Anna Maria Island Travel Guide
Anna Maria Island has grown in popularity in the past few years and it’s easy to see why. It’s such a charming, laid back island yet offers so much to do. This Anna Maria blog will serve as the ultimate Anna Maria Island travel guide for your vacation!
Where to Stay in Anna Maria Island
The great thing about Anna Maria Island is that it appeals to visitors of all ages. There is something for everyone to take part in and similarly, there will be a vacation rental to suit your needs. Anna Maria Island has such a quaint, small town feel so you won’t find a lot of hotels here. There are plenty of airbnbs to fit your needs from huge and luxurious with private pools to small beach cottages.
The Sunrise Garden Resort is an intimate option with only 15 suites. It’s located between the beach and the bay, a short walk from so many things to do in Anna Maria Island.
Fun Things to do in Anna Maria Island, Florida
Whether you want to relax and spend a few days on island time or whether you want to a jam packed vacation full of adventure, there are fun things to do in Anna Maria Island for you. Here are a few activities you might want to add to your vacation.
Anna Maria Island Historical Museum
The Anna Maria Island Historical Society has several items that showcase the island’s history. It’s a great way to learn about how life used to be. I learned at the museum that Bean Point (the northernmost area of Anna Maria Island) was named after George Emerson Bean, the first resident of Anna Maria Island. We had a great visit with a very sweet woman working the museum that day. She was very welcoming and so knowledgable! Plus, the museum itself is in a historic building. The location of the museum was actually Anna Maria’s ice house and was built in 1920.
The museum is probably most known for its jail, which is located on site.
The museum is free (though a donation is recommended). On Monday through Friday, the museum is open 10-4 January through March and 10-1 April through December. They do tend to close in September to work on projects, so if you’re visiting then, you may want to call them to make sure they are open.
Anna Maria Jail
As mentioned above, the Anna Maria Jail is part of the Historical Museum. And there isn’t a whole lot left of the jail. To begin with, the jail was only a small, one room building. If you’ve ever searched for things to do on Anna Maria Island, you’ve probably seen pictures of the island’s original jail. It’s actually one of the most photographed places on the island. There were no windows in the jail when it was first built in 1927, so the detainees would get bit by mosquitos. The jail was in use until 1940 until a fire burned most of it down. What you see today is all that’s left, which is essentially a concrete slab now.
Trolley
The Anna Maria Island Trolley is a great way to get around the island without having to deal with the traffic and parking. You can hop on and off as much as you want to. The trolleys loop the island from Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach to the City Pier in Anna Maria Island. They run every 20 minutes although traffic can affect this. After 9 pm, they run every 30 minutes and they quit running at 10:30 pm. The trolley is free and also air conditioned.
There is also an app where you can track the trolley in real time through the myStop app on your mobile phone. Each bus stop also has a QR code if you would rather view track the trolleys that way. If you do this, you’ll select Manatee County as the transit authority and identify your trolley route and stop in the app. This is really helpful on days that the island is heavy with traffic, like during holidays or weekends during tourist season.
Anna Maria Fishing Spots
Fishing is a popular activity. Some of the best fishing spots on Anna Maria Island are the Rod and Reel Pier, fishing from the beach, or fishing offshore with a charter.
Walk One of the Piers
There are two piers in Anna Maria Island, the Rod and Reel Pier and The Anna Maria City Pier. Bradenton Beach, just down the road, also has the Historic Bridge Street Pier.
Rod and Reel Pier is a no-frills, rustic looking pier. At the end of the pier, you’ll find the Rod and Reel Pier Restaurant. It’s two stories and serves fresh seafood.
The Anna Maria City Pier was originally built in the early 1900s. It’s much longer than the Rod and Reel Pier. You can get great views of Tampa Bay and the Skyway Bridge from the pier. It was recently reconstructed due to damage sustained during Hurricane Irma. This is a popular spot to fish.
Historic Bridge Street Pier is an old bridge that used to be the only way to access the island. It’s technically in Bradenton Beach, just a stone’s throw from Anna Maria Island. The pier is now a walkable area where you can check out restaurants and shopping. They also have a farmers market from November to April on Sundays from 10am-3pm.
Shopping in Anna Maria Island
Pine Avenue is one of the main streets on the island and is known for its unique shops, restaurants, and galleries.
