If your idea of a paradise means something other than wall-to-wall high-rise condos and tourist traps, Anna Maria Island is just the ticket. Discover an Old Florida-feel where wooden beach cottages, mom-and-pop businesses, and spectacularly gorgeous beaches live aside tiki huts and fishing piers. Three charming communities are along the seven-mile stretch of the island – Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach.
1. The free municipal trolley carries vacationers and locals to various stops, including the Island Shopping Center, Manatee County Public Beach, Bridge Street and Coquina Beach. The trolley makes regular stops, so riders never wait too long to hop aboard.
2. Our beaches offer beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico and the Bay, with Manatee Beach a family favorite for its playground, bathrooms, showers, and lifeguard patrols.
3. Bicycling and golf carts make it easy to get to the beaches or the stores along Pine Avenue, a revitalized main street from The Gulf of Mexico to the Historic City pier with one-of-a-kind shops, boutiques, and great restaurants. Beach Bums AMI rents bicycles and golf carts, and offers free delivery to your vacation property for rentals over 24 hours.
4. Between the trolley, golf carts and bicyclists, Anna Maria Island benefits from a lack of traffic, adding to the island’s laid-back vibe.
5. The piers – the Anna Maria City Pier and Rod n’ Reel Pier – bring to life memories of old-school beach vacations. The piers make glorious spots for fishing and crabbing.
6. Rustic dive bars, pier grills, and beach- or bay-side dining make for an inviting dining experience. What’s better on vacation than a burger at the beach or an oyster po-boy sitting on a pier?
7. If the island gets a little too crowded for your liking, go off-road to Grassy Pointe Preserve, an ecological park in Holmes Beach, or Leffis Key preserve in Bradenton Beach. Both have walking trails and boardwalks, and feel a million miles away.
8. Shop along Historic Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach, a walkable strip with spectacular water views and plenty of stores. Bridge Street Bazaar, family-owned and operated since 1987, makes an inspiring stop for souvenirs, and sells everything needed for the beach. Other retro favorites include Back Alley Treasures, One Stop Shell Shop, the Fudge Factory, and Bridge Street Bait Shop.
9. Perhaps the best part of an AMI vacation is the accommodations. Low-rise buildings, beach cottages, large family homes make up the portfolio for our boutique rental agency. But nothing is “old” about the amenities, furnishings, and appliances. Our properties offer upgrades, but with that “old Florida” feel.