Palma Sola Travel Guide

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

3.5/5(2 reviews)

Enjoy the student 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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Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch

5/5(1 review)

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
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LECOM Park

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

Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

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

Main Street at Lakewood Ranch
BRADENTON RIVERWALK

Riverwalk

4.5/5(8 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

Things to do

Anna Maria Island: The Island Kayak Tour

Anna Maria Island: The Island Kayak Tour

฿2,018
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Anna Maria Island: The Island Kayak Tour
Picture 4 for Activity Bradenton: Anna Maria Island Guided Kayaking Manatee Tour

Bradenton: Anna Maria Island Guided Kayaking Manatee Tour

฿1,707
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Bradenton: Anna Maria Island Guided Kayaking Manatee Tour
Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach: Parasailing Tour

Anna Maria Island & Bradenton Beach Parasailing Tour

฿3,073
per adult
Anna Maria Island & Bradenton Beach Parasailing Tour
Parasailing Adventure above the Gulf of Mexico

Parasailing Adventure above the Gulf of Mexico

฿2,949
per adult
Parasailing Adventure above the Gulf of Mexico
Anna Maria Island Dolphin Sightseeing Adventure

Anna Maria Island Dolphin Sightseeing Adventure

฿1,714
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Anna Maria Island Dolphin Sightseeing Adventure
Anna Maria Island - Clear Kayak LED Night Glass Bottom Tour

Anna Maria Island - Clear Kayak LED Night Glass Bottom Tour

฿2,018
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Anna Maria Island - Clear Kayak LED Night Glass Bottom Tour
See all activities in Bradenton

Top hotels in Palma Sola

Kompose Boutique Hotel

Kompose Boutique Hotel

3 out of 5
965 University Pkwy Sarasota FL
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Sarasota. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (5,108 reviews)
very nice . great value

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026

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Kompose Boutique Hotel
RumFish Beach at TradeWinds

RumFish Beach at TradeWinds

4 out of 5
6000 Gulf Blvd St. Pete Beach FL
The price is ฿9,966 per night from 11 Mar to 12 Mar
฿9,966
฿13,236 total
11 Mar - 12 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in St. Pete Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 4 outdoor pools and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,660 reviews)
Love it! Highly recommend!

Reviewed on 6 Mar 2026

RumFish Beach at TradeWinds
Golden Host Resort - Sarasota

Golden Host Resort - Sarasota

3 out of 5
4675 N Tamiami Trl Sarasota FL
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Sarasota. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,339 reviews)
stayed 1 night, did not get to enjoy pool but pool area looked really nice.

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026

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Golden Host Resort - Sarasota
Island Grand at TradeWinds

Island Grand at TradeWinds

4 out of 5
5500 Gulf Blvd St. Pete Beach FL
The price is ฿9,997 per night from 10 Mar to 11 Mar
฿9,997
฿13,277 total
10 Mar - 11 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in St. Pete Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 5 outdoor pools and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,030 reviews)
Beautiful

Reviewed on 5 Mar 2026

Island Grand at TradeWinds
SkyBeach Resort

SkyBeach Resort

4 out of 5
6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane St. Petersburg FL
The price is ฿6,046 per night from 11 Mar to 12 Mar
฿6,046
฿8,453 total
11 Mar - 12 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in St. Petersburg. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, 2 restaurants and a private beach. Popular attractions Salvador Dali Museum and Fort De Soto ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (551 reviews)
The area was great. All the conveniences you would need. The

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026

SkyBeach Resort
Tropical Beach Resorts

Tropical Beach Resorts

3.5 out of 5
6717 Sara Sea Circle Siesta Key FL
The price is ฿8,616 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
฿8,616
฿10,561 total
5 Apr - 6 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Siesta Key. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (5,343 reviews)
Really nice room with kitchenette. Staff was very friendly. Loved the pool in the front with the waterfalls.

Reviewed on 6 Mar 2026

Tropical Beach Resorts
See all 17,239 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 neighbourhoods around Palma Sola

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Shore Acre Heights

Shore Acre Heights 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.

Shore Acre Heights
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Belair Bayou

When in Belair Bayou, you can plan a visit to The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Belair Bayou
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Harbor Hills

While Harbor Hills isn't home to many top sights, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Harbor Hills
Path to a Gulf of Mexico beach in Bradenton Beach on the west coast of Florida

West Bradenton

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

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

River District

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

River District
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Pine Lakes

Though Pine Lakes may 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 Travel Guide