BOOK DIRECT
Discover the best attractions and places to visit on Anna Maria Island, Florida, from beautiful Gulf beaches and waterfront parks to historic piers, nature preserves, shopping districts and local dining. Explore popular destinations including Bean Point, Coquina Beach, Bayfront Park, Leffis Key Preserve, Pine Avenue and Historic Bridge Street, along with boating, fishing, kayaking and other ways to experience the island.
Whether you're exploring Anna Maria, Holmes Beach or Bradenton Beach, you'll find plenty of things to see and do surrounded by the white sand, turquoise water and Old Florida charm that make AMI special. Browse Anna Maria Island attractions, beaches, parks, restaurants, shops and local favorites to start planning your Florida Gulf Coast vacation.
One of the best things about Anna Maria Island, Florida is that many of its greatest attractions aren't traditional tourist attractions at all. The island itself is the experience. Beautiful Gulf beaches, waterfront parks, historic piers, nature preserves, locally owned shops, restaurants and colorful neighborhoods give you plenty to explore without losing the relaxed Old Florida atmosphere that makes AMI special.
Stretching approximately seven miles along Florida's Gulf Coast, Anna Maria Island includes three distinctive communities: Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach. Each offers its own places to visit, beaches, restaurants and local character, making it worthwhile to explore the entire island during your stay.
The City of Anna Maria occupies the northern end of the island and is known for its quieter residential atmosphere, beautiful beaches and walkable local attractions. Start at Bean Point, where the northern shoreline provides expansive water views and one of the island's most peaceful settings for walking, birdwatching and watching the sunset.
Nearby, Bayfront Park offers a different perspective from the Gulf beaches, with views across Tampa Bay and convenient access to other north-end attractions. From here, you can continue toward the Anna Maria City Pier and explore Pine Avenue.
Pine Avenue is one of the best places to experience the personality of Anna Maria. Walk or bike along this colorful island street and discover locally owned boutiques, galleries, cafes, restaurants and specialty shops.
You can also visit the Anna Maria Island Historical Society to learn more about the island's history and see the historic Anna Maria City Jail. With beaches, shopping, dining and waterfront attractions all nearby, the north end is easy to explore at a relaxed pace.
Located in the center of Anna Maria Island, Holmes Beach provides convenient access to both ends of AMI while offering its own collection of beaches, restaurants, shops and attractions.
Manatee Public Beach is one of the island's most popular beach destinations and a convenient place for swimming, relaxing and enjoying the Gulf of Mexico. The surrounding Holmes Beach area also offers local dining, art galleries, shopping and easy access to the island trolley.
Visit the Artists' Guild of Anna Maria Island to discover work from local and regional artists, or spend time exploring the locally owned businesses scattered throughout Holmes Beach.
At the southern end of Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach combines beautiful Gulf beaches with one of the island's liveliest shopping, dining and entertainment districts.
Historic Bridge Street is a great place to spend an afternoon or evening. Browse local shops, stop for something to eat, enjoy live entertainment and walk toward the waterfront and Bridge Street Pier area.
Bradenton Beach is also a natural starting point for getting out on the water. Local marinas and outfitters provide opportunities for boating, fishing charters, dolphin tours, parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking and other water adventures.
Continue south through Bradenton Beach and you'll reach Coquina Beach, one of Anna Maria Island's signature stretches of Gulf shoreline. Spend the day swimming, walking along the beach, relaxing beneath the trees or enjoying a picnic near the water.
Depending on the season and schedule, the Coquina Beach Market adds another reason to visit, with vendors offering local products, crafts and other finds.
Near Coquina Beach, Leffis Key Preserve provides a completely different Anna Maria Island experience. Instead of white sand and Gulf waves, you'll discover mangroves, native coastal vegetation, walking trails and scenic views across Sarasota Bay.
It's an excellent attraction for birdwatching, wildlife viewing, photography or simply taking a peaceful walk through one of the island area's natural environments.
Some of the best Anna Maria Island attractions are found beyond the shoreline. Surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay, AMI offers countless ways to spend time on the water.
