Bradenton ‘The Friendly City’ is located on the south bank of the mouth of the Manatee River separated from the barrier island of Anna Maria by the Intracoastal Waterway. Ideally located within easy reach of the Gulf beaches and its neighbor cities.
Shaw’s Point near Bradenton was discovered by Hernando DeSoto in1539. The first town in the area Manatee was incorporated in 1888. Bradentown, originally named after Dr. Joseph Braden, was the second area town incorporated in 1903. The City of Bradenton as it exists today was created in 1943 when the two towns of Manatee and Bradentown merged.
The downtown area of Bradenton is on the west side and runs along the bank of the river. Downtown includes many restaurants, music venues, stores and museums all within walking distance. Riverwalk runs along the Manatee River shore linking the many attractions and incorporates a walking and cycling trail, skate park, Beach Volleyball court, playground and a splash park as well as sitting areas to relax and watch the amazing sunset. The water front area includes the Manatee Players Riverfront Theater, the South Florida Museum and ArtCenter Manatee.
The Village of the Arts was created in the area south of downtown and was designated special zoning to allow the residents to live and work from their homes. This has enabled 50 of the original properties to have been converted into active studios and art galleries showcasing local talent. Bradenton was recently recognized by the magazine Art Calendar as one of the top 10 cities for working artists.
The Bradenton area is home to an eclectic collection of residents of all ages and offers a variety of properties from historic cottages to newly developed town houses and pool homes on the water.
