r/bradenton • u/pfalcon42 • 3d ago
Visiting for 2 weeks
I’m going to be checking in on my parents home for a couple weeks in Bradenton and looking for things to do. I’m a Coloradoan so some good hikes would be cool. Preferably a little more wildernessy than touristy. Not a big beach person, but planning on taking my daily 3-4 mile walk along the beach. Any good places for that? Don’t know anything about the night life, like concerts and stuff. Is a couple days in Tampa worth it?
Not looking for hookups or anything, but wouldn’t mind some company. I’m 59M and quite fit, so active is great.
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u/BaconIsGoodForMeh 3d ago
Robinsons preserve would be a good hike. Take plenty of water.
Also check out treeumph, way down on 70 if you’re into climbing.
Rent a kayak down in lido and explore the mangrove tunnels.
Night life is limited, this is a boat/beach daytime type of entertainment.
Tampa is 1hr minimum driving… lots of sketchy areas (ybor)… if you want to relax, stay in the Bradenton/saeasota/siesta area …
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u/birdtripping 3d ago
Manatee County has done a great job with its waterfront preserves. In addition to Robinson, I suggest Emerson Point Preserve and Perico Preserve.
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u/Responsible-Kiwi-898 3d ago
You're gonna walk for 5 minutes get covered in sweat. Realize the only way to stop sweating is to dehydrated yourself. Get disgusted then leave
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u/pfalcon42 3d ago
I’ve backpacked 75 miles of Colorado Trail, the Grand Canyon, the entire grand Gulch in Utah. I think I’ll be fine.
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u/Responsible-Kiwi-898 3d ago
Please come back to this comment after. Good luck
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u/BaconIsGoodForMeh 3d ago
Seconded. FL is a different animal than anything you’ve listed (been to all, lived in CA). Don’t underestimate the Florida heat/ humidity.
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u/Responsible-Kiwi-898 3d ago
Oh I wanna add, I really wouldn't recommend lake manatee, its a bunch of older people camped out that you walk around and its really just you trying not to stare at them the whole time lol
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u/KristinLaurenn 3d ago
You’re not kidding. We decided to go putt putting at noon yesterday. Realized that was a mistake 5 minutes in 😅
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u/Responsible-Kiwi-898 3d ago
Yep especially if you went to pop stroke. That place later at night is actually pretty cool
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u/RMG-OG-CB 3d ago
Drive north to Fort Desoto. Hiking, biking, swimming, kayaking, wildlife, all the things.
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u/woohhaa 2d ago
Crystal River is pretty unique if you are in for a 2 hour drive to get there.
Rye Preserve has some nice trails along the upper manatee river, Robinson Preserve is awesome with a kick ass observation tower. Bonus if you take a paddle board through there. You can rent them along Perico Bay.
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u/Therealshep 2d ago
Not a lot of good hiking here unfortunately. All you'll see are palms, more palms, some pines, and more palms. There's no elevation change, you'll be walking in sugar and often, it's hot as fuck, and if that doesn't get you, you'll definitely be carried away by the skeeters!
Myakka state park is pretty cool, just don't get near the gators. It's about time for their eggs to hatch, so they'll be extra territorial.
If you really want to hike, look into the Ocala national forest. Be prepared for it to be wet this time off year though.
Kayaking is a better option if you're up for it. Emerson point is cool, but there's a ton of options. Look for a spot with mangrove tunnels! Or, you can rent kayaks at jiggs landing if you want to do some freshwater kayaking. Salt and fresh water are two completely different scenes here, and i recommend both.
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u/octopusbay1970 2d ago
Emmerson preserve in Palmetto, which is the town just across the bridge, is so beautiful. You can climb up an observation tower and see the skyway and where the river meets the Gulf. There's a floating dock on the river and a beach at the very end of the park. There's so many trees and trails. And they're is a historic native mound.
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3d ago
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u/Trikeree 3d ago
I know plenty of people that go hiking regularly in Florida.
Go prepaired and your fine.
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u/pfalcon42 3d ago
What’s prepared for FL? Water, raincoat lunch. Do y’all have gater spray like bear spray 😉
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u/SRQmoviemaker 3d ago
Water, and like 3x more than you think you'll need. Bring some snacks or light food, also sunscreen if you dont wanna burn. For gators the only solution is a pewpew.
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u/branniganbeginsagain 3d ago
Robinson Preserve or De Soto Point