The first “Bradenton Courthouse Square Concert” will be on Friday, Jan. 9, on the Manatee County Courthouse Square, located at Manatee Avenue West between 10th and 12th streets. The concerts will run from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Friday and feature a different musical performance each week.

Citizens and business professionals are welcome to grab a bite to eat from one of downtown Bradenton’s restaurants, or bring your lunch from home and swing by Courthouse Square and enjoy the entertainment.

Some tables and chairs will be provided, and there are park benches on the courthouse grounds. The concerts are free.

Anyone showing up with a valid ID including proof of birth date will get a free ticket on that date in 2009 for one of the theme parks at Disney World. Visitors can register in advance online at disneyparks.com and read the rules. Or they can just show up at the gate with a photo ID as birth date proof. A free birthday ticket amounts to a $75 discount.

If you are interested in living in a golf community it would be our pleasure to find a golf course property that is ideal for you!

Manatee County Golf Courses

Bradenton Country Club

El Conquistador Country Club

Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club

Links at Greenfield Plantation

Manatee County Golf Course

Peridia Golf & Country Club

Pinebrook Ironwood Golf Course

River Club Golf Course

River Run Golf Links

Stoneybrook Golf Club

Waterlefe Golf & River Club

Sarasota County Golf Courses

Bent Tree Country Club

Bobcat Trail Golf

Boca Royale Country Club

Concession Golf & Country Club

Founders Club

Heritage Oaks Golf & Country club

Heron Creek Golf & Country Club

Jacaranda West Country Club

Laurel Oak Country Club

Lemon Bay Club

Longboat Key Club

Meadows Country Club

Misty Creek country Club

Myakka Pines Golf Club

Oak Ford Golf Club

Oaks Club

Oyster Creek Golf & Country Club

Palm Aire Country Club

Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club

Plantation Golf & Country

Rolling Green Golf Club

Sara Bay Country Club

Sarasota Golf Club

Venetian Golf & River Club

Canoe & Kayak Tours - Thonotosassa

Escape to nature and enjoy a canoe/kayak trip on Hillsborough River. Hillsborough River is one of the best rivers in the state to observe wildlife. Watch the birds, turtles and aligators along the river. Average canoe trips range from two hours to a full day. You will definitely have a lot of fun!

Sponge Docks - Tarpon Springs

The “sponge capital of the world” is still alive at the original sponge docks where sponge boats berth alongside authentic Greek restaurants, shops and bakeries. Shop in more than 100 stores, including originals still owned by the founding families. Eat at more than 15 restaurants, including eateries such as Pappas, which are internationally known. Take cruises down the Anclote River, go deep-sea fishing, visit the Coral Sea Aquarium, see a movie depicting the sponge industry and gawk at the authentic sponge boats that are still in use. The town is known for celebrating such things as Greek Independence Day in March and an arts and crafts festival in April. But by far the most noteworthy event takes place every January 6 with the Epiphany ceremony, an old Greek Orthodox rite.

Bush Gardens - Tampa

Combining thrill rides with wonderful animal attractions, a trip to Busch Gardens will fascinate everyone in the family. The theme park is divided into nine different areas fashioned after locations in Africa. It features some of the nation’s best roller coasters. The park has also devoted considerable attention to wild-animal rescue and attractions. Visitors can observe lions, giraffes, hippos, gorillas and other creatures from the safety of the Serengeti Railway, walkways or the Skyride. Adults without kids have the luxury of enjoying some of the cultural shows, whether performed right on the street or in a theater. Later, enjoy a free beer sample and stay for pizza and deli sandwiches, jazz and ragtime open-air music.

Bradenton and Sarasota are not only famous for their beautiful nature and golf courses, they also offer a broad range of historical attractions, museums or theaters. Sarasota is home to The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. You will also find a multitude of art galleries lining the streets and one of the finest art schools in the world, Ringling School of Art and Design. Music and film are also important venues of creativity in Sarasota.

