Palma Sola

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

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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Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch

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 visit 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

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 and Bradenton Beach: Parasailing Tour

Anna Maria Island & Bradenton Beach Parasailing Tour

P5,745
per adult
Anna Maria Island & Bradenton Beach Parasailing Tour
Robinson Preserve Mangrove Tour

Robinson Preserve Mangrove Tour

P3,192
per adult
Robinson Preserve Mangrove Tour
Picture 4 for Activity Bradenton: Anna Maria Island Guided Kayaking Manatee Tour

Bradenton: Anna Maria Island Guided Kayaking Manatee Tour

P3,192
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Bradenton: Anna Maria Island Guided Kayaking Manatee Tour
St. Pete Dolphin Watching and Shelling Adventure

St. Pete Dolphin Watching and Shelling Adventure

P2,507
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
St. Pete Dolphin Watching and Shelling Adventure
Anna Maria Island: The Island Kayak Tour

Anna Maria Island: The Island Kayak Tour

P3,772
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Anna Maria Island: The Island Kayak Tour
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

P4,657
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Island Sunset and Skyway Light Show - 3hr Boat Cruise in St. Pete
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Top hotels in Palma Sola

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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (5,048 reviews)
Good staff nice room good service price was great

Reviewed on Feb 26, 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
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! (2,299 reviews)
Large, clean room. Super nice staff. Super responsive. Comfy bed. Great location.

Reviewed on Feb 26, 2026

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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 P17,063 per night from Mar 1 to Mar 2
P17,063
P22,856 total
Mar 1 - Mar 2
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! (1,658 reviews)
Our refrigerator never worked. It leaked onto the floor. We did not have hot water one day. The beds were comfortable.

Reviewed on Feb 26, 2026

RumFish Beach at TradeWinds
Island Grand at TradeWinds

Island Grand at TradeWinds

4 out of 5
5500 Gulf Blvd St. Pete Beach FL
The price is P15,596 per night from Mar 1 to Mar 2
P15,596
P21,198 total
Mar 1 - Mar 2
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 ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,020 reviews)
Great time

Reviewed on Feb 26, 2026

Island Grand at TradeWinds
Tropical Beach Resorts

Tropical Beach Resorts

3.5 out of 5
6717 Sara Sea Circle Siesta Key FL
The price is P15,334 per night from Mar 4 to Mar 5
P15,334
P18,823 total
Mar 4 - Mar 5
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (5,330 reviews)
Clean nice location but it’s a short walk to beach

Reviewed on Feb 26, 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P16,574 per night from Mar 11 to Mar 12
P16,574
P20,353 total
Mar 11 - Mar 12
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! (1,962 reviews)
Room was too small to have 2 queen beds. The one nearer the window had the AC unit protruding into the room leaving insufficient space to fit My leg. The opposite bed had only a few more inches clearance. Should have single king bed

Reviewed on Feb 26, 2026

Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Anna Maria Sound
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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

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

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