Visited Manatee County Florida many times when I was living in a van. Starting a the south end of the Skyway Bridge on Interstate 75 in the Tampa Bay Area. There is a large rest area on the south side of the Skyway Bridge with a seawall running alongside the shore.
A few miles south of the Skyway Bridge is Bradenton Riverwalk, covering over a mile. The Riverwalk is a relaxing place for a long walk or just sitting by the shore. The Riverwalk passes under two bridges and over the railroad bridge. The Manatee County Library is at the west end of the Riverwalk by the Twin Dolphin Marina, where you can rest your feet after a long walk.
Manatee County Florida is a busy junction on the south side of Tampa Bay. Interstate I-75 plus US 41 and US 301 come together through Palmetto and Bradenton. US Highway 19 ends in Manatee County after entering the county over the Skyway Bridge. A small public transportation system stops at the Walmart in Palmetto and the outlet mall in Ellenton, connecting them to downtown Bradenton and farther south. Many visitors come to the outlet mall hoping to find bargains.
The Manatee River divides Palmetto and Bradenton, with Downtown Bradenton on the south side of the Riverwalk. There’s a few restaurants in Downtown Bradenton close to the Riverwalk, the entire compact area is a pleasant safe walk spanning over a mile. A railroad drawbridge spans the Manatee River about halfway down the Riverwalk. Sailboats can anchor by the bridge.
Emerson Point Preserve is at the west end of Palmetto in Snead Island, a quiet place for fishing and hiking. Sarasota-Bradenton Airport is just south of Bradenton on US highway 41, better known as the Tamiami Trail. Near the airport is the SaraBay Marina.