Visit Anna Maria Island For That 'Old Florida' Look and Feel...
Some people say it's getting near impossible to find that "Old Florida" feel we miss and long for. Sure, Miami has it's glitz and nightlife, and Palm Beach will always be a favorite of some, but if it's a folksy, down home Florida beach community you're looking for... they say it just can't be found any more.
Well folks, that just aint true!
Anna Maria Island is located off the coast of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. It's just seven miles long, and it has the same look and feel that used to be so common throughout Florida's coastal communities 30 years ago.
Visit Anna Maria Island and you'll see pastel colored beach cottages that look like they were just plucked from your favorite fairy tale. You'll be hard pressed to find a building any taller than a palm tree, and traffic? Well, it's almost non existent.
Most people get around Anna Maria Island by bicycle or free trolley... and of course you will see the occasional custom or classic car ;-)
About Anna Maria Island
Unlike just about anywhere else in Florida, Anna Maria Island has no high-rises, no chain hotels and no chain restaurants. With an appy by the name of "One Helluva Soup", even the Beach Bistro, one of Anna Maria Island's top-rated restaurants, doesn't take itself too seriously. A perfect example of the laid-back, unostentatious attitude you'll find to be common amongst the Anna Maria Island locals.
Anna Maria Island basically consists of three town communities and a whole lot of beach. Anna Maria City is located at the northern end of Anna Maria Island and has the most, and some of the largest, residential homes. Holmes Beach, located roughly in the middle of the island, is home to the island's supermarket and a few shops. Bradenton Beach, located to the south, is the most highly developed, but is still far from being crowded.
As you can see, each of the three island communities have their own niche, and together offer an excellent balance to the Anna Maria Island community as a whole.
Learn more about Anna Maria Island.
Learn more Anna Maria Island History.
Directions to Get to Anna Maria Island
Access to the community of Anna Maria Island is easy.
The island is 40 miles south of Tampa International Airport and 19 miles from Sarasota. It's connected to the mainland by a causeway. Once on the island, a car isn't necessary, but it can come in handy for day trips.
Learn more about How to Get to Anna Maria Island.
Information about the Anna Maria Island Bridge Closure and Traffic on Anna Maria Island.
Anna Maria Island Beaches
Most people come to Anna Maria Island for the beaches. The island is surrounded by miles of powdery white sand, and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico are warm and calm, and you can swim in the ocean without the buzz of jet skis roaring by you.
Learn more about Anna Maria Island Beaches.
Read Anna Maria Beaches Make the Perfect Wedding Location.
Fishing Anna Maria Island Waters
Anna Maria Island is all Florida, and what's Florida without fishing?
Fishing is huge on Anna Maria Island. Whether it be a boat charter or simply a rod and reel one of Anna Maria Island's historic fishing piers, if you are an angler then Anna Maria Island is the place for you. Depending on the season, you might catch tarpon, mackerel, pompano, snook, red fish, grouper, trout or flounder off the piers. You can buy all your bait right on the piers, and they all have restaurants serving up the catch of the day.
If you prefer, you can simply stand waist-deep in the water and cast away. You might catch a baby shark and a few mackerel this way.
Back in 1979 a whopping 17 ft, 1,386 pound Hammerhead Shark was caught off the Rod & Reel Pier, the world record Hammerhead Shark. It is the largest shark ever caught off a fishing pier.
If it's the big one you want, like tarpon, there are plenty of local deep sea fishing charters from which to choose, or you can rent your own boat. Then once you're done your day's fishing, you can ease your tense and tired muscles and unwind with a massage at the local Aveda salon, Acqua.
Things To See and Do While Visiting Anna Maria Island
There is always something to see or do on Anna Maria Island.
- Take the family to Myakka River State Park, and hop on one of the world's largest airboats for an alligator-spotting cruise in the lake. Tickets were 10 bucks the last time we checked.
- Take the kids and family to the nearby Parker Manatee Aquarium to see and feed manatees.
- If you'd rather see them in their own environment, head north to the Crystal River area and book a manatee tour.
- Sarasota is home to the excellent Ringling Museum of Art and the Sarasota Classic Car Museum.
Where To Stay When Visiting Anna Maria Island
There are only a handful of hotels on Anna Maria Island, and they tend to be mom-and-pop operations. However, there are lots of other vacation rental accommodations from which to choose. Most Anna Maria Island vacationers rent a vacation apartment or house by the week or month. There are also plenty of resorts on Anna Maria Island.
One of the newest places to stay on the island is Palm Isle Village, a small cluster of tastefully decorated one and two-bedroom cottages just a block from the beach. For something a little more 'high end', try the beachfront Sunshine Cottage at around $10,000 a month.
Go to Anna Maria Island Vacation Rentals or Real Estate For Sale On Anna Maria Island for information.
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