Bradenton, Florida, located on the south bank of the Manatee River, is a friendly and picturesque city on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Bradenton was named after Dr. Joseph Braden, whose fortress like house was a refuge for settlers in the 19th Century. The modern city of Bradenton was established in 1943 when the towns of Manatee and Bradentown merged. Downtown offers much to experience: the South Florida Museum, the Bishop Planetarium, the Parker Manatee Aquarium, and the River Walk, a 1.5 mile green space. Other local attractions include the Manatee Village Historical Park and the Village of the Arts, a working artists community. Residents and visitors alike enjoy a plethora of shopping options, golf courses, Pittsburgh Pirates spring training, and easy access to Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach, and Holmes Beach. The climate of Bradenton is considered subtropical, from the warm humid summer days capped off with cooling showers, to the sun soaked and breezy days of winter.
