Explore Bradenton Area

Maggi Smit • 18 April 2018

Bradenton Area, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key are located on Florida’s west coast. It is a place where “old Florida” charm can still be found, brimming with opportunities to experience Florida at its most real and authentic, flip flops are a way of life and the speed limit very exceeds 35mps. High rise condos and fast food restaurants are pleasantly absent- instead it is home to beautiful turquoise waters and its award-winning white-sand beaches, including the reclusive Whitney Beach on Longboat Key and seven miles of uninterrupted beach on Anna Maria Island.


Unbeatable Beaches

Having successfully resisted the intense development present in the rest of the state, “Old Florida” still thrives on the 16 miles of sugar white beaches, with options for those looking to snorkel, shell, play beach volleyball or enjoy some seclusion. Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island was recently named one of the world’s top island beaches for perfect sand by Conde Nast Traveller readers.


Characterful Accommodation

You will find no chain hotels on Anna Maria Island and nothing over 3 storeys in height. The emphasis here is on independent, character and charm. There are condos, villas and homes which vary in character and style to suit all budgets. The abundance of luxury homes, which can accommodate anything up to 16 people, are all decorated beautifully with modern amenities. Trip Advisor recently included Anna Maria Island in its Top 20 Rising Vacation Holiday Destinations in the US.


Delicious (and Distinct) Dining

Florida is known for its many delicacies and unique cuisine. However, the Bradenton Area brings even more to the table, thanks to the many delicious heritage seafood products from the Gulf of Mexico, which are featured on the menus of many restaurants. From mid-October through mid-May, locally harvested stone crabs scuttle into seafood restaurants. For something a little different, Bradenton Area’s Anna Maria Fish Company is the first USDA certified company in the United States to produce Bottarga; the sun-dried and salt-cured roe of grey striped mullet. A rare delicacy (retailing for more than $100 for a pound) and long-standing tradition in Mediterranean cuisine, Bottarga, is a locally sourced and sought-after treat for locals and visitors alike. Cortez Fishing Village is the oldest working fishing village in Florida, with a fish market on site. Visitors can also take a boat charter, perch on the pier or even kayak out to sea and drop your line before having your catch cooked to your liking in one of the local restaurants.


Superior Shopping

Those who get nostalgic for the time when chain restaurants, stores and hotels were not on every street corner should look no further than Pine Avenue on Anna Maria Island where local shops, boutiques, cafes (and the Community Edible Gardens where you can pick your own free vegetables) line the “Greenest Little Main Street in America.”


Kid’s Stuff

Roughly an hour and a half from the crowded amusement parks, Bradenton Area favourite TreeUmph! Adventure Course lets kids swing through the trees on the treetop adventure course, while tackling zip-lines and obstacles. Visitors to the South Florida Museum, the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast, will also get to meet Snooty, the world’s oldest-known manatee (and the city’s mascot)!


Excellent Eco-Adventures

The Bradenton Area boasts exquisite nature preserves and hidden creeks through which visitors can embark on guided or self-guided eco kayak tours. Top locations include Emerson Point Preserve – a 365-acre preserve at the mouth of the Manatee River where kayakers can take in Florida’s wildlife and native plant communities while exploring both prehistoric and historic sites.


Delightful Downtowns

Along the brick streets of Old Main Street in Bradenton Area, visitors will find top dining options, with ample outdoor seating to enjoy the great weather and a friendly atmosphere. Though Old Main Street is reminiscent of years past, its vibrancy makes it the heart of Bradenton Area, and its proximity to the Riverwalk makes it a popular spot to meet.


For more information on holidays to Bradenton Area, call us on 020 8742 8299 or email sales@americaasyoulikeit.com

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