Tag: things to do

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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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Anna Maria Family Fun Kids Corner

Anna Maria Island Creamery and Bakery

Baked goods and sugary goodness is what you’re in store for at Anna Maria Island Creamery and Bakery. Located toward the North end of the Island, this shop is  just two blocks before Pine Ave. Here you will find Handmade Italian gelato, premium soft serve, and sorbettes. Among classic bakery items like croissants and danishes, this bakery also sells William Dean truffles (known from the Hunger Games).

Anna Maria Island Creamery and Bakery

This family owned business uses fresh fruit and local dairy. They even produce their gelato on site! If you’re a chocolate lover, you’ll appreciate the fact that they have 8 different chocolate based flavors. Or you could go for their delicious dairy-free sorbetto. The kiddos will really enjoy the customized sundaes they do. Now lets talk about the bakery aspect of the Anna Maria Island Creamery and Bakery.

The bakery offers danishes, croissants, and more! Though, this bakery also carries a very unique product, William Dean truffles. These truffles are known for their flavor combos, like peanut butter & jelly, port & fig, etc. In fact, you can choose from 36 flavors of the William Dean truffles.


9801 Gulf Dr, Anna Maria, FL 34216
(941) 896-5308
Open from 10am – 10pm everyday

 

 

If you liked this blog (and ice cream), then you’ll definitley apprecaite our “Ice Cream Options on Anna Maria Island” blog.

 

 

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Activities Anna Maria Events Shopping

Pine Avenue Trunk Show Holiday Party in Anna Maria City

Pine Avenue Trunk Show
Pine Avenue Trunk Show Shop Pink and Navy

Pink & Navy and Bella By the Sea will be having their Pine Avenue Trunk Show Holiday Party at 216 Pine Avenue this Friday, November 16, 2012.

Photobooth at the Pine Avenue Trunk Show

The Pink & Navy Party will feature a photobooth and exclusive shopping and drinks too.  There will also be appetizers and fun music.  Neighboring boutique, Bella By the Sea is throwing it’s own ” Fifty Shades Of Bella” Party at the same time, kicking off the Christmas season with tasty tidbits, delightful drinks, and some exclusive shopping events.

Come on out and party with the Party Girl’s On Pine. Just follow the sound of the MUSIC…The Pine Avenue Trunk Show.

For more information on Pine Avenue please visit our Pine Avenue information page.  We have tons of Anna Maria Island Christmas holiday information as well.

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Fishing Report The Things that Locals Know! Videos

Fishing On Anna Maria Island

Fishing Anna Maria Island
Fishing the Pier on Anna Maria Island

The fishing report is in and excellent along the shores of Anna Maria Island.  I went out in search of some proof last week, and started at the Anna Maria City Pier.  There were about a dozen people standing at the end of both the Rod & Reel Pier and the Anna Maria City Pier with poles in hand waiting to catch the next big fish.  I spoke with a couple of local fisherman and people in the bait shops to get the scoop.

The fishing off of the piers, bridges, and along the shoreline on Anna Maria Island has been very promising catching Redfish, Snapper, Jacks, and the fishermen are saying that we have an excellent Snook season to come.

Tarpon, Mackerel, and Grouper have been biting in deeper water and are always worth going out on a fishing charter to catch these larger game fish.  If you hook into a Tarpon be ready for a fight!

Anna Maria City Pier Fishing

Don Kuhn was cast netting for Jacks and Silver Mullet off of the City Pier today.  He told me that I could find him there most days in the spring.  Don told me about the schools of Silver Mullet and Jacks that were running through the area.  The schools of fish had numbers in the thousands and Don was grabbing about 12-16 per toss.

While chatting with Don at the City Pier he told me about the dolphin with the white tip on his dorsal fin.  The dolphin was after the same fish in that area and “he chased down a huge redfish earlier this morning.”

Don told me about this dolphin that got wrapped up in a cast net and did not fight or resist. Instead when the fisherman pulled him in the dolphin remained calm until the fisherman could set him free.  This very dolphin was swimming alongside the pier as we spoke; Don was able to identify him by the white markings on his dorsal fin.

Cast Net Fishing Anna Maria City Pier

At the Anna Maria City Pier you can throw your cast net on most of the pier.  There is a yellow line painted the width of the pier indicating the designated net fishing area.  As far as fishing off the pier with a pole you can go anywhere.

The bait shop opens at 7am and closes with the restaurant in the evenings. Feel free to call the restaurant for bait shop hours.  The bait shop consists of a small selection of hooks, bait, basic tackle, and draft beer!  If you get hungry while you are fishing grab a bit to eat in the restaurant.  They have a great selection for both fisherman and land lovers.

Rod & Reel Pier Fishing

Just down the beach from the City Pier is the Rod & Reel Pier, stop in and talk to my friend Derek Olson, he knows everything about the Rod & Reel Pier and is chock full of Island history.

