Visit Bradenton’s Outdoors: Nature, Parks, & More!
First-time visitors to Bradenton might not know all the fun that you can get up to outside in Bradenton, Florida, but we’re here to change that.
Live like a local & experience all that Bradenton has to offer! See what we have to offer outdoors as we go through this list of fun things to do.
Florida’s West Coast has plenty to offer in terms of food, parks, beaches, markets, and much more, but Bradenton is a hidden gem compared to places such as Tampa & St Pete. Today we’ll be highlighting fun things to do from kayaking with dolphins to getting some steps at the local preserve! Here’s 5 great things to do outdoors in Bradenton FL!
Palma Sola Botanical Park – Free, Fun, & Floral!
9800 17th Ave N, Bradenton, FL, 34209
Palma Sola Botanical Park has all sorts of things to do! Enjoy the breezy air outside as you look at all kinds of rare palms, beautiful flowers, trees, and participate in tons of community events!
The little 10-acre park was founded officially in 1993 & has served as a great example of what locals in Bradenton can do when they work together. It relies on donations from the public as they stay open 7 days a week with no charge.
The park has tons of locally-organized events to participate in such as:
- Flower Sales & Artisan Market Popups
- Art Gallery Showcases
- Horticultural Classes
- Photography Contests
- Gardening Work Days (help the community care for the park)
- and so much more!
🌱 Visit this little slice of Bradenton life & stop to smell the flowers!
Bradenton Riverwalk – Peaceful Strolls with Plenty to Do!
452 3rd Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Bradenton Riverwalk is perfect for a mid-day relaxing walk to take in the local scene. The 2 mile tract of land has provided a safe walking path for residents to view the Manatee River.
The area opened to the public in 2012 with all kinds of amenities for locals & tourists to enjoy! This pivotal expansion to Rossi Park has provided the community a space for skateboarding, educational activities, volleyball, and much more!
Riverwalk is located right in Downtown Bradenton so you’re not just limited to what’s on the strip, you can:
- Sit down for a delicious meal at Pier 22 or grab a slice of pizza at Oak & Stone
- Read for hours & hours at the lovely Manatee County Public Library
- See the manatees at the Bishop Museum of Science & Nature
- Look for music events hosted at the Mosaic Riverwalk Amphitheater
- Get soaked at the splash park & look for dolphins near the pier
🚶♂️➡️ Enjoy Bradenton to it’s fullest at the Riverwalk!
Robinson Preserve – Hiking, Biking, & More!
9452 3rd Ave W, Bradenton, FL 3420
Robinson Preserve is a beautiful natural preserve open to all who love to hike, walk, and see nature in it’s true environment. You can see all kinds of sandpipers, doves, owls, spoonbills, pelicans, and more! If you’re more of the athletic type, then there are plenty of marked off trails for biking, launches for kayaking, and over 600+ acres of land to explore.
There’s plenty to do & see, but there’s other conveniences such as restrooms, piers, pavilions, and charcoal grills!
So what can you expect to see & do at Robinsons? You can:
- Catch a glimpse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge from the 53-ft tall tower
- Rent a kayak & see the park in a way unlike the trails
- Fish over the piers & bridges with rods and reels
- Head to NEST & walk along rope bridges or participate in educational events
- Bird watch to your hearts content
🌳 Experience the great outdoors of Bradenton!
Florida Blue Adventures – Kayak at Sunset with Dolphins
12378 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 3420
If you’re looking for more of an excursion than a visit, we recommend kayaking with dolphins! Florida Blue Adventures has over 450 5-star reviews & has been serving up all kinds of fun excursions for locals!
Nothing could be more fun than getting some fresh air, sightseeing, & paddling alongside dolphins! You’ll be kayaking in the surroundings of Bradenton & Anna Marie Island with a large group for an unforgettable experience.
What do you have to look forward to? You’ll be:
- See all kinds of birds along your trip
- Exercise and enjoy the sights of the local Bradenton & Anna Marie Island area
- Witness a glorious Bradenton sunset
- and most importantly, see & be near dolphins!
🐬 Get outside & enjoy the sights with Florida Blue Adventures!
Click here for more information »
Coquina Beach – End The Day & Relax
Gulf Dr S, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
Coquina Beach provides the perfect end of day experience for those visiting & living in Bradenton. Located right before crossing the Longboat Pass Bridge, Coquina has plenty to do besides soaking up the sun!
Fun Fact: The name Coquina is derived from the type of rock that is formed from a mixture of quartz & shell fragments. These are held together with calcium carbonate to create the beach’s coast!
This beach has plenty to do outside of just swimming & tanning. Here’s a glimpse into what you can get up to:
- On the way, stop by Tyler’s Ice Cream for delicious flavors
- Grill out near the tree-line or play some volleyball with friends
- Grab a burger, grilled cheese, or waffle from Coquina Beach Cafe
- Hang at the Daiquiri Deck for drinks, live music, and scrumptious seafood
- Hunt for shells in the shallow soft sand
🏖️ Enjoy the waves and sand at Coquina Beach to experience the best beach Bradenton can offer!
Relaxing in Bradenton: Enjoying the Outdoors Like a Local
Bradenton offers many fun experiences to do outdoors, and we hope these insights into the locale opened your eyes to what to look forward to!
Whether you chill out at the beach, fish over a pier at a preserve, or see the beauty of a botanical park, just know you’ll have a great time outdoors in Bradenton. We can’t wait to see you out there!
Manasota Movers: Moving Since 2009!
No matter where you move, Manasota Movers is there to help you in all kinds of ways! We take the stress away & handle all the heavy lifting so you can start planning your Bradenton outdoor excursions as quickly as possible.
We can pack, move, and even provide helpful tips about the local dining scene as we showcased today!
Get started on your moving journey here »
…and enjoy your life in Bradenton, FL!
— Written by Xander Cantrell, August 6, 2025
NO AI SOFTWARE WAS UTILIZED IN THE CREATION OF THIS BLOG POST
- beaches to visit in florida
- best parks in bradenton
- botanical garden bradenton
- child friendly events in bradenton
- family
- preserves to visit in florida
- what to do in bradenton