Laurie in Bradenton, any suggestions?

**Kimberlina** · 07-25-2006, 01:22 PM

I am seriously thinking about telling DH we are just going to go to Bradenton to see his grandparents whether we can afford it or not.

If we do go, it will probably be mid September or October. We don't want to travel too far to go anywhere super-special, but do you have any suggestions for things to do around the Bradenton area? We will, of course, go to the beach near them, but I don't know what else we will do with two 85 year olds for 5 or 6 days, so we will need to make plans to do things ourselves. Any thoughts?

Thanks!!

**Kimberlina** · 07-26-2006, 09:46 AM

Bumping for Laurie.

**SewCrafty** · 07-26-2006, 10:15 AM

Kimberly, hopefully my Mom will see this too, as her and Dad stay in Bradenton when they go to Florida each year.

I know she will tell you to be careful driving, those old people down there don't pay a lot of attention to what they are doing on the road!

**Kimberlina** · 07-26-2006, 01:43 PM

True enough about the driving- I had to do all the driving last time we went (2 years ago) and I was VERY wary of other drivers. Last time we went, though, we had DH's whole family there (from NY, FL, CA, and England) so we were busy the whole time. This time, it will just be us and his grandparents. We looked at Busch Gardrns but it would cost $150 for just one day. (DD is 3 now and in someones twisted mind, that merits a FULL PRICE ticket.)

**Kimberlina** · 07-26-2006, 01:44 PM

And as a PS, wouldn't it be so funny if they lived in the same place? LOl

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 07-26-2006, 04:07 PM

Dear Kim,

Sorry I missed your post yesterday, long day at work.

Whats to do lets see?? The beach is always good althought I never go. Haha
have lived all my life here and don't find it special anymore. But for someone whos coming for a visit its always good. Our weather will still be hot so plan for morning and evening outside things and afternoons inside out of the heat.
A really good day can be spent just south of the Sarasota Airport at Jungle Gardens. No fancy rides like Bush Gardens but lots of cool animals and plants.
Our elementary schools always take the kids and my DD 12 enjoyed it. I'll see about finding out about price. Something that I always do when I have relatives come from Wisconsin is take them up to Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks for a day. The boat ride out is lots of fun and its neat to see the diver go down for the sponges. Then the shops along the docks are intresting and the food is great. We alway eat a Hella's on the porch so you can watch the other tourists pass by. We usually lose a whole day there between the ride up about an hour the sponge ride and eating and walking the shops.
Myakka State Park is a great place to see true Florida wildlife. Gators and wading birds abound. And the fall is a good time as the birds are coming back from up north. There are several boardwalks and an elevated treewalk, althought its geared more to younger folks your older ones can hang out on the ground. I recomend a KFC or Subway lunch as the snack shack out there is alittle expensive. If you've got bikes it a great place to spend a day riding.
But to putt along in the car is also nice. Bring your bug spray as we won't have had our first freeze and the bugs will still be bad.
Highlands Hammock State Park is also a great day trip. Sebring is only about an hour east of here and the ride over is really nice. More boardwalks and a great loop drive.
Arcadia is a nice place to spend a day wandering in and out of antique and junkque shops. Good tearoom for lunch.
The Howard Plant Museum in Tampa is always worth the ride up to Tampa.
Mote Marine on Longboat Key is another great day trip. walking on St. Armands Circle is an intresting way to spend an evening but don't eat there come back into town where its cheaper.
Wildcat rescue is a half day trip to see the retired circus cats. Always exciting. Sometimes they have evening tours in the dark a real thriller!
Oh, speaking of evening things the Bishop Plantitium (?) is a fantastic way to spend a evening.
You MUST go out and have supper at Rotten Ralphs! Its a wonderful seafood resturant. Sit out back on the dock over the water just before sunset. Will be well worth the ride out. Have the fish and chips or the shrimp pasta both are excellant!
If you have the time the Ringling Museum is always a good place to visit especially if its a rainy day.
I'll dig around and see what discount coupons I've got your welcome to them.
Where are your grandparents? Do they live near me?
Hope this helps.
Laurie in Bradenton

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 07-26-2006, 04:11 PM

Oh, forgot a couple:

Ths Dali Museum in St. Pete and the Holocaust Museum in St.Pete. For the beach make the drive over the Sunshine Skyway to Ft. DeSoto or go Down to Siesta Key. Both have beautiful beaches and are little nicer than Bradenton Beach.

