacy Hotel while our boys participated in a soccer showcase. The overall experience was terrific. It is not a luxury hotel, but as far as youth sports travel goes, it was a great experience. First of all, you can't beat the location! The hotel was very clean, the beds were extremely comfortable and the A/C in the room worked great! There was a really nice pool and plenty of space to relax both inside and outside of the hotel. I particularly liked sitting by the gas firepits in the evening. The best part of our experience was the staff. For the first time since the pandemic hit and the world shut down, I felt like I was staying some place where the staff was genuinely happy to help you! The food and beverage staff worked incredibly hard. Kat was particularly friendly, helpful and hardworking, as was Patrick. The gentleman who ran the breakfast buffet was great too. Another bonus was the golf cart shuttle that helped my boys and my elderly father in law get to the fields. JJ could not have been nicer or more accomodating! He is the definition of service with a smile! Truly, the entire staff is to be commended. The hotel was at capacity and the staff handled the workload beautifully. The Legacy Hotel is a gem and the entire staff is to be commended for their hard work!

This place is beyond my wildest imagination. It is absolutely crazy that the top sports academy is located in Bradenton. It has all the sports you can imagine for students to excel and become top athletes in their sports. Huge property which I think is 600 acres but had football field, soccer, baseball and even its own golf course. Unfortunately it is a top money location so it is restricted to top earners

The hotel rooms are very modern and comfortable (we saw our friend's room which is where they stayed), service was excellent and the hotel restaurant selections were extremely good. We stayed at one of the villas because our group was larger and they were very roomy, we got 5 double beds split out through 3 bedrooms, 2 onsuite baths, plus an additional full bathroom. If I was to go back; I would prefer to stay at the hotel rooms rather than the villas, there was lack of natural light, cleanliness in some parts of the villa, bathrooms and kitchen were outdated and the wall colors were too dark which made the place look it enclosed. There was an awful smell coming from the garage which was also very filty. The price of the villas compared to the hotel rooms was only $10 cheaper per room.

The Legacy is an expensive stay without the bells and whistles. The menu is limited and the bar closes early. The location is conveniently located directly in front of IMG Academy, which is perfect if you are conducting business with IMG or have a child visiting. The bar personnel are amazing! The finest in the city. Sherry, Patrick and Esther are the staples of this establishment.

Enjoyed our stay here. Hotel is nicely designed and decorated. Room was accommodating and comfy. Breakfast was delicious!

Early this morning around midnight, my family (including my 5 year old daughter) was displaced from our AirBNB due to a pest infestation after having a multiple hours-long delayed flight to Tampa. I was extremely upset after contacting their support center and not receiving any assistance and having to vacate the rental to try and find a hotel with availability. Upon arrival to IMG Legacy, Justin was incredibly kind, offering condolences and reassuring us that he would be able to accommodate our last minute need for a room. He was empathetic to the rough day of traveling we had, and he even gave us a complimentary breakfast (the reason we are traveling is my fiance and I are celebrating getting engaged on Sunday, and we wanted to bring my daughter to celebrate the blending of our family). Justin was thoughtful, professional, and absolutely a blessing after a difficult day. These are traits I do not often see in younger adults these days, and he demonstrated incredible hospitality. Kudos to him for being an outstanding employee! After all of the interactions with him, and having a wonderful room, we are looking into extending our stay for the rest of our trip.

my experience here was for a 2-day stay on business supporting an experiential marketing event. I can’t speak on booking and prices but I stay in hotels at least 100 times a year and this was a great hotel. The pool and amenities are festive. People are visiting and competing and all kinds of sports and the hotel has an upbeat vibe to it. The front desk and the bar staff are great. The only thing is you’re kind of stuck out there but you can stay on the campus and get everything you need without leaving.

I spent 2 nights here on a much needed Girl's Getaway with my friend while her son attended the football camp on the property. The entire sports complex is impressive and the coaching seems to be top-notch. While the rooms were just okay, the staff was wonderful and the food was so much better than expected. We watched the kids train in the mornings and then spent most of the time relaxing in the gorgeous pool. The cabanas were great too when we needed shade. A very nice visit.

The place is so clean. The pool is good. We received an amazing service. My family played together in playing area. The room is so clean. Mr. Carlos gave us a great customer service. We recommend it. 5 starts *****

I'm checking out on Sunday and I cannot wait to leave. It's 01:27 am and I can barely sleep, the students are celebrating a birthday and are extremely noisy. I requested reception to ask them to reduce the noise but they only kept quiet when hearing the knock on the door. As soon as the man left, they started all over. I feel like I am in a motel.

