The outer barrier islands in Tampa Bay and along the Gulf of Mexico are a main tourist hotspot. Bradenton, located on the mainland, is the closest town to Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key. The Intracoastal Waterway separating the mainland from the island enjoys calm waters, making the islands easy to get to and a popular place to visit.   Also of note in Tampa Bay is the Sunshine Skyway, a 4-mile bridge over Tampa Bay that links Bradenton to St. Petersburg.

Thanks to the beautiful scenery surrounding the town, there are several parks located in or near Bradenton. The Palma Sola Botanical Park at 9800 17th Avenue NW is open daily free of charge and has displays of local flora as well as rare and exotic palm and flowering trees. There are also three lakes, a gazebo and a pavilion on the 10-acre expanse. Another botanical garden can be found in Sarasota; the Marie Selby Gardens are located at 811 South Palm Avenue and is open everyday as well.

Another interesting place to visit is the South Florida Museum, which includes the Bishop Planetarium and the Parker Manatee Aquarium. This place has many prehistoric natural displays, including dioramas and replicas of ancient beasts like the mastodon and Pleistocene bison. There is also information about the first Native Americans that lived in Florida. These hunter-gatherer Paleoindians are estimated to have reached Florida about 10,000 years ago.