This information page provides Anna Maria Island top ten ice cream shops. Well summer is here once again! Nothing is better than spending a day on the beach soaking up the warm Florida Sun, and swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. One of my favorite things to do after a day at the beach, and one of the best ways to cool down during the summer heat on Anna Maria Island is to grab an ice cream treat. So I spent the day traveling the Island in search of the best ice cream and candy treats in the area.
Tag: Anna Maria
There’s nothing better than treating yourself to some delicious, cold ice cream on a hot and humid Florida day. Which may be the reason why there is quite a selection of ice cream options on Anna Maria Island. Here are all the ice cream shops the Island has to offer, and which Island city they’re located in:
Anna Maria City:
- Two Scoops Ice Cream (101 S Bay Blvd, Anna Maria, FL 34216)
- Dips Ice Cream (503 Pine Ave, Anna Maria, FL 34216)
- Anna Maria Island Creamery and Bakery (9801 Gulf Dr, Anna Maria, FL 34216)
Holmes Beach:
- Holy Cow Ice Cream (3234 E Bay Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217)
- Small Town Creamery (5404 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, Florida)
Bradenton Beach:
- Island Scoops (103B Gulf Dr N, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217)
- Joe’s Eats & Sweets (219 Gulf Dr S, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217)
Categories
Artist Guild of Anna Maria Island
The Artist Guild of Anna Maria Island has plenty of amazing pieces of art to be discovered. The gallery is located in the Island Shopping center, the same plaza as The Feast and Small Town Creamery.
There is so much beautiful artwork displayed here, including; original fine art, watercolor, photography, sculptures, local writers books, custom jewelry, etc. A lot of the art shows off fabulous Anna Maria Island as well as our local seascapes.
They even offer different art workshops each month. Visit their website for a calendar of events and the topic of choice for the month you plan to visit the island. What’s a better way of remembering your trip than with some artwork you made while you were there?
The Artist Guild is non-profit and run by volunteers.
Anna Maria Artist Guild
Island Shopping Center
5414 Marina Drive
Holmes Beach, Fl, 34217
(941) 778-6694
There is no shortage of Anna Maria Island Pizza Restaurants. In fact, the island offers five different places to munch on a slice and two places just off island.
Anna Maria Island Pizza Restaurants
Pizza is the perfect food to enjoy on the beach, or in a fantastic Anna Maria Island beach house rental!
Oma’s Pizza in Bradenton Beach
On the south end of the Island you’ll find Oma’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant at 201 Gulf Drive N. Oma’s offers big floppy slices of pizza along with many of the traditional family style Italian specialties.
Solo’s Pizza in Holmes Beach
This casual restaurant is located in the Anna Maria Island Shops plaza at 3244 East Bay Drive in Holmes Beach. Solo’s is a mix between a pizza joint and a sports bar. They also have thin sliced pizza, sandwiches and pub grub fare.
The Feast in Holmes Beach
Not only can you find great pizza here, but also an assortment of great seafood and something for everyone. The Feast is casual, but slightly higher end. This isn’t really a pizza place, but an nice restaurant that also offers fantastic pizza pies. Find the Feast in the Island Shopping Center at 5406 Marina Drive.
Island Gourmet Grill in Holmes Beach
Located at 5910 Marina Drive, Island Gourmet has something for everyone. Find great pizzas along with a wide selection of menu items. This restaurant is always offering daily specials, so be sure to ask.
J Burns Pizza in Anna Maria
Find this quick and easy pizza place at 308 Pine Avenue. J Burns offer thing and crispy square cut pizza. Additionally you’ll find gluten free options and sub sandwiches.
Off Anna Maria Island Pizza Restaurants
There are plenty of pizza restaurants on Anna Maria Island, but you’ll also find two right off island.
Danny’s Pizzeria in Bradenton
Located at 7220 Manatee Avenue in West Bradenton, Danny’s is a very popular spot among locals. They serve delicious thin crust pizza, sandwiches and delicious Italian specialties for dinner. Excellent pizza and wings along with a great meatball! Danny’s also offers pizza by the slice.
Village Idiot Pizza in Bradenton
This pizza shop is located at 11904 Cortez Road West just past the city of Cortez. Village Idiot has many specialty pizzas, tacos and daily specials.
Add some history to your vacation with the Historic Green Village Anna Maria Island!
Vacationing on Anna Maria is always full of fun and family, but why not a little history too? Here on the island the Historic Green Village (HGV) is a fun place to explore while giving back to nature.
The Historic Green Village is on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria City
The HGV is one in only 100 places worldwide to reach platinum LEED and have a net zero campus. This means that the area is using as little energy as possible by maximizing Florida’s natural resources.
The HGV has houses over 100 years old that have had many important people stay in them including the Rosedale Cottage, Thelma by the Sea, the Sears Cottage, and the Pilsbury Home.
The founders of HGV Mike and Lizzie Thrasher discovered Anna Maria island when they were on vacation in 2005. They had traveled from Britain and instantly fell in love with the island. This soon led them to selling their successful baby food company in their hometown and use the money to create their own real estate business on the island.