We have stayed here many times for IMG camps and ballgames. The location is ideal being right on campus. The staff is always amazing from the campus shuttle driver, front desk and Icon Bar and Eatery. The rooms are spacious, super clean, modern and comfortable. The pool is heated and relaxing. The restaurant has some of the best food and drinks in Bradenton. The gym is ample and clean. We will always pick The Legacy as our #1 choice to stay for IMG activities.

This was not at all what was I expecting. The front desk staff were very nice, polite, and informative The room was nice looking and the hotel looked beautiful. That's about all I can say positively about my experience. The beds were rock hard, once you put your head on the 2 pillows they disappear. The cleaning staff was rude as if you asked for a million things when all you say is hello, the woman working at the restaurant/ bar was very rude and is either untrained or purposely made our drinks wrong. (she also made a snotty comment when I told her it was nice and convenient that the check came with the tip) she definitely didnt deserve that 20%, the food not worth the price could find food with more flavor at McDonald's. The 3 rooms surrounding our room had students in them they were throwing food in the hall, yelling and running down the halls all night I asked politely for them to stop, they stopped in the hall and went to the room next to ours to continue their 'party' (woke my children, husband and myself up at 1am when I finally had enough and called the front desk). I was highly disappointed in my stay here at Legacy hotel.

The Village of the Arts was a nice afternoon drive through all the local artists. Due to COVID-19 many stores were closed but the ones that survived were still open. The amazing artists and their products were worth the drive, especially being able to personally talk with each one. We drove through the area looking for open stores that were there and came across many that were still open and very friendly.They had an enormous amount of various items at reasonable prices. It was a good feeling to support area artists. They were all friendly and more than willing to discuss their products.

Interesting painted houses and art installations along several blocks. Can drive by to look or easy walk. Many of the houses have open galleries. Some houses in the area are private.

I didn’t understand the hoopla regarding The Village of the Arts in Bradenton. I’d been reading about the area for years and I couldn’t wait to finally see it for myself. I saw it, I walked it and I personally felt the area deserved to be centered around a region that would’ve far better presented the artsy village. Why hasn’t the City of Bradenton provided the infrastructure to make the area appealing? I wanted badly to love it, let alone like; but I didn’t. I did not feel safe. The area appears to be surrounded by plight, poverty and urban decay: which are the actual elephants in the room that’s not being discussed. If the Bradenton area wants to properly market The Village of the Arts, then I’d suggests some robust financial monies begin to flow in order to produce an area that feels safe and entertaining. Scripting this review was so difficult for me: it was no easy fete. I’d planned to see The Village of the Arts upon vacationing in Florida. My hopes and enthusiasm were high, only to fall flat upon my visit. I found nothing at all appealing about it. What might’ve worked? Had I seen capital investments in play to enhance the destination: with monies treating it as if it actually was a place worth converging upon. It doesn’t fit the bill. The advertisements for The Village of the Arts gets the same allure as The Riverfront press; yet once you visit, it feels like you’ve been duped. For the artisans that live and work there, in order to showcase their talent and love for their individual crafts, the City of Bradenton needs to present monies, added investments, capital that will compliment the artisans. The Village of the Arts concept is ideal and could be a major draw, as well as, an economic mover for Bradenton, yet it doesn’t feel or look as if city leaders realize what they have. It’s a gem waiting to shine! In earnest, if this is a desirable destination, then to the city leaders I must ask, what on Earth are you doing to create the destination The Village of the Arts deserves to be?

Bradenton's Village of the Arts is a unique concoction of art galleries, studios, restaurants, and shops, and more centered in a live-work community. Over the past 20 years, pre-war bungalows have become a rainbow of lime green and electric yellow, an architectural vibrance that puts artists front and center. The Village of the Arts is not only a great place to visit but an enchanting place to reside. we met with (sorry I forgot her name), and she was so friendly, she guided us and told us how this community started and how they are going strong since the beginning. She even invited us into her home to see the painting and I was like why? She said" It’s a mix of both (Home and gallery). it’s a 1 BHK apartment, directions are there, you enter, you see the painting, and art collection in the hall, room, and common area (except kitchen & Bathroom) if you liked anything, the number is there -so cool concept. if you are visiting the Sarasota area and want to explore some out-of-the-track things, you wanna come here. Few stops you wanna check out- Frank Peter Antiques Art Junkies Birdrock Taco Shack Motorworks Brewing Forest to Finish Designs 11th Street Gallery Jerk Dog Records Parking: Street-side parking.

Such an eclectic place! We came on a day when everything was closed because we were in the area, but it was still amazing to see all of the art. I'm sure it would have been even better to go into the shops and talk to the people, as well. I honestly don't know why this doesn't have more great reviews. It's such a cool gem in a small city. If you are specifically coming for the shops, just make sure you come on the right day at the right time. I think most of them are open Thursday through Saturday from 11 to 4. Covid might also affect these hours. Either way, it is definitely worth a visit here just to see the houses and the art.

