PALMETTO – One downtown area in Southwest Florida that is often overlooked is Palmetto. It’s a historic, turn of the century town that is today best known for its tomato packing plants.
The downtown area is slowly improving. For visitors, there are restaurants along the waterfront include the Riverhouse Reef and Grill, which overlooks the Manatee River. There is ample parking, and a decent place to stroll among the boats along the water before or after the meal.
There are yacht brokers on the dock; when you walk you can see fliers with prices. Also on the dock is the old floating wedding chapel and church, which sat for years on the St. Petersburg waterfront. It is now a personal house, so there are no tours.
Near to the waterfront is the Palmetto Historical Park, which has an assortment of buildings from old Manatee County, as well as farm implements and history. It’s free. Part of the park includes a Carnegie Library, Post Office, church and Cypress House Military Museum, which was moved from Longboat Key.
Below, a few images of the waterfront.
