If you’re looking for things to do in Anna Maria Island, look no further. This gorgeous island is a perfect place to spend your Florida vacation.
There are activities for every taste, from shopaholics to anglers to families with a posse of kids.
White sand beaches, clear water, fishing pelicans, lip-smacking seafood, and gorgeous boardwalks through mangrove forests await.
Things To Do In Anna Maria Island
1. Stroll The Piers
Ranging from simple concrete constructions to over-water streets populated with shops and tour agencies.
Anna Maria Island’s piers offer wonderful views of the coast, the opportunity to spot dolphins and fish, and top spots to drop in a line for a chance to hook your dinner.
Rod & Reel Pier
The Rod and Reel Pier is unlike any other. This private pier is a great spot for anglers, birdwatchers, and anyone with a hankering for grouper sandwiches or an ice-cold beer.
Treat your tastebuds to a meal in the restaurant at the end of the pier, grab a drink in the bar, or join the anglers or spectators along the edge of the pier.
Visitors have spotted dolphins, manatees, schools of fish, and stingrays swimming below.
Anna Maria City Pier
The historic Anna Maria City Pier is another great spot for sightseeing and anglers.
Originally, the pier was used by steamboat day trippers from St. Petersburg who would disembark and walk down Pine Avenue to what is now the Sandbar Restaurant.
Stroll along the pier, stop in at the gift shop or restaurant, and enjoy views of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
Bridge Street Pier
The Bridge Street Pier is a great spot to watch seabirds, relax to the sound of the water, and soak in beautiful views.
It’s a perfect escape from the shopping scene on Bridge Street, especially if you’re feeling overstimulated or long to sniff the sea breeze.
Cortez Beach South Pier
The Cortez Beach South Pier is a stone pier offering fun fishing opportunities, lovely views of the beaches of Anna Maria Island, and plenty of opportunities for kids to search for crabs.
2. Hit The Beaches
Choosing the best beach on Anna Maria Island is tough, so you might as well visit them all. Check out these top spots for sand and surf on the island.
Bayfront Park
This Anna Maria public beach is a fun place to kayak, paddleboard, build sandcastles, and soak in the sunshine.
There’s even a playground, picnic pavilion, shade trees when you need a break from the sun, and prime fishing spots.
Coquina Beach
Located in Bradenton Beach, Coquina Beach is a lively spot.
Some of the best ways to enjoy this beach include searching for tiny coquina shells in the sand, strolling along the sand, and swimming.
One advantage to this beach is that it is guarded and has everything you could need from restrooms to changing stations to parking.
Manatee Public Beach
Drive down to Holmes Beach, and you’ll reach one of the most popular strips of sand on the island: Manatee Beach.
It has white sand, turquoise water, and a great family-friendly vibe. Make sure you come early so you can find a parking spot and claim a place on the sand.
There are plenty of amenities here, including restrooms, showers, and lifeguards on duty during peak hours.
There are also tons of restaurants, rentals, and shops within walking distance.
Cortez Beach
Another great beach to visit is Cortez Beach, on the southwest end of the island. With sand dunes, tall trees, and native grasses, this beach boasts pure natural beauty.
Cortez Beach is a great spot for snorkeling. There aren’t any amenities, though, so go prepared.
Old-town Florida vibes await at historic Bridge Street. This lively street on Anna Maria Island offers a fun stroll dotted with restaurants, shops, and activities.
Play mini golf on an incredibly landscaped course at the Fish Hole, enjoy live music, or eat top-quality gelato at Gelato Go.
Other favorite things to do on Bridge Street include visiting the Bridge Street Bazaar, shopping at Back Island Treasures, and grabbing something to eat at Island Time Bar & Grill.
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4. Explore Leffis Key
Leffis Key Preserve is a beautiful place to enjoy the natural habitat on Anna Maria Island.
Walk the Coquina Baywalk through a mangrove forest, meander the footpaths looking for local wildlife, go fishing, and climb the small hill for amazing views of Sarasota Bay.
This is also a perfect place for birdwatching, photography, and enjoying a tasty homemade spread from one of the picnic tables.
The best time to visit for wildlife viewing is early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
Don’t miss the elevated viewpoints for gorgeous vistas of the Gulf Coast. There is free parking on site.