We made a quick stop, while passing through... Ended up wondering around for over an hour. Wish we could have stayed longer. Such a unique little neighborhood, with so much to see. We only went inside one gallery but we will be back when we have more time. The front yards, filled with local artists creations were amazing!

Dynamic area full of color and creativity. Filled with coffee shops, restaraunts, spas, etc. Music can be heard from many of these venues from local artists. Will be back to explore further.

Great place to visit - lots of handmade treasures! Divine Excess is a great stop with tie-dye clothing and art and vintage handmade jewelry!

On the day we visited this charming Manatee Historical Village, we had some time to kill. It really is worth visiting to learn a little about Manatee and how it existed back in the 1800s. We so enjoyed walking through the house, small museum, and old church. It makes you stop and think how fortunate we are to live in this day and age when you see how simple and primitive their life was back then. Thanks, Manatee Village Historical Park. We will recommend you to others.

We had a perfect time here and learned a lot. A real gem during our Florida round trip. I can only recommend a visit. It is for free, a donation of $5 per adult is appreciated.

Wonderful event, Old Manatee Christmas. The village is very nice. It has the oldest court house in Florida, school, church, boatworks, General Store and an old Cracker house and more! It's a must see.

Great place for some Florida History! We homeschool while traveling the country fulltime so we're always looking for ways to incorporate some local history into our travels and this place was great! And it's FREE!

This free indoor/outdoor museum is fantastic. Just look for the Old Cabbage Head Train upon arrival. We learned a whole lot about old Florida and Manatee County. Walking through the many buildings was like walking back in time. The church and the old court house were my favorites. There are restrooms and a small playground for the kids. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. Be sure to ask for the scavenger hunt before you head out into the village. This is a real hidden gem for all ages. Check it out! Donations help to keep this place so awesome!

Such a nice place to come and see old trains and buildings. They have some nice things to do. I saw some neat things. The ladies inside the building are very nice. I liked the chickens. They Even have an out house. If you like activities they have some free books to take home. I had a good time! They have brochures behind the general store. The whistle stop train shop is currently closed with a sign. It is indoors. The houses are hot because they don't have air conditioning so they recommend you stay hydrated and use benches to rest.

Really interesting museum! Have been here for about 2-3 hours! The people that work here are incredibly nice and helpful! I noticed they also made little activity books for children. So a museum for all ages! Toilets are very clean. Shout out to Nancy who was so nice, warm and enthusiastic to tell us more about the museum!

Amazing place to see how early settlers lived in FL. Well maintained buildings and grounds. Don't miss the burying grounds across the street. Friendly staff, too. Free to enter, please make a donation.

Several authentic original buildings were relocated to this location, creating an awesome place to go to see historic real pieces of the past to include courthouse, school, boat manufacturing, blacksmith, church, and a building depicting typical homes of the past. There is an administrative staff building at this location and so this area can be viewed and is open to the public with permanent restrooms and gift shop. There was a Christmas arts and crafts fair happening on the weekend that I went there.

So we found this place while on a trip when our other plans got cancelled last minute. This is a great place. The staff is super friendly and the scavenger hunt for the kids made the visit exciting for the kids (the kids also loved the playground). If you are into historical buildings and small villages, this is a must for your list of places to visit. Also, the gift shop has a lot of fun things in it, so be should to stop in there.

This is one of my favorite historical parks ever! So beautiful and educational. Would be fun to picnic here. Free to get in. Just check the hours.

The whole park is a great place for everyone, the guided brochure is a must have for the first time. We walked through the whole park and stopped at the gift shop and the whole trip took about 2 hours. Very neat place to bring the family to see what old Florida was like.

We stopped in for a quick visit (we had just learned about this place). The office/gift shop was closed (Sunday) but parking was easy, trails were open and the plants were thriving. We started near the Butterfly Garden area-very nice, lots of milkweed and other appropriate foliage. Moving along toward the fruit trees, we were joined by Michael-he was a wealth of knowledge of the fruit trees. Gave us a great education about each of them. He pointed out trees across the pond and gave us some fun details about them. The Hibiscus Island is full of many different colors of Hibiscus flowers--so pretty. The aloe plants are huge. Ducklings in the pond, turtles in another pond--life is quite abundant. Lots of benches for resting or just enjoying the scenery. Excellent for nature photography. Free to wander about, donations are suggested and welcomed.

The botanical park is a great place to walk around and see exotic fruits and vegetation’s all the while taking advantage of a peaceful tranquil environment. There are places to sit down and enjoy time meditating and some sunshine.

