{"id":192402,"date":"2026-03-15T12:37:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T12:37:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/192402\/"},"modified":"2026-03-15T12:37:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-15T12:37:18","slug":"the-10-best-things-to-do-in-palmetto-florida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/192402\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 Best Things To Do In Palmetto, Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s hard to find a waterfront spot in Florida<\/a> that\u2019s free from crowds, but this tucked-away town on the Manatee River could be your ticket to a quieter weekend escape<\/a>. With a fun mix of agricultural heritage and approachable luxury, Palmetto provides the perfect formula for a vacation. Located between the larger metros of Sarasota<\/a> and St. Petersburg<\/a>, with a population hovering around 14,000, Palmetto has plenty of space for visitors to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, all while relaxing in gorgeous accommodations and dining at first-rate restaurants. Here are the 10 best things to do in Palmetto, Florida.\n<\/p>\n

What To Do In Palmetto, Florida
\n Appreciate The Outdoors At Emerson Point Preserve <\/p>\n

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Courtesy of Palmetto<\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t get more beautiful or natural than Emerson Point Preserve. This spot on the west end of the Snead Island is surrounded by both the Manatee River and Tampa Bay The location lends itself to lush landscapes and sandy beaches with ample opportunity to spot local flora and fauna from frogs and tortoises to hawks and loons. Boardwalks and nine miles of trails running through the coastal habitats and upland forests make it easy to explore. Two sites not to miss: the Portavant Mound, a Native American temple mound dating back more than 1,000 years and a 60-foot-high observation tower overlooking Tampa Bay. \u00a0\n<\/p>\n

manateeaudubon.org\/hotspot\/emerson-point-preserve<\/a>; 5801 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL 34221\n<\/p>\n

Find Fresh Produce At Detwiler\u2019s Farm Market <\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t your average grocery store, and it\u2019s not your average outdoor farmer\u2019s market<\/a> either. Detwiler\u2019s is an experience all its own. The local chain with a few additional locations in nearby Sarasota, Bradenton, and Venice has everything you could ever want from a local grocery store but so much more. Offering the best farm fresh produce (including lots that\u2019s grown locally) for shockingly cheap prices, this is the place to stock up on the season\u2019s bounty. Other memorable departments include a butcher, overflowing seafood counter, and always well-stocked bakery and deli. Regular groceries, bulk products, and wellness items round out the offerings. For vacationers not looking to stock their pantries and refrigerators, grab a picnic lunch at the sub shop or head to the cafe for an old-fashioned milkshake.\n<\/p>\n

detwilermarket.com<\/a>; 1800 US-301, Palmetto, FL 34221; 941-803-7518\n<\/p>\n

Learn Area History At Palmetto Historical Park <\/p>\n

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Courtesy of Palmetto<\/p>\n

\u201cOld Florida\u201d is a term thrown out often in this neck of the woods, but you can get a true glimpse into Palmetto\u2019s early days at Palmetto Historical Park. The grouping of six historical buildings, including a cottage, post office, schoolhouse, library, and chapel, are open to the public for free daily guided tours on Tuesdays through Fridays and on the first and third Saturdays of each month. To further your education, pay a visit to the Manatee County Agricultural Museum (also at the park), which showcases the area\u2019s agricultural roots with exhibits on everything from citrus and produce to livestock and horticulture.\n<\/p>\n

palmettohistoricalpark.com<\/a>; 515 10th Avenue West, Palmetto, FL 34221; 941-723-4991\n<\/p>\n

Go Birding At Felts Audubon Preserve <\/p>\n

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Courtesy of Palmetto<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re an avid birder<\/a> or just getting started, this is a must-visit spot when you\u2019re in the area. Nearly 200 species of birds and 45 species of butterflies have been spotted on the preserve, so there\u2019s always something new to discover across the preserve\u2019s 28 acres. Open to visitors from sunrise to sunset daily, you can explore on miles of footpaths leading you around uplands, pine flatwoods, ponds, wetlands, and meadows\u2014each attracting different types of migratory and nesting birds. Don\u2019t miss the bird blind, where you\u2019ll have a great chance of spotting the preserve\u2019s signature species: the colorful Painted Bunting.\n<\/p>\n

manateeaudubon.org\/felts-preserve<\/a>; 4600 24th Ave E, Palmetto, FL 34221\n<\/p>\n

Where To Eat In Palmetto, Florida
\n Have A Waterfront Meal At Riverhouse <\/p>\n

