Welcome to Anna Maria Island
So, you’ve made it to Anna Maria Island—first of all, good choice. Whether you’re here for a weekend or planning to stay a while, there’s something about this place that just makes people exhale. It’s not flashy, and that’s exactly the point. Around here, we like our days a little slower, our sunsets a little louder, and our flip-flops very well-worn.
Here’s what I’d tell any friend visiting for the first time:
Start with the North End
The north end of the island is my favorite. Quieter, quirkier, and full of character. Pine Avenue is where you’ll want to start—think boutique shops, local artists, and cafes where the coffee is strong and the people are chatty. Pop into Ginny and Jane E’s for breakfast (the cinnamon rolls are no joke), and then stroll your way down to the Anna Maria City Pier for unbeatable water views and dolphin sightings if you’re lucky.
Beach Like a Local
Sure, you could go to the more popular beaches (Coquina, Bradenton Beach)—but if you want the real experience, aim for Bean Point. It’s tucked up at the very tip of the island, and it feels like your own private paradise. No lifeguard stands, no big parking lots—just sand, sea, and sky.
Bring a book, bring a chair, bring nothing at all. Just promise me you’ll stay for sunset.
Get Around the Right Way
Leave your car. Seriously. Grab a bike or hop on the free island trolley. Part of the charm here is moving slowly and taking it all in—driving just feels wrong somehow. And parking? Forget about it on weekends.
Eat Fresh, Often
There’s a reason people plan their days around meals here. Start with lunch at the Rod & Reel Pier—nothing fancy, just great seafood and a view that makes you want to linger. The Sandbar is perfect for dinner with your toes in the sand, especially if you can time it with sunset (yes, I’m mentioning sunset again—it really is that good).
If you see a chalkboard sign for a local fish fry or oyster roast, go. That’s where the good stuff lives.
Don’t Try to Do It All
This isn’t a place you “do.” It’s a place you feel. Let the day unfold slowly. Skip a plan or two. Stay longer at breakfast. Wander into that little gallery you didn’t know existed. Talk to the bartender. Take a second walk just because.
Around here, we measure time in tan lines and ice cream cones—not schedules.
Final Thought: You’ll Be Back
Everyone says the same thing when they leave Anna Maria Island: “I wish I had more time.”
So take it from someone who never really left—soak it in. Fall asleep with the windows open. Watch the tide come and go. And know that, whenever you need to feel a little more grounded, the island will be here. Waiting.
