Florida's Gulf Islands Visitors Guide® 2009 - (Page 26) TIME to spend the day with friends. Florida’s Gulf Islands are home to many beloved attractions, world-class art, cultural performances, indulgent day spas and must have shopping experiences you and your loved ones won’t want to miss. Museums & History ANNA MARIA ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUM 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria Island 941-778-0492, www.amihs.org The museum was an icehouse built in 1920. Exhibits include rare old photos, maps and vintage clothing. Photo opportunities in the old City Jail and tours of Historic Belle Haven Cottage and gardens. Allow 30-45 minutes. Map grid A-4. BRADEN CASTLE VILLAGE One Office Dr., 27th St. E., Bradenton 941-746-7700 The castle was once the heart of a rambling sugar plantation built by Joseph Addison Braden and his brother Hector in the 1840s. The ruins can be seen in Braden Castle Park. Free admission. Map grid E-4. CORTEZ HISTORIC FISHING VILLAGE Cortez Road & Intracoastal Bridge, Cortez 941-708-6120, www.fishpreserve.org Take a walk through Florida’s only historic working fishing village. Listen to locals tell tales of yesteryear, fishing, and maritime past. Map grid B-5. CROWLEY MUSEUM AND NATURE CENTER 16405 Myakka Rd., Sarasota 941-322-1000 www.crowleymuseumnaturectr.org This “Jewel on the Myakka” is a 190 acre wildlife sanctuary and Florida pioneer history museum on the Myakka River. It engages your senses with wild nature trails and historic pioneer buildings. Allow 1.5 hours. Map grid F-8. $ DE SOTO NATIONAL MEMORIAL 8300 De Soto Memorial Hwy., Bradenton 941-792-0458, www.nps.gov/deso Commemorates the landing of the 1539 expedition of Hernando De Soto. The natural setting allows the public to experience the native history and environment that confronted the Spanish upon arrival. Map grid C-4. FAMILY HERITAGE HOUSE MUSEUM 5840 – 26th St. W., Bradenton 941-752-5319 www.familyheritagehouse.com Artifacts, literature and other resources about the history and cultural achievements of African Americans. This museum serves as a research center for the Underground Railroad Series of NPS. Allow 1 hour. Map grid D-6. FLORIDA MARITIME MUSEUM AT CORTEZ 4415 119th St. W., Cortez 941-708-6120 Come aboard and take a trip through time and tradition. Our port-of-call is somewhere in the past, out the harbor. Florida Maritime Museum is located in the historic fishing village of Cortez. The site includes a rural grade school built in 1912 and restored in 2006. Open Tue. – Sat. 8:30am – 4:30pm. Map grid B-5. FLORIDA RAILROAD MUSEUM 12210 – 83rd St. E., Parrish 877-869-0800, www.frrm.org Offering weekend train rides year ‘round. Trains depart at 11am and 2pm Saturdays and Sundays. The 12 mile roundtrip lasts 1.5 hours. Special events occur throughout the year. Map grid H-2. $-$$ GAMBLE PLANTATION HISTORIC STATE PARK 3708 Patten Ave., Ellenton 941-723-4536 www.floridastateparks.org/gambleplantation This is the site of a mid-1800s sugar plantation built on the Florida frontier. It is also a memorial to Confederate J.P. Benjamin who is thought to have taken refuge here on his escape to England. Allow 1 hour. Map grid F-4. $ G.WIZ – THE SCIENCE MUSEUM 1001 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota 941-309-4949, www.gwiz.org Discover the cool side of science with a variety of interactive exhibits for the whole family to explore. Allow 1 to 2 hours. Map grid E-8. $-$$ MANATEE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 1015 – 6th St. W., Palmetto 941-721-2034, www.manateeclerk.com Featuring commodities, equipment and photographs that reflect the rich agricultural heritage of Manatee County. A permanent exhibit of portraits and accomplishments of agriculturists. Map grid D-4. $ MANATEE VILLAGE HISTORICAL PARK 1404 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton 941-749-7165, www.manateeclerk.com A collection of restored and historic buildings from Manatee County’s pioneer past including a courthouse, a one-room schoolhouse, a low hunter bunkhouse, farmhouse, general store, boat shop and a steam engine. Allow 1 to 2 hours. Map grid E-4. $ PALMETTO HISTORICAL PARK 515 – 10th Ave. W., Palmetto 941-723-4991, www.manateeclerk.com Four restored buildings from early Palmetto including Heritage Station Post Office (1880), Schoolhouse, Cottage Museum and Carnegie Library (1914), as well as Heritage Chapel. Map grid D-4. SARASOTA CLASSIC CAR MUSEUM 5500 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota 941-355-6228, www.sarasotacarmuseum.org More than 100 vintage, classic, muscle and exotic cars plus several “Cars of the Stars.” Huge gift shop with snacks. Open 364 days a year 9am – 6pm. Wheelchairs available. Allow up to 2 hours. Map grid E-7. SOUTH FLORIDA MUSEUM & BISHOP PLANETARIUM, INC. 201 – 10th St. W., Bradenton 941-746-4131, www.southfloridamuseum.org The largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The planetarium features astronomy-related programs, plus sound and light shows. The Parker Aquarium is home to Snooty™, the manatee. Allow 2 hours. Map grid D-4. See ad on page 34. DE SOTO TRAIL Two thousand nine marks the 470th year since Hernando De Soto conquered La Florida. To commemorate this historical event, a new trail through Florida will open to retrace his march. 26 1-866-906-TIME to see and do http://www.amihs.org http://www.familyheritagehouse.com http://www.manateeclerk.com http://www.manateeclerk.com http://www.manateeclerk.com http://www.fishpreserve.org http://www.frrm.org http://www.crowleymuseumnaturectr.org http://www.sarasotacarmuseum.org http://www.floridastateparks.org/gambleplantation http://www.nps.gov/deso http://www.southfloridamuseum.org http://www.gwiz.org
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