Absolutely wonderful and a great place to enjoy. There is an astonishing variety of tree and bush types many of which yield fruit. The fruit is donated and is not intended for visitors as indicated by signs throughout. There is a small pond in the middle which makes up most of the short walk and about half way there is a small dock and swinging bench seat that can be enjoyed. Pet friendly (on leash) makes this a great place to visit. Free parking and free admission.

Beautiful botanical garden that’s free to the public but donations are welcomed! It’s small but it’s so cute with many exotic and rare plants and fruit trees!

Beautiful, peaceful and serene gardens. Very well taken care of grounds and the people are so nice. We had a large motorhome to get into the parking lot, they were very accommodating and helpful. Thanks again!

My visit here was AMAZING! Ms Dierdra in the front office was so sweet and lovely to talk to! And the gardens were beautiful as well! Jackfruit the size of my head😂 it was so much fun seeing everything and getting to talk with all the people, we will definitely be coming back!!

Lovely gardens to stroll through at your own pace. It has lots of rare fruit trees in the grove. Everything is donated and maintained. No entry fee. A nice, hidden place to visit. It took about 45-60 minutes to enjoy.

This is a small park that contains three ponds and Tropical fruit trees. It was quiet and and good place to just get away for some peace and quiet. It is a non-profit park and any donation is appreciated.

A very nice place to take a walk around 10 acres. The garden has a nice selection of various plants and trees. It is free with a donation option. The Manatee Rare Fruit garden was very interesting with the produce of the crops being donated to the homeless. A great way to spend your afternoon, seeing beauty as well as exercising.

As a DJ I always love experiencing such great venues. :) There's tons of spots for good pictures here, and it's a great environment for more casual purposes too.

I really liked this park. The gardener we spoke with nice and showed us Jack fruit and Star fruit tree that I would never have realized was a fruit tree. I loved seeing the plumerias! However my 2 star has to do with the butterfly garden. Monarchs are in endangered so having milkweed is essential to their survival but that milkweed need to be pesticide free. My understanding is that those may have been donated which is really kind but it’s not going to help the butterflies if the caterpillars die from ingesting poison. How to tell pesticide has been used is there aren’t any other insects on the plant aphids, milkweed bugs or caterpillars. You can see there have been caterpillars or milkweed bugs by a few bites in several leaves but now none. Which could have been eaten by lizards, frogs or etc… but the lack of aphids is the true showing that those plants are bad. Please cut them down!Let them come back in the spring. After good amounts of watering the plants will good next year for the monarchs but for now your just hurting them

This was a nice well kept garden. Nice pavilion n cute little gazebo by the big lake, which was relaxing to sit by. Very nice little walking trails along the way. They had a small trail that had all different kinds of fruit trees which was neat. They may have a little gift shop or café but it was not open when I was there. Nice to just relax n stroll around. When you do go it is free although they ask for Donations to help maintain the park.

Beautiful surroundings. Ms Beverly runs the place and does an amazing job. It's a perfect place to plan a party or a wedding, ( no matter how large or small). It's also a great place to take photos or paint pictures. Go check it out! :-)

The Winter Nights Under the Lights was fantastic this year! Really enjoyed the decorations and the decorated tree contest. I was happy to give a donation to help the park. They don't ask for a specific amount and most people did donate.

It was a beautiful place with wonderful colors and great porches and buildings for entertaining.

Nice cozy botanical garden. When we were there in December, was a ton of different fruits on trees: star fruit, jack fruit, kiwis, bananas. Nice to see how the fruit grows:). Just a short, probably 0.2 miles round trip trail.

Not quite what I was expecting, but still lovely and peaceful for a walk. And for $5, you can't go wrong! This looks like a great spot for camping, boating and canoeing. For walking around and checking out wildlife, it was okay. I was hoping to see some turtles and armadillos because they were posted on the website. We explored the Gopher Trail and it looks like it gets a lot of traffic from horses. Once you walk away from the road, you experience the peace of walking between the trees. Note: The paths are mostly sand.

I would give this park personally a 3.5 star. The hiking trails were poorly marked and hard to follow. The park is really nice and quiet and has nice picnic and playground areas with places to fish and swim. Overall good park, just not a place to hike. $5 per car entry fee.

Nice park, water and 30 amp electric sites, small playground, nice picnic area, boat launch. Very loud because of the nearby race track (drag racing started at 9am and went till 11pm for 3 days straight)

Nice camp ground. Facilities were awesome. We've been here 3 separate times and we always have a great time. Already picked out our site for next trip

This is a great place to camp, but if you need ice or food supplies, you'll have to leave the park which isn't a huge deal because there are gas stations and a Publix supermarket within 6 miles or so but an onsite country store would be cool. Overall, we had a great experience here and will come again.

