Palma Sola, FL

Bradenton

EyeEm Custom Shoots Q4 2018
EyeEm Custom Shoots Q4 2018
One of the weirdest wildlife encounters I had in Florida was with this wacky bird! I'm guessing he's an Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga). He stayed nearly completely submerged, swimming underwater, stalking a school of fish. He'd only pop his head up every few minutes for a quick breath or when he'd catch a fish in his mouth sideways. Then he'd pop his head up with the fish in his mouth, flip the fish up in the air and catch it in the correct orientation to swallow it down. Then back underwater for more hunting. This went on for at least 20-25 minutes. I have never seen a bird behave like this. I've seen cormorants dive down and disappear for a half a minute or so, but this was incredible to watch! Palma Sola Botanical Park is a 10 acre botanical garden located in Bradenton. It's beautiful AND free! The park showcases collections of rare palms, fruits, and flowering trees, as well as three lakes, a butterfly garden, gazebo, pavilion, and playground.
One of the weirdest wildlife encounters I had in Florida was with this wacky bird! I'm guessing he's an Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga). He stayed nearly completely submerged, swimming underwater, stalking a school of fish. He'd only pop his head up every few minutes for a quick breath or when he'd catch a fish in his mouth sideways. Then he'd pop his head up with the fish in his mouth, flip the fish up in the air and catch it in the correct orientation to swallow it down. Then back underwater for more hunting. This went on for at least 20-25 minutes. I have never seen a bird behave like this. I've seen cormorants dive down and disappear for a half a minute or so, but this was incredible to watch! Palma Sola Botanical Park is a 10 acre botanical garden located in Bradenton. It's beautiful AND free! The park showcases collections of rare palms, fruits, and flowering trees, as well as three lakes, a butterfly garden, gazebo, pavilion, and playground.
A bright orange cluster of blossoms on a tree. Palma Sola Botanical Park is a 10 acre botanical garden located in Bradenton. It's beautiful AND free! The park showcases collections of rare palms, fruits, and flowering trees, as well as three lakes, a butterfly garden, gazebo, pavilion, and playground.

Popular places to visit

The trunk of the floss silk tree

Palma Sola Botanical Park

Palma Sola Botanical Park is just one of the places to see in Bradenton, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Wander the beautiful beaches or discover the area's beautiful sunsets.

Palma Sola Botanical Park
EyeEm Custom Shoots Q4 2018

IMG Academy

4.5/5(151 reviews)

Enjoy the collegiate vibe when you visit IMG Academy, during your travels in Bradenton. Amble around the area's beautiful beaches or attend a sporting event.

IMG Academy
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LECOM Park

4.5/5(15 reviews)

Catch an event at LECOM Park during your trip to Bradenton. Amble around the area's beautiful beaches or attend a sporting event.

LECOM Park
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Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch

4.5/5(25 reviews)

You can take time to visit Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch during your travels to Lakewood Ranch. Attend a sporting event in this family-friendly area.

Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch
BRADENTON RIVERWALK

Riverwalk

4.5/5(219 reviews)

Riverwalk is just one of the places to see in Bradenton, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Wander the beautiful beaches or discover the area's beautiful sunsets.

Riverwalk
upscale shopping in Lakewood Ranch Main Street area, life work and play in a master planned community

Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

4.5/5(17 reviews)

You can do some window-shopping at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch during your visit to Lakewood Ranch. Amble around this family-friendly area's beautiful beaches or attend a sporting event.

Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

Things to do

Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach: Parasailing Tour

Anna Maria Island & Bradenton Beach Parasailing Tour

￥15,654
per adult
Anna Maria Island & Bradenton Beach Parasailing Tour
Robinson Preserve Mangrove Tour

Robinson Preserve Mangrove Tour

￥8,697
per adult
Robinson Preserve Mangrove Tour
St. Pete Dolphin Watching and Shelling Adventure

St. Pete Dolphin Watching and Shelling Adventure

￥6,768
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
St. Pete Dolphin Watching and Shelling Adventure
Our Cruise gives you the best seat there is to the Skyway Bridge Light Show! Different display every night of the week!

