Bradenton Attractions

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.

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.

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.