It’s your day off from school and you live in Bradenton… What do you do with your free time?  

Bradenton, traditionally, has been subject to a familiar complaint: There’s nothing fun to do!  However, after a closer look at what our town has to offer, The Gauntlet has found that good old Bradenton may have more to offer than one may think.

Feeling active and adventurous? Try Bradenton’s GT Bray Park, explore Anna Maria Island and it’s beautiful beaches, play a round of golf, or go for a run at DeSoto National Park or Robinson Preserve. Or go even further: rent jet skis or a boat; go on a fishing trip or schedule a day to go parasailing.

GT Bray is a good way to spend one of our nice Florida days outside. The park offers many different things to do depending on how you’re feeling that day. GT Bray has a gym to work out in, tennis courts, swimming pools, baseball fields, many different sports leagues you can sign up for, and well-maintained fields for anyone to use. By either membership or day pass, GT Bray charges a small fee to use their gym, pools, and tennis courts, but their Baseball and open fields are free. Bray’s fields are supplied with disk golfing courses and soccer goals, creating a fun time with friends.

Anna Maria is a fun little island in Bradenton that attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists each year and for a good reason. Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island has the best island beach sand in the United States and are known to be the fifth-best in the world, according to the Conde Nast Traveler. This is an amazing place to get some sun while enjoying some well spent hours with friends.

De Soto National Park and Robinson’s Preserve are two coastal locations that make for a fun place to stay active. The variety of wildlife and scenery at these parks won’t let you down, making your run/walk that much more interesting.

Bradenton also has a multitude of golf courses to fit what you’re looking for. Manatee County Golf Course is a very inexpensive, easy course, which couples well with the average golfer just looking for some casual fun. IMG’s golf course, by contrast, gives the golfer a challenge with a higher quality course.Though better, IMG’s golf course doesn’t come without the expense. You pay for what you get, so depending on what you want, Bradenton has the course to fit your needs. If playing out on a course is too much for you, try one of Bradenton’s many mini golfing courses.

Being in Bradenton, it’s hard not to take advantage of the beautiful water we’re surrounded by. If you don’t own a boat or jet ski, try renting one for the day. Going out and enjoying Bradenton’s weather on the water is one of the most special things Bradenton has to offer. Nothing will make your day go by faster than being out on the water with friends. If boating isn’t your thing, but you’re still looking for an adventure with the water, schedule a time to go parasailing. Parasailing is a fun way to combine an adrenaline filled adventure with the beauties of Bradenton’s water.

Though Bradenton receives a lot of hate, there is more to Bradenton than you may think. With friends, making Bradenton a fun place to grow up in is easy, so enjoy it!