Top Things to do in Anna Maria Island
Countries
10 Things to Do in Anna Maria Island That You Shouldn't Miss
The quaint feel of Anna Maria Island makes it the perfect place to eat grouper sandwiches and kayak with dolphins. While you’re here visit Bean Point Beach, tucked away on the north end of the island — a cozy paradise with an Old Florida vibe. Then hop on over to Anna Maria Bayfront Park, which includes sweeping views of Tampa Bay and the iconic Sunshine Skyway. Numerous beaches, restaurants and events make Anna Maria Island the perfect relaxation spot for your next vacation.
Restaurants in Anna Maria Island
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. Robinson Nature Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Kathryn B - Lutz, Florida
Locals frequent this location with their pets in tow, or launch your canoe at the entrance to experience the mangroves from a different perspective. Personally, the trails are the way to go- whether hiking or biking. Even better, they are adding additional trails using recently donated property. Shorelines and bridges give easy access to "blueways". Geocaching is an extra. What a treat.
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 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
5. 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.
6. Fort De Soto Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Dee Dee W
You really could spend hours here with the self-guided historic fort and Fort De Soto Batteries building tour, over 7 miles of waterfront, includes almost three miles of beautiful white sandy beach, 800-foot-long boat launching facility with eleven floating docks, 15 picnic shelters, playgrounds, Multipurpose trail - seven miles of paved trail connecting North Beach, East Beach,Two large swim centers including a food concession area, Two fishing piers-each pier has a food and bait concession, Quartermaster Museum ,2.25-mile recreational canoe trail,nature trail, and even a dog park! The beaches have much acclaim including named "Best Beach for Families" by USA Today in 2014 and Parents magazine’s top honors in 2011.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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 !
TAGS
