Bradenton: Home to Florida's most famous manatee, Snooty

After looking for shells on Sanibel Island, we drove two hours north to Bradenton. This sprawling suburban town sits right on the Gulf of Mexico, an hour south of Tampa. It's best known for its sparkling white beaches, celebrity residents (Sean Connery!) and orange juice. Tropicana is headquartered here.

Most travelers stop over in Bradenton because it's parked between the artsy resort town of Sarasota and the big city of Tampa. There are two sites worth seeing here--especially if you have kids in tow.

South Florida Museum: Snooty, the oldest manatee born in captivity (1948), steals the show at this museum recounting the history of Florida from prehistoric times to the present. You'll find dinosaur bones, Native American artifacts, and a Spanish courtyard with replicas of 16th-century buildings.

Manatee Village Historical Park: Stroll this collection of old buildings dating back to the 1800s and you can imagine what life was like before the arrival of modern conveniences such as cars and electricity. You'll find a courthouse and church, a one-room schoolhouse, a sugar cane mill, a steam engine, and the ol' Wiggins store. Admission is free.