Anna Maria Island

The Ultimate Family Vacation Experience

Beach Combing, the Mote Aquarium and Sarasota Jungle Gardens...

Just came across a cool blog post of a family vacation to beautiful Anna Maria Island, and as is usually the case... everyone had a great time!

This particular Anna Maria Island vacation experience was very recent, in March actually. The weather they said was not too hot, and not too cool with a little rain just one day.

Wow, how's that for March ;-)

According to the post, and judging by the ton of pictures posted, they had a great time at their vacation rental, which of course came with pool.

Being located just two blocks from the beach meant they spent a lot of their vacation time on the beach.

Isn't that what Anna Maria Island is all about, heading straight to the beach?

Well, of course not. In fact if you frequent our Anna Maria Island Life blog then you know there is no shortage of things to do while vacationing on Anna Maria Island.

A visit to the Mote Aquarium brought them face to face with some rescued dolphins, a shark tank, manatees, sea turtles and lots of jellyfish.

There were touch tanks for the youngest member of the crew and the... "beautiful jellyfish were mesmerizing."

Music, Museums, Muses and the Arts

The Anna Maria Island Muse: Overseeing The Arts...

Anna Maria Island and area have a great array of art and culture to share with the community and visitor alike.

Here at the Anna Maria Island Life blog we try and represent that heritage by posting the galleries and organizations that make it possible.

Anna Maria Island Muses

The Greek goddesses who presided over the arts and sciences were called Muses. They were believed to inspire all artists, especially poets, philosophers, and musicians.

These Muses were the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory.

The Muses sat near the throne of Zeus, king of the gods, and sang of his greatness and of the origin of the world and its inhabitants and the glorious deeds of the great heroes. From their name words such as music, museum, mosaic are derived. 

Much like the Greeks of the day, in 'this day'... Anna Maria Island too has its Muses. The following is a list of Anna Maria Island Muses (as displayed on the Island Players website).

Life Is Good When You Live In Paradise!

Visit Anna Maria Island Once and
You're Sure to Come Back... Again, and Again...

Yes, that is today's tag line and we mean every word of it!

Living here on Anna Maria Island truly is like living in paradise because Anna Maria Island is a tropical island paradise like no other.

A bold statement you say?

Well, maybe.

But then if the Anna Maria Island vacation experiences section of the Anna Maria Island blog is any indication, it is a tag line that fits well with what vacationers are saying about their time on Anna Maria Island.

Share a Piece of
Anna Maria Island With The World

Have you been to Anna Maria Island?

If so, would you like to share your Anna Maria Island experience?

Perhaps you live on the island and would like to contribute your craft and expertise on an Anna Maria Island topic of your own choosing.

We encourage you to do so. Its as easy as writing your article and submitting it to us.

Simply contact us directly and we will tell you how!

Bike Trails

Wanna Take in Anna Maria Island by Bike...

Rent a bike from Fun and More Rentals, located right here on Anna Maria Island.

Are there bike trails for us two wheel freaks when we land on Anna Maria Island?

Well, I guess it depends what you call bike trails.

There is a new bike lane along Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach, located on Anna Maria Island. There are also bike lanes in Holmes Beach (central Anna Maria Island), and in Anna Maria City, our most northern and charming village on Anna Maria Island!

Anna Maria Island is probably one of the last remaining quaint, Old Florida style islands left.

Festivals, Art, Theater, History and Other Must See Events

Anna Maria's Island's Cultural Connection...

Realize Bradenton is all about the arts, the culture and the heritage behind the community of Bradenton.

The idea of turning downtown Bradenton into a vibrant hot spot, or 'Cultural Destination' if you will, seems to have rubbed off on neighboring Anna Maria Island.

As January Holmes put it in his recent article entitled 'Buzz Worthy: Anna Maria's Cultural Connection'... the idea of a Cultural Connection is, "a contagious phrase — in a good way." In the article he says, "I recently had the opportunity to meet a group trying to make a difference for Anna Maria Island — Cultural Connections. It’s mission: promoting the island’s appealing cultural attributes."

He goes on to explain that, "Those attributes are more than the white sand beaches that lure thousands of visitors each year." And lets face it, he is right when he says, "One can only sit on the beach so long before wondering what other things are hidden in this tropical paradise."

Anna Maria Island truly is a tropical paradise. That... no one would deny, yet there is so, so much more, and that’s where Cultural Connections comes in. Cultural Connections on Anna Maria Island is the "guiding light to area festivals, art, theater, history and other must-see events".

Vacation Destination Like No Other

Things To Do On Anna Maria Island...

You are planning a trip to paradise, but you've never been there and are wondering what to expect.

Just what are some things to do while visiting Anna Maria Island you ask?

Well, Anna Maria Island truly is a spectacular place to both live and visit.

Surrounded by Gulf of Mexico waters, trimmed with miles of sugar white sand beaches and teaming with life.