Some popular stores to shop on Pine Avenue:
- Pink and Navy – a women’s clothing boutique
- Island Charms – jewelry (they also do permanent jewelry!) and home accents
- Shiny Fish Emporium – gift shop, you can also paint sand dollars here
- Olive Oil Outpost – not only a great place to buy olive oil but also pasta, wine, jelly, cheese, and more
- Island Cabana – resort lifestyle beachwear (they have a lot of Lilly Pulitzer). This store is a little more pricey but I love looking around.
- AMI Outfitters – an outdoor store with plenty of men’s clothing
- Pineapple Marketplace – a collective store for several local creators. They have home decor, art, fashion, and more.
- Anna Maria General Store – a fun local place to go for food, drinks, and supplies.
Mote Aquarium
The Mote Aquarium is in Sarasota, just a short drive from Anna Maria Island. There are indoor and outdoor exhibits including a shark habitat, manatees, sea turtles, and more. You can learn more about the ocean as well as conservation efforts happening in the area.
Neal Preserve
Neal Preserve is on the east side of Anna Maria Island. It has 120 acres with hiking trails, boardwalks, and picnic areas. The hiking trails are well-maintained with hikes ranging from easy to moderate. You’ll likely see some wildlife (birds, butterflies, and turtles) while you hike as well.
The boardwalks at Neal Preserve are elevated, so you can get good views of the wetlands. You might see some wildlife, such as alligators, herons, and egrets.
Neal Preserve also has guided tours where you can learn more about the different ecosystems and the wildlife that lives there.
Leffis Key Preserve
The Leffis Key Preserve has nice walking trails and boardwalks for enjoying nature and wildlife. Several lookout points give you views of mangroves and the intracoastal. There are signs along the way to learn more about the ecosystem and animals you may encounter on your walk. It’s not a large place, but it is well worth visiting. If you are there on a very hot day, I recommend visiting in the morning or evening as most of the trail is directly in the sun.
Bridge Street Markets
The Bridge Street Market is just down the road in Bradenton Beach. It runs November through April on Sundays from 10-3. You can expect local artwork, produce, live music, and other amazing local vendors selling all sorts of things!
You may have heard of the Coquina Beach Market. It was a really popular activity in Anna Maria but it has sadly closed.
Anna Maria Island Water Activities
Since you’re visiting an island, chances are you want to enjoy the water. Whether you want to be active on the water or it from the shore, there are plenty of activities on and near the water to keep you satisfied.
Anna Maria Island Beaches
Of course, one of the best things to do in Anna Maria Island is to check out the beach. There are a few different beaches in Anna Maria Island to check out.
- Manatee Public Beach has lifeguards, bathrooms, shower, and a playground. It’s also close to town if you want to do some exploring. If you’d rather not walk, that’s fine too, because there is a beach cafe located on the beach.
- Bean Point is at the northern tip of Anna Maria Island. This typically the quietest beach. Due to its location, you can get a good view of Tampa Bay and can also see where the Gulf meets the Bay.
- Anna Maria Beach is located in north Anna Maria Island. It is a little quieter than some of the other beaches, so there aren’t as many facilities.
- Coquina Beach is a long stretch of beach on Anna Maria Island. It is on the southern end of the island and has picnic areas, concessions, and lifeguards.
Parasailing
If you want a unique vantage point of the island, try parasailing. It’s a fun activity if you want to add a little thrill, plus it will give you a beautiful view of the island!
Kayaking or Paddleboarding
Stand up paddle boards and kayaks are popular ways of exploring another side of Anna Maria Island. One of the most popular routes will take you through the mangroves. If you are lucky, you might get to see some wildlife, too. A unique way to kayak in Anna Maria Island is with clear kayaks.
Jet Skis
Renting jet skis is a very popular activity in Anna Maria Island. You can rent your own jet ski or you can go on a jet ski tour. Either way, this is an easy way to get on the water and explore Anna Maria Island from a different perspective.
Dolphin Tours
Another way to experience wildlife and explore Anna Maria Island is through a dolphin tour. You might see some other marine life, too, such as sting rays, sea turtles, and more.
