Location: Anna Maria
Top Things to do in Anna Maria
Top Restaurants in Anna Maria
10 Things to Do in Anna Maria That You Shouldn't Miss
Forty miles south of Tampa and just seven miles west of Bradenton, Anna Maria is a paradise island. With the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Tampa Bay and Anna Maria Sound to the east and Sarasota Bay to the south, the seven-mile-long tropical island is a gem, with beautiful white-sand beaches on all sides and a year-round population of just 1800. The island was originally discovered by the Timucan and Caloosan Native Americans and then by Spanish explorers.
Restaurants in Anna Maria
1. Bean Point
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 723 reviews
Reviewed By mj1776 - Au Gres, Michigan/Seaford, NY
from Sandbar Restaurant where there is parking and facilities. A long beach walk is one of the glories of Anna Marie Island. This walk takes you past residential beachfronts on a beach that is unusually wide with beautiful Gulf sand and vegetation. Along the way the houses are set back so far and the beach is often so deserted it can become a walk of isolation which is a real treat on this always getting more crowded island. It is usually windy up at Bean Point. If you do your walk at sunset that is perhaps an added bonus. This is a wonderful walk no matter what time of the day or moon lighted time of night you indulge.
2. Coquina Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 332 reviews
Reviewed By smokeymontreal - montreal
This is my favorite beach ever. Free parking,washrooms and changing rooms picnic tables and trees to sit under. You can walk on flat sand for a long time
3. Manatee Public Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 517 reviews
Reviewed By TFopinion - Pennsylvania
Straight ahead as you cross on to Anna Maria Island (AMI) is the popular, family friendly Manatee Public Beach. Compared to most of the other more secluded, off the beaten path beaches on AMI, this one offers beach goers all they need during their day of soaking up the sun. Public parking is free and plentiful but can fill up quickly on busy days.
The long building heading the parking lot has its key amenities on the beach side for customer convenience. There is a wide variety of items offered at the snack bar (prices are expectedly high), outside seating and a gift shop and restrooms. They even serve breakfast here each morning. The tiki bar offers adult beverages but they can’t be taken on the beach. Chairs and umbrellas are available for rent and there is a beach volleyball area. No dogs. Wash off areas are also provided as you exit the beach. Live music from 3-5 pm (I think) is offered every day.
I may have missed listing other amenities here but if you want to have these available to you while at the beach, this is a good choice. If you’re looking for a more secluded, less crowded beach without the amenities, try Anna Maria Island beach (my fav) 5 minutes north from Manatee (but limited parking) or Coquina Beach to the south past Longboat.
4. Coquina Baywalk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
A small nature park on Anna Maria Island perfect for relaxing walks.
Reviewed By ViolaAunt - Indianapolis, Indiana
I have gone past this many times and have thought about stopping. I have stayed on the island three summers in a row and this was the summer I finally did it. It was a pleasant walk from my rental on 8th Street. My first full day on the island, I got up early to talk a walk. I am sure glad that I headed south where it was more secluded. I walked along the beach until I was directly across the street. Since it was early morning I only encountered one other individual. I felt like I stepped back in time into a jungle. The view of the bay was awesome.
5. Bradenton Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 742 reviews
Reviewed By cymru1948 - Aberdeenshire
Bradenton Beach & Anna Maria island in general
Has (almost guaranteed) great weather. Some fantastic beaches, attractive scenery, good restaurants, nice small shops, and friendly people.
But, it is a victim of the foregoing superlatives, as this corner of paradise is so popular that it is swamped by visitors.
Streets are a mass of crawling traffic and parking is almost impossible. Pre-booking, for dinner, is pretty much a necessity at any restaurant.
The two main roads and bridges feeding the island frequently (moreso at weekends) can have lines of traffic queuing back 3 to 4 miles onto the mainland following a drawer bridge being raised to let a single small yatch pass.
At late afternoon, the road up from Longboat key can take 35 min to progress the 2 miles from coquina beach to the south Anna Maria / Cortez bridge.
