Tag: fun

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The Things that Locals Know!

Outdoor Dining on Anna Maria Island

There is nothing better than relaxing on Anna Maria Island and dining outdoors.  It is a fabulous way to enjoy our tropical weather and enjoy the great outdoors!  Anna Maria Island does boast some fabulous restaurants that offer dining with waterfront views.  Open air dining with a waterfront view is pretty spectacular.

Lots of choices below and hopefully we have wet your appetite enough to go visit a few.  Be sure to check out our Frequently Asked Question pages for more information on Anna Maria Island.

Sandbar – 100 Spring Ave, Anna Maria
Sandbar offers direct Gulf front Dining.  Plenty of parking located in Anna Maria City.

The Waterfront – 111 South Bay Blvd, Anna Maria
The restaurant offers views of the public pier from outdoor covered dining.

Anna Maria Public Pier – 100 South Bay Blvd, Anna Maria
The public pier offers mostly dining inside but has phenomenal Bay views.  Sorry 2020 pier was rebuilt.  Awaiting restaurant choice of City.

Bridgetender – 135 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach
The restaurant has a small area where outside seating is offered.  The area has views across the street to the intercoastal.

Island Time Bar & Grill – 111 Gulf Drive South, Bradenton Beach
Open-air setting, across the street from the Gulf and is located on a main thoroughfare with lots of people watching options.

The Beachhouse – 200 Gulf Drive North, Bradenton Beach
Direct Gulf front with tons of seating, some covered and the ability to host very large parties.

Coquina Café – 2650 Gulf Drive South, Coquina Beach
Direct Gulf front dining with a bar and very large dining area with lots of televisions to enjoy a sporting event or two.

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Top Ten Things to do

Top Fitness Activities – Anna Maria Island

When visiting Anna Maria Island there are plenty of fitness activities to keep you feeling healthy during your paradise getaway. Enjoy a great vacation guilt free when you try out these Top 11 fitness activities on Anna Maria Island.

Top 11 Fitness Activities

1. Going to the gym: Kick boxing class with Reggie is best! I love working out with my personal trainer Brenda and doing the different boot camps offered!  Recently Island Fitness has relocated to the Anna Maria Island Center formerly known as the Anna Maria Island Community Center.
– Island Fitness: 407 Magnolia, Anna Maria City, FL 34216
– Phone: (941) 778-5200

2. Fit Crew: Great boot camp style work out (very similar to CrossFit) sometimes they have a beach work out on AMI!
– First class is free! Come and see if you like it!
– 608 19th Ave West, Bradenton, FL 34205
– Phone : (941) 447-9272

3. Bike riding from the Anna Maria Island to the Robinson Preserve and back. If you are looking for other parks nearby check out our list here.
– I love the 11 mile back ride, easily done in 1 hour, always able to spot local wildlife!
– Robinson Preserve: 1112 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205
Phone: (941) 748-4501

4. Bike riding to Harry’s Continental Kitchen on Longboat Key.
– The food is amazing!
– This is about a 16 mile bike ride.
– Harry’s continental Kitchen: 5600 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228
– Phone: (941) 383-0777

Insider tip:  The Coquina Bike path is a great low key bike path that takes you off the streets and lets you bike on a side walk close to the Beach!

5. Paddle boarding or kayaking around the bayous and gulf side. Love the workout and being able to be out on the water while getting a tan!

6. Playing golf at one of the many area golf courses.

7. Rollerblading around the many back streets on Anna Maria Island.

8. Playing tennis at the local free tennis courts, or shooting some hoops at the public Basketball Court.

9. Go Legs Spin Studio very close to IMG Academies. Hour long spin sessions and toning with weights.
– 2 projectors in the studio to watch music videos and replays of real
Cycle races such as the Tour de France.
– 3549 53rd Ave. West, Bradenton, FL 34210
– Phone: (941) 896-7885

10. Activities at the Anna Maria Island Community Center are great for keeping you in shape during your stay on Anna Maria Island.

11. Last but not least: going on a sunset beach run along the water. I love taking pictures and watching the day end as I get a good run in!