Go kayaking or paddleboarding, rent a boat, book a fishing charter, take a dolphin-watching cruise or experience the island from above while parasailing. Whether you're looking for adventure or a relaxing sunset cruise, getting onto the water gives you an entirely different perspective of Anna Maria Island.
Wildlife is part of the Anna Maria Island experience. Keep watch for dolphins in the surrounding waters, manatees in calmer coastal areas and an impressive variety of shorebirds throughout the island.
During sea turtle nesting season, you may also notice protected nests along the beaches. Always respect marked nesting areas, keep your distance from wildlife and follow local guidelines designed to protect the island's natural environment.
You could spend your entire vacation exploring the beaches of Anna Maria Island. Bean Point offers a quieter north-end setting, Manatee Public Beach provides convenient amenities in Holmes Beach, and Coquina Beach anchors the southern end near Bradenton Beach.
Between these larger beach destinations are neighborhood beach access points and stretches of Gulf shoreline where you can swim, walk, search for shells, relax in the sand or watch one of the island's famous sunsets.
Anna Maria Island's locally owned businesses are part of what gives the destination its personality. Rather than spending your vacation inside large shopping complexes, you can browse boutiques, art galleries, gift shops and specialty stores throughout the island.
Pine Avenue, Holmes Beach and Historic Bridge Street are three of the best areas to combine shopping with sightseeing and dining. Take your time, explore on foot or by bicycle and discover the smaller businesses that help preserve AMI's local character.
Dining is an attraction of its own on Anna Maria Island. You'll find casual seafood restaurants, breakfast spots, neighborhood cafes, ice cream shops, waterfront restaurants and places where you can enjoy dinner while watching the sun set over the Gulf.
Fresh seafood naturally plays a starring role, but the island offers plenty of choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. Combine a day at the beach with waterfront dining or explore the restaurants around Pine Avenue, Holmes Beach and Historic Bridge Street.
You don't have to drive everywhere to explore Anna Maria Island. The island trolley makes it easier to travel between Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach while stopping near beaches, shopping areas, restaurants and other attractions.
Leave the car behind for part of the day, ride the trolley to another section of the island and explore on foot. Bicycling is another enjoyable way to discover AMI's neighborhoods and local businesses.
If you're staying for several days, Anna Maria Island also provides a convenient base for exploring nearby parts of the Bradenton and Sarasota area.
Cross over to historic Cortez Fishing Village to experience one of Florida's traditional working waterfront communities, or explore the natural landscapes of nearby preserves. You can also venture south toward Longboat Key and the Sarasota area for additional beaches, shopping, dining, museums and cultural attractions.
Choosing where to stay can shape the kind of Anna Maria Island vacation you experience. Stay in Anna Maria for convenient access to Bean Point, Pine Avenue, Bayfront Park and the City Pier. Choose Holmes Beach for a central location between both ends of the island, or stay in Bradenton Beach for easy access to Historic Bridge Street, Coquina Beach and Leffis Key Preserve.
Anna Maria Island vacation rentals range from beach cottages and condos to waterfront homes, canal-side properties and luxury vacation homes with private pools. Many rentals put you within walking, biking or trolley distance of beaches, restaurants and local attractions.
When you Book Direct with a professional Anna Maria Island Vacation Rental Manager, you're working with local experts who know the island, the vacation homes and the attractions surrounding them.
A local property manager can help you find a vacation rental close to the places you want to experience, whether that's Bean Point, Pine Avenue, Manatee Public Beach, Historic Bridge Street, Coquina Beach or the island's boating and fishing opportunities.
Booking directly also allows you to communicate with the professionals managing your vacation home and can help you avoid unnecessary third-party booking fees.
Book Direct. Book Local. Avoid the Extra Fees and Enjoy Expert Service.
Anna Maria Island isn't about rushing from one attraction to another. Some of its best experiences happen when you slow down: walk the beach in the morning, ride your bike to lunch, browse a local gallery, watch dolphins from the waterfront and find a quiet place to watch the Gulf sunset.
Explore the Anna Maria Island attractions listed above to discover beaches, parks, restaurants, shops, nature preserves, historic places and local experiences throughout Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach. Then build your own itinerary around the places that make you want to stay just a little longer.
Connect with a Manager