About Anna Maria Island
Laidback and oozing “old Florida” charm, Anna Maria Island is a slice of paradise located on Florida’s famous Gulf Coast. With picturesque beaches known around the world for their beautiful white sand and waters of the clearest turquoise blue, it’s not hard to relax and unwind while on this island in the Gulf of Mexico.
Only seven miles long, the island is divided into three cities: Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, and Anna Maria. This gives vacationers plenty of choices when it comes to choosing what to do and where to stay while visiting. An Anna Maria Island vacation rental right on the beach is the perfect option as home base since chain restaurants are pleasantly absent and the area remains untainted by numerous high rise buildings.
Climate
The average year-round temperature in Anna Maria Island is a comfortable 75 degrees making it an ideal destination to visit during any month. In the winter, the skies are cloudless and temperatures range from 75 degrees during the daytime to 50 degrees overnight. Trade winds influence the spring months with sunny, dry days that reach up to 90 degrees. Hot summer temperatures mixed with gentle breezes and cooling rains give way to glorious weather throughout late fall.
Transit
The best way to tour this intimate seven-mile island is by hopping aboard the Anna Maria Island Trolley. It runs north to south from the Anna Maria City Pier to Coquina Beach stopping every few blocks for riders to hop on and off. The best part about it is that it is completely free to riders and offers the perfect opportunity for a burst of refreshing air conditioning on the way to the next activity. Parking can be scarce throughout the island, so the trolley is both a scenic ride and a necessity.
Attractions
Part of Anna Maria Island’s charm is its well-preserved natural beauty. The Anna Maria Island Butterfly Park is a perfect place to see butterflies and plants local to the area. Similarly, the island’s scenic shoreline is an attraction in itself. For people who love to visit the beach and soak up sun, Anna Maria Island has several gorgeous beaches to enjoy.
· Bean Point is at the very northern tip of the island and is a local secret offering stunning views of the sunset from its pristine and tranquil beach.
· Manatee Beach is a large public beach with lifeguards on duty and ample beach space for undisturbed bliss.
· Cortez Beach has calm waters and light surf and is a family-oriented destination. Although no lifeguards are on duty here, it’s one of the best beaches on Anna Maria Island.
The local museums and art galleries are popular attractions as well and great alternatives to outdoor activities. After a morning spent relaxing in an Anna Maria Island vacation rental, people can spend a fun afternoon at the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum and Park. Visitors to the museum and park can learn about the island’s history, take part in a scavenger hunt, and tour the cottage that fell into the bay. Other indoor attractions include The Studio, where exhibits, workshops and lectures are held, as well as Bradenton’s Village of the Arts where artists live and work.
Shopping & Dining
Anna Maria Island offers a variety of shopping options ranging from eclectic seaside shops to popular outlets. Pine Avenue, “the greenest little main street in America,” is lined with boutiques leading up to the City Pier, and Holmes Beach has blocks of shops filled with adorable keepsakes. Mixed in amongst the folksy storefronts is an array of award-winning dining options as well. Whether you’re looking for a grouper sandwich at a casual beachside joint, or a romantic waterfront experience, Anna Maria Island has many options to choose from. With tables in the sand, the Sandbar is always a good choice for a quintessential island meal.
Events
When planning a trip to Anna Maria Island, make arrangements to stay in a vacation rental during one of the city’s awesome annual events. Anna Maria Island Heritage Day in February features the wares and skills of local artists and crafters, and attendees can take part in activities, enjoy lively music and participate in old-fashioned games for kids. In March, Island CityFest features a kids’ zone, arts, crafts and more. Later in Spring, the Bridge Street Merchants host the Blues, Brews & BBQ event for locals and visitors to enjoy. Outdoor Market Sundays take place November through April, and Winterfest in December wraps up the year’s festivities. On Anna Maria Island, fun events happen year-round, so there will always be something to do.
Free from commercialism and where shoes are optional, Anna Maria Island is a premier beach destination that visitors flock to year-round. Book a vacation rental to live the laidback lifestyle of a true Anna Maria Islander and fully experience the island’s Floridian charm. The beaches are beckoning!
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