Categories
Top Ten Things to do

Top Ten Night Spots – Libations Anna Maria Island

If you are looking to enjoy a little night life while visiting Anna Maria Island we have got you covered! Here is our top ten night spots on Anna Maria Island.  By the way in no particular order and tried to include the normal outfits found for patrons visiting the night spot.  We would classify night spots into three categories; Motorcycle bar, Coastal Vacationer bar, Local bar or a mixture of Vacationer and Local.

Top Ten Night Spots

1. Hurricane Hanks– Laid-back sports bar with a fantastic menu!  I have never had a bad meal at Hurricane’s so grab a drink and enjoy some great eat’s.  My father love’s grabbing a gin and tonic with the scallops and bacon appetizer.  Business casual is normally the outfits found at Hurricane Hanks and this is a mixture of Coastal Vacationer and Locals.

5346 Gulf Drive,
Holmes Beach, FL
(941) 778-5788

2. Island Time Bar & Grill– Great atmosphere with live music & a tasty menu!  Coastal casual wear is what would be found at Island time and this is a mixture of Coastal Vacationer and Locals.

111 Gulf Drive
South Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
1st Floor
TEL: 941-782-1122

3. Cortez Kitchen– Located not too far off the Cortez Bridge, this outdoors, laid back restaurant most likely will have a live band, good food, and a good time in store for you.  Good mix of coastal visitors and locals makes this a good choice for any type of evening you are looking for.

4528 119th Street West Cortez, FL 34215
(941) 798-9404

4. Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar- Inside is the sports bar and restaurant, outside’s a tiki bar with live music, right on the water, and even a flat screen for game days!  Located in Bradenton Beach just of Bridge Street.  Parking can be a challenge so bring your patience or ride the trolley!  Good mixture of Coastal Vacationers and Locals.

155 Bridge Street
Bradenton Beach, FL, 34217
(941) 778-4849

5. Dcoy Ducks – Great nightspot with live music, poker nights and more!  Located in the heart of Holmes Beach right next to the Feast.  Go grab some fabulous food at the Feast and walk less than 30 feet to Dcoy Duck’s!  Normal outfit would be a tshirt with some casual shorts.  Leather could be included but this is a good mix of visitors and locals that patronize this bar.  Mixture of locals, coastal vacationers and motorcyle patrons.

5410 Marina Drive,
Holmes Beach, FL
(941) 778-5888

6.  Drift Inn- Small town bar on historic bridge street.  Normal outfit could include a little leather but likely includes a t-shirt and some torn up blue jeans.  More of a feel of motorcycle patrons along with locals.

120 Bridge Street,
Bradenton Beach, FL
(941) 778-9088

7.  Anchor Inn– Friendly bar with pool tables and darts.  This is one of several local bars located just South of Publix.  Normal outfit would include a little leather.  More of a feel of motorcycle patrons along with locals.

3007 Gulf Drive,
Holmes Beach, FL
(941) 778-3085

8.  Bortells – Pinball, video games, and pool tables.  Normal outfit would include a little leather and some blue jeans.

10002 Gulf Drive
Anna Maria, FL
(941) 778-5487

9.  The Doctor’s office is located within a short 2-3 minute stroll from the Feast or Dcoy Ducks.  The Doctor’s Office is a craft cocktail bar.  They have small bites, wine, beer and some unique cocktails to offer.  This is a very quaint and cozy bar that reminds me more of a cigar parlor with comfy seats and fabulous staff that works to meet your every whim.  Normal outfit would be business casual and this has strong coastal vacationer feel.

5312 Holmes Blvd
Holmes Beach, FL
(941) 213-9926

10. Slim’s- Great place to watch sports! Great food, billiards and live entertainment.  This for sure is a local hang out and many nights they host after party teams from the Anna Maria community Center extracurricular evening sports activities.  Normal outfit would be coastal wear with some shorts.  Coastal vacationer and local hangout.

9701 Gulf Dr.
Anna Maria, FL
(941) 567-4056

We have plenty of more suggestions for places to visit while on Anna Maria Island.  Visit our nightlife information page.

By the way – there is no reason to drink and drive on Anna Maria Island.  Check out the free monkey bus or the free Anna Maria Island Trolley for plans to let someone else handle the heavy lifting while out on the town!