Local Guide
Turn It Up or Slow Things Down
The greater area of Anna Maria Island, Bradenton, Sarasota, St. Pete Beach, and Tampa has been a longtime favorite getaway for travelers - and it’s easy to see why. An abundance of natural beauty, incredible museums and restaurants, attractions and activities, and endless stretches of beach all add up to a pretty irresistible package.
The cozy, small-town atmosphere of Anna Maria Island warmly welcomes visitors and is known for being a place to enjoy peace and relaxation. In 2013, Forbes selected Anna Maria Island as the “3rd Prettiest City in the Country” and in 2015 Condé Nast Traveler named it one of the “Top 10 Island Beaches for Perfect Sand.” On the north end of the island you will find Anna Maria Beach, a quiet pristine stretch of sand that has changed very little in the past 50 years. Nearby Anna Maria Bayfront Park offers sweeping views of Tampa Bay and the famous Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
Anna Maria Island is home to numerous food, arts, music and sporting events throughout the year such as Symphony on the Sand which takes place directly on the picturesque Coquina Beach. Enjoy great hiking and biking at Neal Preserve and Robinson Preserve, both within walking distance of the property, or get around the island using the complimentary trolley. The wider Bradenton area is also host to a variety of festivals and community celebrations such as the Bradenton Blues Festival and the Riverwalk Regatta.
Wondering what to do in Bradenton and Anna Maria Island? Here’s just a few of the reasons why we’re happy to welcome so many visitors, many of whom return year after year to check out an ever-growing list of amazing things to do.