Due to the traffic, the "free bus" is often greatly delayed, resulting in quite large groups waiting at popular bus stops and subsequent slow journey times.
Barrington Beach itself if very nice, the the Beach shelves very steeply. We observed dolphin pkaying and jumping, yards from the shore
So, overall, give me Siesta Key, anytime.
6. Anna Maria City Pier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 355 reviews
This place is temporarily closed due to a hurricane. It will reopen when repairs are complete.
Reviewed By krashtest d - Utrecht, The Netherlands
The pier is beautiful, historic, wonderful, free - and closed. Apparently Hurricane Irma harmed a lot of it, and for some unfathomable reason the local politicians haven't rushed out to get it rebuilt. If this had been Provincetown, or any other coastal town with a pier as a major attraction, either it would have been fixed by now, or there'd be something temporary available. As it is, there are big PIER CLOSED signs everywhere - and oddly, no sign telling travelers there is another pier (Rod and Reel) just a half mile north. I don't know what the politics involved are, but it's ridiculous. The businesses around it are not getting badly hurt yet because no one seems to realize the pier is closed - but once word gets out, they'll really suffer.
Not to mention, the reasonably-priced family restaurant at the end of the pier is closed too, leaving no nearby choices for an entire family to sit and eat unless they're semi-expensive.
Very disappointing.
7. Bradenton Beach City Pier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 191 reviews
Reviewed By RetireeOTR - Manton, Michigan
Took the trolley down from Anna Maria City pier numerous times during our stay. Trolley is free (donations accepted). Stopped at Bridge Street to walk the shops and grab a bite to eat, the pier usually has people fishing, there are places to sit in the shade at the end and a few swings as well, usually one side or the other has some shade which is nice too. Looking in the water you can see fish, there are pelicans and cormorants and seagulls and other types of birds as well....watching the boats and the bridge go up was so relaxing, could sit there all day. Very nicew.
8. Anna Maria Island Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 125 reviews
Reviewed By lorriemck - tampa, fl
Stopped in with grandkids - a quick history display of life on AMI over the years. Small gift shop - and don't forget the Jail !
9. Island Gallery West
Overall Ratings
5 based on 17 reviews
Nestled in the heart of Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island, Island Gallery West is a fine art gallery cooperative of about 30 local and regional artists — many unique to the area. The gallery has a 20-plus-year history of offering original watercolor, acrylic, oil, and mixed-media paintings, photography, jewelry, pottery, stained glass and fiber art. Every month a different artist is featured with a special exhibit of their newest work. During the winter/spring season from November through April, the gallery hosts public receptions for the monthly featured artist. These receptions are part of the Holmes Beach ARTWALK that includes several other art galleries and boutiques. Also during high season, from January to early April, member artists present free art demonstrations of various media and techniques every Saturday morning at the gallery. These events are very popular and have developed a wide following.Island Gallery West maintains a website with a dedicated page for each member artist to show examples of currently available work. The website also lists an updated schedule of current and upcoming events. As an artists’ cooperative, the Island Gallery West is owned and operated by its members. Six days a week the gallery is staffed by member artists who welcome the opportunity to discuss their art with you. Stop by for a pleasant, relaxing visit and enjoy the many fine works of art on display in two exhibit areas. You’ll discover all the variety and visual stimulation of an art festival in a pleasant gallery setting.
Reviewed By kkelly8826 - Brick, New Jersey
Wherever we are we look for artist's collectives for a visit. We find that Florida is very good for this type of gallery. We found a sizeable number of artist's work at very good prices and spent some cash to remember our trip to this cute town
10. Anna Maria Historic Green Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By travelgal617 - New York, New York
Located across the street from the City Pier is several small shops and a block of a mix of galleries, residences, grocery, Church and several cute shops. Parking is available as is the Free Trolley. We walked the street and enjoyed visiting several of the shops and buying some sweatshirts for the very cool January weather. Stopped in at the grocery for a few supplies. People are friendly and helpful! Worth a visit.
TAGS