The Rod & Reel Pier is a great place for fishing, and has a bait shop that is open from 7am-closings (around 9pm) feel free to call the restaurant for bait shop hours.

Cast netting is not permitted at the Rod & Reel Pier but they do offer fishing pole rentals, a small selection of hooks, bait, basic tackle, and of course cold draft beer right in the bait shop!  The bait shop has both live and frozen bait for your complete Anna Maria Island fishing experience.

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Bradenton Beach Shopping

Check Out The Back Alley Cafe And Gift Shop In Bradenton Beach On Anna Maria Island!

As I walked through the front door of the Back Alley on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach I was greeted by the friendly staff.  Soon I found out that the Back Alley was much more than just a café.  In the gift shop I found some very cool paintings and prints done by local artists.  There were also lots of books from local authors on Anna Maria Island.

There are necklaces and hand crafted jewelry hung throughout the Gift Shop.  In the back of the gift shop they have a bar area where you can order snacks, sandwiches, pub pizzas, coffee, cold beer, or a glass of wine. The pub pizzas are $5.00 and the sandwiches are all around $7.00 they take cash or major credit cards and you can grab a table out back for your dining experience.

Live Music at The Back Alley

The Back Alley has live music every Friday night.  You can catch local bands like: Firedoor, SR64, The Florida Mountain Boys, Human Condition and many more.  You may have seen some of these bands at Anna Maria Island’s 10TH Annual Bayfest on Pine Avenue this past weekend.

The staff at the Back Alley is all about promoting local bands.  They also champion local authors, artists and good causes like WildLife Inc. WildLife Inc is a nonprofit organization and runs solely on donations and volunteers.  They help injured and orphaned animals return to the wild. Attend this fun event and help animals in need.

So when you are planning your Florida vacation or looking for the perfect Anna Maria Island beach rental, restaurant, shopping, artwork, or a place for live music, check in with one of our Anna Maria Island vacation rental specialists and make sure that you get the most out of your Anna Maria Island Vacation. We have beach house rentals all over Anna Maria Island.  Call Island Real Estate today 877-778-6066 and book your island getaway!

The Back Alley
121 Bridge Street
Bradenton Beach, FL
Anna Maria Island
941-778-1800
 

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Anna Maria Family Fun Shopping The Things that Locals Know!

Anna Maria Island’s Annual Bayfest Fun for All Ages!

Anna Maria Island is celebrating BayFest again this year!  This fantastic family festival is set to take place on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria October 21, 2017.  It is a wonderful celebration with fun for all ages.   The FREE BayFest features, live music, arts, crafts & retail vendors.  Bayfest also has a “Taste of the Island” food court, and even a children’s play area.

The festivities start on Friday evening with a Kickoff Party on the corner of Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard in Anna Maria City.  Mike Sales will emcee the evening which will include live music starting at 5pm.  There are always a wide array of tasty treats and dinner tidbits at hand.

Food Vendors at Anna Maria Island BayFest

Drinks are also for sale ranging from Water to Rum Runners.  Kids, parents, nieces, nephews, neighbors, friends all head to the North end to enjoy dinner and music on the lawn.  There are chairs and tables set up so you can sit and enjoy your meal. Kids can eat pizza and chicken.

Grown-ups have great options with exceptional fish tacos, bar-b-q, gyros, yummy chips, fries, crab cakes and sliders.  Dessert include funnel cakes, pies and cakes or all kinds.  There is also an open area for dancing and laying blankets to picnic.

Things To Do at Anna Maria Island BayFest

Whether you are on the East or West side of Pine Avenue, there is something to do.  The Anna Maria Island Community Center  hosts a Kid’s Fishing Tournament on the Anna Maria City Pier.

On the West End of Pine Avenue you can start your day by enjoying the Island’s Largest Classic Car Show, which will run until 3pm.  There are great Oldies playing as you stroll around these beautiful cars.  There are awards handed out for several categories, starting at around 2:30pm.

The wide variety of cars to enjoy include something for everyone from antique, to classic, to custom, to muscle, to high performance vehicles.  With 100 pre-registered cars, this show is already at capacity, and sure to be great fun for onlookers of all ages!  My Dad appreciates the intricacies of all the vehicles, while my kids appreciate how cool they are to look at and listen to! You’re bound to find one that catches your fancy!

Moving down Pine Avenue, you can grab a beverage, and walk through the outstanding display booths.   Every year we are able to pick out holiday gifts of all sorts.  Jewelry, home decorations, cool crafts and artistic wonders abound.  The kids LOVE the marshmallow blasters they got last year, while I am still wearing the anklet I got!

There are clothes, and gadgets, decor, and displays- definitely something for everyone!   I even nabbed a new pair of sunglasses, to help extend the day’s enjoyment!  Toward the Eastern end of Pine Ave you will find the EVER popular Children’s Play Area, with festival classics like bounce houses, and prize games.   There are always fun demonstrations and activities for the kids to participate in, as well as games to play and crafts to make.  We are hoping to see the bubble cup craft again this year…always a big hit with my crowd!

