Welcome to Bradenton, Florida in Manatee county, including Palmetto and the barrier islands of Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island which include the towns of Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach, all located on the South West Coast of Florida. With year-round sunshine, a warm tropical climate, and water temperatures averaging 80 degrees, you'll find the Bradenton Area hard to resist.
Bradenton borders the north side of Florida hot-spot Sarasota. Bradenton is a perfect place for family vacations and offers a less expensive option to Sarasota and Longboat Key, it's just minutes from some of Florida's best beaches.
There’s plenty to do in Bradenton, making it a great spot to take a break from the beach. Visitors will find a vibrant downtown with restaurants, galleries and boutiques along with the South Florida Museum (home to Snooty, quite possibly the world’s most famous manatee) as well as a planetarium, science and natural history exhibits. Visitors can shop and explore Village of the Arts, a working artists’ community or check out Emerson Point Preserve archaeological site and Gamble Plantation (once a working antebellum sugar plantation), and the historic fishing village of Cortez. Just off of I-75, Ellenton Premium Outlets – with stores including Saks OFF 5th, COACH Factory, and more – is a must do for shoppers. The Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, near the outlet mall, offers a fun way to get out of the sun. 
Click here to see the over 60 golf courses within 20 miles.
Click here for more information on restaurants & Anna Maria Island.
Click here for more information on Bradenton, Florida - "The Friendly City".
Click here for more information on Sarasota, Florida.
Click here for a list of shops in St. Armands Circle.
Arts & Culture
Sarasota is home of The Ringling Art Museum and boasts a wide variety of activities our students can partake in. Check out more information here about Ringling and what it has to offer.
The Salvador Dali Museum is located 30 minutes from The Prep Academy in St. Petersburg, Florida. Here you can find contemporary art and explore the rich culture of the area.
Anna Maria Island - Gulf Coast Beaches
The Prep Academy is located 4 miles east of Anna Maria Island. Fun under the sun is available just minutes away at the historical local beaches Bradenton and Sarasota is known for.
Movie Theaters - Royal Palm & Oakmont 8
Interested in the latest movies? Be sure to check out these local attractions!
Local Sport & Attractions
Bradenton & Sarasota has a rich history local sports and is located within an hours drive of many professional sports teams including The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, The Tampa Bay Lightning and The Tampa Bay Rays. For more information about local attractions please click here.
Orlando, Florida is located 2 hours North East of The Prep Academy. The National Basketball Association's Orlando Magic compete against the worlds best players during half of the year.
Theme Parks
Tampa
Just over an hour west of SeaWorld Orlando near Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast, you'll find yourself on the edge of Africa at Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay.
Experience up-close encounters with amazing animals, take an unforgettable safari across the Serengeti Plains, test your courage on pulse-pounding roller coasters, take in a stage show, and colorful live entertainment all year long.
Orlando
Enchanting entertainment, classic attractions, beloved Disney Characters and spectacular parades and fireworks in a place where fairytale dreams can come true.
Go behind the scenes, beyond the screen, and jump right into the action of your favorite movies at Universal Studios®, the world's premier movie and TV based theme park.
See what goes on behind the scenes: SeaWorld Orlando's Behind-the-Scenes Tour times aren’t listed on the park map, so they’re easy to miss out on once you’re here. An insider’s tip? Book online ahead of time, or stop by the tour desk just inside the front gate.