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.
Scentral Park Dog Park in Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island
Bringing your dog along for an Anna Maria Island vacation? Your four-legged family member deserves a little island fun, too.
Scentral Park Dog Park in Holmes Beach gives dogs a dedicated outdoor space to stretch their legs, explore and enjoy some playtime while visiting Anna Maria Island. Located along Flotilla Drive, the dog park...
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Thanksgiving on Anna Maria Island 2026: Where to Dine & Order Holiday Meals - by Island Real Estate Vacations
Thanksgiving on Anna Maria Island brings together everything we love about the holiday: family, delicious food, beautiful weather, and time to relax. Instead of chilly temperatures and falling leaves, imagine spending Thanksgiving morning strolling along the Gulf, enjoying a waterfront dinner, or gathering around the table in your ...
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Annual Anna Maria Island Bayfest the number 1 annual event
Anna Maria Island BayFest: A Celebration of Community and Culture
Launched over three decades ago, BayFest is an unmissable celebration on Anna Maria Island’s event calendar. Held on the last weekend of October in Downtown Anna Maria, this vibrant street festival offers a joyful blend of community spirit and island charm.
Food Truc...
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Attending the 2024 Florida Extreme Cup
The Florida Extreme Cup is a premier youth soccer tournament held in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. The tournament is open to teams from U9 to U19, and it attracts over 100 teams from around the country. The tournament is played at the Premier Sports Campus, which is a world-class facility with 23 fields.
In addition to great soccer, the...
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Publix on Anna Maria Island: A Vacationer’s Grocery Shopping Guide
One of the perks of staying on Anna Maria Island is having a full-service grocery store right on the island. Whether you need to stock the kitchen for the week, grab sandwiches for the beach or pick up something you forgot to pack, Publix in Holmes Beach makes grocery shopping during your vacation easy.
Located at 3900 East Bay Dr...
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Bean Point - Anna Maria Island's Secret Serenity
Bean Point is a must stop spot on Anna Maria Island. It’s a local secret that provides the most breathtaking views of the sunset on a pristine beach. Bean Point vacation rentals are some of the best on the island. Named for George Emerson Bean, the first permanent resident of Anna Maria Island, Bean Point is located on a secl...
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Why You Should Book Your Florida Vacation Rental Directly with Island Real Estate
Many of the individuals who choose Anna Maria Island as their next getaway want to find the perfect vacation rental home at the perfect price. In this day and age, Airbnb and other third-party booking sites are taking over the vacation rental industry by storm with many vacation rental homes to offer. When booking a vacation rental...
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How to Clean Seashells: Anna Maria Island Insider Tips
Your trip to Anna Maria Island inevitably includes collecting seashells like moon snails, scallops, coquinas, and sand dollars.
Seashells start to smell due to the ocean scent lingering after collection.
Solution:
Use pool water or a 10:1 hydrogen peroxide-water solution to clean and remove odors.
For those without a pool, hy...
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Top 10 Local Family Photographers on Anna Maria Island
Love and Style Photography – Summer & Becky Whitton are a husband and wife team located in the Bradenton-Sarasota area. They serve the gulf coast area, and are also available for travel sessions. Sea Song is the perfect beach front rental for those sunset photos!
11:11 Studio – Jennifer is the owner and photographe...
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