Island Sunset and Skyway Light Show - 3hr Boat Cruise in St. Pete

￥12,689
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Island Sunset and Skyway Light Show - 3hr Boat Cruise in St. Pete
Picture 4 for Activity Bradenton: Anna Maria Island Guided Kayaking Manatee Tour

Bradenton: Anna Maria Island Guided Kayaking Manatee Tour

￥8,697
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Bradenton: Anna Maria Island Guided Kayaking Manatee Tour
Anna Maria Island: The Island Kayak Tour

Anna Maria Island: The Island Kayak Tour

￥10,278
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Anna Maria Island: The Island Kayak Tour
See all activities in Bradenton

Palma Sola Hotel Deals

Kompose Boutique Hotel

Kompose Boutique Hotel

3 out of 5
965 University Pkwy Sarasota FL
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Sarasota. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4,981 reviews)
Staff was great…room was spotless. Breakfast was great.

Reviewed on Feb 12, 2026

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Kompose Boutique Hotel
Golden Host Resort - Sarasota

Golden Host Resort - Sarasota

3 out of 5
4675 N Tamiami Trl Sarasota FL
The price is ￥16,706 per night from Feb 17 to Feb 18
￥16,706
￥18,877 total
Feb 17 - Feb 18
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Sarasota. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,268 reviews)
Nice staff

Reviewed on Feb 10, 2026

Golden Host Resort - Sarasota
RumFish Beach at TradeWinds

RumFish Beach at TradeWinds

4 out of 5
6000 Gulf Blvd St. Pete Beach FL
The price is ￥37,528 per night from Feb 17 to Feb 18
￥37,528
￥51,901 total
Feb 17 - Feb 18
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach resort in St. Pete Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 outdoor pools, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,627 reviews)
Everything was great!

Reviewed on Feb 12, 2026

RumFish Beach at TradeWinds
Tropical Beach Resorts

Tropical Beach Resorts

3.5 out of 5
6717 Sara Sea Circle Siesta Key FL
The price is ￥44,987 per night from Feb 18 to Feb 19
￥44,987
￥54,819 total
Feb 18 - Feb 19
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Siesta Key. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (5,290 reviews)
It was perfect location it was beautiful clean hotel I would definitely at least stay there again

Reviewed on Feb 10, 2026

Tropical Beach Resorts
Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Anna Maria Sound

Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Anna Maria Sound

4 out of 5
12324 Manatee Avenue West Bradenton FL
The price is ￥35,051 per night from Feb 18 to Feb 19
￥35,051
￥43,937 total
Feb 18 - Feb 19
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Bradenton. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,957 reviews)
A wonderful hotel and friendly staff.

Reviewed on Feb 7, 2026

Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Anna Maria Sound
Island Grand at TradeWinds

Island Grand at TradeWinds

4 out of 5
5500 Gulf Blvd St. Pete Beach FL
The price is ￥33,736 per night from Feb 22 to Feb 23
￥33,736
￥47,646 total
Feb 22 - Feb 23
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach resort in St. Pete Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, 5 outdoor pools, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,006 reviews)
Restaurant & bar staff, service staff & Cabana beach service is outstanding ! Beach access is unmatched ! White flour soft sand ! However the Parking lot access to hotel was obstructed by several large service delivery trucks ! This is unacceptable & a very bad look ! This needs to be resolved! A ...

Reviewed on Feb 6, 2026

Island Grand at TradeWinds
See all 17,214 properties in Palma Sola
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Palma Sola

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Shore Acre Heights

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Shore Acre Heights and surrounding area, you can visit The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park.

Shore Acre Heights
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Belair Bayou

While there might not be top attractions in Belair Bayou, you can explore the larger area and discover places like The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park.

Belair Bayou
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Harbor Hills

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Harbor Hills and surrounding area, you can visit The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park.

Harbor Hills
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West Bradenton

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in West Bradenton and surrounding area, you can visit The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park.

West Bradenton
Bradenton, Florida, USA Downtown on the Manatee River

River District

River District might not have many top sights, but The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

River District
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Pine Lakes

Though Pine Lakes might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like LECOM Park and The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature.

Pine Lakes

Palma Sola, FL