Great staff. One of the lesser sized state parks the fronts Lake Manatee. Nice full facilities camp sites, biking and hiking. Beautiful boat ramp. Note fishing licenses are required as well life jackets. Boat motors limited to 20 hp.

Not a long walk but pretty, waterside view w a pavilion, grilling area, playground, boat dock and short term camping.

Nice little walk on a sandy path. Weather is in the 60s today and it’s overcast out. This trail would be brutal if it’s hot out. We saw lots of little wild flowers. I, personally love occasionally hearing Bradenton racetrack while spotting. Seems like a great place to take your boat or wave runner out. The two porta-potty we stopped by are long over due for service.

Stayed for 3 days, 2 nights. The facilities are kept very clean and everything is well maintained. Lot of fun activities you can do here like swimming, kayaking and a handful of other things. They also have a playground. Staff are nice and helpful. You can buy firewood here and they do rent out kayaks and bikes. Everything is pretty decently priced. It's a pretty quiet area and lot of wildlife. Electricity and water are provided at the campsites which is really convenient. Overall had a great experience and definitely recommend.

Large private sites. Good facilities but no laundry. When we were there there were races at the old DeSoto raceway so the pristine sounds of nature included race cars. We had a gopher tortoise for a neighbor.

The park is very nice and clean and has well shaded areas and pavilions with Bbq area. Has changing bathrooms and showers as well. Even though there are signs to watch for alligators, there's a swimming area. You can also see the Manatee River Dam.

Nice park with plenty to do Alot of broken down trees from storm So you had to walk to hard service path to the 🚻 restroom. Ranger at gate and host were very nice and helpful. Had a great camping experience.

Manatee State Park has a lot to offer camping boating fishing hiking. For me it's a quick stop off whenever I'm going up 64 headed east. It's a great place to stop and enjoy the fresh air and have a quick lunch. They have quite a few dirt paths to hike down . And a canoe launch area where You can rent or launch one of your own. Or just sit and relax and enjoy the view of the Manatee River. It does have a paved walkway that goes throughout the park which is really nice.

Took nap in the shade. Enjoyed a nice picnic near the lake. Too cold still to swim but plan on it next visit

Camping area is very nice large spacious sites well kept restrooms and showers. The staff is amazing.

We went on a Sunday to pick strawberries and it wasn’t too crowded. It was so much fun and all we had to pay for were the strawberries we picked by hand. We also shopped a little and bought some fresh produce. The petting zoo is like $12 per person but all the animals were so cute. So fun and wholesome :)

Quaint farm and farmers market for many family activities. We went for the sunflowers and wild flowers, as they are currently in season, but you can also pick many types of fruits and vegetables when in season. There is no fee to get in just for what you pick. Pricing is very reasonable and you can also skip the picking and purchase direct from their market. All the produce looked fresh and healthy. We didn't explore it but the pettting zoo looked fun. We sampled their ice cream, which was delicious. Signage is a bit confusing at first since they share an entrance with a camping area. When this place has events I bet it's a good time, looking forward to going back for picking other veggies in the future.

We had a great time at the Farm today. We have been here before and had a blast. Today was no different! There is so much to do from the petting area, feed the animals, games for the kids, pedal bikes that are like a race car on a track, a new kids town area with cement walking area. There is a long hayride, monster truck show, a crazy metal ball with a stunt team, and so much more!!! Highly recommend this as an all day family fun fall festival!!

Definitely a fun place. My son loved the train ride and petting zoo. Nice big playground, shaded seating with plenty of parking. Wonderful veggies and fruits locally grown available for purchase .....and I am so obsessed with the sunflowers 🌻.

We just happen to see a billboard on the interstate and thought that picking flowers would be a fun thing to celebrate Mother's Day. We had no idea what an attraction this place is! Petting zoo, mini city, picking flowers, vegetables, farm tours and so many other things to do here! This place is truly a hidden gem and a great place to bring the family that has something for everyone to do!

Hunsader Farms in Florida is an absolute gem! This charming agricultural haven offers a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The vast pumpkin patches, vibrant sunflower fields, and family-friendly activities make it a perfect destination for all ages. The friendly staff, mouthwatering homemade treats, and a real sense of community make every visit special. Whether you're picking pumpkins, enjoying a hayride, or simply savoring a slice of their famous pie, Hunsader Farms embodies the essence of wholesome family fun. It's a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a slice of authentic Florida farm life.

