Anna Maria Island

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.

Bike Tour of Longboat Key

Longboat Key
A Great Place to Peddle...

Bicycling Anna Maria Island is a great way to take in the many sites and sounds and  of this tropic island environment.

Longboat Key, another tropical island paradise, is right next door, and any day is a great day to cycle either.

Like Anna Maria Island, bicycling on Longboat Key is a great way to enjoy your day any time of year.

The weather is always warm, there aren't any hills except for the Ringling Bridge and New Pass Bridge, and its just a down right nice place to bike.

Check out these bike related posts Bike Longboat Key and Bike Route To Sarasota, Siesta and Longboat Keys.

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.

Bike Route To Sarasota, Siesta and Longboat Keys

Bike Your Way From Anna Maria Island to Sarasota and Back Via Longboat Keys and Siesta Keys...

Read a related post... Bike Longboat Key.

If you are into biking your way around the Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, Sarasota to Siesta Key area... you're in luck!

Go to www.Bikely.com.

They have an interactive map of a bike route that will take you down 789 (Gulf of Mexico Dr) from Anna Maria Island...

South to Longboat Key, Bird Key and Lido Shores...

On to Sarasota and then Siesta Key, Point O'Rocks and back again.

Of course if you are visiting on vacation and left your peddles at home, you can always rent a bike from our good friends at Fun and More... Anna Maria Bike Rentals.

In fact Fun and More Rentals has all the vacation supply rentals you will ever need... from baby equipment and supplies, to beach supplies and water sport gear... Fun and More has it all!

The distance of the Anna Maria Island to Siesta Key bike route is around 84 km (51 miles).

Studio of the Arts - Painting, Poetry, Music, Literature and More!

Studio at Gulf and Pine:
Anna Maria Island's Premiere Cultural Facility...

Anna Maria Island communities are rich in culture and the arts, so it only be fitting to find the likes of such a fine and dedicated studio of the arts...

The Studio at Gulf and Pine in the City of Anna Maria.

The Studio at Gulf and Pine, truly offers an eclectic array of exhibits, instructional classes, USF lectures and discussion groups (by reservation only), and serves as a salon where artists and art aficionados interact.

The Studio at Gulf and Pine, operated by Rhea Chiles, former First Lady of Florida, truly is... Anna Maria Island's premier cultural facility.

Equipped with a theater film projection room, and spanning nearly 4,000 square feet, 'The Studio' welcomes artists of all type... poets, musicians, performers and writers... to exhibit their talents and exchange ideas.

"The Studio at Gulf and Pine is host to fine art exhibitions, drama workshops, meetings, lectures, music and literary events, and is available for catered events."

A Trip Through Historic Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island Historical Society...

With the help of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society, you can take a trip back in history.

The Anna Maria Island Historical Society's [AMIHS] beautifully restored complex interprets the Island's history through its museum, City Jail, Belle Haven Cottage and the Mangrove Walk's indigenous garden.

The Anna Maria Island Historical Society was formed in 1990 by Anna Maria residents Pat Copeland and Carolyne Norwood, both reporters for the Islander newspaper.

Pat and Carolyne knew something must be done to preserve Island artifacts, which were being lost.

The non-profit, educational organization was incorporated in 1991.

Learn more about the Belle Haven Cottage Garden and the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and Museum Complex.

With all there is to see and do on beautiful Anna Maria Island, the Historical Society Museum is one you just don't want to miss!

Learn more about the Belle Haven Cottage Garden and the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and Museum Complex.

With all there is to see and do on beautiful Anna Maria Island, the Historical Society Museum is one you just don't want to miss!

Parasailing Videos

Wanna Parasail Anna Maria Island?

Who wouldn't.

You can see the beauty of Anna Maria Island from 500 feet in the sky.

Gently floating high above the clear, blue water of the Gulf of Mexico, you'll see dolphins, turtles, rays, fish and stunning views of Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key and Lido Key.

Parasailing with Fun and Sun Parasail is one of the most exciting thing you can do while on beautiful Anna Maria Island, and you can do it all year!

We did a feature post on Fun and Sun Parasail earlier this month and offered a $10 Parasailing Discount through Fun Saver Coupons, but we forgot to mention the Parasailing videos!

That's right. You can go to the Fun and Sun Parasailing website and right on their home page they have several cool parasailing videos.

Thanks, and we'll see you in the skies above Anna Maria.

Enjoy the parasailing vids ;-)

Fishing Charter Discount Coupons

Save on Fishing Charters off Anna Maria Island...

Anna Maria Island is home to some of the best sport fishing in the world, and whether you’re a seasoned old salt or you’ve never cast a line, it caters to anglers of all ages and abilities. 

That's where Cortez Kat Charters comes in, and you can even save a few bucks with a Fish Charter Discount Coupon from Sun Saver... an Anna Maria Island exclusive.

Cortez Kat Charters has a 17 year history of providing daily fishing trips off the shores of Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach.

Your Captain, Gary Zink, can take you into deep Florida Gulf waters for Florida fishing at its best, and a Florida boating adventure that will provide you and your guests with everything you need in order to catch really big fish and take home with you... a lifetime of vacation memories.