 |
Things to do on Anna Maria Island
|
|
|
Dining
Our local Publix grocery store is one of the “flagship” stores for that company. They have a superb
array of seafood including lobsters, small and large shrimp just ready for anointing with drawn or
garlic butter, locally caught juicy, flaky grouper or mahi-mahi to be marinated in teriyaki and
perfectly aged steaks to be char-grilled by the pool; plus an endless choice of crisp salads and
vegetables. Their bakery continually produces freshly baked breads including their superb white
mountain bread, crispy rye and flavorsome pumpernickel so beloved by the locals. Complement these
by some of our superb Florida orange juice produced just over on the mainland in Bradenton at
Tropicana or a flavorsome Californian chardonnay or merlot and you have one of the ultimate dining
experiences simply prepared right there in your own vacation home.
 If you like to dine out then Anna Maria Island features many excellent dining experiences, each with
its own unique flavor. Our diverse island cuisine ranges from fine dining in one of America’s best
restaurants fron The Beach Bistro, which is listed in the Zagat guide, to breakfast in a Café on the
Beach featuring all you can eat pancakes while you sit with your feet in the sand.
Restaurants also include French, German, Italian, British, Oriental and Spanish cusines along with fresh southern Florida seafood,
spicy Caribbean and even an occasional Hawaiian Luau (and you will see that you are spoiled for choice.)
Oh, yes, you can also get a really good American hamburger washed down by a really cold beer or a
jug of ice water to cool you down after a hard day at the beach.
Whether you choose Gulf or Bayside dining in an air-conditioned picture-window setting or
eating al fresco at outdoor table, our local restaurants offer an ambiance that encompasses the
nature of this island paradise. Anna Maria Island is now home to many chefs who have achieved local
recognition for their tasty presentations and imaginative recipes. The warm waters of the gulf and
bay surrounding the island yield harvest of culinary delights such as red snapper, grouper, mullet
and blue crab; if you arrive while the luscious stone crab is in season then you are in for a real
delight.
In the evenings you can also find food and drink mixed with with music and dancing. Dixieland jazz, mingles with popular songs,
reggae, Caribbean blues and rock and roll music. There is a variety of entertainment for everyone
to enjoy. The two local newspapers - The Islander and The Sun - compete to provide you with a comprehensive list of all the
venues, events and restaurant specials for the week ahead.
As an aside, if the kids are desperate for a McDonalds, then head over to the mainland for ten pin
bowling followed by a burger on the way home.
Getting Around
If you do not have a car or do not want to drive, the island has several efficient taxi services
and a free trolley service that runs up and down the island passing by every 20 minutes.
Alternatively rent a bicycle from the island rental store.
For More Information
Pay a visit to the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce for comprehensive information on all events,
services and businesses on the island. They will update you on the cultural/social side of Anna Maria
Island which boasts Island Players, Island Branch of the Manatee County Library, Tingley Library,
Garden Club (two), Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, Art League, Artists Guild, Historical Society,
Privateers, Power Squadron, Turtle Watch, Shrine Club, Loyal Order of Moose, Audubon Society,
Women’s Clubs, Community Center, as well as seven churches and other social organizations which
are active on the island.
|
Vacation Properties
Enjoy all that Anna Maria Island has to offer - from its rich history,
white sugar sand beaches, extraordinary sunsets, award winning restaurants and
the option to just sit back and do nothing at all! We offer richly appointed accommodations
at very resonable prices (the views are FREE) ... see our vacation properties
Things to Do
Whether you seek warmth and sunshine, natural beauty, cultural outlets or a sportsmen’s challenge,
Anna Maria Island supplies the setting and inspiration and you’ll find it easy to fit in. If you
just want to relax and laze on the beach, topping up your suntan, reading a good book and
occasionally cooling off in the Gulf waters, then make for the beach. Anna Maria Island’s public
beaches accesses at Bayfront Park, Manatee, Cortez and Coquina are located along the length of the
Island. You can walk the whole length of the island’s westerly shore at the waterline on the soft
white sand beach which curves gently all the way from the north end over looking Tampa bay to the
southern tip at Coquina.