Little realistic perspective. Love this place and will keep coming back. Do realize the money that is or can be involved. For a family of 4 it’s $50 just to get through the gate ($15 per human over 10 and $5 parking) Food is always pricey but lack of available water for kiddos on hot days was a tough one. Then paying for everything you do once in side, with cash and keeping up with that cash and the kids for every 5 minutes around the corner can be a little daunting. Means for 3-5 hours you may need to bring another $100-200 or more to pay $10 for a pony ride or $5 for this and $20 for that ride, plus food cost of course are high, then souvenirs etc etc. This is not a knock on people making a living. Just realize if you participate in many of the offered activities it will cost you, this is not just a pumpkin patch (the pumpkins are actually very reasonable). It’s more like a county fair meets, art sale, meets performance art. It is really neat. It is not really inexpensive.

Came with family and rented a cabin. Had a great time. Well definitely come back. One suggestion since it was so hot to have something to do with water. Weather it be a splash pad. Lazy river. Sprinklers l o l. Just something to do to cool off. But other than that amazing animals were great people that work they were awesome. And the cabins and the grounds were great.

The pumpkin festival has grown so much since we were there 5 years ago, there was so much more to do. The whole family had a great time!

Awesome family place to enjoy a few hours or the whole day. My family and I have been here for several festivals over the years, and it's crazy crowded. My daughter just had her daughters 2nd birthday party here, and it was a blast. Unfortunately, it was probably the coldest day of 2023, but everyone still enjoyed themselves. The kids ranging from 11 to 1 all loved the large petting zoo. Along with the section of little buildings to explore. There were close to a dozen buildings. They were big enough for adults to walk into as well as children. My youngest grandson loved the fact that the firehouse had a pole he could actually slide down. The farm also provided a choice to include pony rides and train rides for your party preferences. The kids loved the ponies, but we didn't take advantage of the train ride. My Granddaughters father is over 6' tall and doesn't fit in the train well, so they opted out. My kids have ridden the 2 different trains they have and loved them as well. We were allowed to bring in our own food and drinks for the birthday party, which was nice. We ended up ordering pizza on site . The pizzas were on the small side and not the greatest but not bad enough to remove a star for. They also have an awesome produce stand and homemade jams, pickled beats, salad dressings, and more. We really enjoyed our day and can't too go back once somebody turns the heat back on in Florida.

This is definitely one of the best places I’ve been to around here. The vegetables are so fresh and it is amazing that you can go pick your own vegetables here. Also picking flowers was an amazing date idea and a great place for photos. The service here was great and the prices are great as well. I highly recommend this place it’s worth visiting.

Larger venues could take a lesson about seating from this theatre! This is a lovely theatre to visit. We attend the children's theatre productions. It's a small, intimate setting and we always enjoy going. What a gem! Already have tickets for the next production!

The Manatee Performing Arts Center is a hidden gem. We just recently heard about this venue. Crimes of the Heart was fantastic! The very talented actors, who had an incredible amount of lines to learn, were so engaging. The theater we were in was intimate and every seat made you feel like you were in the action the entire time. At intermission you can purchase alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages as well as snacks. The restrooms were very clean. Actually, the entire venue was spotless. Every person we had contact with was helpful and polite. I loved how they had local student art on display in the lobby. We will be returning this week to watch the musical Oklahoma! Check this venue out!

Cozy space with very nice bathrooms and comfortable seating. Sound and lighting are good as well. Parking is a bit if a challenge if it is a sold out show but the location is good otherwise.

What a great Show! "Something Rotten". My first time at this theater. Big-time talent for local theater! 👏 The Spirit of Broadway filled me with excitement (think I happy cried). I cant wait to see another show!

Had a wonderful time at The Rocky Horror Picture Show. They offered specialty themed cocktails, along with beer, wine and mixed drinks at the bar. They also offered “Prop Bags” for $5, making it a more engaging experience. The cast were all terrific. The performance was fantastic. I had a great time. The venue was clean. This was my first time in the little Theater. The ladies room was exceptionally clean. I look forward to my next experience there.

Venue is very nice, leg room in row m is non-existent. Thank goodness the show we saw was only about an hour. DO NOT GET SEATS IN ROW M!!!

Exceeded expectations! The stage, the acting, the lighting, the sound everything was a number one. We saw "Next to Normal" (serious plot- thought provoking) Our first time to MPA. Live Orchestra! The Creative team is a team of professionals with many years of experience and talent. Easy parking, Full Bar.

We saw Driving Miss Daisy. All three performers were excellent. However, i especially enjoyed watching Miss Daisy age in front of us. Very convincing.

Enjoyed The Power of Dance at MPAC. Friendly staff and volunteers, clean restrooms and plenty of parking

My wife and I attended the Rocky Horror Show on Halloween. The staff was friendly, the snacks and drinks were very good, and the performance was amazing! I highly recommend going to MPAC!

