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Sensory Friendly Attractions

The Bradenton Area has sensory friendly activities for visitors of all ages and interests. The purpose of this page is to make choosing vacation activites easier for families who have a loved one with a sensory sensitivity or autism.


Sensory Friendly Attractions

Beaches at Anna Maria Island

  • Stop at Manatee Public Beach, which is one of the most family-friendly beaches on the island. This beach has gift shops, restrooms, changing stations, water fountains, picnic tables, and concessions. They also have one of the largest parking lots on the island so parking is typically a breeze and is also free! Coquina Beach is the perfect beach if you are looking for a more private setting for you and your family. Find a quiet spot for you and your family and listen to the relaxing sounds of the ocean. This beach is also equipped with benches, changing stations, gift shops, grills, playgrounds, restrooms, and concessions. If you are looking for a travel kit for sensory sensitive individuals click the link down below.
  • Stop at Manatee Public Beach, which is one of the most family-friendly beaches on the island. This beach has gift shops, restrooms, changing stations, water fountains, picnic tables, and concessions. They also have one of the largest parking lots on the island so parking is typically a breeze and is also free! Coquina Beach is the perfect beach if you are looking for a more private setting for you and your family. Find a quiet spot for you and your family and listen to the relaxing sounds of the ocean. This beach is also equipped with benches, changing stations, gift shops, grills, playgrounds, restrooms, and concessions. If you are looking for a travel kit for sensory sensitive individuals click the link down below.
  • Stop at Manatee Public Beach, which is one of the most family-friendly beaches on the island. This beach has gift shops, restrooms, changing stations, water fountains, picnic tables, and concessions. They also have one of the largest parking lots on the island so parking is typically a breeze and is also free! Coquina Beach is the perfect beach if you are looking for a more private setting for you and your family. Find a quiet spot for you and your family and listen to the relaxing sounds of the ocean. This beach is also equipped with benches, changing stations, gift shops, grills, playgrounds, restrooms, and concessions. If you are looking for a travel kit for sensory sensitive individuals click the link down below.

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Sensory Friendly Attractions

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

Mosaic Backyard Universe 

  • The Bishop Museum contains natural and historical exhibits which are a great educational opportunity for people who want to further explore Florida’s culture and natural environment. The Mosaic Backyard Universe provides its guests with a hands on experience to further explore nature and the solar system. You will be able to emerse yourselves into a rocket, dig pit and pond, science shed, and oak tree. This exhibit has backpacks with accessories available for people with sensory senstivities and the platform for the Mighty Oak is ADA accessible.
  • The Bishop Museum contains natural and historical exhibits which are a great educational opportunity for people who want to further explore Florida’s culture and natural environment. The Mosaic Backyard Universe provides its guests with a hands on experience to further explore nature and the solar system. You will be able to emerse yourselves into a rocket, dig pit and pond, science shed, and oak tree. This exhibit has backpacks with accessories available for people with sensory senstivities and the platform for the Mighty Oak is ADA accessible.
  • The Bishop Museum contains natural and historical exhibits which are a great educational opportunity for people who want to further explore Florida’s culture and natural environment. The Mosaic Backyard Universe provides its guests with a hands on experience to further explore nature and the solar system. You will be able to emerse yourselves into a rocket, dig pit and pond, science shed, and oak tree. This exhibit has backpacks with accessories available for people with sensory senstivities and the platform for the Mighty Oak is ADA accessible.

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Sensory Friendly Attractions

Palmetto Historical Park

Sensory Garden

  • The Palmetto Historical Park has recenty installed a sensory garden at their facilities. This garden will engage and delight all of your senses, no matter your age! It is designed for use by disabled individuals that may include those who are in a wheelchair or use a walker, are autistic, have sight or hearing loss, those with sensory issues, as well as those not living with a disability. Each item planted in the garden will address one or more of a visitor’s senses – touch, sound, smell, sight, and taste. 

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Sensory Friendly Attractions

Hunsader Farms

Petting Zoo

  • Hunsader Farms was born in the mid 1900s when three Hunsader brothers from Wisconsin moved down south to begin a vegetable growing and selling business. Today Hunsader Farms has a u-pick and we-pick farmers market, playground, Pumpkin Festival in October, Country Christmas event in December, as well as a year-round petting zoo. Hunsader’s petting zoo has deer, goats, bunnies, emus, pigs, geese, sheep, rosters, mini donkeys, lemurs, and even more exotic animals.  Engage all of your senses, while experiencing a large variety of friendly animals and visit Hunsader’s petting zoo!
  • Hunsader Farms was born in the mid 1900s when three Hunsader brothers from Wisconsin moved down south to begin a vegetable growing and selling business. Today Hunsader Farms has a u-pick and we-pick farmers market, playground, Pumpkin Festival in October, Country Christmas event in December, as well as a year-round petting zoo. Hunsader’s petting zoo has deer, goats, bunnies, emus, pigs, geese, sheep, rosters, mini donkeys, lemurs, and even more exotic animals.  Engage all of your senses, while experiencing a large variety of friendly animals and visit Hunsader’s petting zoo!
  • Hunsader Farms was born in the mid 1900s when three Hunsader brothers from Wisconsin moved down south to begin a vegetable growing and selling business. Today Hunsader Farms has a u-pick and we-pick farmers market, playground, Pumpkin Festival in October, Country Christmas event in December, as well as a year-round petting zoo. Hunsader’s petting zoo has deer, goats, bunnies, emus, pigs, geese, sheep, rosters, mini donkeys, lemurs, and even more exotic animals.  Engage all of your senses, while experiencing a large variety of friendly animals and visit Hunsader’s petting zoo!