The Pirates at Anna Maria Island BayFest

Before grabbing more tasty treats my kiddos HAVE to pay a visit to the Privateers at the far end of Pine Avenue, near the City Pier.  Their ship always has a stronghold on the corner, and the kids love to see the crew dressed to the nines in full pirate regalia!  The privateers are always eager to share pirate spirit and usually a little pirate bounty!

So, you can be sure you will enjoy a fantastic day on beautiful Anna Maria Island when you come out for Bayfest!  As always, Island Real Estate is happy to help you find that perfect Anna Maria Island Vacation Rental.  With all the Vacation Rentals we have on Anna Maria Island you are sure to find what you are looking for.

Contact one of our Vacation Rental Specialists, to help you book your Island Vacation.  Or call us at 877-778-6066 and let us make your Anna Maria Island experience a celebration!

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Bradenton Beach Restaurants Shopping The Things that Locals Know!

Welcome to Bridge Street on Bradenton Beach

Welcome to historic Bridge Street on beautiful Anna Maria Island.  After the first bridge was built in the 1920’s Bridge Street was the center of the island community. Today the island side of that old wooden bridge still stands, and Bridge Street is a great place for walking, Shopping, Dining, Family Activities, and breath taking views of both the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay.

There are plenty of things to do on Bridge Street from morning to night. Start your day off with breakfast at the Island Creperie on Bradenton Beach Pier, and then keep on top of your putting game at The Fishing Hole Adventure Golf.  When you’re in the mood for shopping, stop at Two Sides of Nature for some island wear, or walk over to Hive Creations for handmade jewelry and exotic décor.

Grab a Steak or some fresh seafood at The Bridge Tender Inn or Island Time Restaurant as the sun slowly slips away into the Gulf of Mexico and island night life is about to begin. Blow off dinner completely and go for drinks at the Sports Lounge or the Drift Inn.

After you have finished your perfect day on  Bridge Street let one of our Anna Maria vacation rental specialists help you get the most from your Anna Maria Island vacation. We have beach houses around the corner from Bridge Street, or anywhere on Anna Maria Island.  Call Island Real Estate today 877-778-6066 and book your Island getaway!

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Holmes Beach Shopping

Anna Maria Island Beading at Creations by L in Holmes Beach

Jewelry Stores On Anna Maria Island
Find Great Jewelry On Anna Maria Island

Anna Maris Island Beading is one of the best things about visiting the cute Creations by L boutique in Homes Beach! There are items for all interests and budgets at Creations by L on Anna Maria Island.

And when I tell you there is something for everyone, I mean it! Beautiful handmade necklaces, bracelets and earrings twinkle in your eye as you walk in the door. One of my favorite beachy items is the Barefoot Sandal.  They are a great way to dress up your tootsies on a day at the beach. These whimsical and dressy designs combine the fun of an anklet with the fashion of footware. Sandal style without having to shlep your shoes, what a unique way to add flair to beach feet! There are all sorts of fun things to choose from on the display tables, including bookmarks, and cell phone charms, key chains and anklets.

Beading at Creations by L on Anna Maria Island

She offers classes for all levels of interest. Not only does she have supplies for beautiful pieces, she also has a great selection for kids.

She has key chains and bag tags that the boys were able to create. My six year old made an alligator with colorful plastic beads. He proudly sports it on his backpack. My eleven year old son choose a glow in the dark alien face he could use as a key chain.

My nine year old daughter made a beautiful anklet that I really thought should have been for her mother! Lois even had a collection of colorful shaped beads that my three year old was able to use.

The kids have also created some jewelry for their grandmother, with gorgeous glass beads and colored crystals.  Of course, they were made to match Grammy’s favorite colors. Lois patiently taught the novices.  She helped with their designs and creations and offered suggestions to assist in the process.

Beautiful Bead Jewelry on Anna Maria Island

There are lovely crystal pieces for a night out, casual stone pieces for island hopping and custom pieces available to highlight your wedding or special event. There are sets and individual pieces, and walls of beads to look at, for creating your own design. The signature piece of the store, though, has to be the new Anna Maria Island Charm Bracelet.

The display case sits front and center, and lets you make your pick of the perfect design. With its beautiful charm choices, you can create a piece that epitomizes your trip to Anna Maria Island’s little piece of paradise. Did you ride the trolley, see some dolphins, find a starfish? Include it on your charm bracelet – this is a perfect keepsake of a fabulous vacation!

To find the perfect accommodations for your trip, don’t forget to check out our Vacation Rentals. Island Real Estate has great weekend getaway specials, and places all over the island, for a perfect break from the hustle and bustle. Call us at 877-778-6066, and one of our Vacation Rental Specialists will be happy to help you find a place to stay.