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The City of Palmetto: One of Florida’s Best Kept Secrets

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Palmetto, Florida

Palmetto, Florida

As a native to Florida, it’s always a treat to discover new places nearby – especially those with their own unique character and allure. Palmetto, Florida is an area I’ve known only as stop along the way to St. Petersburg, but a recent tour with Michael Saunders & Company Realtor Debbie Vogler took me beyond the surface and opened my eyes to its old Florida charisma, quiet charm, and natural splendor.

Our day trip began at the Manatee Riverhouse for lunch.

Heading to the Manatee Riverhouse.

Heading to the Manatee Riverhouse.

Over salmon and sprite, Debbie illuminated me on the advantages of having an address in Palmetto.

A yummy lunch was in order.

A yummy lunch was in order.

“I love it here,” she explained. “In fact, I love it so much my husband and I are building a home in Palmetto on the river. Many people have the wrong perception. With Sarasota often in the spotlight, Palmetto tends to be overlooked, but those who live here wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. It’s a community.”

A snapshot of the Palmetto map illustrates just how much of its land touches water – a quality which is top on the list for anyone looking to buy a home in Florida.

Palmetto, Florida

Palmetto, Florida

Debbie also explained that one of Palmetto’s many advantages is the price point. She said that the exact same house across the river in northwest Bradenton would cost 25-50 % more. And while the people of Bradenton often go to Sarasota when they seek out a more urban or cultural experience, residents of Palmetto enjoy crossing the Skyway Bridge and going to St. Petersburg, Florida – its northern neighbor only fifteen minutes away.

The Skyway Bridge along the way to St. Petersburg, Florida

The Skyway Bridge along the way to St. Petersburg, Florida

 

The City of St. Petersburg across the Skyway Bridge.

the City of St. Petersburg

After lunch, Debbie and I drove to the Palmetto Historical District, Sutton Park and the Manatee County Agricultural Museum – all within a few blocks of each other.

Old storefronts with mom-and-pop shops provide plenty of character.

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With a pavilion, playground, historic buildings, interactive exhibits, and regular events, Sutton Park is a hub of activity. The Desoto Seafood Festival, A Taste of Manatee, and Movies in the Park bring the community together on a regular basis.

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The Manatee County Agricultural Museum was very surprising to me. With it’s collection old tools, equipment, photographs, and exhibits, the area’s rich heritage is displayed in full force. (And don’t tell Hollywood but it made me think of the perfect historic backdrop for a period movie.)

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From this scenic stop, we drove along the Manatee River on 4th Street. A low country atmosphere with majestic, older homes, grand front porches, and southern live oaks with Spanish moss transported me to the simpler times of a bygone era. It has a distinctively southern feeling and given Palmetto’s history,  which was founded by Samuel Sparks Lamb in 1866 who named it after his native state of South Carolina, the ‘Palmetto State’, this is no surprise.

Debbie also mentioned that Palmetto has a very active Community Redevelopment Agency. A visit to their Facebook page confirmed that.

The view above 2310 8th Street West - a waterfront home for sale in Palmetto.

The view above 2310 8th Street West – a waterfront home for sale in Palmetto. Click on image to see more.

Then we toured Terra Ceia Bay, Hooker’s Point (named after fishermen) and Snead Island. Though this area has all the contemporary amenities a resident would come to expect (even boasting the Bradenton Yacht Club) I couldn’t help but get a sense of the untouched tropical flavor of a Robinson Crusoe story.  There are places where you feel set away from civilization – as if you could spend a week  (or a month) fishing, or working on the next great American novel, without any distractions.

Snead Island

Snead Island

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We also went to Emerson Point Preserve where visitors were kayaking, hiking, biking, and playing on the sandy beach which juts out at the junction of the Manatee River and Terra Ceia Bay.

From the more laid-back, secluded areas of Palmetto, we trekked to Riviera Dunes, an impressive development offering single-family homes or condos along the Manatee River. Fun fact: it’s recognized as the best safe harbor marina on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Riviera Dunes

Riviera Dunes

Click to see more pictures of this riverfront home in Riviera Dunes |1003 Riviera Dunes Way

Click to see more pictures of this riverfront home in Riviera Dunes |1003 Riviera Dunes Way

View more Riviera Dunes homes for sale or Riviera Dunes homes for rent.

The view from Riviera Dunes looking back towards Bradenton.

The view from Riviera Dunes looking back towards Bradenton.

What struck me about Palmetto, is that it offers a step back in time with an emphasis on appreciating the natural beauty intrinsic to Florida. What’s more, it’s location between St. Petersburg and Bradenton makes it an idyllic, more affordable “home base” for those who like to take advantage of all the amenities Florida’s Gulf Coast has to offer.

If you want to learn more about this “north of the river” city, visit MichaelSaunders.com for a look at Palmetto real estate or contact one of our Bradenton sales agents. Stay tuned for the next part to our “north of the river” series where the day’s exploration continued onto Parrish, Florida.

What do you love about Palmetto? Let us know in the comments below!

 

The City of Palmetto: One of Florida’s Best Kept Secrets was last modified: January 24th, 2017 by Kathryn Parks

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