15 days in Southwest Florida Itinerary

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Bradenton: Sarasota (Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, &more) and Siesta Key (Siesta Beach & Silver City Sarasota). And it doesn't end there: explore the world behind art at The Ringling, gain some tasty knowledge on Siesta Key Rum, and take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback.

To find maps, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Bradenton trip builder tool.

Dallas to Bradenton is an approximately 4-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Dallas to Bradenton, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Prepare for a bit warmer weather when traveling from Dallas in March: high temperatures in Bradenton hover around 77°F and lows are around 57°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Punta Gorda.

Start off your visit on the 25th (Sat): take in the waterfront activity at Fishermen's Village, then get to know the resident critters at Peace River Wildlife Center, and then see what you can catch with a fishing tour. Here are some ideas for day two: take a leisurely stroll along Venice Fishing Pier, kick back and relax at Caspersen Beach, and then kick back and relax at Manasota Key Beach.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Punta Gorda trip maker site.

You can drive from Bradenton to Punta Gorda in 1.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and shuttle; or do a combination of bus and taxi. In March, daily temperatures in Punta Gorda can reach 80°F, while at night they dip to 56°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sun) so you can go by car to Sanibel Island.

Sanibel Island is known for wildlife, beaches, and historic sites. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: identify plant and animal life at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, tour the pleasant surroundings at Bowman's Beach, visit a coastal fixture at Sanibel Island Lighthouse, and take in the exciting artwork at Harbour View Gallery.

For reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Sanibel Island day trip planning tool.

Getting from Punta Gorda to Sanibel Island by car takes about 1.5 hours. In March, plan for daily highs up to 81°F, and evening lows to 59°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Naples.

Venture out of the city with trips to Fort Myers (Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve & Edison and Ford Winter Estates) and Fort Myers Beach (Fort Myers Beach, Parasailing & Paragliding, &more).

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, read Naples trip planner.

Traveling by car from Sanibel Island to Naples takes 1.5 hours. March in Naples sees daily highs of 79°F and lows of 61°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Sun) to allow time to drive to Marco Island.

When in Marco Island, make a side trip to see Museum of the Everglades in Everglades City, approximately Everglades City away.

For where to stay, maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, go to the Marco Island trip planner.

Marco Island is very close to Naples. In April, daytime highs in Marco Island are 85°F, while nighttime lows are 66°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Wed) early enough to catch the flight back home.