Local favorites

The volunteer-run museum runs diesel-powered train rides most weekends on a six-mile line between Parrish and Willow, in open-air and air-conditioned cars. The Willow Express round trip takes about an hour and a half and is for all ages.

• HoursTrain rides on weekends only; the museum's calendar has each day's hours.
• CostTickets on the museum's website
• Websitefrrm.org (another site)

A 530-acre county preserve just northwest of the Lake Manatee Dam, with trails through four kinds of Florida habitat, a playground (being replaced; the new one is due in early November), a canoe and kayak launch and the Rye family's pioneer cemetery. Tent camping Friday and Saturday nights, November through April.

• HoursSunrise to sunset, every day.
• CostFree
• Websitemymanatee.org (another site)

All about Rye Preserve

A state park on US 301 around the only surviving plantation house in South Florida, once the headquarters of a sugar plantation. Guided tours of the house run six times a day, Thursday through Monday, and there are picnic tables on the grounds.

• HoursGrounds 8 am to sunset, every day. Visitor center and tours Thursday to Monday.
• CostFree entry; house tours $6, kids 6 to 12 $4
• Websitefloridastateparks.org (another site)

All about Gamble Plantation Historic State Park

A park of historic buildings in downtown Palmetto: the 1914 Carnegie Library, a turn-of-the-century cottage, a replica chapel, the 1880 Post Office, a schoolhouse where kids write on slates and the Cypress House Military Museum. A free guided tour at 11 am shows the buildings beyond the library.

• HoursTuesday to Friday and the first and third Saturday of the month, 10 am to noon and 1 to 4 pm.
• CostFree guided tours
• Websitepalmettohistoricalpark.com (another site)

An outlet center with more than 120 stores and places to eat, the largest shopping destination on Florida's west coast by its own count, just off I-75 in Ellenton.

• HoursStore hours are on the center's website.
• CostFree
• Websitepremiumoutlets.com (another site)

A county preserve at the west end of Snead Island, with hiking and kayak trails through coastal habitat and ancient and historic sites with signs explaining them. The fishing dock is closed until further notice after hurricane damage.

• HoursSunrise to sunset, every day.
• CostFree
• Websitemymanatee.org (another site)

All about Emerson Point Preserve

Three miles along the south shore of Lake Manatee, with a swimming area (no lifeguards), fishing docks, a boat ramp for motors under 20 horsepower, a picnic area, camping and trails through pine flatwoods and scrub. Canoe and kayak rentals aren't available.

• Hours8 am to sunset, every day.
• Cost$5 per vehicle
• Websitefloridastateparks.org (another site)

More than 600 acres of mangroves, salt marsh and tidal creeks, with walking, biking and paddling trails, observation towers with views of Tampa Bay and Anna Maria Island, kayak launches and a canopy walkway through the treetops.

• HoursSunrise to sunset, every day, except when the county closes it for events.
• CostFree
• Websitemymanatee.org (another site)

A 2.03-mile path along the Manatee River between the Green Bridge and the DeSoto Bridge, with fishing, beach volleyball, a skate park, a splash pad at Rossi Park and events through the year.

• HoursOpen every day; hours for the splash pad and restrooms are on the city's page.
• CostFree
• Websitecityofbradenton.com (another site)

A county beach on Gulf Drive at the south end of Anna Maria Island, with pavilions and picnic areas. Alcohol, glass, pets and drones aren't allowed.

• HoursSunrise to sunset, every day.
• CostFree
• Websitemymanatee.org (another site)
• ConditionsManatee County beach conditions (another site)