Attractions: Week of May 27

Area attractions run on a rotating basis as space allows.

MANATEE

Braden Castle Village: One Office Drive, 27th Street East and Manatee Avenue, Bradenton

The castle was once the heart of a rambling sugar plantation built by Joseph Addison Braden and his brother Hector in the 1840s. The ruins can still be seen in Braden Castle Park. Admission: free. Information: 746-7700.

Cypress House Military Museum: Palmetto Historical Park, 515 10th Ave. W., Palmetto

The Cypress House Military Museum contains military artifacts and local veterans’ war memorabilia. Hours: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and the first and third Saturdays of every month. Admission: free. Information: 723-4991.

Dakin Dairy Farms: 30771 Betts Road, Myakka City

Enjoy a dairy tour, get lost in a 9-acre corn maze, take a cow-train ride and watch the goats race up a goat walk. Seasonal event features barbecue and a farm market. The public can experience a working farm with educational and farm fun attractions. Admission: $5. Corn maze and farm tours are $4. Combo tickets are $9-$12. Hours: 5-10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays and 2-6 p.m. Sundays, October through April. Information: (941) 322-2802 or www.dakindairyfarms.com.

DeSoto National Memorial: North end of 75th Street West

The park includes a half-mile, self-guided nature trail that winds through a display of native plants. Admission is free. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily at the visitors center. Park grounds are open from sunrise to sunset. Information: 792-0458.

The Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex: 5309 29th St. E., Ellenton (just north of Prime Outlet Mall)

A 115,000-square-foot facility features a soccer field where soccer, flag football, dodgeball and “paintless” paintball are played. Public skating sessions are $8 general admission and $6.50 for seniors 55 and older. Information: 723-3663.

Felts Audubon Preserve: 4600 24th Ave. E., Palmetto

The Felts Preserve, owned and operated by the Manatee County Audubon Society, is open 8 a.m.-noon the first Saturday of every month. Come watch birds from the bird blind. Hike natural paths to view native flora and fauna. Parking is inside the fence. An Audubon Society member will be on hand to answer questions. Admission: free. Information: 729-2222.

Florida Maritime Museum at Cortez: Cortez Road and 119th Street West, Cortez

The museum houses exhibits including replicas of ships, a Navy uniform, handmade mullet net and a Native American canoe that could seat a large family. The museum complex consists of the newly restored 1912 Cortez Schoolhouse and the 1895-era Burto/Bratton store, which housed the community’s first post office. The museum store is open for sales of books and shirts, and docents are being scheduled. Call Ted Adams to volunteer, at 708-6120. Hours: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Information: 708-6120.

Florida Railroad Museum: 12355 U.S. 301 N., Parrish

Enjoy a 1950s train excursion featuring air-conditioned lounge cars, cabooses and open-window coaches. The round trip to Willow lasts 75 minutes. Trains depart from 83rd Street and U.S. 301 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Fare: $12 adults, $8 children ages 3-11. Tickets must be purchased at the office. Information: (877) 869-0800 or www.FGCRRM.org.