Got 24 Hours to Spare? We’ve Got Ideas!
Headed to the Bradenton Area on business? Consider flying in a little early or extending your stay by at least a day so you can enjoy some personal time in our slice of paradise. Whether you’ll be traveling solo or bringing friends or family along, we’ve got ideas for making the most of your experience in Real. Authentic. Florida.™
1. Plan a Self-Care Day
📍Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa on the Convention Center Campus
For business travelers staying at the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa, conveniently connected to the Bradenton Area Convention Center, booking an extra night to decompress and enjoy the hotel’s amenities is a no-brainer.
Take advantage of the on-site Revive Spa for a soothing massage or revitalizing facial. Then, continue your moment of calm by relaxing in your own private poolside cabana.
Later on, hop over to the nearby Beach Club, where hotel guests have complimentary access to pickleball courts, mini golf, life-size lawn games, plus another luxury pool.
Finally, end your day on a high note at the hotel’s Oyster River Rooftop restaurant, where you can enjoy fresh Florida seafood with a Mediterranean twist and stunning downtown views.
2. Have a No Fuss, All Fun Beach Day
📍Anna Maria Island
With Anna Maria Island just a ferry ride away from downtown Bradenton, squeezing in a quick beach trip is easier than ever!
Arrive on the island at Historic Bridge Street, where you can stroll through shops and cafes as you make your way up to the main thoroughfare to hop on the free AMI trolley and head to your beach of choice. No need to grab beach gear – help us Love It Like A Local instead and let one of our island businesses take care of everything for you. It’s a great way to eliminate stress and unnecessary waste.
Once you’ve soaked up some sun, take the trolley back to Bridge Street and ferry home to downtown Bradenton. (Pro tip: Choose a return ferry trip around golden hour for an extra scenic ride on the water!)
3. Fuel Your Creativity With an Arts Day
📍Herring Center for the Arts
Whether you’re an artist yourself or just looking to be inspired, Bradenton’s “Avenue of the Arts” (9th Street West) is the place to be. Dive right in with a visit to the new Herrig Center for the Arts and get lost in their galleries of nationally and locally acclaimed artists – you can even drop in for an art class.
Then, grab a bite and appreciate the art of craft beer making at Motorworks Brewing, known for its laid-back beer garden centered around a centuries-old oak tree – nature’s masterpiece! With such a lively arts and culture scene, there are multiple ways to round out your day. If you’re visiting on the first Friday or Saturday of the month, head to the eclectic Village of the Arts for their monthly Art Walk – a chance to check out the work of resident artists, try some local food, and enjoy live music. If an evening of theater is more your style, see what’s showing at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.
4. Reconnect With a Family Fun Day
📍The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
Bringing the whole crew with you to the Bradenton Area? Fit in some quality family time with a day of discoveries around downtown Bradenton.
Kick things off at the Manatee Village Historical Park, an open-air museum that gives visitors a glimpse of life back in the 19th century.
Afterward, grab lunch at one of the Riverwalk’s waterfront restaurants before checking out The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature. Full of fascinating Florida stories, the museum is also home to a planetarium, the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, and the Mosaic Backyard Universe play space. If you’ve still got some energy, catch a bite and a game at the ballpark. Depending on the time of year, you can join fans at LECOM Park to cheer on MLB’s Pittsburgh Pirates during spring training or root for our home team, MiLB’s Bradenton Marauders.
5. Recharge With a Chill, Around-Town Day
📍Bradenton Riverwalk
For travelers staying into the weekend, a trip to the Downtown Bradenton Public Market is the perfect start to the day. Held every Saturday (October–May), take your time exploring this popular market that features more than 80 vendors selling locally grown produce, handmade treats, and unique arts and crafts.
For lunch, pop into one of the nearby restaurants on Old Main Street before a casual stroll along the Bradenton Riverwalk – great for spotting native wildlife or checking out the public art.
No need to go far for a fun and laid-back evening of entertainment. If you’re staying at the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa, simply head downstairs to the hotel’s outdoor amphitheater, The Yard, where you can grab a drink and enjoy anything from a comedy show to live music.
6. Hit the Course for a Golf Day
📍Waterlefe Golf and River Club
If you can swing an extra day in the Bradenton Area, why not spend it on one of our 16 premier golf courses? Secure a tee time at Waterlefe Golf and River Club – a highly ranked and environmentally friendly course that’s hosted the U.S. Open Qualifier an unprecedented seven times.
Or, putt your way through paradise at Lakewood National Golf Club, a semi-private course designed by Arnold Palmer. When you reserve your tee time, go ahead and book a recovery massage at the club’s spa, too! To end the evening, head to Lakewood Ranch Main Street for dinner and drinks. You’ll find a delicious variety of restaurants and cuisines – from local farm-to-table creations at GROVE to Parisian favorites at Paris Bistrot and everything in between.
7. Organize a Much-Needed Girls Day
📍Anna Maria Island
Whether you’re sticking around with your work tribe or bringing your besties along, begin your bonus day with intention – and a beach yoga session or yoga paddleboard class off the coast of Anna Maria Island. (Coming from Bradenton? Take the Gulf Islands Ferry over and the free AMI trolley to your class location.)
Afterward, you’ll be ready to shop, brunch, and beach it up. For one-of-a-kind local treasures, check out stores like Shiny Fish Emporium on Pine Avenue or the Original Sand Dollar in the Holmes Beach Island Shopping Center.
Relax with brunch and beautiful views at Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe or The Waterfront Restaurant – then, retreat to your own luxury beach cabana to relax on our sugar-white shoreline. Cap off your girls’ day of fun with a sunset massage on the beach or a hands-on craft cocktail class at Gulf Coast Bartender Co.’s Mixology Studio & Social – or both!
8. Treat Yourself to a Foodie Day
📍Anna Maria Oyster Bar
Start the day off right with some toes-in-the-sand dining – a must when in the Bradenton Area! Head to Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe for all-you-can-eat pancakes on the beach – or go savory with a coastal seafood quiche at Gulf Drive Cafe, another beachfront favorite.
Come lunchtime, make your way to Cortez – the oldest continuously working fishing village in the state – where you can enjoy freshly caught Florida seafood and dockside dining at places like Star Fish Co. and Cortez Kitchen.
For an afternoon pick-me-up, stop by one of the many local coffee shops on or off the island. Sip while you strategize your dinnertime game plan.If you’re craving our signature Floribbean cuisine, choose from restaurants like Anna Maria Oyster Bar, Ugly Grouper, or Whitney’s – known for celebrating local Florida ingredients and bold Caribbean recipes. In the mood for an elevated dining experience under the stars? Return to the mainland for rooftop and riverfront dining at Pier 22, Oak & Stone, or Oyster River Rooftop. Want to sink your toes in the sand one more time? Go for unforgettable food and ambience at Beach House Waterfront Restaurant or Mar Vista on Longboat Key. You can’t go wrong!
Need more ideas or tips for perfecting your itinerary? The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is here to help!