Blake Medical Center

Bradenton is a mainland city bordered on the north by the scenic Manatee River and on the west by Palma Sola Bay and expansive Tampa Bay. Appearance-wise, it’s true Florida suburbia: The land is level and green, dotted with freshwater lakes, and decorated with towering palms and cultivated tropical blooms.

Visitors will find a vibrant downtown with restaurants, galleries, shops and the South Florida Museum, which includes a planetarium and aquarium (home to Snooty, quite possibly the world’s most famous manatee).