Fishing
For those of you that like to fish, the choice of fishing styles is as varied as the game fish in
the area. The island offers three fishing piers: The Rod & Reel, Bradenton Beach or Anna Maria.
Charter a professional local captain and his craft for sport fishing or pack yourself a picnic and
join the jaunty Miss Cortez for half a day or a full day out on the Gulf at some of the best fishing
spots which lie out in the warm waters. The local fishing shops sell bait and tackle and can issue a
temporary fishing license so you can fish off the beach.
Boating & Water Sports
If you bring your own boat to the island, launch your craft at Kingfish Ramp, Bayside or Holmes
Beach City. Or you can rent a craft to fit your needs — power or a leisurely sailboat. Cruise the
inland waters of the bay following the markers and stopping off at one of the waterside restaurants
for lunch. Make deep-sea offshore runs or angle in the flats and shallow waters that surround the
Island. See dolphins leaping in and out of the wake of motorboats and out in the Gulf experience the
exhilaration of watching the tarpon running.
Powerboat, jet ski and sailboat rentals which meet the specific nautical needs of boating families
are all available and for the really adventurous, get a birds eye view of Maria Island from the air
by hooking onto one of the professional para-sail boats for the experience of a life time along the
shores of the Gulf.
Snorkeling and Diving? No problem, just get in touch with one of the local dive centers for advice, group
dives and equipment rental.
Tennis
Anyone for Tennis? Put on your tennis shoes, grab your racquet and then head out to the superb
public courts in Anna Maria or Holmes Beach. If you would like to sharpen up your tennis skills
then contact the internationally famous Bollettieri Tennis and Sports Academy in nearby Bradenton
where daily and weekly lessons are available. The academy is where many of the tennis superstars of
today train and hone their competitive skills.
Golf
Tee off at nearby superb Florida golf courses. The Manatee/Sarasota bi-county area provides you
with a choice of more than 45 courses ranging from tight executive par threes to challenging
championship 18s that will test any golfer’s ability from tee to green. To improve your game,
the internationally famous David Leadbetter Golf Academy is also located in Bradenton.
|
Nearby Attractions
On the mainland visit Myakka State Park to see alligators, birds, wild boar and experience airboat
rides. See a colorful array parrots and other Florida wildlife at Parrot Jungle in Sarasota. Try your
hand at ten pin bowling, take in a game or take in a movie. If you really want a whole day of lively
entertainment then gather up the family and head on up over the spectacular Sunshine Skyway Bridge to
visit the world famous Busch Gardens theme park for a day out to remember. Their Adventure Island
water park is also terrific fun with plenty of thrills for all ages. Alternatively the spectacular
six million dollar Aquarium is teeming with undersea life.
In two hours you can be in Orlando, home to Disneyworld, Epcot and MGM Studios, Seaworld and Universal Studios. Drive up
early in the morning and if you stay to take in one of the amazing evening firework displays, then
just sleep overnight in one of the many hundreds of hotels, motels or bed & breakfast accommodations
in Orlando.
The nearby mainland cities of Bradenton and Sarasota host many attractions, including Bishop
Planetarium, DeSoto National Park & Memorial Mansion, Manatee Players, ArtCenter Manatee,
The Asolo Center for the Performing Arts, Ringling Museum of Art, Manatee Community College,
University of South Florida, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the Sarasota West Coast Symphony,
the Sarasota Ballet of Florida and the Jazz Club and the main Tourist Bureau & Information Center.
|
|
| |
Pay a visit to the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce for comprehensive information on all events,
services and businesses on the island. They will update you on the cultural/social side of Anna
Maria Island, as well as the seven churches and other social organizations which are active on the island. You can also request a FREE Island guide.
|
 |
|
