From sun and surf to homage and art walks, there’s no shortage of awesome things to do or see in Bradenton, FL, this Memorial Day Weekend. Whether you want to spend the weekend enjoying quality time with friends and family, paddling Manatee County’s many waterways, or attending an event to honor those who have served, there is something to encourage, excite, and awaken your sense of discovery nearby. Adventure is waiting, so get moving.
Memorial Day Weekend Activities in Bradenton
1. Bradenton Farmers’ Market and Riverwalk
Are you searching for a great community event that is rich in culture and big on camaraderie? Come together with your neighbors at the Bradenton Farmer’ Market. Pick up fresh eggs, meat, produce, and seafood or take in a cooking demonstration by local chefs. Our top tip? Snag a jar of honey from the Pure Florida Apiary stand. Not only is it a sweet treat worth its weight in gold, local honey can also help reduce seasonal allergies so you can spend more time outside this spring.
Once you’re done at the Farmers’ Market, make your way to the Bradenton Riverwalk to view public art installations, join in a beach volleyball match, or let your kids cool off at the Family Fun Zone splash pad and fountain. If you’re into skateboarding, grab your deck and hit the rails at the skate park designed by award-winning Team Pain Skate Parks.
2. Scuba Diving
Can you think of a better way to spend Memorial Day Weekend than exploring shipwrecks and coral reefs under the sea? Pretty epic if you ask us. Charter a boat to dive the South Jack Wreck, St. Pete Beach Reef, or Bay Ronto. And if you’re up for a real adventure, sign on for a night dive with one of Bradenton’s many established dive shops.
Not certified? No worries. Spend the weekend getting NAUI certified at Scuba Quest on Manatee Ave. The beginner’s course includes all classroom and pool sessions, plus four open water dives on a US Coast Guard approved vessel.
3. Paddle Manatee County
This Memorial Day Weekend, grab your paddleboard, kayak, or canoe and put in on the Manatee or Braden Rivers for a few days of fun in the sun. Launch your boat at Braden River Park or Jigg’s Landing and then hit the water to explore Manatee County’s 75 miles of interconnected waterways. Make your way to Terra Ceia Preserve State Park for a picnic or paddle out to Anna Maria Island for a visit to the historic Cortez Fishing Village.
4. Zip Lining Adventure Course
Do you have a need for speed and an appetite for altitude? Give zip lining a try! TreeUmph! Adventure Course is an elevated obstacle course offering treetop challenges for ages 7 and up. Test your courage on wobbly bridges, Tarzan swings, cargo nets, tight ropes, and 11 different zip lines. Best of all, TreeUmph! courses are designed to minimize root damage, which means you can have your fun without having to worry about negatively impacting the natural environment.
5. Memorial Day Ceremony
Saving the best, and perhaps most important for last, be sure to pay homage to the fallen service women and men of the armed forces this Memorial Day. Join us in commemorating the contributions and sacrifices of these American heroes at 9 a.m. on Memorial Day at Veterans’ Monument Park for the Manatee Memorial Day Ceremony.
Make it Happen
Gear up for Memorial Day Weekend by visiting your Bradenton self storage unit at StorQuest Self Storage. Whether picking up tanks for a scuba adventure in Bradenton Bay or retrieving your standup paddleboard for a weekend navigating the Manatee County waterways, StorQuest is here to help you make it happen.