Whether you’re looking for a great bargain or the perfect souvenir to remind you of your beach vacation once you get home, you’ll find what you’re looking for here. We’ve got quaint beach shops, colorful art galleries and an outlet mall selling brand names at bargain prices.

Outlet Stores & More

A hop, skip and a jump away from the water is another kind of paradise: Ellenton Premium Outlets, off I-75 exit 224. Here you’ll find a variety of designer outlet stores selling everything from clothes to cosmetics and cookware – all at up to 65 percent off. Find your perfect designer handbag at Coach, scoop up great deals on duds for the whole family at Gap, and hit The Luggage Factory for a new suitcase to bring it all home in.

There are more than 130 shops in all, including Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Nike and Kenneth Cole. Once you work up an appetite, stop into the food court, or get a sweet treat from Kilwin’s, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory or Starbucks. There’s even a play area for the kids so you can rest while they exert some energy.

In the mood for more bargain-hunting? Head to Red Barn Flea Market in Bradenton. One of Florida’s most popular flea markets, the Red Barn features more than 650 booths selling, well, just about everything. Stroll the stands offering clothes to collectibles, and don’t forget to pick out some farm-fresh local produce for you to savor during your stay.

Boutiques

Anna Maria Island is home to a quirky collection of shops selling everything from antiques to one-of-a-kind souvenirs and gifts. Bridge Street on Bradenton Beach is lined with shops selling some of the finer things in life, from jewelry to gourmet chocolate. The circa-1964 West Coast Surf Shop in Holmes Beach is “Florida’s oldest surf shop” and where you can find swimwear, sandals, sunglasses, skimboards – anything you need for your beach vacation.

Shops like Beach Bums and Ginny's & Jane E's at the Old I.G.A., both in Anna Maria, sell beach gear, too, plus T-shirts and specialty items to remind you of island life long after you return home. And Main Street at Lakewood Ranch, just off of I-75 exit 213, offers more than 20 boutiques filled with fashions, gifts and décor.

Art Galleries

Village of the Arts,near downtown Bradenton, features artists living and selling their work from more than 40 homes and bungalows that have been refurbished into colorful art galleries and studios. Take a sneak peek the first Friday night and Saturday of every month, when the community opens to the public for its monthly ArtWalk. Shop for affordable art, jewelry, clothes and collectibles.