Welcome to Bradenton, Florida

    Located just north of Sarasota, Bradenton is the county seat of Manatee County and a wonderful place to live and explore the arts, historical attractions and have fun in the sun on the numerous beaches in the area. You may also enjoy spending an evening dining out or having a drink with friends in one of the many restaurants or pubs on downtown Bradenton's historic Old Main Street. Bradenton hosts many family-fun attractions and events including Winter Wonderland, Get Down Downtown, and other events on downtown’s beautiful, well-lit streets and Rossi Waterfront Park

    Historically, the area now called the City of Bradenton, covering roughly 14.4 square miles, was discovered in 1539 by Hernando DeSoto when he landed on Shaw's Point to begin his 4,000 mile trek in search of El Dorado, "The Lost City of Gold." Each Spring, the Hernando DeSoto Historical Society celebrates DeSoto’s landing with a month-long series of events including the SeaFood Festival, a homemade boat race at the Palma Sola Causeway beach, a fishing tournament, a musical and fashion show, a formal-dress ball, and parades.

    Bradenton is home to numerous businesses, including nationally known Tropicana Products Inc., the famous juice maker; Champs Sports; the corporate offices of Beall's Department Stores. Downtown Bradenton attractions include the South Florida Museum, McKechnie Field, the spring training home of Major League Baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates, the Bishop Planetarium theater, home to one of the world's most advanced planetarium projectors. along the scenic Manatee River and includes an outdoor amphitheater, playground equipment, benches and gazebos and a granite-marble memorial to the victims of the 9/11 tragedy and the local public servants who have perished in the line of duty. The City is also home to the "Village of the Arts," a growing neighborhood of renovated cottages just south of downtown that provides homes, studios and galleries for dozens of local artists and other small businesses, including three restaurants. The businesses all open their doors on the first Friday evening and following Saturday afternoon of the month during the ArtWalk.

    Snooty, the oldest living manatee in the world born in captivity, lives in the Parker Aquarium, and the museum’s artifacts section takes visitors up close and personal with the creatures that once roamed the area and much more.

    In addition to all this, Bradenton is "almost addicted" to golf and water sports. Bradenton has more than its share of fine golf courses -- one perfect for whatever level of player you are. For relaxed living in a Bradenton golf course community, you cannot beat the cosmopolitan, yet still homey, city of Bradenton.

    Bradenton and Anna Maria island, its Island neighbor across the causeway, also offer every conceivable opportunity for boating, fishing and sailing activities.

    For a lifetime of relaxed living, come see how Bradenton Florida has become increasingly cosmopolitan in character while retaining its small-town charm.

   If you would like to know more about Bradenton Florida and the many attractively priced real estate offerings available in and around bradenton, please request my free Sarasota - Bradenton Florida information package or call me.