| kids 17 and under stay free with an adult family member. 5 miles from downtown bradenton and 8. the straightforward rooms include wifi (fee) and tvs with expanded cable channels, while some also have microwaves and minifridges. theres an outdoor pool in addition to free morning coffee and parking. adjacent to interstate 75, this unpretentious budget lodging is also a 5. 8 miles from lake manatee state park. check-in time: 3:00 pmcheck-out time: 11:00 am. 3-mile drive from ellenton premium outlets, 6
Tampa International Airport 50 min
Ca' d'Zan (27 min)
Once home to the Ringlings, this circa-1924 mansion draws inspiration from the palazzos of Venice. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art (24 min)
State art museum founded by the circus magnate with 31 galleries in a pink Renaissance-style palace. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature (14 min)
A planetarium, aquarium & history museum under 1 roof with dioramas & films. Mixon Fruit Farms (11 min)
Citrus grove with a play park, alligator encounters & a store serving orange flavored ice cream. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus (28 min)
Showcase for thousands of tropical plants, plus a conservatory & garden museum, in a historic space. Sarasota Classic Car Museum (24 min)
Venerable site showing 90+ classic, exotic & muscle cars, plus antique music boxes & phonographs. Florida Railroad Museum (19 min)
Transport history told in interactive exhibits & a 13-mile weekend ride, plus locomotive rentals. Sarasota Bay (37 min)
Named an estuary of national significance, this subtropical, coastal lagoon is popular for kayaking. Nathan Benderson Park (16 min)
600-acre park on a lake with rowing facilities, including a boathouse & regatta center. DeSoto National Memorial Park (25 min)
Nod to the famed explorer's landing site with living-history camp, exhibits, shore & nature trails. Sarasota Jungle Gardens (26 min)
Historic attraction featuring more than 150 animals & shows in a tropical setting. Gamble Plantation Historic State Park (11 min)
Florida's only surviving plantation home, circa 1840, set on lush grounds & open for guided tours. Lake Manatee State Park (18 min)
This waterfront park offers freshwater boating & fishing, plus camping (though no actual manatees). Tibbals Learning Center at The Ringling (25 min)
Ringling Circus archives, with historical documents, costume drawings & art (by appointment). Big Cat Habitat Gulf Coast Sanctuary (20 min)
Animal sanctuary home to big cats & other wild species offering animal encounters & seasonal hours. | 