5. Ride The Trolley Around Town Or Ride Bikes
Visit (or discover) your favorite places with ease by hopping on and off the Anna Maria Island Trolley.
This free trolley travels from the Anna Maria City Pier and stops every two to four blocks until it reaches the south side of the island at Bradenton’s Coquina Beach.
But if the trolley doesn’t sound like something you would enjoy, there are multiple other ways to get around, including renting a four or six-person golf cart (check the website for special offers) or renting a bicycle.
There are tons of bike paths crisscrossing Anna Maria Island, offering more great ways to explore.
6. Take In The Views At Bean Point
If you’re hunting for a little slice of paradise, Bean Point Beach is the perfect spot.
Although it doesn’t have super easy access, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.
One of the main reasons to visit is that it’s so quiet. It also has stunning views, luscious turquoise water, and powdery sand.
It’s a great place to watch the sunset, swim in beautiful water, build sandcastles, or wade out to the sandbar for spectacular shelling.
This local favorite is on the northern tip of Anna Maria Island. Limited street parking is available on North Shore Drive, where it intersects with Fern Street and Gladiolus Street.
There are no amenities, so take everything you need with you.
Fresh seafood and sweet and tangy key lime pie—mmm, are you hungry yet? If so, check out these great restaurants.
The Ugly Grouper
This restaurant features an ugly grouper statue, fun vibes, and consistently fantastic food.
The outdoor seating is top-notch. Head over for a wonderful casual night out.
The Feast
Fine dining and enticing cuisine define The Feast. Don’t be fooled by the strip mall view outside.
The decor is great, and the food is amazing, ranging from steaks to gourmet burgers and hand-tossed pizzas.
The Waterfront Restaurant
At The Waterfront, you can find classic fresh seafood a hop, skip, and a jump from the beach.
Yummy meals, great bartenders, and lovely views—what could be better?
The Kokonut Hut
Grouper Tacos, cocktails, and laidback island vibes make The Kokonut Hut another eatery to consider.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar
Come to the Anna Maria Oyster Bar for tasty cuisine, fast service, and a nice ambiance.
You can’t go wrong ordering the salmon teriyaki, baked oysters, and smoked fish dip.
8. Get On The Water
Since this barrier island is sandwiched between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, fantastic water activities abound.
You can rent Jet skis and go on guided kayak tours or boat tours.
Even during the winter months, the relatively warm waters around the island are a veritable playground for visitors and locals alike.
Zoom around on a jet ski, paddle your kayak around Leffis Key, take a dolphin tour, embark on a Pirate Adventure, or visit Beer Can Island. You won’t be sorry.
Get a feel for the shopping scene by strolling down Anna Maria Island’s Pine Avenue.
This main street is populated by an eclectic assortment of gift shops, art galleries, and other attractions.
Be sure to stop by favorite local shops like the Beach Bums (for your beach needs) and the Shiny Fish Emporium for amazing souvenirs.
While you’re visiting the Shiny Fish, consider painting sand dollars. This is a great family activity that everyone from adults to young children will enjoy.
10. Indulge Your Sweet Tooth At Donut Experiment
If you’re craving something sweet or want to turn your breakfast into a memory, check out The Donut Experiment.
This popular spot on the north end of the island features delicious hometown desserts the whole family will love. Why?
Because you get to choose your favorite donut toppings in made-to-order icing, drizzle deliciousness.
There are also special donuts, which offer a great way to take your taste buds on an unexpected outing. Try the daily special, key lime, and sriracha donuts.
Head over as early as you can to avoid the lineups at this most popular of local restaurants.
11. Enjoy Live Music At Freckled Fin Irish Pub
If you’re looking for a rousing place to enjoy live music, tasty eats, and great drinks, look no further than the Freckled Fin Irish Pub.
This lively pub is located on Holmes Boulevard in Holmes Beach, just an 8-minute drive from the city of Anna Maria.
It is one of the best places for fun, too, with karaoke nights, rock-n-roll trivia nights, and musicians ranging from party bands to guitarists to steel drummers.
Check their entertainment schedule to see what’s coming up on the evening you want to visit.
Sit at a table for the best service, and enjoy mouthwatering food, beer, wine, cocktails, and specialty shots.
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