Manatee

A Bradenton Florida Day Trip to the Largest Natural History Museum on the Gulf and a Nature Walk through Paradise at Emerson Point Preserve

Turtle Crossing

What a fun filled day today was!  Unexpected day of F. U. N.  as my friend Sandy says!  A trip to Bradenton in Florida for a museum visit, a sweet treat stop and then a nature walk!

The Bishop Museum Bradenton The Bishop Museum Bradenton

Our first stop was to The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in Bradenton, Florida, which happens to be the largest natural history museum on Florida's Gulf Coast. The expansive diversity inside The Bishop is quite impressive!  

The Bishop Museum Bradenton The Bishop Museum Bradenton

This museum is home to a manatee rehabilitation center so you can view these gentle giants up close, but also see exhibits and artifacts on Florida history pertaining to the sea, the land animals and the first explorers.  Then view artifacts from pottery to cameras to an old Model T Ford car.  Did I mention the array of diversity this museum has?

Oh but wait... there's more!  They have a planetarium with 20 minute shows of the stars and beyond.  There's so much more to see at The Bishop but I don't want to give it all away... so go see for yourself!  The very easy on the wallet admission price helps with the manatees... so be a good citizen and go!  ($25-2023)

D's Cravings Cafe

After the history lesson, stars and manatees, head for treats at D's Cravings Cafe! Coffee, smoothies, sweet treats or break for lunch burgers!  I opted for a gluten free brownie and no... I would not have guessed this brownie was missing anything!

Time to work off those sweet treats with an unforgettable hike!

Emerson Point Preserve

Emerson Point Preserve is a 365 acre preserve located at the tip of Snead Island in western Palmetto in between the Skyway bridge and Bradenton.

This Preserve is a paradise for nature walks, biking or kayaking and offers spectacular views of the Skyway Bridge!

Emerson Point Preserve Emerson Point Preserve

Nooks can be found around every corner. A nook to drop your canoe or kayak. A nook to hoist a hammock over the water.  Nooks that lead to dirt path trails and bridges covered in trees! There's even a nook that leads to an observation tower for Skyway Bridge views.  Today's adventure wasn't long enough to find all the nooks but I will be back for certain!

Emerson Point Preserve Emerson Point Preserve

Yes, this day trip is absolutely going in my Pen Pal Adventure Book!

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The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature: www.bishopscience.org 

Sweet treats: www.dscravingscafe.com 

Emerson Point Preserve: https://www.bradentongulfislands.com/places/168/emerson-point-preserve 

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1 comment

Looks like it was an amazing day! Will definitely add it to my “must see” list next time 😃

Lucia Rae

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