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 

Sarasota

Florida Studio Theatre

Sarasota

Sarasota Film Festival 

Sarasota

Golden Apple Dinner Theatre 

Sarasota

Asolo Repertory Theatre 

Sarasota

Towles Court Arts District Sarasota 

Sarasota

Circus Sarasota 

Sarasota

Players Theatre 

Sarasota

Manatee Players 

Bradenton

Sarasota Opera 

Sarasota

Sarasota Ballet 

Sarasota

Ringling Museum 

Sarasota

South Florida Museum 

Bradenton

Sarasota Jungle Gardens 

Sarasota

Crowley Museum & Nature Center 

Sarasota

Mote Marine Laboratory 

Sarasota

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 

Sarasota

Village of the Arts 

Bradenton

Art Center Manatee 

Bradenton

Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum 

Parrish

Banyan Theatre 

Sarasota

DeSoto Museum 

Bradenton

]]> http://www.bradentonbroker.com/2008/hanging-around-not-knowing-what-to-do-here-you-find-great-area-attractions/feed/ http://www.bradentonbroker.com/2007/bradenton/ http://www.bradentonbroker.com/2007/bradenton/#comments Wed, 28 Mar 2007 21:09:23 +0000 bea http://weissinternational.com/bb.com/?p=155 Bradenton is the largest city in Manatee County.

Located just south of Tampa Bay, the Bradenton Area is a fabulous place to explore historical attractions, fishing adventures, golfing excursions and shopping diversions. Go to Myakka State Park, visit the South Florida Museum or the De Soto National Memorial to see real Florida. Have fun in the sun, enjoy the beach and all types of water and boat adventures!

Regarding real estate - in Bradenton you discover a mix of old town, beach front properties and new construction. Whether you are looking for a single family home, condo, villa, duplex, handy man, investment property or a vacation home, you are sure to find what you are looking for at Bradenton. The median sales price for a single family home is about $300,000, but you find properties in every price range. Bradenton is a beautiful city and a wonderful relocation option.

Bradenton is served by the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, but you can also fly into Tampa International airport. Bradenton is connected to St. Petersburg, Florida by the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

Bradenton is home to numerous businesses, including Tropicana and Champs Sports, and is host to many fun family attractions.

Bradenton is also home to the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. If you are interested in professional tennis, you’ve probably heard about Nick Bollettieri. If not, you may know the names Boris Becker, Andre Agassi, Anna Kornikova, Monica Seles or the Williams sisters. At the IMG Academy you can get tennis lessons from a host of famous pros.

Colleges near Bradenton include Manatee Community College, Lake Erie College of Osteopathetic Medicine (LECOM) and Manatee Technical Institute.

The Bradenton area is surrounded by miles of waterways. Along the Gulf of Mexico and at the Tampa Bay are over 20 miles of fine Florida beaches. The swimming, boating and fishing activities available in Bradenton and the surrounding locations make this also a great recreational area.

Bradenton is separated from the outer barrier islands of Anna Maria and Longboat Key by the Intracoastal Waterway.

The residents of Bradenton have all the benefits offered by nearby cities like Sarasota and St. Petersburg, while living in a quiet, charming and still affordable area.

The Island of Anna Maria, Manatee County, Florida, is located 40 miles south of Tampa and seven miles west of Bradenton. You can reach the amenities of Bradenton within just a few minutes or the city of Sarasota within 30 minutes.

Anna Maria Island is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico on the west, Tampa Bay on the east and Sarasota Bay to the south. It is offering white sandy un-crowded beaches, as well as gorgeous sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.

Anna Maria Island is comprised of three very unique cities. Anna Maria City - which is located at the northern end - is mainly residential, Holmes Beach - which is located at the center of the island - is both residential and business oriented, and Bradenton Beach - which occupies the southernmost third of Anna Maria Island - is residential and tourist oriented. All three cities offer a relaxed and friendly island lifestyle. Strict zoning laws address the size and type of buildings, and the use of the land. City governments protect the Island ambiance, high-rises are prohibited.

Many of the Anna Maria Island property owners are part-time residents. Anna Maria’s population triples during the winter season.

Smarter Travel reports that Anna Maria Island is among the top 5 hidden and affordable beach destinations in the U.S and Canada:

The Town of Lonboat Key lies within two counties. The northern portion of Longboat Key is in Manatee County and the southern portion is in Sarasota County. Stretching eleven miles between the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay, Longboat Key provides an ideal beach and bayfront setting.