Best Places to Eat in Anna Maria Island
Despite Anna Maria Island being a small space, there are plenty of restaurant options. I have a whole blog post dedicated to the best places to eat on Anna Maria Island, but here is a quick highlight.
Breakfast in Anna Maria Island
There are a lot of great places to eat breakfast in Anna Maria Island! Here are some of my favorites:
The Donut Experiment is one of my favorite spots for breakfast. Basically, you grab a piece of paper, choose your donut, glaze, topping, and drizzle. Or you can choose one of their specialty donuts. Then they make your donuts to order right in front of you so they are always fresh and warm. They are some of the best donuts I’ve ever had!
Ginny and Jane E’s doubles as a gift shop-type store and breakfast spot. The breakfast is really good. I enjoyed their crème brûlée french toast but everyone raves about their cinnamon rolls. They also have a coffee menu. I love their store, they have beach decor, artwork, and more.
The Beach Cafe is on the beach and has all you can eat pancakes. To be honest, I wouldn’t go out of my way to eat here, but it’s a very convenient stop if you are planning to be at the beach all day.
North Shore Cafe serves delicious coffee, smoothies, açaí bowls, avocado toast, and more. This is where you’ll find the famous Greetings from Anna Maria Island sign. They have seating in a really vibey outdoor space but a lot of people also choose to take it to go.
Anna Maria Restaurants on the Water
The Sandbar is probably the most popular waterfront restaurant. You can literally sit with your toes in the sand. The Sandbar is open for lunch and dinner.
Beach Bistro is your best option for an upscale waterfront dinner in Anna Maria Island. They have earned the highest Zagat rating for best food on the Gulf Coast. They are best known for their steak, but they also have fresh seafood and lamb.
Beach House Restaurant also has spectacular beach views. They have a smaller menu, but their food is good. They have great cocktails as well.
Rod & Reel Pier on the north side of the island is the most laid back, casual option for waterfront dining. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Bars in Anna Maria Island
Does Anna Maria Island have bars? Yes! Despite being a small island, there are quite a few bars to choose from. Here are a few places to get a drink if you are so inclined. Just down the road, Bradenton Beach has a few more options.
The Doctor’s Office
The Doctor’s Office used to be an actual doctor’s office but is now an upscale cocktail bar. It’s great for a special occasion. It’s a little pricy, but these will be some of the best cocktails you’ll ever have. They do have food as well and you can make a reservation.
The Kokonut Hut
You’ll find tropical cocktails and water views at the Kokonut Hut. This is a tiki bar overlooking the beach and they have some casual food options as well.
Drift In (“The Drift”)
The Drift is a local’s dive bar with a lot of different activities throughout the week. Depending on the night you’re there, you might find karaoke, live music, bingo, card games, and more. They have an indoor and outdoor bar.
D Coy Ducks
This could also be considered a local’s dive bar. D Coy Ducks is open late (2:30 am) and a bit more lively. They have live music and a dance area in front of the stage.
Anna Maria Island Tips
I hope that this blog post was helpful in deciding what to do in Anna Maria Island. Here are a few more Anna Maria Island tips and FAQs that will help you have a fun and memorable trip!
When is the best time to visit Anna Maria Island?
Anna Maria Island has warm weather year-round. Summers will be hot while January – March will be more mild overall. With that being said, weather is unpredictable. It’s possible to have a very hot day in January while we have also had 50 degree days in January. In the “colder” months, the beach might be too chilly for a swim as well depending on your preferences.
Know that hurricane season in Florida runs from June through November with the most active months typically being late August through mid-October.
Parking on Anna Maria Island
If you are renting a car to bring to the island, be aware that you’ll probably hit traffic unless you can get to the island early. Like many islands in Florida, Anna Maria does not have a lot of parking. Unless you plan on taking some day trips or staying for a long time, you won’t really need a car. Instead, you could rent a scooter, golf cart, or a bike. Golf carts are extremely popular ways to explore Anna Maria Island; there are several companies you can book with once you arrive. You can also use the free trolley to avoid having to drive and find parking.
Hopefully this Anna Maria Island travel guide helps you plan your ultimate vacation to this tropical paradise. It really is a great Florida vacation destination that has something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you want to relax and chill or stay busy and active, you’ll be able to find just the right thing on your Anna Maria Island vacation.