There certainly is no shortage of things to see and experience on Anna Maria Island, and we'd like to take this opportunity to recap just what some of those things are.

Vacation Destination Like No Other

It's been said that from the moment your toes touch the sands of Anna Maria, you'll know you've arrived at a vacation destination unlike anywhere you've been before.

While on Anna Maria Island, there is no need to plan your day around crowds, rush and traffic... cause those things simply cease to exist once you set foot in this laid back, Old Florida Paradise in the Sun!

As soon as your feet hit the beach, you chart your own course. Simply soak up the sun, or better yet... surf, jet ski, scuba dive, go boating and fishing... or create your own unique island adventure.

Things To Do Through April and May

Fun Things To Do On and Around Anna Maria Island...

Anna Maria Island is known for it quiet, serene and beautiful beaches on Florida's Gulf Coast, as well as its laid back, stress free, Old Florida charm.

Yes, Anna Maria Island truly is a tropical island paradise in the sun.

Of course, depending on your age and outlook, that quiet and laid back atmosphere most of us cherish might just be too much for some.

It's even been suggested that if you bring your teens along on your next family vacation to Anna Maria Island... they may go a bit buggy as a result of that stress free, Old Florida charm you so cherish!

Well, not too worry cause there's a full calendar of activities in the area to relieve the kids boredom from all that sand and water.

Bridge Street Market

For starters, there is the Bridge Street Market on the first and third Saturdays of each month beginning April 17.

The Bridge Street Market is an opportunity to peruse local art work, flowers, gifts and a whole lot more at the outdoor Bridge Street Market in Bradenton.

Call 941-518-4431 for more information about the Bridge Street Market.

Ringling International Arts Festival

Arts Festival to Include Several World and U.S. Premier Events...

Now an annual event, the Ringling International Arts Festival will be held Oct. 13-17 on the campus of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Arts and the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

• Orders for festival passes are now being accepted at the Historic Asolo Theater box office.
• Single tickets go on sale May 15.
• Call 360-7399 or visit  www.ringlingartsfestival.org.

Ringling International Arts Festival 2010:
October 13 - 17, 2010

The Ringling International Arts Festival is the result of a unique partnership between the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and New York's Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC).

The Festival's eleven main stage productions reflect BAC's commitment to presenting contemporary, innovative work by both emerging and established artists at the forefront of their fields.

Priority Ticketing

Because you were the first to support the Ringling International Arts Festival, you are among the first to hear our exciting line-up of stage performances for RIAF 2010.

More importantly, you can be the first in line to enjoy Priority Ticketing for both the Night of Premieres and Festival Passes before general ticket sales begin on May 15.

Help Save Anna Maria Island

"Save Anna Maria" Has a New Look...

It's been reported in the Bradenton Times that the "Save Anna Maria" organization has a new look to an old mission!

The beauty of Anna Maria Island is undeniable, and probably the reason so many are
attracted to her shorelines and beaches. 

This is why our group called  "SAM , Loves Serving Anna Maria".

"Save Anna Maria" is a non-profit organization.

Our Mission  is to serve & preserve the unique Character of Anna Maria Island

That is the first thing you see when you visit the new Save Anna Maria website.

Just nominated as the president of Save Anna Maria Island (SAM), Katie Pierola is no stranger to Anna Maria Island. She has lived in Bradenton Beach for 30 years and served as Mayor for three terms.

Pierola said, "when the local Metropolitan Planning Organization started in 1972 the cities that were represented included Bradenton, Palmetto, Longboat Key, Sarasota, Venice, North Port and the counties of Sarasota and Manatee."

"The cities of Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach, and Holmes Beach did not have representation."

“There were really big problems with bad communication with the islands. We are trying to move forward and that’s why we’ve now got our Web site located at www.amisam.org.” 

The new web site for SAM was launched to improve communications with the community and to inform people about how this magnificent island, spanning seven miles long and two blocks wide, can be saved and served going into the future.

Visit "Save Anna Maria" at www.amisam.org to learn more.

Spring and Winter Art Festivals

Anna Maria Island Arts League...

Anna Maria Island is rich in arts and culture and the Anna Maria Island Art League is part of that cultural heritage.

The Anna Maria Island Art League was founded in 1989 by a group of artists and art lovers with a common desire to bring art to the island community.

In June 1993, the Anna Maria Island Art League opened the island's first art center at 5312 Holmes Boulevard in Holmes Beach. The art center includes a large exhibit/ classroom, membership gallery/conference room, photo lab, art library and picnic grounds.

The Art League of Anna Maria Island also offers a broad range of classes at the center, and a scholarship program for children and adults.

New exhibits are hung every month, starting in October, and exhibits feature members, faculty, students and/or regional artists. Exhibit artwork is original and most is available for sale by the artists.

Opening receptions are on Friday evening, with the evening of the exhibit from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. These events are always open and free to the public.