Bradenton
There’s no shortage of stunning coastline in Florida, and the Sunshine State boasts some of the most captivating beach towns in the entire United States. From the easygoing charm of the Gulf Coast in the west to the popular Atlantic destinations in the east, each town has its own unique take on coastal living.
Located on Florida’s west coast, Bradenton boasts beautiful beaches with sugar-white sands, but it has also become a scenic hub for art, culture and cuisine. Founded in 1999, the town’s Village of the Arts is where local artisans make a splash creatively. The village is filled with galleries, shops and restaurants in cracker houses built by early Florida settlers, quaint bungalows and other structures painted in a rainbow of colors. The recent grand opening of the 252-room Palmetto Marriott Resort and Spa means locally caught seafood and stunning sunset views of the Gulf of Mexico are now served up daily on the property’s rooftop restaurant, just one of four at the hotel. The 1.5-mile Riverwalk in downtown is a popular gathering place for locals and tourists to stroll along the Manatee River.