Location: Bradenton
Top Things to do in Bradenton
What to do and see in Bradenton, Florida (FL): The Best Museums
Visitors find the perfect blend of culture and fun in Bradenton. Discover Florida’s Spanish heritage at the De Soto National Memorial, go for a bike tour of the beautiful Robinson Preserve, and explore an authentic fishing village at Cortez. Be sure to visit the South Florida Museum and catch a Pittsburgh Pirates spring training game — and don’t miss vibrant downtown Bradenton, the picturesque Riverwalk, and the working artists’ community at the Village of the Arts.
Restaurants in Bradenton
1. Joan Peters Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Joan Peters Gallery is an Art Gallery located in the Village of the Arts of Bradenton. We are open Fridays and Saturdays from 11 AM to 4 PM, and always by appointment. The Gallery displays art by Joan Peters
2. 11th Street Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
The 11th Street Gallery is a artist-in-residence gallery and studio. Located in the New Village of the Arts in Bradenton, Florida, the gallery occupies a renovated 1925 bungalow at 1412 11th Street West. The gallery exhibits the work of mixed media artist and transmedia storyteller Jim Loftus. It is also home to Loftus' workspace, Piltdown Studios.
3. Jan Lewis Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Fine art gallery in the heart of Village of the Arts in Bradenton Florida.
4. Manatee Village Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 162 reviews
Manatee Village Historical Park is an outdoor museum in Bradenton, FL, with historical buildings and artifacts.
Reviewed By DGW49 - Port Clinton, United States
There is a general store and displays of artifacts. There is a cracker house that is a complete reproduction of a way of living back in the day. An old train (steam) and a boat works. It's free.
5. Bishop Museum Of Science And Nature
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 856 reviews
As the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida's Gulf Coast, the South Florida Museum offers engaging exhibits as well as educational programs that interpret the scientific and cultural knowledge of Florida, the world and our universe. In addition to permanent exhibits, the Museum features a constantly changing lineup of temporary exhibitions -- offering something new to discover with each visit. The Museum includes the all-digital Bishop Planetarium Theater and the Parker Manatee Aquarium. The Bishop Planetarium is the Gulf Coast's premier astronomy education facility, outfitted with a state-of-the-art Planetarium and projection system with stunning multimedia capabilities. The Parker Manatee Aquarium is a Stage 2 Manatee Rehabilitation Facility, where manatees that have been injured or orphaned are rehabilitated for return to the wild as part of the Manatee Rehabilitation and Release Partnership. The Museum has housed 36 rehabilitating manatees since 1988.
Reviewed By Megyeri - Washington DC, United States
Alone with an overview of the history and animals found in FL is an outstanding new children’s center (only 2 months old) complete with treehouse, hands on-exhibits and a personal staff member trained to accompany the children. We go here regularly while in FL just to see the Planetarium shows and listen to Howard, the most amazing, brilliant, and entertaining narrator who explains the solar system, stars, and our planet’s place in the galaxy. We followed one woman out who said, “I’ve never felt so small,” because after Howard explains the entire skies, we humans are indeed tiny. Currently on view in the planetarium for the holidays is an amazing show called Let it Snow—a festive visual feast for the eyes and ears of all that’s wonderful about the holiday season in sounds and graphics. Then too, there’s the twice a day show in the manatee habitat arena explaining their life cycles while watching two manatees feed, swim, and rise to the surface to breathe. There’s also a current exhibit on mythological creatures that many will find informative and colorfully displayed. Close to the waterfront, visitors can break for lunch and re-enter the museum on their tickets and parking is close and free! What a gem in Bradenton!
6. Art Center Manatee
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Founded in 1937, ArtCenter Manatee is located in downtown Bradenton at the intersection of arts and culture. ArtCenter Manatee is the premier center for art, art education and unique gifts in Manatee County. The nearly 10,000 sq. ft. building in downtown Bradenton features three galleries with exhibits that change monthly, five classrooms that hold over 3,000 students every year, an Artists’ Market gift shop and an art library featuring over 3,000 art volumes. ArtCenter Manatee has repeatedly been voted the best art gallery by the Herald Tribune and Bradenton Herald. Over 400 day, evening and weekend art classes and workshops for adults are offered year round in painting, drawing, pastels, pottery, jewelry design, photography and more. Our KidsArt Summer Camps and After School Programs give students 4-15 the opportunity to express their creativity while they learn valuable skills, have fun and make new friends in over 35 classes designed just for them. We partner with the School Dist
Reviewed By DavidMRobinson15 - Griffin, United States
We thoroughly enjoyed the Art Center. Directly across the street from our hotel, this place had two juried shows being exibited and every piece of wonderful art was for sale. There were some very talented artists being shown and in the back, there were class in painting, clay, and other media being given. If we lived nearby, we would definitely use this facility often.
7. Village of the Arts
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 179 reviews
The Village of the Arts is a vibrant art community home to galleries, studios, restaurants and specialty shops housed in colorfully restored 1920s bungalows. Located five blocks from downtown Bradenton, the Village offers an eclectic mix of art, fashion, jewelry, music, wellness, gourmet cuisine and literature, making it a unique destination for both tourists and locals alike. Businesses in the Village of the Arts are open 7 days a week year-round, but the number of businesses and the hours of operation vary daily. Check the Day Planner guide on our website for updated lists of businesses open each day of the week. Special events in the Village include monthly Artwalks held on the first Friday (6-9:30pm) and following Saturday (11am-4pm) of every month.
Reviewed By 566ShirleyL - Aurora, United States
While the colorful houses are a bit faded, this is a visual sensory neighborhood. Homes are open only limited days and hours to sell art. Street parking is free and there are a couple restaurants. I ate at the Art Cafe and had a very good meal and service. There is also an outdoor taco and beer patio which I didn't have time to try. This area is near the downtown and worth a stop for those with art interests.
8. Firestone Gallery
Firestone Gallery and Design house is located in Florida's largest art colony located in downtown Bradenton Florida, Village of the Arts and is just steps away from the beautiful Riverwalk and 5 miles from the white beaches of Anna Maria Island! We have live bands on first Friday and Saturdays!.. Rock and Roll art, Tropical art, Mermaid paintings, and antiques too! #Shabbychic is all around! Front porch is a tiny museum for Bradenton..lol..Take a selfie with our 1931 Auburn car or crazy pirate skeleton! SO MUCH TO SEE here!
9. ReWorked Creations
ReWorked Creations is an interactive reuse art gallery located in the heart of the Village of the Arts in Bradenton, FL. Check out the art created from a wide variety of reclaimed and repurposed materials. Create your own art in the Make and Take room using materials and tools provided. Open studio, community art, classes and workshops are among the programming opportunities available.
10. Family Heritage House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3 reviews
