Palma Sola Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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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.
Robinson Preserve is a 487 acre coastal and wetland habitat preserve in Bradenton, Florida.

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
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IMG Academy

Enjoy the student 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 trip 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

Activities

Picture 4 for Activity Bradenton: Anna Maria Island Guided Kayaking Manatee Tour

Bradenton: Anna Maria Island Guided Kayaking Manatee Tour

AU$78
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Bradenton: Anna Maria Island Guided Kayaking Manatee Tour
Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach: Parasailing Tour

Anna Maria Island & Bradenton Beach Parasailing Tour

AU$140
per adult
Anna Maria Island & Bradenton Beach Parasailing 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

AU$114
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Island Sunset and Skyway Light Show - 3hr Boat Cruise in St. Pete
Anna Maria Island: The Island Kayak Tour

Anna Maria Island: The Island Kayak Tour

AU$92
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Anna Maria Island: The Island Kayak Tour
Afternoon Parasailing Adventure above the Gulf of Mexico

Parasailing Adventure above the Gulf of Mexico

AU$135
per adult
Parasailing Adventure above the Gulf of Mexico
Clear Kayak LED Night Glass Bottom Tour - Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island - Clear Kayak LED Night Glass Bottom Tour

AU$92
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Anna Maria Island - Clear Kayak LED Night Glass Bottom Tour
See all activities in Bradenton

Our pick of the best Palma Sola Hotel Deals

Kompose Boutique Hotel

Kompose Boutique Hotel

3 out of 5
965 University Pkwy Sarasota FL
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Sarasota. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (5,147 reviews)
Very clean. Staff was great.

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2026

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Kompose Boutique Hotel
RumFish Beach at TradeWinds

RumFish Beach at TradeWinds

4 out of 5
6000 Gulf Blvd St. Pete Beach FL
The price is AU$515 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
AU$515
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in St. Pete Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 4 outdoor pools and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,695 reviews)
Overpriced for condition of the room . Staff very nice.

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2026

RumFish Beach at TradeWinds
Golden Host Resort - Sarasota

Golden Host Resort - Sarasota

3 out of 5
4675 N Tamiami Trl Sarasota FL
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Sarasota. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,349 reviews)
Clean room, friendly and easy check in.

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2026

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Golden Host Resort - Sarasota
SkyBeach Resort

SkyBeach Resort

4 out of 5
6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane St. Petersburg FL
The price is AU$428 per night from 25 Mar to 26 Mar
AU$428
25 Mar - 26 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in St. Petersburg. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, 2 restaurants and a private beach. Popular attractions Salvador Dali Museum and Fort De Soto ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (569 reviews)
Love the design of the lobby, the pool area, the plants and beach area were so pretty! The room was great too.

Reviewed on 15 Mar 2026

SkyBeach Resort
Island Grand at TradeWinds

Island Grand at TradeWinds

4 out of 5
5500 Gulf Blvd St. Pete Beach FL
The price is AU$530 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
AU$530
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in St. Pete Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 5 outdoor pools and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,051 reviews)
There was so much to do! I loved the pool and beach options. Your room comes with beach loungers and umbrellas that are set up for you by fabulous staff! There is a bar called Salty's right off the beach with awesome, fun drinks. There are several restaurants, including a higher end Italian restaurant ...

Reviewed on 17 Mar 2026

Island Grand at TradeWinds
Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Anna Maria Sound

Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Anna Maria Sound

4 out of 5
12324 Manatee Avenue West Bradenton FL
The price is AU$390 per night from 12 Apr to 13 Apr
AU$390
12 Apr - 13 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Bradenton. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,007 reviews)
Pool was very nice. Had some hardware issues that prevented a pool food order to be missed. Printer was down and so no tickets were hand written. One employee was very rude… forgot who the customer was and made excuses instead of apologies. She was a black spot on the one night stay. Front desk was ...

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2026

Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Anna Maria Sound
See all 17,251 properties in Palma Sola
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

Shore Acre Heights 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.

Shore Acre Heights
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Belair Bayou

When in Belair Bayou, you can plan a visit to The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Belair Bayou
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Harbor Hills

While Harbor Hills isn't home to many top sights, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

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

West Bradenton

While there might not be top attractions in West Bradenton, you can explore the larger area and discover places like The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park.

West Bradenton
Bradenton, Florida, USA Downtown on the Manatee River

River District

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in River District and surrounding area, you can visit The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and LECOM Park.

River District
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Pine Lakes

Though Pine Lakes may 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 Travel Guide

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