Bradenton and Madeira Beach

[pens4821]

Just curious if anyone has been to either area. Most likely coming down this year to see a couple Pirates spring training games, a Lightning game, and the beach.

I’m looking at Feb 20-27 or Mar 5-12. I figure Feb won’t be quite as crowded, but curious if that couple weeks would really make a difference. Oddly it’s a little cheaper (not much) in March but I feel like it’ll be more crowded.

Thinking of a couple ball games and maybe a couple hours on Bradenton Beach before/after the games. Followed by a few nights in Madeira Beach.

Never been anywhere in Florida other than Disney. I know from experience that the week beginning March 9th brings in crazy crowds there didn’t know if the Tampa (ish) are was the same.

 

[fla4fun]

I have visited Madeira Beach many times when we lived up north, and also used to live close to that area before moving to Orlando. Madeira Beach is fairly quiet, with a mix of residential and hotels, and is great if you want some peaceful beach time. If you are looking for a busier beach area, Treasure Island is the next community south of Madeira and it is more touristy. The beach communities north of Madeira are also more residential until you get close to Clearwater Beach.

I haven’t been to Bradenton Beach, only to Bradenton itself, so I can’t give you much info there.

Easter is in late April next year, so schools with their break tied to the holiday will be visiting later than normal also. That could be why you are seeing lower rates at the beginning of March. That area has the same bump in visitors around Presidents Day, and then it gets quieter until Spring Break. I don’t think there will be a huge difference in crowds for the dates you mentioned. Early and mid February will have more snowbirds in the area than mid March (that area is a big snowbird spot). Snowbirds will affect traffic and dining crowds.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I have a friend that lives in Bradenton. While it's a nice place, it's not really an area I think about going to visit when I'm in that part of Florida.

Madeira Beach on the other hand would be nice. My parents lived in Tierra Verde (just south of St. Pete Beach) for about 5 years and we often went over to that area when we were visiting. I remember going out to eat a lot in various spots between St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island and Madeira.

 

[hertamaniac]

Interestingly, we're scheduled to be in Bradenton in December as my nephew signed up for the Pirates Fantasy Camp for the week. He is bringing his wife and I haven't seen either of them in almost 10 years. We plan to stay a few nights downtown while watching him play at Pirates City and/or LECOM Park.

I've been to Bradenton before for a Pirates spring training game. It's a nice stadium. Although, the Tigers stadium in Lakeland is quite nice too.

John's Pass in Madeira is a nice place to walk along the boardwalk, see the wild dolphins and catch a good bite eat. There is plenty of shopping there too.

We live about 1-1/2 hours from Madeira and enjoy visiting, but not staying there. Our go to beach is the Naples area.

 

[hrhdhd]

I'd go a bit south and hit Coquina Beach instead of Bradenton Beach. Madeira is nice.

 

[pens4821]

Thanks all for the info. Happy to hear that Madeira beach is more quiet. I came across a hotel about a block from Archibald Park that is priced well so that’s what made me think of there.

When we are in Bradenton for the games I just picked Bradenton Beach, but wasn’t sure which part of that shoreline to go to. I also read about Coquina Beach so thanks hrh for the suggestion to go there instead of Bradenton Beach.

 

[White Cat]

I would go to the public beaches on Longboat Key.

 

[Genie+]

Thanks all for the info. Happy to hear that Madeira beach is more quiet. I came across a hotel about a block from Archibald Park that is priced well so that’s what made me think of there.

When we are in Bradenton for the games I just picked Bradenton Beach, but wasn’t sure which part of that shoreline to go to. I also read about Coquina Beach so thanks hrh for the suggestion to go there instead of Bradenton Beach.

Through the years we’ve visited Madeira Beach many times after family and friends moved to that area. It’s such a lovely beach and if you get bored or have a rainy day, John’s Pass is closeby.

“Created by a hurricane on September 27, 1848 a pirate, John Levique, made the first passage through the newly created pass. Hence the name, Johns Pass. Located on the waterfront at Johns Pass, this quaint turn-of-the-century fishing village is Pinellas County’s #1 tourist attraction. Over one hundred merchants inhabit the Village with unique retail shopping, a variety of restaurants, the local fishing fleet, dolphin watching and shelling tours, boat rentals, parasailing and jet skiing.”

 

[JFDIS]

“Season” in the Bradenton area lasts until Easter. This brings heavy traffic to and from Ana Maria Island/ Longboat. There are crowds at the beach but not to the extent that you won’t find a nice area to set up and relax. Mostly just traffic congestion. Are you planning on commuting back into Bradenton after the beach? Are you staying near Main St downtown? Downtown Bradenton is nice but if I had friends coming, I’d suggest they stay on the island (AMI). There is much more to do on the island and nice places to visit and dine.

 

[pens4821]

“Season” in the Bradenton area lasts until Easter. This brings heavy traffic to and from Ana Maria Island/ Longboat. There are crowds at the beach but not to the extent that you won’t find a nice area to set up and relax. Mostly just traffic congestion. Are you planning on commuting back into Bradenton after the beach? Are you staying near Main St downtown? Downtown Bradenton is nice but if I had friends coming, I’d suggest they stay on the island (AMI). There is much more to do on the island and nice places to visit and dine.

The plan for right now is to stay somewhere between Bradenton and Sarasota. We will be going to each of those cities for a game. The majority of our beach time will be Madeira Beach. I figured in our free time between games maybe wed go to a beach while we were in the Bradenton/Sarasota area. We don’t have anything booked just yet though.