Laurie

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 07-27-2006, 05:22 PM

Well had one of those days when ideas just kept jumping into my head. So heres a few more suggestions

Bok Tower its a wonderful garden with a tower and a carillion. Just about an hour northeast of Bradenton near Lake Placid
MOSI - The Science and Industry Museum in Tampa currently has The Bodies Exibit WOW we made a girls day out for this from my grandmother 89 to my Daughter 12. Also mom, furture daughter-in-law and 2 sisters all loved it.
The Aquarium in Tampa Wonderful way to spend a day but don't bother with Channelside over priced.
Ybor City lots of intresting shops for poking in. Try the Columbia resturant its alittle pricy but the food is outstanding. Watch cigars being rolled. An evening visit is good the street is full of all type of college kids and music.
Some folks will say its dangerous but that only for folks out at 2 and 3 in the morning. Earlier is perfectly safe.
Lots of good flea markets are open on Sat and Sunday. I suggest Main Street in Sarasota on Sat. morning. The Red Barn is good for a Sunday as is the Big Top in Tampa. Wagonwheel in St. Pete.

Laurie in BRadenton

**Kimberlina** · 07-27-2006, 07:04 PM

Okay, here is a good reason not to have too many windows open at once. I typed this response to you late last night, Laurie, and never actually posted it. Then wondered where it was just now- found it still open in one of the 15 tabs I have opened up!

"Wow- thanks for all the great ideas, Laurie! I will definitely print them up and especially tell DH about the other beaches- I do remember thinking that the beach wasn't all that fabulous. (I am used to the meticulous beach in Cape May or Caribbean beaches, and the beach we went to just seemed a little...blah, but of course, even a blah beach is better than what we have here, which is none.)

They live on 10th Ave in Bradenton- a senior community. Is that near you?"

And thanks again for thinking about it today and coming up with more ideas!

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 07-28-2006, 07:53 AM

Bradenton is made up of Senior Communities! LOL
Take down my address and phone number so I can connect with you on discount coupons.
I don't mind it being seen by the world no big deal to me.

Laurie Galle
807 - 67th Ave. Ter. W.
Bradenton, Fl. 34207
941-737-6480

**Kimberlina** · 09-14-2006, 12:01 AM

Laurie, we're on our way soon! If my panic attacks aren't too bad, I'll try to give you a call. Thanks again for everything!!!!!!

**rebecca** · 09-14-2006, 06:30 AM

Laurie what do you think about the Ringling Brothers House. I think that would be a good idea for Kim to go to. I feel in love with the house, though definetely not a house for children, but the verenda right on top of the ocean was mind boggling to me. Also, the gardens and the museum where they have alot of famous artists paintings. Went about five years ago and fell in love with this place. There is the oyster bar she may want to go to in Bradenton. My mom lives in one of the senior communities about six months of the year. Can't think of the name of her community but it's a little town in itself. Has its own post office, swimming, activities, etc.,. It's not to far from the oyster bar restaurant. Just curious where you live in Bradenton. It's so beautiful down there. I was down in July and I loved it. Just wondering what your thoughts were on the above places that she could go to.

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 09-14-2006, 08:21 AM

I'll bet your grandmother lives in Trailer Estates! Its just up the street from the Oyster Bar and is a town to its self. Actually its just across US 41 from me. When the fire trucks went throught annoucning they had to evacuate we could hear it inside my house. The oyster bar is within walking distance.
I did send Kim some coupons and a travel book both had stuff on the Ringling Museum Complex. I'm not sure how old her kids are I think they maybe a bit young to enjoy it. Also told her about the "Locals" oyster bar. Its out on Anna Maria Island in the marina much more "Florida" and less expensive.
Next time your in town stop by for a glass of iced tea and a chat.

Laurie in BRadenton

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 09-14-2006, 08:26 AM

Kim,

You must have gotten the envelope I sent your way! Had another booklet and magazine article in it. Bring your umbrella as its raining here. Usually first thing in the am like now at 7:30 then in the later afternoon like 4ish. Also bring shorts as its still really warm.

Laurie in Bradenton

**Sara Noel** · 09-14-2006, 09:20 AM

I can second Tarpon Springs. My family is outside of Tampa and we always went there whenever we visited. Can check out the flea markets too. How far is Oldsmar? I think it was Red Barn flea market that is right there too, right?