The first renovation was Beach Bums, an island store that rents bikes, kayaks, and other equipment. After helping the store become eco-friendly, the Thrashers turned the business over to two local women.
The Thrashers have continued developing a more environmentally friendly place in hopes of keeping the island as beautiful as when they first saw it. Today the HGV has an art gallery, jewelry and gift shop, village bakery and an outfitters where outdoor equipment is sold.
Unfortunately, Food and Wine on Pine on Anna Maria island was cancelled for 2017. We are hoping that next year it will come Back!
Anna Maria – The sixth annual Food and Wine on Pine happened Saturday, May 7th (rain date May 8th) from 11:30am-6:30pm.
This fun family friendly event was always a crowd pleaser with great food, wine, music, art, vendors and kids activities. Parking for this event is free, and can be found at the Anna Maria Island Community Center at 407 Magnolia Avenue, or at Cross Point Fellowship Church at 8605 Gulf Drive. Admission is $2 each or a $5 admission includes a wine glass and buffet tray. Food samples will ranged 2-10 tickets each.
Food
2016’s Food and Wine on Pine festival brought restaurants from all over the area with samples from over 20 vendors. There was be chipolte oysters, grouper sliders, curry lamb, and stuffed shrimp to name a few.
Participating vendors included:
Anna Maria Oyster Bar
Blue Marlin
EnRich
Harry’s Grill and Bistro
Island Spice
Polpo Pizza
Riverhouse Reef and Grill
Sage Biscuit Cafe
Southern Slush
Sugar Cubed
The Beach House Restaurant
The Feast Restaurant
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Pub
The Sandbar Restaurant
Seafood Shack
Tsunami Sushi and Hibachi Grill
Covadonga Cigars, Inc.
Marilyn’s Toffee and More, LLC
Southeast H.S.
Traveling Gourmet
Two Scoopes Ice Cream Parlor
Wine
There were be over 30 different wines, and several beers to choose from at last years event. Beer and wine was provided by local distributors at a cost of one ticket per a tasting, or 5 tickets for a six ounce glass of wine or 12 ounce beer.
Art, Music and Happenings
25 Juried artists set up along Pine Avenue, showing off their amazing work adding a touch of aesthetic beauty to this event. Throughout the day over 30 musicians provided entertainment to keep this event moving along. In addition, actors dressed up as characters from Anna Maria’s past. For the younger crowd there was a children’s art and activity area with face painting, games and art projects.
Enjoy the “Pine Avenue Downs” area for a Kentucky Derby style experience. There were Mint Juleps, a fun Derby hat contest, and two 60 inch televisions to keep up to date on the race! Bet on your favorite horse with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society.
Truly a fun family friendly event, there is something for everyone at this bustling island event!
There are many fun little stores, boutiques, specialty shops and outfitters to explore for shopping on Anna Maria Island. Anna Maria Island does not offer large retailers or department stores. It is a really unique and charming shopping experience. In many of the shops you’ll be greeted by friendly shop owners and locals. They are all willing to help you find that perfect something! Find everything from clothing, jewelry, art, outdoors equipment, gifts and tons of island themed wares on the island.
With so many options for shopping on and around Anna Maria Island, we have put together our Top 10 Guide to Shopping on and around Anna Maria Island.
1. Shopping on and around
Maybe you are just looking for groceries, house hold items or a pharmacy. Anna Maria Island offers all the basics; however, if you are looking for a larger big box retailer you will have to go off island. Bradenton is the city located just inland, and offers all the big box and chain retailers you are accustomed to.
2. Must Shop
The locals will tell you there are just some spots on Anna Maria Island you MUST visit during your stay. An eclectic list of specialty shops, check out these 10 awesome spots across the island.
3. Shop ’til you drop
Arrive at opening and leave at closing, there are some fabulous spots for you! From the Island Real Estate team Reservations Manager, Carol has personally hand picked 9 places for you to shop ’til you drop!
4. Souvenirs
There are tons of places to buy Anna Maria Island souvenirs and memorabilia. Finding that one special thing to remember your trip by is important, and with so many options you can’t possibly just pick one! From tacky to classy, and everything in between, you will definitely find the perfect little something for yourself.
5. Boutiques
There are several really adorable little boutiques on Anna Maria Island that we just think you will love. First, you’ll Pink&Navy, Bella By the Sea and Shiny Fish Emporium in the city of Anna Maria. Then last, head south to Bradenton Beach to visit Back Alley and all the fun little places on Historic Bridge Street.
6. Farmers Markets
There are fabulous Farmers Markets located near Anna Maria Island. Visiting in the late summer months markets you will also enjoy Anna Maria Island off season without the busy spring crowd.
7. Jewelry
Finding the perfect piece of Anna Maria Island jewelry is a fabulous way to spend your time shopping. We have put together a list of Top 5 Jewelry shops on Anna Maria Island.
