In Palmetto, Florida, a Gulf Coast city bounded by the Manatee River and Terra Ceia Bay, early 20th-century mom-and-pop shops still line 10th Avenue. “It’s not pretentious, but it has all the amenities,” says Greg Owens, who’s worked as a listing specialist with TeamWorks/Keller Williams on the Water since 2005. “You have some really nice homes, great parks, a bunch of marinas and restaurants along the river. Downtown is Old Town Florida, but it’s also a vibrant boating community.” Here, “Old Town Florida” means a free-standing post office dating back to 1880 and Colonial homes built as early as 1900. Visitors to Palmetto Historical Park will be reminded of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad railroad, the backbone of Palmetto’s agricultural industry in the early 20th-century. Just across the street is Sutton Park, a modern-day family gathering place home to the neighborhood’s Fourth of July festival and the DeSoto Children’s Parade.
Visitors of Palmetto Historical Park can view well-preserved structures and engaging exhibits.
Palmetto Historical Park invites visitors to explore the city's vibrant history.
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Historic homes and estates on the Manatee River
In Palmetto, buyers will find manufactured homes starting at $200,000, ranch-style houses hovering around $400,000 and 1930s-era traditional homes starting at $500,000 in the historic river district. The community’s largest homes, which list for as much as $3.5 million, are found on Snead Island and along the Manatee River. “You have some really unique homes and gorgeous estates on the water,” says Owens. “Some real gems on Snead Island.” Sharing the waterfront are high-rise condominiums listing from the low $300,000s to more than $1 million.
If high-rise living is your thing, you'll feel right at home with a few choices in Palmetto.
Florida Ranch-style homes are very common in Palmetto.
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High school students create animatronic shows
Students can attend neighborhood institutions like Palmetto Elementary, which received a C from the educational review site, Niche, Lincoln Memorial Academy, a charter school that received a C-minus and Palmetto High, which was awarded a B. High school students have the option to enroll in the animatronics program where they can build independently controlled motors, write scripts, voice act and even learn how to design sets. An alternative option is the nearby Manatee School for the Arts, a B-plus-rated charter school that serves grades six through 12.
Palmetto High School educates 1,984 students of Manatee County.
Annual fairs, fishing tournaments and jogging trails
In addition to the Palmetto Historical Park downtown, the neighborhood offers several other community activity centers. Blackstone Park’s athletic fields are home to organized baseball, softball and soccer competitions. The Manatee County Fair (known for its annual pageant, petting zoo and live music) takes place in January on Palmetto’s fairgrounds, and the Bradenton Area Convention Center is a modern venue for business events and trade shows. Anglers regularly pull snook and redfish from the waters surrounding Palmetto, and the Bradenton Yacht Club on Palmetto’s riverfront hosts the annual Crosthwait Memorial Fishing Tournament, one of the largest such events on the Gulf Coast. According to Owens, the paved pathways at Emerson Point Preserve on Snead Island are popular with bikers and joggers. Scan the Manatee River for dolphins while exercising.
Blackstone Park has a new playground and several sports fields.
Watch boat traffic from the Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant
Retail and dining are concentrated along the U.S. Route 41 business corridor, which leads directly to Safe Harbor Regatta Pointe, a busy marina on the river. The adjacent Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant is a popular dockside eatery. “It’s one of the few spots where you can watch sailboats come and go,” says Owens, adding, “It’s one of those really cool places to sit and hang out. Order oysters from their raw bar or sample the lobster mac n’ cheese.
D’s Breakfast & Burgers, located on 10th Avenue, is popular with locals on weekend mornings. Fill up on a signature skillet breakfast before exploring Palmetto’s historic district.
The Riverhouse Waterfront restaurant is a must on a list of places to eat in Palmetto.
Palmetto's historic downtown is a nice place to spend a day.
Enjoy the gorgeous views from dockside seating at Riverhouse in Palmetto.
Palmetto's riverfront border makes for great boating and sunsets.
With plenty of public access to Manatee River, enjoy an afternoon boat ride in Palmetto.
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Sarasota Bradenton International Airport 12 miles south
Whether Palmetto residents use the Manatee County Area Transit system (also known as MCAT) or make the 12-mile drive south, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is easily accessible down Route 41. From here, they can fly nonstop to nearly 50 unique U.S. cities.
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport serves as a gateway to Florida's Gulf Coast.
Important to know: nearby medical care and hurricane season
Palmetto residents can access medical care at Manatee Memorial Hospital, located 3 miles down Route 41. The facility has been nationally recognized for providing high-quality stroke care.
Hurricanes are a concern on Florida’s Gulf Coast, especially during the summer months. The city of Palmetto has planned evacuation maps and shelters, and residents are encouraged to install permanent storm shutters on their windows.
Manatee Memorial Hospital provides compassionate care and medical services to the community.
Written By
Kevin Haswell
Photography Contributed By
Clint Bliss
Video By
Nathan Allen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Maggie Nasser,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Palmetto, FL sell after 82 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Palmetto, FL over the last 12 months is $385,900, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Step into this delightfully spacious four-bedroom, two-bathroom home that proves comfort and convenience can live happily ever after. With 1,856 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space, this gem comes completely furnished, so you can literally move in and start making memories from day one.The heart of this home beats with practicality and charm. Four generous bedrooms provide
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SPECTACULAR SUNSETS & WATERFRONT LIVING! Enjoy breathtaking western exposure sunsets from this beautifully appointed and meticulously maintained waterfront home in TROPIC ISLES, a 55+ RESIDENT-OWNED community—the best-kept secret in the area! This charming beach-style retreat is perfect for a seasonal getaway, snowbird escape or year-round residence. Get ready to soak up the good life in this
The craftsman bungalow is one of the most popular home styles of the early 20th century. This updated and meticulously maintained 3 bedrooms, 3 bath 1923 Florida Craftsman in the Historic District of Palmetto is situated on over half an acre with a completely private back yard, is just steps from the Manatee River, and has views of the park-like grounds of the 1899 Julius A Lamb estate. This home
OH, THE VIEW!This is the Florida WATERFRONT DREAM you've been waiting for! Perfectly positioned between Terra Ceia Bay in the back and a private basin in the front, this immaculate raised home offers direct access to your own dock with a 12,000 lb. BOAT LIFT—just steps from your door. No bridges stand between you and the Gulf of Mexico, Anna Maria Island, or the sparkling open waters of
Beautiful views of the Manatee River and downtown Bradenton! This community is gated with covered parking, 6 cabanas for sitting out by the water relaxing and has a heated pool. There is also additional BBQ areas outside for cooking or just relaxing with a book. The layout angle of this building maximizes the water wonderful water views. This unit features a split plan layout with each
Feel at Home. Live the way you've always wanted without compromising style or quality. At The Carlton at Robinson Gateway, our apartment residences are designed with you in mind. Now you really can have it all . . . lifestyle included.
Discover modern elegance in this stunning 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom single-family home, thoughtfully designed and constructed in 2023. Perfectly situated on two stories, this home offers breathtaking water views and a spacious open-plan layout that seamlessly blends style and functionality. As you step inside, you'll be greeted by the beautifully upgraded kitchen featuring 42" Seacrest Birch
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