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Sensory Friendly Attractions

Riverwalk

  • Take a relaxing stroll with a beautiful view of the Manatee River at the Riverwalk in downtown Bradenton.  On this walk you can experience a sand volleyball court, skate park, multiple playgrounds, areas with shade coverage, and lounging spots.  There are also a plethora of art sculptures on the walkway and you can experience the art hands on.
  • Take a relaxing stroll with a beautiful view of the Manatee River at the Riverwalk in downtown Bradenton.  On this walk you can experience a sand volleyball court, skate park, multiple playgrounds, areas with shade coverage, and lounging spots.  There are also a plethora of art sculptures on the walkway and you can experience the art hands on.
  • Take a relaxing stroll with a beautiful view of the Manatee River at the Riverwalk in downtown Bradenton.  On this walk you can experience a sand volleyball court, skate park, multiple playgrounds, areas with shade coverage, and lounging spots.  There are also a plethora of art sculptures on the walkway and you can experience the art hands on.

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Sensory Friendly Attractions

Robinson Preserve

The Nest

  • The Nest is a new expansion at Robinson Preserve. The Nest is a multi-purpose facility for public events and even has space available for rent. The facility also contains a Canopy Zone. You can climb and crawl through the two-story Canopy Zone which is equipped with slides, nets, rope bridges, and boardwalks. If you want to participate in a physical, hands-on activity this is the place for you and can also be a great quiet and relaxing spot located outdoors in the natural environment. 
  • The Nest is a new expansion at Robinson Preserve. The Nest is a multi-purpose facility for public events and even has space available for rent. The facility also contains a Canopy Zone. You can climb and crawl through the two-story Canopy Zone which is equipped with slides, nets, rope bridges, and boardwalks. If you want to participate in a physical, hands-on activity this is the place for you and can also be a great quiet and relaxing spot located outdoors in the natural environment. 
  • The Nest is a new expansion at Robinson Preserve. The Nest is a multi-purpose facility for public events and even has space available for rent. The facility also contains a Canopy Zone. You can climb and crawl through the two-story Canopy Zone which is equipped with slides, nets, rope bridges, and boardwalks. If you want to participate in a physical, hands-on activity this is the place for you and can also be a great quiet and relaxing spot located outdoors in the natural environment. 

Learn more

Sensory Friendly Attractions

Palma Sola Botanical Park

  • Palma Sola Botanical Park contains exotic plants which thrive in this location due to the tropical environment. The admission is free and you can emerse yourself into this interactive learning experience by reading, seeing, and touching these plants that you wouldn’t have the opportunity to see elsewhere.  Palma Sola has a plethora of interesting plants ranging from rare palms, fruits, flowering trees, and other subtropical plants. Visitors can also take any fruit from the trees that has fallen to the ground so you may even be able to taste a new fruit you have never had before. There are also 3 peaceful and tranquil lakes on property which makes this the perfect spot to relax and take in the views.
  • Palma Sola Botanical Park contains exotic plants which thrive in this location due to the tropical environment. The admission is free and you can emerse yourself into this interactive learning experience by reading, seeing, and touching these plants that you wouldn’t have the opportunity to see elsewhere.  Palma Sola has a plethora of interesting plants ranging from rare palms, fruits, flowering trees, and other subtropical plants. Visitors can also take any fruit from the trees that has fallen to the ground so you may even be able to taste a new fruit you have never had before. There are also 3 peaceful and tranquil lakes on property which makes this the perfect spot to relax and take in the views.
  • Palma Sola Botanical Park contains exotic plants which thrive in this location due to the tropical environment. The admission is free and you can emerse yourself into this interactive learning experience by reading, seeing, and touching these plants that you wouldn’t have the opportunity to see elsewhere.  Palma Sola has a plethora of interesting plants ranging from rare palms, fruits, flowering trees, and other subtropical plants. Visitors can also take any fruit from the trees that has fallen to the ground so you may even be able to taste a new fruit you have never had before. There are also 3 peaceful and tranquil lakes on property which makes this the perfect spot to relax and take in the views.

Learn more

Sensory Friendly Attractions

Sarasota Bay Explorers

  • The Sea Life Encounter Cruise will give you the opportunity to explore marine life on the Southwest coast of Florida with an experienced Marine Biologist, who will be sharing their knowledge about manatees, dolphins and many other species that inhabit the waters. This tour also allows you to engage all of your senses, by using a net to gather marine life and then bringing them to the surface for a hands-on learning experience which usually includes sea horses, stone crabs, cow fish and more.
  • The Sea Life Encounter Cruise will give you the opportunity to explore marine life on the Southwest coast of Florida with an experienced Marine Biologist, who will be sharing their knowledge about manatees, dolphins and many other species that inhabit the waters. This tour also allows you to engage all of your senses, by using a net to gather marine life and then bringing them to the surface for a hands-on learning experience which usually includes sea horses, stone crabs, cow fish and more.

Learn more