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Major city · United States

BradentonBradenton, Florida

Give Bradenton 2 nights as a base for Anna Maria Island and the Riverwalk; skip it as a beach stay — the sand is 20–30 min west.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Bradenton sits on the Manatee River south of Tampa Bay, 6 mi north of Sarasota/Bradenton airport (SRQ) and about 45 min from Tampa (TPA). It is a working river city with a small walkable downtown, a free national memorial, a manatee hospital and the cheapest beds within reach of Anna Maria Island. Most travellers sleep here and drive west to the beaches, or use it as a one-night stop on the I-75 run between Tampa and Sarasota.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Nov–Apr
avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity, afternoon storms), Aug–Oct (hurricane season peak)
Airports
SRQ · TPA · PIE
Nights
2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Bradenton911 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Bradenton, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$3–6
  • Sit-down mealDinner main, mid-range$20–35
  • Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$10–18
  • BeerDraft beer$6–9
  • Budget bedBudget motel double, a night, per roomUS$70
  • Mid-range bedBudget motel double, a night, per roomUS$95
  • High-end bedBudget motel double, a night, per roomUS$130

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$110 · Mid US$190 · High US$380

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Anna Maria Island accessRiverwalk and downtown BradentonBishop Museum of Science and NatureDe Soto National MemorialManatee River
Airports
SRQ Sarasota/Bradenton International (About 6 mi south of downtown; 10–15 min by car or rideshare.) · TPA Tampa International (About 45–60 min north by car; more airlines and often cheaper fares.) · PIE St. Pete–Clearwater International (Smaller; about 50–60 min north-west, mostly Allegiant routes.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    31°C (88°F)

  6. Jun

    Avoid

    32°C (90°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    33°C (91°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    33°C (91°F)

  9. Sep

    Avoid

    32°C (90°F)

  10. Oct

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)), coolest Jan (11°C (52°F) low), wettest Jul (16 rain days), driest Apr (5). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Bradenton: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

22°C (72°F)

11°C (52°F)

6 rd

Feb

23°C (73°F)

12°C (54°F)

6 rd

Mar

25°C (77°F)

14°C (57°F)

6 rd

Apr

28°C (82°F)

17°C (63°F)

5 rd

May

31°C (88°F)

20°C (68°F)

7 rd

Jun

32°C (90°F)

23°C (73°F)

13 rd

Jul

33°C (91°F)

24°C (75°F)

16 rd

Aug

33°C (91°F)

24°C (75°F)

16 rd

Sep

32°C (90°F)

23°C (73°F)

13 rd

Oct

29°C (84°F)

19°C (66°F)

7 rd

Nov

26°C (79°F)

15°C (59°F)

5 rd

Dec

23°C (73°F)

12°C (54°F)

6 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

A car is the practical choice: beaches, the airport and the state park are 10–30 min apart and buses are sparse. Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) covers downtown, shopping centres and the beaches on fixed routes with limited evening service. Rideshares work downtown and at SRQ but thin out west of the causeway.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Anna Maria Island

go

Door to door: 20–30 min

Drive SR 64 west over the Manatee Avenue bridge, or MCAT/trolley

Go before 09:00 in season for parking; the island trolley is free.

Longboat Key

go

Door to door: 25–35 min

Drive Gulf of Mexico Drive north from SRQ side, or via Cortez Road

Quieter beaches and shelling; little public parking.

Palmetto

go

Door to door: 10 min

Drive or ride across the Green Bridge (US 41) from downtown

Riverfront park and the Manatee Village Historical Park.

Sarasota

go

Door to door: 25–35 min

Drive I-75 or US 41 south

Museums, dining and the Ringling estate; easy half-day add-on.

Tampa

caution

Door to door: 45–60 min

Drive I-75 north, or I-275 via St. Petersburg

Doable as a day but traffic makes it a long one; better as an overnight.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Downtown / Riverfront

Walk to the Riverwalk, Pier 22 and the Bishop Museum; 10–15 min drive to the beaches' causeways.

Cortez Road West (toward the island)

Chain motels and cheaper parking; 15–20 min to Anna Maria Island.

I-75 exit 220 / SR 64

Highway hotels for one-night stops and early drives; nothing walkable.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$90–140 excl. bed
Mid
$150–250 excl. bed
High
$300+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Mid chain hotel room1 × 2 nights × US$180US$360
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$190US$760
Rental car, one day1 × US$60 · checkUS$60
Rideshare SRQ airport to downtown1 × US$25 · checkUS$25
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20US$40
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$125
Trip total≈ US$343 per person per day, bed includedUS$1,370

2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$3–6
Diner breakfast$10–18
Lunch main$14–22
Dinner main, mid-range$20–35
Draft beer$6–9
Rideshare, 5 micheck$15–25
Rental car, one daycheck$45–90

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Bradenton is generally safe for visitors, with crime rates lower than much of the Tampa Bay area, but pockets south of downtown see more incidents at night: stay in lit areas, lock the car and keep valuables out of sight.
  • Crime concentrates in pockets south of downtown, especially after dark; avoid walking alone late at night and lock the car.
  • Summer heat and humidity: plan beach time before 11:00 and after 16:00, and carry water.
  • Hurricane season runs Jun–Nov, peak Aug–Oct; check forecasts and evacuation zones before booking a coastal stay.
  • Beach parking on Anna Maria Island fills by mid-morning in season; go early or use the trolley.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Bradenton Police (non-emergency)
941-932-9300
Manatee County Sheriff (non-emergency)
941-747-3011

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

BradentonBradenton, Florida

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Bradenton Police (non-emergency)941-932-9300
  • Manatee County Sheriff (non-emergency)941-747-3011

Embassy

No embassies in Bradenton; consulates cluster in Miami and Atlanta. Check your country's nearest consulate before you travel.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • SRQ airport → downtown Bradenton, rideshare: about $20–30, 10–15 min (check)
  • Downtown → Anna Maria Island, rideshare: about $30–45, 25–35 min (check)
  • MCAT local bus fare: about $1.50–2.00 one way (check)

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Where is the beach access? — Where is the beach access?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Is there parking here? — Is there parking here?

Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bradenton. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity, afternoon storms), Aug–Oct (hurricane season peak) · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for SRQ and TPA: last flights, rideshare and taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown Riverwalk, the Bishop Museum, De Soto Memorial, Robinson Preserve.
  3. Place pages with verified hours (Bishop Museum, De Soto Memorial, Lake Manatee State Park) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Storm and heat fixtures so gates A–D can go green in summer.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources