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If you would like to experience a relaxing beach vacation on one of Florida's most exclusive islands, you have come to the right place. It would be our pleasure to welcome you, your family, and/or friends to our Anna Maria Island rentals on Florida's stunning west coast. For the purposes of this guide, we will focus on an itinerary of 7 days or a week-long stay in one of our FL beachfront rentals. These properties are suitable for individuals, couples, and families looking to stay on the island for any length of time.
Here are all the details you need to know about making the most of your seven days on Anna Maria Island. The 7-day itinerary we have designed for you will allow you to experience every reason why Anna Maria Island should be your Florida vacation destination. Take advantage of this week-long Anna Maria Island vacation itinerary to plan your visit to Florida. You'll find attractions, activities, and places to visit. In case you need assistance with planning your vacation or booking a beachfront house rental or condo rental on Florida's west coast, you can always contact Island Real Estate Vacations.
Your vacation in Florida has begun! Firstly, you should check out Anna Maria Island transportation from Sarasota/Bradenton airport. Many people take a taxi to Anna Maria Island from the airport, but there are many other options, including:
You've made it! Relax once you've arrived at one of the best Anna Maria Island beach rentals or one of our best resort rentals, you've made it! If you want to plan out each day of your vacation, check out the things to do on Anna Maria Island below.
On your second day on the island, you must ride the "free-for-tips" Monkey bus. By request, the Monkey Bus travels throughout Anna Maria Island, Cortez, and across the bridges. Our recommendation on day 2 is to take the bus to the many shops and grocery stores around the island. In this manner, you will be able to collect the essentials you will need at your rental for the remainder of your trip. Whenever possible, stock up on food, water, and other essentials.
After you have returned your goods to your rental, hop back on the bus and head out to one of the delicious restaurants on Anna Maria Island. There is sure to be something for everyone on the island no matter what kind of food you and your crew are craving!
Cortez Kitchen and Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier are great seafood restaurants on the island that serve oysters (a staple on the island). For those who are not fans of seafood, there are pizza places on the island that are fantastic, including Oma’s or Solos.
In order to gain a better understanding of the island and its surroundings, you should venture further out and visit Coquina Beach on the southern end of the island. You can get there by trolley for free. In addition to walking on the soft white sand boardwalks, you can see the Sarasota bay from the boardwalks, which are lined with tall pine trees. Between Bradenton Beach and Coquina Beach, our South Beach Village rentals are the perfect base for exploring the area.
The beach is a wonderful place to hunt for elusive and gorgeous sand dollars during your walk. Those that don’t have beach equipment don’t have to worry. In addition to beach chairs and towels, snorkels, fishing equipment, kayaks, wind surfboards, and jet skis, there are plenty of beach equipment rentals to choose from!
The southern end of the island also has Bradenton Beach, which is a popular beach destination. Since Cortex Road or Longboat Key are the only access points to this area, it can sometimes be a bit congested with traffic. The beach itself, however, is usually quiet and calm since it is tucked away from the main road. Do not let the traffic deter you from visiting. Visit Bridge Street Market to enjoy a wide variety of great food, beautiful art and jewelry, live music, fresh produce, and much more while you're here!
Besides being a beach, Bean Point Beach is a historical landmark as well. The island was founded by George Emerson Bean, whose home is located on Anna Maria Island. This 160-acre island was founded by him in 1892 and became his homestead in 1893. Even though the homestead is no longer there, the area has a gorgeous view of the clear, blue water, making it an excellent place to visit as it has no obstructions. This part of the island has no facilities, including no parking lots, so be prepared to walk.
Visit Anna Maria City Pier after hiking Bean Point for a walk on the boardwalk and some great fishing spots! South Bay Boulevard has parking along the pier and it is free to visit. There is a restaurant at the end of the pier, The City Pier Grill and Bait Shop, where you can eat and get some ice cream before heading home.
To learn about some of the island's history, you can also visit the Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum and Old Jail. On the AMI Trolley, this is the "Crescent Drive at Pine Avenue" stop.
After visiting Anna Maria Island, you may want to head inland to Sarasota, just 45 minutes or an hour away. There are a number of attractions in Sarasota, including the Ringling Museum of Art, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, and the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. If you are hungry, you can take a food tour of Downtown Sarasota afterward.
Take the 2-hour drive to Orlando and spend the day at Disney World or Universal Studios. Spend as much time as possible in the parks by getting up early and avoiding rush hour traffic.
You may want to spend your second to last day of your vacation relaxing at your rental, cooking lunch on a beach grill and just enjoying the view. It's your last day, so the best thing you can do is enjoy what you have paid for.
Anna Maria Island has 3 piers if you prefer fishing as a way to relax. The trolley provides free access to all of these attractions:
Anna Maria Island City Pier (mentioned above)
Bridge Street Pier
Spend a night out on the town in Tampa or St. Petersburg just 30 minutes to an hour north. No worries if that drive seems too far! Take advantage of your last night on the island by checking out a restaurant you've yet to visit. Our team and previous guests have all recommended the Ugly Grouper for a casual night of seafood and burgers, or the award winning Beach Bistro that offers a more upscale vibe on the patio with beautiful ocean sunset views.
There is one more day left of your vacation, and you're getting ready to leave for the airport. For a good way to end your seven-day vacation on Anna Maria Island, we recommend going to The Sandbar Restaurant for brunch.
If you're looking for the best Florida beach vacation, Anna Maria Island is the best place to stay. Those looking to get away soon can take advantage of our last-minute beach rental deals. Alternatively, if you'd prefer to plan for next year and beyond, now's the time to look, book, and lock in your rates! To find out how many rentals are available during your desired dates, check out the rental calendar. Our vacation specialists are available to help you with everything from itinerary planning to hotel reservations. Call us at 877-778-6066.
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