If you enjoy the performing arts, don't overlook this venue. The in-house all volunteer Manatee Players put on multiple major Broadway style productions each season in the Stone Hall along with more intimate performances in the smaller Kiwanis Theater. These in-house productions are augmented by visits from other community organizations, professional touring productions, and bands. You could even rent one of the spaces, like the ballroom on the upper floor, for your own event.

What a great place to go for a great show. Every seat is a good seat. We enjoyed it so much.

It's a nice theater, but don't get any seats at the edges on the mezzanine because you get a sore neck turning your head to see the stage. My husband is handicapped and we needed an end seat.

Kiss Me Kate's opening night was spectacular. The sound, costumes, cast, choreography and stage design were of a high professional level even though the entire cast is volunteer. This is a must see show at Manatee Performing Art Center.

This was our third time at the performing arts center since we moved to Florida. Always great performances and highly talented actors. Staff are all friendly and helpful. Bravo!

We watched a beautiful show called "Next to Normal" which was our very first show that we've seen on Broadway! The theatre was kinda cold in spite of the cold weather that night. But the cast graciously went out to meet us! Thank you for that!

I've been seeing shows here for years and I am baffled that they still have sound issues. There's no reason that of 5 musicians I can only hear the pianist and maybe an additional musician but never the full band.

Great park with many playground throughout. The newest playground is by the dog park and pavilions. However the new gear spin broke when my child used it. Great playground for older kids and brave little ones. Just need to fix the gear spin.

This place is awesome. Me and my wife actually got married here near the dog park where there's lots of trees and shade, it's a beautiful location. The kids love playing in the parks there's actually several of them. They have a community pool which during the summer is free to visit during certain hours. They also have a summer camp. There are many restrooms all over the park which allows for long strolls. There's frisbee golf, shuffle board, a dog park, baseball fields, a football field, tennis courts, a skate park and soccer fields.

Awesome park with a beautiful pool area and , woodland trails , sports fields , etc. Lot's of wildlife and squirrels that will chase you down , someone must feed them because they have no fear ! Ducks and water fowl everywhere as well. Fantastic park ample parking , great experience!

The pickleball courts here are amazing. So many under cover!

This is an amazing facility, I only wish we had something like this in Rochester NY. For $35 a month you get full use of everything the rec center offers apart from trainers/private lessons. They have great classes, the staff are amazing and very friendly.

The covered Pickleball courts are amazing. Most of us drive down from Tampa every Saturday to play. Best in the state🥒🎾

I LOVE this park! So many paved trails, park shelters, dog areas and great clean bathrooms. Their skate park is beautiful and for all levels of skills on bikes and boards. My favorite is to jog the trails during evening baseball and soccer games. Very family and dog friendly!

This place is very cool. They have around 20 Pickleball courts, mostly covered with large ceiling fans and lights. They have a lot of leagues you can join and a ton of opportunity for drop ins. $5 per person to play or can get a membership for unlimited plus other facility use. Will be back for sure.

We are so proud to live next to GT BRAY PARK! We use this park everyday to walk, gym, pickle ball etc. They are always updating and maintaining some thing! Great job GT BRAY!

Great park and access to many activities. Only $250 annually. This includes Olympic size pool, indoor basketball court, outdoor basketball court, 24 covered and ventilated pickle ball courts, many tennis courts, indoor cycling, outdoor crossfit racks and weights, a running trail, and many more.

Awesome park, love coming here to hoop and just to walk around. Not much else more to say then I hope they keep maintaining it well.

went with my son and his kindegartwn class awesome experiencr

My first time at O'Briens U-pick farm yesterday was a success. I was so pleased with the quality over the strawberries this late into the season! Not a single strawberry I picked was flawed in any way & the blueberries looked amazing as well. Staff was very friendly & helpful, as this was my first time at your farm. Also the chocolate peanut butter pie was to die for!

Nice place and nice people there！

Great U-Pick berries, tomatoes and veggies. But DON'T miss the bake shop - especially strawberry shortcake. We'll be back again just for that. P.S. The strawberry shortcake is big, but don't plan to share it. You'll want it all for yourself!

First time visiting this farm, and it will be the last time i bring my family here. Way too expensive for a u-pick farm, we filled 1 & 1/2 buckets it was almost $50. For berries that were not very ripe.Strawberry milkshakes made with strawberry syrup not fresh berries! Rude people work there, they only let you pick berries out of a few designated isles which were over picked and had very limited semi-ripe berries. It was if there weren't so many other farms closer it might have been ok. Don't come here for good Florida berries!!!!

