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Six Day Trips From the Bradenton Area
Nearly every day can be a beach day in the Bradenton Area, but some sunny days are meant to be enjoyed on the open road. These six day-trip ideas will captivate your six senses (sight, smell, taste, touch, sound plus adventure). Here are some of our favorite one-day ideas for when the open road beckons.
Where Lego Comes to Life
About an hour-and-a-half from the Bradenton Area, the LEGO universe comes to life. LEGOLAND® Florida Resort is an interactive, 150-acre theme park with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions inspired by popular LEGO brands and characters. In addition to the rides and attractions are the LEGOLAND Water Park, a world-famous botanical garden and live entertainment and shows, including meet-and-greets with your favorite characters. The park is perfect for kids aged 2 to 12 and there’s more than enough to keep everyone occupied for the day.
Florida’s Greatest Thrill Ride
Come to the Bradenton Area to chill. Head an hour north to Busch Gardens for thrills. Rollercoasters rule here with stomach-flopping experiences like Phoenix Rising, a new ride that soars above the Serengeti Plain, and the Tigris, Florida’s tallest ‘coaster, featuring forward and backward motion, breathtaking drops, a 150-foot skyward surge, and an inverted heart-line roll at more than 60 miles per hour. But beyond the excitement of the attractions are the animals. With more than 200 species on site, it’s one of the largest zoos in North America.
Connect to the Sea
Just a short drive south north is one of the top aquariums in the country: The Mote Marine Laboratory Aquarium on City Island in Sarasota. Soon, there will be more to love and explore when a new $130 million facility (Mote Science Education Aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park) opens in early 2025. You can learn about many of Florida’s aquatic animals and the ecosystems in which they live. Stand face to face with sharks at the 135,000-gallon shark habitat. Get educated on the sea creatures by peeking into working labs focused on conservation and science.
Wander and Wonder
Just an hour away, the Tampa Museum of Art balances a growing collection — including one of the largest Greek and Roman antiquities collections in the southeastern United States — with a dynamic annual schedule of special exhibitions. The region’s largest institution devoted to the art of our time, the Museum has fostered a reputation for presenting contemporary photography and new media, most notably, Leo Villareal’s Sky (Tampa), a 14,000-square-foot LED installation on its south façade which has become an iconic landmark for Tampa. When you’ve finished your tour, stop by the Riverwalk Cafe at TMA, featuring favorite local flavors overlooking the Hillsborough River.
Sparking a Passion for Wildlife
Home to more than 1,300 animals, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, is famous for having one of the most beautiful, tropical zoological settings in the world. Only an hour from the Bradenton Area, the zoo brings animals and visitors together to create unforgettable, natural connections. Touch a giant tortoise, feed a giraffe, and get nose-to-horn with an Indian rhino, hand-to-fin with slippery stingrays and more. And for more excitement, splash in water play areas, jump on a ride or catch an educational show. The zoo cares for the most diverse group of Florida wildlife anywhere and has won numerous awards for animal preservation.
A Place for Art, Architecture and…the Circus?
About 20 minutes to the south is The Ringling, an art museum housing a collection of artworks inside a remarkable pink colonnaded building. It’s part of the legacy left by John and Mable Ringling, who made their fortune in the early 20th century as part of the famous Ringling family circus. Built in the Renaissance-style around a sunken garden of fountains and statues, the building itself is a work of art. However, your admission gives you far more than this wonderful art museum. There’s also the Circus Museum, a guided tour that recounts the history of the Ringling brothers and how they developed their circus act into the Greatest Show on Earth. Ca’ d’Zan was the Ringlings’ winter home, a stunning 36,000 sq. Foot property with 56 rooms. Entering its doors is like stepping into the Roaring Twenties.
Plan your visit
Whether you’re a beach enthusiast, a nature lover, a history buff, or a connoisseur of delectable cuisine, we have something to offer every traveler, promising an escape filled with sunshine, relaxation, and exploration.
Act Like a Kid
Known for its beautiful sandy beaches and laid-back atmosphere, the Bradenton Area makes for a perfect destination for families.