While only 2.8 miles in length, the Bradenton Beach Scenic Highway offers panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay as it travels along S.R. 789 (Gulf Dr. N.) from the south end of Bradenton Beach at the Longboat Pass Bridge through unique beach towns and past some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida.

One of these beaches is Coquina Beach, located at the southern end of Anna Maria Island. Coquina Beach is one of the largest beaches in the area, and the surrounding warm waters are known as "The Nursery," due to the large number of bottlenose dolphins that live and raise their young here. If a trip to the beach is on your list, you won't want to miss Coquina Beach.

A few miles east of the Bradenton Beach Scenic Highway is the Tamiami Trail Windows to the Gulf Coast Waters Scenic Highway, which travels south along U.S. 41 from Bradenton to Sarasota for a total of 70 unforgettable miles, providing an urban driving experience with roadside attractions all along the highway. From S.R. 789, take S.R. 684 (Cortez Rd. W.) east and travel approximately eight miles to 14th St. W. Make a right onto 14th St. W./U.S. 41 and head south towards Sarasota along the Tamiami Trail, so named because it once was the main route from Tampa to Miami.

The Gardens offer visitors of all ages a wonderful learning experience and some truly incredible sights.


One of the "must-see" attractions in Sarasota is the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, (941) 359-5700, recognized as the state art museum of Florida, which includes 21 galleries of internationally recognized European and American art by such artists as Rubens, Van Dyck, Poussin and other baroque masters. The estate also includes Cà d'Zan, the restored 32-room Ringling mansion; the Circus Museum; the Asolo Theater; the Rose Garden; and beautifully landscaped grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.

Another location to visit is Sarasota Jungle Gardens, (941) 355-5305, located along U.S. 41 just south of the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport. The Gardens are home to thousands of native and exotic plants, trees, flowers and wildlife. Many shows are presented in the Gardens including "Critters and Things," "Birds of the Rainforest" and "Reptile Encounter." The Gardens offer visitors of all ages a wonderful learning experience and some truly incredible sights.

For more information on Florida's Scenic Highways, visit www.dot.state.fl.us/publicinformationoffice/scenichighway.