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Courtesy of Palmetto<\/p>\n

Anytime you visit a destination that\u2019s known for its spectacular scenery, having a meal with a nice view should jump to the top of your itinerary to-do list. In Palmetto, Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant is the place to have a great meal with an even better view of the water. Located at the end of the Safe Harbor Regatta Pointe Marina, Riverhouse is known for offering three distinctive dining experiences: Reef & Grill, the flagship first-floor restaurant offering indoor and deck dining; Snook Deck, a waterfront patio bar with frequent live music; and Second Floor, open only on Friday and Saturday evenings, offering an elevated menu of specialty cocktails and chef-driven dishes.\n<\/p>\n

riverhousefl.com<\/a>; 995 Riverside Drive, Palmetto, FL 34221; 941-729-0616\n<\/p>\n

Eat An Italian Feast At Ragu <\/p>\n

If seafood isn\u2019t your top choice for dinner, you can\u2019t go wrong with pasta. At Ragu, homemade Italian cooking takes center stage in offerings like carbonara, veal parmesan, and panzanella. Locate the white house with the red roof, and head inside for a delicious meal inside a historic home from the 19th century.\n<\/p>\n

ragu.club<\/a>; 336 8th Ave W, Palmetto, FL 34221; 941-479-7140\n<\/p>\n

Grab Coffee And Cake At Eleanor\u2019s <\/p>\n

This bright, airy caf\u00e9 is the ideal place to stop for afternoon pick me up, whether you prefer one in the form of a sweet treat or a caffeinated sipper. Inside the pastry case, you\u2019ll find an assortment of fresh baked desserts and sweets that pair perfectly with coffee creations that utilize locally roasted beans from Banyan Coffee. Come for breakfast or lunch and for everything from cinnamon rolls and quiche to chicken salad sandwiches and soup. \u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

eleanorscoffeeandcakes.com<\/a>; 449 10th Ave. W. Palmetto, FL 34221\n<\/p>\n

Try The Thai Fry At Clam House <\/p>\n

After a short period of closure, this local favorite spot was reopened by one of the chefs from the original restaurant. With a large menu featuring sushi, seafood platters, and specialty drinks, there\u2019s something for everyone here. But if you had to choose just one thing to order, it\u2019s the \u201cOriginal\u201d Thai Fry, a fresh whole fish of your choice that\u2019s dusted with a special Clam House seasoning blend and fried until golden. Special cube-sized scoring on the fish makes it easy to grab a crispy bite and munch away.\n<\/p>\n

clamhousesushibar.com<\/a>; 304 7th St W., Palmetto, FL 34221; 941-722-4422\n<\/p>\n

Where To Stay In Palmetto, Florida
\n Enjoy A Resort Experience <\/p>\n

Credit: <\/p>\n

Courtesy of Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa<\/p>\n

Palmetto may be a smaller community, but the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa certainly doesn\u2019t make it feel that way. The sprawling property features 252 guest rooms, plus all kinds of amenities that make it a destination of its own. With a full-service spa, multiple pools, pickleball courts, mini golf course, and giant yard games, there\u2019s never a dull moment. Head to Oyster River Rooftop for fresh seafood with a Mediterranean twist in an elegant dining room with giant picture windows overlooking the water. The Yard is the spot to hangout for live music, food trucks, and cocktails.\n<\/p>\n

marriott.com<\/a>; 600 US-41, Palmetto, FL 34221; 941-304-3115\n<\/p>\n

Stay In A Charming Bed And Breakfast <\/p>\n

Credit: <\/p>\n

Courtesy of Palmetto<\/p>\n

The longtime owners of Palmetto Riverside Bed and Breakfast came a long way to make their dreams of owning an inn come true. Owners Wim and Mieke Lippens are originally from Belgium, but were introduced to this special pocket of Florida while doing a college exchange program. In 2009, they bought a 1913 two-story guest house that was originally built by the oldest son of Palmetto\u2019s founder Samuel Sparks Lamb. Today, they\u2019ve transformed it into a welcoming six-suite inn where you can enjoy breakfast on a wraparound porch with a view of the Manatee River.\n<\/p>\n

palmettoriverside.com<\/a>; 1102 Riverside Dr, Palmetto, FL 34221; 941-981-5331<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s hard to find a waterfront spot in Florida that\u2019s free from crowds, but this tucked-away town on…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":192403,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[28,30,29],"class_list":["post-192402","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-florida","tag-florida","tag-florida-headlines","tag-florida-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/192402","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=192402"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/192402\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/192403"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=192402"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=192402"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=192402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}