Bradenton is a slice of authentic Florida and a haven for artists
There’s a lot that feels familiar in Bradenton, Florida. It’s a town of similar size to Greenville with its own charming main street, anchored by a couple of big-name corporations, notable breweries, sidewalk cafes, and a celebrated arts community. Like Fluor Field, LECOM park is home to a minor league baseball team, the Bradenton Marauders.
Situated just north of Sarasota, Bradenton is on the Manatee River, which flows 36 miles into the Gulf of Mexico. A stroll along the city’s riverwalk offers yachts galore, native birds, stops for ice cream, pocket parks, history installments, and public art. Spots for dinner include Oak & Stone atop Marriott Springhill Suites, with views overlooking the marina, and Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille, where the entire dining room is a covered front porch.
Gulf Stream Arts Zone
In February, Bradenton temperatures stay in the mid-70s all month long. You’ll want to spend a whole afternoon in The Village of the Arts. It’s a reimagined neighborhood of colorful 1920s bungalows where over 50 artists and gallerists live, work, and open their studios to the public. A legal commercial overlay—part of an initiative in 1999 to rehab the historic downtown neighborhood of Manatee Village—created the unique arts zone.
I perused a dozen open studios, including the studio of talented painter Susan Giblin, after having lunch at Arte Caffe. I later grabbed tacos at Birdrock Taco Shack and drinks at Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen with live blues on its back patio. The neighborhood encompasses about 275 residences. Many are fantastic representations of Florida’s cracker-style homes—wood-frame homes named for the cracking of cowboy whips—adorned by native palm, Australian pine, Spanish moss, and tropical plantings.
But don’t discount 12th Street, the equivalent of Greenville’s Main Street. Stop in at Pink & Navy and Stoked Flamingo for boutique clothing and gifts, and pursue ArtCenter Manatee for an outstanding gift shop full of handmade items. Make a reservation for a long boozy lunch at one of O’Bricks’ sidewalk tables for escargot, baked lobster in scampi sauce, eggplant rollatini, and a stellar espresso martini.
You’ll also want to check out Anna Maria Island, a barrier island connected to Bradenton by a causeway over the Intracoastal Waterway. Enjoy its 20 miles of sugar sand beach and plan to eat oysters at Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier. And if you stay in Bradenton over a Saturday, the Downtown Bradenton Public Market is not to be missed, with 80 rotating vendors. Did I mention Bradenton reminds me of Greenville? Yep, it’s G’ville by the sea.
Bradenton: From Breakfast to Beer
The Gulf town knows how to start and end a day
Sage Biscuit Café
Yes, you want to order a lofty sage-tinged biscuit. The eggs Benedict on the house biscuit is tremendous, and the spinach omelet is noteworthy.
1401 Manatee Ave. W., 941.405.4744, sagebiscuitbradenton.com
Kefi Streetside Cafe
Formerly a defunct bank drive-through, Kefi Streetside Cafe was ingeniously turned into a Mediterranean-inspired coffee cafe replete with partitioned-off outdoor tables. The Orange Pistachio Crinkle Cake is delectable, and stuffed breakfast pitas are not to be missed.
1201 6th Ave. W., 941.896.2292, kefistreetsidecafe.com
Motorworks Brewing
Known for having the largest beer garden in Florida, centered around a 150-plus-year-old oak tree, Motorworks is a great place to mingle and play yard games while enjoying the extensive list of beers, all made on-site. The Pulp Friction Grapefruit IPA is fantastic and a multi-award winner.
1014 9th St. W., 941.567.6218, motorworksbrewing.com
3 Keys Brewing
Open at noon every day, 3 Keys is a place to hang out with friendly locals and bring your dog. Try a house cider or The Shipwreck NE, a delicious hazy IPA, alongside the locally acclaimed burger.
2505 Manatee Ave. E., 941.218.0396, 3keysbrewing.com
Photography courtesy of Bradenton Area Visitors Bureau.