My first time at O'Brien Family Farms! It was their Florida renowned strawberry shortcake that drew me into their store. I devoured the sweetest pile of strawberries and they sure don't skimp on the whip cream! Guess what? I even found the Queen bee in their learning center! I'll be back to do some picking soon... Thank you! :)

We go twice a month to get fresh stuff and refill our olive oil/vinegar bottles. The little cafe makes a fresh sandwich and there are plenty of neat food things to buy that are better than commercially made grocery-bot. Their honey is great too

The best strawberries and fresh produce I have ever found anywhere. Wonderful family owned business. we stop for strawberry shortcake every time we go by here!

Great place for fresh fruits and vegetables. They let us pick all the vegetables we needed and we felt really great.. Neatly maintained and reasonable prices.

We had a wonderful afternoon at Fiorelli’s Winery. We noticed they had Wine Sorbet on their menu and wanted to give it a try. During our visit they had Strawberry and I believe the other flavor was Blackberry Merlot, but I’m not sure, it was the darker one. The Strawberry was a little more mild and the darker one had a stronger wine flavor. The portion is a good size, it was bigger than we expected so, thank you! I’m guessing, but it seemed to be a least 8oz. The scenery was pretty and the weather was nice (in March) to sit outside. There was live music and it added to the ambience. They have a playground near the outside seating. While visiting family in Sarasota, we were looking for a place to go besides the beach and this was a good alternative.

If I could give them more stars I would! We just had our wedding here on 4.10. The staff is so helpful. We were having a small crisis with our centerpieces and Kristin saved the day! You can tell the staff truly loves what they are doing. They just redid the bridal suite and it is amazing! They also added a cute front porch which makes for great pictures with your bridal party. All the staff was so accommodating. Thank you we couldn’t have for a more perfect day!

A true gem. The wines are very unique and different which is a nice escape from the usual California brands. The atmosphere is very laid back, the patio mostly shaded and comfortable, beautiful grounds, good food and wonderful staff. A great way to spend a happy hour or weekend afternoon trying local fare, supporting local business and having a great time. Definitely schedule a wine tasting in advance, it's an incredible bargain and fills up quick. Worth the drive for sure.

We had the most beautiful wedding ceremony and reception at Fiorelli back in October. From start to finish, Kristen was an absolute dream to work with and made every detail of our dream come to life. She was so kind and patient when answering all our questions, and on the day of she made sure everything on site was running as expected. Our guests couldn’t stop raving about how beautiful the venue was and what an awesome guest experience they had. This venue is such a hidden gem and we would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a stunning outdoor wedding venue in the Tampa Bay area!

The owners are a very special couple! It's a pleasure to converse with them, learn some history of the winery, and their dreams for it. Excellent wine selection! They also have a limited sandwich selection and charcuterie boxes which are all delicious! The musician playing outdoors from 1-5 this afternoon was also excellent ... he played/sang a very enjoyable variety of songs, took requests, and was easily heard without being so loud it was difficult to have conversations with family and friends. What a wonderful afternoon!!!!!!

This winery has potential. The grounds are lovely; they had a campfire to help ward off the chilly weather. The outdoor DJ was fun and enthusiastic. The wine itself was ok, nothing great. But the atmosphere outside was delightful.

Came here a day after it had rained so the patio/outside area was not set up. There is indoor seating but it is limited. There were already a couple of groups doing a tasting inside so there was no more seating but one of the workers said she can set up a fire pit and cushions in the patio area so that we could sit outside. Staff was friendly, she let us try a sample. The other worker who set up the outside area was diligent in clearing the area and turning on the fire pit. We each got a flight which comes with 4 wines. My favorite was the blueberry wine. Overall, it was a nice, relaxing experience.

I recently had my reception here and when I tell you it was perfect, it was perfect! The staff is all amazing and easy to work with. I met my husband at Total Wine and Fiorelli was the first and only place I did a tour at, immediately I knew it was the one. So many of my guest said they loved the atmosphere. You feel like you are in your own world tucked back in there and its just pure magic. I also loved that the venue is unique, you arent going to find another spot like it locally. Thank you Kristen and staff for the the best night of my life<3

We had a small wedding here and it was amazing. The staff made it easy, there was no fuss. It was so beautiful there. Even for a hot June day we were all comfortable in the pavilion. I can’t get over how wonderful it all was. I can’t recommend this place enough. Oh and the wine is delicious. We used their one called chill for our toast

A very cute winery with good wines and several places to hang out. Surprising to find such a great winery in the middle of Florida! I'll add that our server was wonderful; both friendly and accommodating.

I love wine...so I was looking forward to & did enjoy a wonderful wine tasting with a few friends. These folks are passionate about their wines. All blends utilizing muscadine grapes.

Beautiful area and atmosphere. Great people and music. Didn't get to try any of the wine, unfortunately. But my wife and I hope to be back again. A place definitely worth giving your business and a place worth the visit.