Manatee County has fun, history and shopping for visitors and residents to enjoy.

Bradenton, on the Manatee River, isn't a large tourist resort like its neighbors St. Petersburg and Sarasota, but it does have some popular things to do and see.

South Florida Museum, Aquarium and Planetarium

This is the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida's Gulf Coast. Among the exhibits are:

• Mastodon
• Bison and Peloindian Diorama
• C. Megalodon
• Archaic Man

As the museum has over 15,000 items the displays are rotated throughout the year.

The Bishop Planetarium has different shows throughout the year with something to suit all tastes and age groups.

The Parker Manatee Aquarium is the home of Snooty, the world's most recognized of those gentle creatures, the Manatee (Sea Cow).

Snooty often has visiting friends, usually young manatees that have been rescued and are being redied for re-release into their natural habitat.

The South Florida Museum is as 201 20th Street West in Bradenton.

Opening hours: January through April and July - Monday-Saturday 10.00 a.m.-5.00p.m./Sunday 12.00 noon - 5.00p.m. During the rest of the year the museum is closed on Mondays/Thanksgiving/Christmas and New Year's Days.

Admission prices: Adults $15.95/Seniors (60+) $13.95/Children (4-12) $11.

De Soto National Memorial

In the 16th century the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto sailed into the Gulf of Mexico along Florida's West Coast and made landfall at Tampa Bay.

Where the Manatee River empties into Tampa Bay there is a memorial to him, which is free. It is a pleasant place to relax as there are small beaches as well as the parkland.

Throughout the year various events take place here. During the winter Living History interpreters provide presentations at "Camp Uzita". The demonstrations include the crossbow and firing an arquebus in a unique 16th century setting.

The Visitor Center is open daily 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. The park grounds are open dawn to dusk. The park is located on 75th Street off Manatee Avenue West.

Prime Outlets, Ellenton

This is West Florida's largest outlet mall with more than 130 factory direct stores including Coach, Banana Republic, Gap, Polo Ralph Lauren, Saks Fifth Avenue, Hush Puppy. There is also a building with plenty of food available for those who need refreshments.

Prime Outlets is situated east of Interstate 75 (exit 224) on US 301.

Business hours: Monday-Saturday 10.00 a.m.-9.00 p.m./Sunday 10.00 a.m.-7.00 p.m.)

Gamble Mansion

When driving between Bradenton and the Outlet Mall on US301 do be sure to stop at this gem of an Ante-Bellum Mansion. It was the home of Major Robert Gamble and was a sugar plantation. It is the only surviving plantation house in South Florida.

Park Rangers lead the tours through the house which is furnished in the style of the time. Downstairs the rooms include a sitting room, a dining room and an office while upstairs are the bedrooms. In a separate building are the primitive kitchens.

Directions: Exit 224 from I-75 (went onto US 301). It is about a mile from the interstate and has a white picket fence.

Admission to the park is free.

Tours (when available): Adults $5.00 and children $3.00

Tour times are 9.30 a.m., 10.30 a.m., 1.00 p.m., 2.00 p.m., 3.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m.

Bradenton may not have many hotels, but it does get plenty of visitors as people travel from all over Florida to visit the South Florida Museum, the Gamble Mansion, the De Soto National Memorial, and, of course, the Prime Outlet Mall.