On Longboat Key you will find lots of condos and resorts, as well as single family homes and gated communities. It offers residents a secure and private lifestyle.

Longboat Key provides an ideal beach and bayfront setting for the ultimate Florida lifestyle. It also offers numerous excellent restaurants.

Tennis and golf enthusiasts will appreciate first class facilities on the island. Longboat Key is the only barrier island in the Sarasota area with a golf course.

The Longboat Key Club is open to both visiting tourists and club members, and features an indoor restaurant, an outdoor restaurant, a pool, resort buildings, several golf courses, tennis courts, and easy access to an adjacent gulfside beach. The club is expertly decorated in various flora, and the grounds of it are, of course, extremely well maintained.

Sarasota provides lots of cultural life and leisure activities, and offers its residents a superb quality of life.

Have fun in the sun at the beautiful beaches or enjoy a luxurious nightlife with the finest waterfront dining. Sarasota also is a true boaters’ paradise aswell as a golfer’s dream coming true as it features numerous beautiful golf courses.

Recognized as the cultural center of the state of Florida since the early 1920s, artists of many disciplines have been attracted to the community in great numbers. Sarasota is home to The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. You will also find a multitude of art galleries lining the streets and one of the finest art schools in the world, Ringling School of Art and Design. Theater, music and film are also important venues of creativity in Sarasota.

Furthermore you will find a friendly business environment. The business market is booming in southern Florida. Low unemployment and an active incentive program attracts and keeps businesses in the area.

Sarasota real estate is prime on the West Coast of Florida and according to Money Magazine, ranks among the nation’s 15 most desirable areas to live. Sarasota neighborhoods range from oceanfront condo developments, to luxury golf communities, to historic downtown streets lined with classically styled homes.

The city is home to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (also known by its IATA designation, SRQ) which serves both Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Colleges in Sarasota include New College of Florida, a highly acclaimed public liberal arts college which serves as the honors college for the state; Ringling School of Art and Design, a school of visual arts and design; and a satellite campus of both Eckerd College (based in St. Petersburg) and University of South Florida (based in Tampa). Several two-year colleges include Sarasota County Technical Institute and Keiser College of Sarasota.

Lakewood Ranch encompasses over 5,000 homes within five residential villages, each with its own neighborhoods and unique amenities. Business centers known as Town Center, Corporate Park, and Commerce Park total over 3,000,000 square feet of commercial office space. All areas are conveniently located in close proximity to international airports, I-75, and major roads within the Lakewood Ranch community.

From preschool through college, Lakewood Ranch residents and their families enjoy quality learning facilities within walking distance of their homes including five of the county’s best public schools. The Out of Door Academy (a well-known private school), Manatee Technical Institute (MTI), Manatee Community College (MCC) and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) are located within close proximity to residential neighborhoods. In addition, the University of South Florida (USF) and New College are located in Sarasota within 15 miles of the Lakewood Ranch area.

With half of the land set aside for recreation and open space, the selection of activities at Lakewood Ranch is virtually endless. Championship golf courses, a private membership club, neighborhood lakes, community parks and nature preserves offer many opportunities for outdoor fun. Included in this unique environment is the region’s most extensive trail system with more than 100 miles for residents to enjoy walking, jogging or biking throughout the community.

Golf enthusiasts will enjoy the approximately 25 golf courses within a 25 minute drive from Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota. However, in the Lakewood Ranch community there is the private Lakewood Ranch Country Club with 36 holes of golf designed by Arnold Palmer and the Legacy Golf Course designed by Palmer that is open to the public.

The community also features world-class polo fields, a tennis club with 18 clay courts, and a fitness center with two pools and a daycare. All facilities and residential areas are connected to the Lakewood Ranch town center via a network of quiet trails and bike paths.

Lakewood Ranch is located on the county line of Sarasota and Manatee counties on Florida’s west coast. Its proximity to I-75 (exits 213, 217 and 220) makes it the perfect location to reach other Florida destinations north, south, east or west with easy access to two international airports and two seaports.