Spring training and the nearby Gulf beaches attract visitors to Bradenton. Art and historical attractions as well as golfing are other opportunities for visitors to Bradenton.
The De Soto National Memorial commemorates Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. Costumed interpreters present living history demonstrations including the crossbow and firing the arquebus in a 16th century setting. The park describes the De Soto expedition, Spanish values and the clash with native values that were encountered.
Shoreline at Hernando de Soto's base camp in Bradenton.
De Soto National Memorial commemorates the expedition of Hernando De Soto in 1539. This particular Entrada (Spanish for first expedition and conquest of a country) began when de Soto and 622 Spanish conquistadors, 220 horses and a pack of vicious war dogs landed in La Florida.
Address: DeSoto National Memorial, Box 15390, Bradenton, FL 34280-5390, United States
Phone: 1 (941) 792-0458, Fax: 1 (941) 792-5094
Hunsader Farms began in 1967 when three brothers came to Florida to try their hand at growing vegetables in the sunny south. A petting zoo and educational field trips were added to the agricultural activities available at Hunsader Farms. 1992 saw the addition of the Pumpkin Festival and Country Christmas, while the Spring Festival and Civil War Battle Re-enactment were added in 1996.
An 1860 courthouse, 1887 church, 1912 settler's house, 1903 general store and 1908 one-room schoolhouse are included in Manatee Village Historical Park.
Address: Manatee Village Historical Park, 1404 Manatee Avenue East, Bradenton, FL 34208, United States
Phone: 1 (941) 749-7165, Fax: 1 (941) 708-5924
Hours:
9am-4:30pm; Closed: Sun, Sat
Tips: Open 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month 10am-4:30pm.