The Things that Locals Know!
Island locals proudly share their Island gems and inside info with you. Anna Maria Island area residents and businesses share their local insight to help you plan your island time, and enjoy all the area has to offer.
Bird Watching on Anna Maria Island: Birds, Best Spots & Viewing Tips
Anna Maria Island may be known for its white-sand beaches and beautiful Gulf waters, but look a little closer and you'll discover another side of the island that's just as fascinating.
From pelicans gliding over the Gulf to herons stalking the shoreline and colorful roseate spoonbills making an occasional appearance, bird watching...
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ZooTampa at Lowry Park: A Family Day Trip from Anna Maria Island 🦩🐘🌴
Looking for a fun family adventure while vacationing on Florida’s Gulf Coast? A day trip to ZooTampa at Lowry Park offers a change of scenery from the beaches of Anna Maria Island, with Florida wildlife, tropical habitats, exciting attractions, and animals from around the world.
Home to more than 1,000 animals, ZooTampa give...
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Island Donut Company: A Sweet Stop in Bradenton Beach
There’s something about starting an Anna Maria Island morning with a fresh donut that just feels like vacation.
If you're staying in Bradenton Beach or exploring the southern end of the island, Island Donut Company is an easy stop to add to your morning. Now located inside Island Scoops on Gulf Drive, visitors can pick up do...
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Vinny’s Italian Kitchen: Italian Food & Take-Home Meals on Anna Maria Island
You don’t have to leave Anna Maria Island to find a little taste of Italy.
Tucked away in Holmes Beach, Vinny’s Italian Kitchen is part Italian kitchen, part pizzeria, part bakery and part specialty market. It's the kind of local spot where you can stop for pizza or pasta, pick up Italian groceries and desserts, or tak...
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Dolphins on Anna Maria Island: How to See Them Responsibly
Spotting a dolphin in the waters around Anna Maria Island can turn an ordinary beach day into one of those vacation moments your family talks about for years.
Bottlenose dolphins are commonly seen throughout our local waters, from Sarasota Bay and the waters surrounding Anna Maria Island to the Gulf of Mexico. Even better, this ar...
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Tyler’s Homemade Ice Cream: A Sweet Stop Near Anna Maria Island
There’s something about homemade ice cream that tastes even better after a sunny Florida beach day. Whether you're heading back from the beach, looking for an after-dinner treat, or simply craving something sweet, Tyler’s Homemade Ice Cream has been a favorite in the Cortez area for decades.
Located on Cortez R...
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Beach Volleyball on Anna Maria Island: Where to Play
Sun, soft white sand and a volleyball net might be all you need for a perfect afternoon on Anna Maria Island.
Whether you're looking for a casual game with family and friends or you're visiting the island for a beach volleyball tournament, Anna Maria Island has public sand volleyball courts in two convenient Gulf-front locations: ...
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How to Track the Free Anna Maria Island Trolley with the myStop App
Getting around Anna Maria Island doesn't always require a car. The free Anna Maria Island Trolley makes it easy to travel between the island's beaches, restaurants, shops and popular attractions—and with real-time trolley tracking, you can spend less time waiting at a stop and more time enjoying your vacation.
The Anna Maria...
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October on Anna Maria Island: Spooky Events, Halloween, Ghost Tours & Fall Fun in 2026
Sunshine, white-sand beaches and turquoise Gulf waters may not be the first things that come to mind when you picture Halloween, but October brings a different kind of magic to Anna Maria Island.
Fall is a wonderful time to visit Florida's Gulf Coast, with plenty of reasons to step away from the beach for an afternoon or evening. ...
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