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BRADENTON VACATION RENTALS, FLORIDA |
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Why Vacation in Bradenton |
| Exciting, vibrant, colorful, serene, picturesque, artistic are some of the adjectives to describe Bradenton, originally known as the Village of Manatee. Whether you are a cultural aficionado or a golf enthusiast or a beach person, Bradenton with its thriving vacation rental community is ideal for all kinds of vacationers. |
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Bradenton Vacation Rental Information |
| Located on the Gulf Coast, Bradenton, one of the oldest cities of central west Florida, has several vacation rental options, including vacation condos, villas, houses, and town homes. Proximity to popular tourist attractions like Disney World has made Bradenton a thriving vacation destination. Vacation condos are most common in 2- or 3-bedroom homes, sleeping from 2 to a maximum of 7 people. Most of |
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these are on or near a beach Riverfront vacation condos are also available. Amenities include cable TV, VCR or DVD player, Internet connection, Jacuzzi, and access to an exclusive or shared tennis court.
Vacation villas come in the form of apartments or as 3-, 4-, or 5-bedroom houses, sleeping anywhere from 2 to 8 people. Apart from the regular amenities, you could get access to a heated swimming pool, cable TV, DVD, in-house laundry, and double or triple car garage. |
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Special Information for Booking Vacation Rentals in Bradenton |
| Pets are usually not allowed. However, it is best to check with the vacation rental owner before you plan your trip. Long-term rentals usually fetch you a discount. A state tax of 6.5 % and a Manatee County tax of 4% are added to the rental charge. |
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Must See in Bradenton |
Bradenton is blessed with a rich historic legacy and a natural beauty, so a trip to this old city will be replete with innumerable memorable experiences. Start your trip with a visit to the Manatee Village Historical Park, where 19th and 20th Century life is interestingly preserved. Then move on to the South Florida Museum for a glimpse of the natural history of the region. Also worth a visit are the Bishop
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| Planetarium and the Parker Manatee Aquarium, the latter housing the county’s mascot, Snooty the Manatee. Stop by the Sarasota Classic Car Museum for a feast of shiny wonders on wheels, including some of the celebrated classics like John Lennon’s Mercedes Roadster, Paul McCartney's Mini Cooper and a dragster belonging to Don Garlits. Your trip to Bradenton is incomplete without taking a walk down the Village of the Arts. |
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Sights and Attractions in Bradenton |
| Bradenton is steeped in history and a trip to the downtown area will take you back in time. Nature and history together throw up a feast of experiences.
• Lake Manatee State Park
• Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
• Myakka River State Park
• Mixon Fruit Farms
• Rosa Fiorelli Winery
• Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary
• Manatee Village Historical Park
• South Florida Museum
• State Art Museum of Florida |
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Outdoor Recreation in Bradenton |
| Spend your days searching for shells on the beach or topping up your tan, while the ones hungry for adventure can surf the waves, sail a boat or dive under to discover underwater treasures.
• Beach-combing
• Boating, Kayaking, and Canoeing
• Fishing
• Motor sports | |
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Golfing in Bradenton |
| You are spoilt for choice when it comes to the greens in Bradenton. The town has 18 courses; 5 are public 18-hole courses, 8 semi-private facilities, and the rest private. The private facilities usually don’t allow guests. In some exceptions, you could use the facilities if you are accompanying a member. The public courses usually charge between $20-50 as green fees, but the par-72 Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood Ranch lets you use the greens only if you pay around $100. |
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Bradenton Fairs and Festivals |
| Each season ushers in a new festival in this culturally rich city of Bradenton. Make your vacation extra-special by planning to book your vacation home during the festive months.
• Manatee Heritage Month
• Florida Heritage Festival
• Snooty the Manatee's Birthday Bash
• Manatee Riverfront Art Festival
• Winter Fairs |
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Dining and Nightlife in Bradenton |
Mexican, Japanese, Dutch, seafood, steak—there is something to suit every palate in Bradenton. Fine dining restaurants and cafés are both available, as are local pizza places. Nearby, Sarasota and Anna Maria Island, which are both a short drive away, offer yet more choices in restaurants.
Bradenton has a choice of pubs and bars to add spunk to your nights. Sarasota has more to add to the list. For those of you interested in cultural events, there is the Florida West Coast Symphony. Enjoy the culture season from September through May. The Manatee Players perform at the Riverfront Theater on the Old Main Street; and Dining and Culture blend well at the Golden Apple Dinner Theater at Sarasota. |
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Shopping in Bradenton |
It would be a stretch to call Bradenton a shopper’s paradise, and yet you may just have bulging bags at the end of your trip. Looking for bargains? Head to the Red Bard Flea Market or the Midway Flea Market. Searching for artifacts and hand-made items? Look no further than the Village of the Arts, a unique walk-to community where artists live, work, and sell their wares. You can go on an art-walk, hobnob with the artists, stop by and eat at the cafés or even sign up for a class.
Take art classes or browse the Kellogg, Searle or Reid Hodges galleries at the Art Center Manatee. Frequent exhibitions display sculpture, pottery, paintings, photographs and other art work of local artists. The Art Center is free and open to public. Another quaint, open-air market, called the Old Main Street Market, is a cultural icon as much as a place to shop for fresh fruits and vegetables, arts and crafts, horticulture, foods, and specialty/boutique items. Of course, there are the malls and other sundry local shops.
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Best Times to Visit Bradenton |
| Weather-wise, the best times to plan a trip to Bradenton are spring and winter. Summers are usually very hot and fall has nothing but rain in store for you. Spring and winter are also peak season for cultural or sports activities. However, while it’s hot, summer will fetch you a discount in most rentals. |
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Time Zone for Bradenton |
| Eastern Standard Time |
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Getting To and Around Bradenton |
Bradenton is served by Tampa International Airport, which is 40 miles north, and by the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, at the border of North Sarasota and South Bradenton. By road, you can get to Bradenton via interstates I-75 and I-275.
Taxi and limo services, car rentals, and Manatee County Public Transportation buses will get you around quite easily. |
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