The Bradenton center is around the area of South Florida Museum and the area of The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature.
The best time to visit Bradenton is between September and December, when temperatures reach highs of upper 70s to mid-80s. It's the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities like paddle boarding, fishing, and horseback riding, and to take advantage of exciting events like Bayfest, ArtsHop, and Boofest. Plus, it will be shoulder season so you won't have to worry about large crowds, bad traffic, or no place to set up your umbrella on the beach. An added bonus: hotel rates will be very affordable and a variety of discounts may be available.
Between May and August, Bradenton is hot, humid, and wet, with temperatures reaching highs of upper 80s to low 90s, with large amounts of rain falling in July and August. Despite the heat and occasional downpours, this is the time of year that families converge on the city's attractions. Luckily, you won't compete with nearly as many crowds as you would during high season, and you'll only have moderate amounts of traffic to deal with. You'll also benefit from affordable hotel rates and fun seasonal events.
Like many cities in Florida, Bradenton is a winter destination, so January to April will be the most crowded time to visit. As a result, you'll face everything from congested traffic to expensive hotel rates so book your room well in advance and prepare to share the road. There is plenty of good news, though. Winter temperatures are gorgeous – usually between 60 and 80 degrees – making it a great time to explore nature preserves and parks. There are also plenty of events to enjoy like the Riverboat Regatta, ArtSlam, and St. Patrick's Day Bash.
There are plenty of hotels with good discounts in Bradenton. Best Western Plus Manatee Hotel offers AAA and AARP discounts on many of its guestrooms and suites. The hotel is located in the center of Bradenton, near top attractions like DeSoto Square, Heather Hills Golf Course, and Ringling Museum of Art. In one of its 51 guestrooms, you'll enjoy a refrigerator, microwave, work desk, and pillow top bed, along with free internet access and cable TV programming.
Hotel amenities include an outdoor heated pool, fitness center, concierge desk, coffee shop, and free hot breakfast.
Quality Inn Bradenton – Sarasota North also offers AAA and AARP discounts on its rooms. The hotel is located south of downtown, convenient to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, IMG Soccer Academy, and State College of Florida. Its inviting guestrooms feature flat-screen TVs for entertainment, refrigerators for storing food, and premium Q Beds for peaceful sleeping.
Aside from its comfortable guestrooms, the hotel also provides a relaxing outdoor pool, convenient business center, and easily-accessible guest laundry room. Additional perks include free buffet breakfast and coffee.
If you're searching for hotels with good value, Bradenton's options will not disappoint. Hampton Inn & Suites Bradenton Downtown Historic District puts you steps away from museums, historical parks, and Bradenton's famous Riverwalk. Best of all, the hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its Bradenton-style décor so you won't have to travel far to enjoy a top attraction. In your guestroom, you'll enjoy a comfortable Hampton bed, mini-refrigerator, free internet access, and iHome clock radio. Upgrade your stay with a spacious suite that also features a balcony with gorgeous city or marina views.
Hotel amenities include free hot breakfast, an outdoor heated pool, fitness center, meeting space, and 24-hour Suite Shop where you'll find snacks and travel accessories.
For a good value hotel a short distance from downtown, Holiday Inn Express and Suites Bradenton East – Lakewood Ranch is a great option. It's conveniently located in east Bradenton near Ellenton Outlets, St. Armand's Circle, and Myakka State Park. Its 78 spacious guestrooms feature refrigerators, microwaves, work desks, and free internet access. The hotel's oversized suites, which are perfect for families, also feature Jacuzzi tubs, wet bars, sofa beds, and lounge chairs.
Outside of your room, you can take a swim in the hotel's outdoor pool, break a sweat in the fitness center, and catch up on current events in the lobby with a free copy of USA Today, provided by the hotel.
No matter where you stay in Bradenton, you'll be close to many of the city's top historic attractions. South Florida Museum, located downtown, is the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida's Gulf Coast. It boasts a number of fossil, maritime, and exploration exhibits that highlight the history of Florida, as well as a planetarium and aquarium.
Or you can experience early life in Bradenton and surrounding areas at the Manatee Village Historical Park. This unique attraction showcases a collection of restored buildings from the settlement period before electricity, cars, or the internet were ever invented. Roam the grounds and stop by the 1903 Wiggins General Store, the 1912 Settlers' House, the 1887 Methodist-Episcopal Church South, and more.
Whether you're searching for a luxury hotel in the center of Bradenton or an affordable one with good value further away, you can find the perfect hotel for your needs and budget in Bradenton.
Below are reviews of the city of Bradenton, FL from an actual visitor's perspective.
We walked to Fav's and had great pizza on 12th Street! That street had a variety of eating and drinking places in walking distances.
Great!
Great restaurants like Flemings Felipe Creek, Columbia House, The Element, another seafood restaurant at Saint Armand Circle! Saint Armands itself and a great mall at University!
Husband is at HCA Blake Hospital.
The Bishop Museum, the farmers market and the pier.
I was visiting a friend that lived on Holmes Beach.
Lots of food places!
Beautiful place in great location!
Beautiful!
Very nice!
A lot of great food options and all the beaches nearby are gorgeous with plenty of fun things to do!
I love Bradenton because it has so much to offer. Everything is so convenient. We have beaches and just about anything you need or want in close proximity.
Beautiful!
Great place if you want to slow down unwind and relax!
Beach and restaurants!
Chili's is near the hotel. I enjoyed going there for dinner.
We liked shopping in Bradenton.
We only stayed the one night as we were on a shop hop for quilters throughout Florida.
Love the Riverwalk!
I went to the Sage Biscuit Cafe and the shops nearby, which were very pleasant. The downtown old town was enjoyable and the local arts center was an absolute joy.
Lots of shopping and sunshine. Plenty of places to dine.
Many restaurants, the beach and other attractions are nearby!
The property was very modern and comfortable, staff was extremely friendly and professional. Having many restaurants and the beach and other attractions nearby
Rooms very clean and staff very friendly. Sweet little town
The restaurants are good and the blues concert was great.
Lots of places to visit and dine.
The restaurant was good.
Lovely area with many eating venues on the water. I golfed here as well.
La ciudad de bradenton como tal no me gusto Mucho pero el hotel si
Plenty of places to eat. Walking paths along river. Nice parks.
It was beautiful.
Excellent!!
I highly recommend Pier 22.
Great restaurant, scenery is beautiful
Very nice area and seems to be growing. Plenty of shopping all around and access to major highways.
Beaches
Beautiful!
Bradenton is a lovely town.
Bradenton is a lovely town.
Beautiful place, it is the home of where our heritage began
We are golfers so there was an abundance of opportunities! Very easy to navigate. The River Walk is awesome for family fun. Robinson Preserve is a great place for exercise and nature walks. The beaches are clean and plentiful.
I live in Bradenton and rented the condo for NY guests. The city is super easy to navigate, beaches are nearby. If you need more excitement, Sarasota (south of Bradenton) or Tampa (north) are within an hours drive.