8. Shopping in Sarasota
To find high end boutiques, and luxury shopping take a trip into Sarasota. A beautiful city with tons of outdoor sculptures, a fabulous downtown and amazing restaurants, Sarasota is about 30 minutes south of Anna Maria Island. We suggest driving south along Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key for a gorgeous scenic trip.
9. Ellenton Outlet Mall
The Ellenton outlet Mall is a great outdoor mall offering just about all the department stores and chain shops you love. Don’t let the term outlet detour you, Ellenton is a very accommodating and lovely shopping experience. Ellenton is about a 30 minute drive east from Anna Maria Island.
10. Lakewood Ranch Shopping
A new and upcoming area, Lakewood Ranch offers a quaint little shopping district on their Main Street. With great little shops, restaurants and a movie theater, Lakewood Ranch is about a 45 minute drive from Anna Maria Island.
We hope you enjoy shopping on Anna Maria Island just as much as we know you’ll love the beach. Get your wallet ready and enjoy a little vacation retail therapy like an Island Local!
Ginny & Jane E’s Vintage Flea Market on Anna Maria Island is back for the 2015/2016 Season with more great finds!
The market is located at the corner of Gulf Drive and Magnolia Avenue across the street from Ginny & Jane E’s. This outdoor market happens six times through the season with the rain dates occurring the following Sunday.
Vintage Flea Market Hours Anna Maria Island
Season dates 8am-4pm
• Sunday, November 1st
• Sunday, December 6th
• Friday, January 1st – New Year’s Day
• Sunday February 7th, March 6th and April 3rd
This market offers unique vintage finds, art and up-cycled items. Head over to Ginny & Jane E’s for more shopping or a tasty treat from the bakery!
What is the one thing you want to find while shopping on Anna Maria Island? Find exactly what you are looking for or buy a local souvenir to remember your time on Anna Maria Island at some of the country’s cutest shops. We are all guilty of trying to take a little bit of this island paradise home with us!
The following list is to help you find the best places to get local goodies for yourself or a family member that didn’t get to come to Anna Maria to make then jealous of your trip.
Shopping on Anna Maria Island:
- Libby’s – 501 Pine Ave, Anna Maria, Florida 34217
- Sand Dollar – 5302 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
- Shiny Fish Emporium – 306C Pine Avenue, Anna Maria, FL 34216
- Bridge Street Bazaar – 117 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
- The Back Alley Gift and Coffee Shop – 121 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
- Sun & Surf Beach Shop – 5418 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
- Restless Natives – 5416 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
- West Coast Surf Shop – 3902 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
- Two Sides of Nature – 101 South Bay Boulevard, Anna Maria, FL 34216
- AMI Outfitters Coastal Gear & Apparel – 505 Pine Avenue, Anna Maria, FL 34216
- Island Cabana – 403C Pine Avenue, Anna Maria, FL 34216
- Island Bazaar – 3304 East Bay Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
- Raders Reef – 5508 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
Now this is a very short list, and there are a plethora of other places to find what you are shopping for on Anna Maria Island, but these are the best places for local souvenirs. Make sure to tell these shops that Kacey from Island Real Estate sent you while on the island for your beach vacation.
Gorgeous boutique Bella by the Sea on Anna Maria Island is one of the greatest spots you can find! Jo-Ann Lefner opened Bella by the Sea because she was inspired by the picturesque north end of Anna Maria Island. When taking in the sights of Anna Maria, walking down Pine Avenue and enjoying the shop is a must.
Carrying a wide variety of clothing, jewelry and accessories, Bella by the Sea has everything island style woman need to enjoy the perfect beach get away. Accompanying these items are also refurbished/recycled island themed furniture ideal for taking that island feel back home. With new items brought in monthly, you’re never sure what you might find at Bella by the Sea, but you’re sure to have a great time taking in the unique ambiance.
The Bulldog Named Bella
When we asked Jo-Ann how she came up with the name for the store she told us all about her dog Bella and how bulldogs first came into the Lefner family years ago with Dauber, the leader off the pack. Then there was Martha Stewart (who really was on the Martha Stewart Show!).
Next to join the family was Cooper, who had a children’s book written about his life “You Are Who You Are” The book can be purchased and autographed at Bella’s store. So, when Bella arrived it was only fitting that she has the store named after her. Bella and the history of all the Lefner bullies will be featured in the July issue of the New Barker, Florida’s Top Dog Magazine.
Available for Events
Bella’s is available for events like girl’s nights out and bridal parties! There is truly no other shop like it on Anna Maria Island. So next time you find yourself on Pine Avenue, stop by Bella by the Sea and say hi!
Bella By The Sea is open 10 AM to 5PM Monday through Saturday.
Bella By The Sea
218C Pine Avenue
Anna Maria 34216
941-896-4848
Here are some great Anna Maria Vacation Rentals nearby,
http://www.islandreal.com/bre/properties/casa-calienta/
http://www.islandreal.com/bre/properties/anna-maria-405-spring-avenue/
http://www.islandreal.com/bre/properties/anna-maria-207-coconut-avenue/
