Palma Sola Botanical Park

The trunk of the floss silk tree (Chorisia speciosa) is studded with thick conical prickles which serve to store water for dry times.

Palma Sola Botanical Park is a 10 acre botanical garden located in Bradenton. It's beautiful AND free! 

The park showcases collections of rare palms, fruits, and flowering trees, as well as three lakes, a butterfly garden, gazebo, pavilion, and playground.
The trunk of the floss silk tree (Chorisia speciosa) is studded with thick conical prickles which serve to store water for dry times.

Palma Sola Botanical Park is a 10 acre botanical garden located in Bradenton. It's beautiful AND free! 

The park showcases collections of rare palms, fruits, and flowering trees, as well as three lakes, a butterfly garden, gazebo, pavilion, and playground.
A pair of pink lotuses or loti (Nelumbo nucifera) blooming in one of the ponds at Palma Sola Botanical Park. A little past their prime but still pretty.

Palma Sola Botanical Park is a 10 acre botanical garden located in Bradenton. It's beautiful AND free!

The park showcases collections of rare palms, fruits, and flowering trees, as well as three lakes, a butterfly garden, gazebo, pavilion, and playground.
One of the weirdest wildlife encounters I had in Florida was with this wacky bird! I'm guessing he's an Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga).

He stayed nearly completely submerged, swimming underwater, stalking a school of fish. He'd only pop his head up every few minutes for a quick breath or when he'd catch a fish in his mouth sideways. Then he'd pop his head up with the fish in his mouth, flip the fish up in the air and catch it in the correct orientation to swallow it down.

Then back underwater for more hunting. This went on for at least 20-25 minutes. I have never seen a bird behave like this. I've seen cormorants dive down and disappear for a half a minute or so, but this was incredible to watch! 

Palma Sola Botanical Park is a 10 acre botanical garden located in Bradenton. It's beautiful AND free! 

The park showcases collections of rare palms, fruits, and flowering trees, as well as three lakes, a butterfly garden, gazebo, pavilion, and playground.
One of the weirdest wildlife encounters I had in Florida was with this wacky bird! I'm guessing he's an Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga).

He stayed nearly completely submerged, swimming underwater, stalking a school of fish. He'd only pop his head up every few minutes for a quick breath or when he'd catch a fish in his mouth sideways. Then he'd pop his head up with the fish in his mouth, flip the fish up in the air and catch it in the correct orientation to swallow it down.

Then back underwater for more hunting. This went on for at least 20-25 minutes. I have never seen a bird behave like this. I've seen cormorants dive down and disappear for a half a minute or so, but this was incredible to watch! 

Palma Sola Botanical Park is a 10 acre botanical garden located in Bradenton. It's beautiful AND free! 

The park showcases collections of rare palms, fruits, and flowering trees, as well as three lakes, a butterfly garden, gazebo, pavilion, and playground.


Tours & day trips

See all 14 activities

Private & custom tours

See all 4 activities

Adventure & outdoor

See all 4 activities

Popular places to visit


Top Palma Sola Botanical Park Hotel Deals

Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Anna Maria Sound

Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Anna Maria Sound

4 out of 5
12324 Manatee Avenue West Bradenton FL
Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Anna Maria Sound
Swivel On Anchor

Swivel On Anchor

2.5 out of 5
9907 Manatee Ave W Bradenton FL
Swivel On Anchor
Yacht Time

Yacht Time

2.5 out of 5
9907 Manatee Ave W Bradenton FL
Yacht Time
Last Hoorah

Last Hoorah

2.5 out of 5
9107 Manatee Ave W Bradenton FL
Last Hoorah
Pelican Post at Anna Maria Island Inn

Pelican Post at Anna Maria Island Inn

3 out of 5
202 1st St N Bradenton Beach FL
Pelican Post at Anna Maria Island Inn
Alamanda Villas

Alamanda Villas

3.5 out of 5
102 39th St Holmes Beach FL
Alamanda Villas
Cedar Cove Resort and Cottages

Cedar Cove Resort and Cottages

3 out of 5
2710 Gulf Drive N Holmes Beach FL
Cedar Cove Resort and Cottages
Landing Bradenton Near G.T. Bray Park

Landing Bradenton Near G.T. Bray Park

4 out of 5
6415 21st Ave W Bradenton FL
Landing Bradenton Near G.T. Bray Park
Seabreeze at Anna Maria Island Inn

Seabreeze at Anna Maria Island Inn

3 out of 5
2218 Gulf Drive N Bradenton Beach FL
Seabreeze at Anna Maria Island Inn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

* Savings based on package bookings compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings not available on all packages. Book Flight + Lodging, save up to 100% of flight price - Savings based on flight + lodging package prices as compared to the price of the same components available for booking separately before all discounts and rewards applied. Your bundled savings cover up to 100% of your flight. Savings vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and travel suppliers. Savings not available on all flight + lodging package bookings.