The Official 2008 RVers Guide to Florida - (Page 14) REGION 1 Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota counties M any of the experiences that make Florida unique are yours for the taking in SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. Couples and families alike will find everything from captivating island beaches and small-town charm to cultural and recreational offerings. Manatee County bears the marks of centuries of history, from the 16th-century landing of the Spaniards to the 19th-century planting of sugar cane. For a historical tour of the area, families should start at the South Florida Museum in downtown Bradenton. The two-story museum contains more than 50,000 square feet of exhibits, depicting the state’s history from prehistoric times to the Space Age. Next, travel to DeSoto National Memorial Park to see where Hernando DeSoto landed in 1539, beginning a four-year, 4,000-mile expedition that was the first European penetration into what is now the southern United States. For beach explorers, the nearby Gulf islands of Anna Maria and Longboat Key boast 27 miles of dazzling sand beaches unmarred by high-rise condominiums or hotels. Easily accessible water here, off Bradenton’s public beaches and at nearby Palmetto make boating, fishing, swimming and shelling popular pastimes. In addition, airboat rides offer an up-close look at the vibrant marine ecology of the Gulf islands. 2008 FRVTA RVers GUIDE TO FLORIDA Region 1 Southwest Florida 14
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