Located in Bradenton, Florida, is an immense shopping center known as the Red Barn Flea Market. This place is massive, seriously, it might just take you a couple days to get through!
With more than 600 flea market booths and shops you’ll need to devote a couple hours to cover the full 145,000 sq. ft. complex (80,000 of this space being air-conditioned). With so much to do it may be better to plan out your routes ahead of time with this handy market guide and market map.
The Red Barn Flea Market also has an awesome food court area. Get some kettle corn, jerky, Italian ice, and so much more! Make sure you stop by Miller’s Snack Shack and Meaney’s Mini-Donuts for more delicious treats.
Every Friday and Saturday they have live music in the Main Food Court, and they also do Garage Sale Weekends where you have even more of a chance of finding a hidden treasure.
The Red Barn Flea Market is in East Bradenton and about a 25-30 minute drive from Anna Maria Island. It is definitely worth spending a day, or two, checking out everything it has to offer.
If you visit the Island often, you should do yourself a favor and visit the Red Barn Flea Market.
Phone: 941-747-3794 Email: info@redbarnfleamarket.com Address: 1707 First Street East Bradenton, FL 34208
Hours: Monday – Closed Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday the plaza only is open 10am – 4pm Friday, saturday, and sunday entire market is open 8am – 4pm
Anna Maria- Even though Anna Maria has extremely fun activities, it’s nice to find enjoyable things to do out of town. With so much surrounding the island you’ll have no problem finding something the whole family will enjoy. Here is a list of some of my favorite things to do off the island.
Out of Town Activities
Sarasota
Sarasota is located about 40 minutes south of Anna Maria Island. If you’re looking for a fun mind game, visit Escape Countdown located off of Tamiami Trail. Here you get to pick a themed room such as Jail Break or Mad Hatter and find clues to escape it. The challenge, however, is the 60 minute time limit. You may have up to three clues for free and each added clue takes off two minutes of your time. It’s a lot of fun to do with family and friends and you can have a group of up to eight people. You can reserve a time online or just walk in. Sarasota Lanes is the perfect place to go for anyone who loves bowling, or visit Stardust for a pleasant afternoon rollerskating.
Break out of jail at Escape Countdown!
Ellenton
Ellenton is about 30 minutes away and is home to Ellenton Premium Outlets and Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex. The Premium Outlets offers shops such as Aeropostale, Michael Kors, and Vans. With around 120 different shops, there’s definitely something for everyone. After shopping outside all day, cool off at the ice rink and enjoy one of their two hour long public skates. Wristbands are only $15 and includes rental skates.
Tampa
If you love golfing, Top Golf is the perfect place for you! Located about an hour away from the island, Top Golf is one of the coolest places to go play golf. Imagine dart boards all over the ground, but instead of throwing darts you’re trying to hit the bulls-eye with a golf ball. Also in Tampa is the Adventure Island Water Park. Here you can find tons of cool water slides, a lazy river, and fun pools to play in.
Overall there’s so much to do on and around the island you’re sure to never get bored. Make sure to check these places out at have fun on your vacation!
Sarasota – When visiting it won’t take long to realize that dragging yourself away from the sugar-sand beaches of Anna Maria Island for shopping is nearly impossible! However, during times it may get a little rainy, take the day and head over to the BRAND NEW MALL in Sarasota!
The Mall at University Town Center (Mall UTC) just had it’s opening day on October 16, 2014. The architecture of this mall is unique and attractive. The glass brick roof keeps the mall light and bright letting the Florida sun shine through – it really compliments the fresh new mall. For us locals, it was very anticipated for the area! This multi-level, 880,000 square foot mall changed shopping for us here in Southwest Florida.
The mall which includes over 100 stores to shop, 12 places to get some food (including casual dining, fine dining and quick eats) as well as a list of upcoming events such as styling from Aveda Salon, Eye Wear Trunk Show, Designer appearance and fashion show at Dillard’s, and more!
Mall UTC is located at 140 University Town Center Drive in Sarasota, FL 34243, which is only 30-35 minutes from AMI. Time for some serious shopping fun!
Here is the Mall Directory:
Aerie
Aldo
American Eagle Outfitters
Ann Taylor
Anthropologie
Apple
Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
Aveda
Banana Republic
Bath & Body Works
BCBG MAXAZRIA
Bebe
Bose Boston Proper
Brighton Collectibles
Brio Tuscan Grille
Brooks Brothers
Brooks Brothers Women
Brow Art 23
Caché
Calypso St. Barth
Camicissima Milano
Cellairis
Champs Sports
Chico’s
Claire’s
Clarks
Cold Stone Creamery
Crate & Barrel Sale
Dillard’s
Diventi Bella
Edward Beiner Purveyor of Fine Eyewear
Everything But Water
Express
Express Men
Fast Fix Jewelry Repair
Foot Locker
Forever 21
Gap
Gap Kids
GNC
Godiva Chocolatier
Gymboree
Icing
J.Crew
J.Jill
J.S. Trunk & Co.
Jackie Z Style Co.
Janie & Jack
Johnston & Murphy
Journeys
Kate Spade New York
Kay Jewelers
Kona Grill
L’Occitane
LensCrafters
Lilly Pulitzer
LOFT
Lovesac
Lululemon athletica
LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics
MAC Cosmetics
Macy’s
Mandarin Express
Mayors / Rolex
Michael Kors
Moleskine
Oil & Vinegar
OndadeMar
Organic Nail Bar
PACSUN
PANDORA
PAPYRUS
PINK
Pottery Barn
Rise Pies Handcrafted Pizza
Robert Graham
Saks Fifth Avenue
Seasons 52
SEE Eyewear
Sephora
Smoothie King
Soap Stories
Solstice Sunglasses
Soma Intimates
Sophie’s (inside Saks Fifth Avenue)
Starbucks
Stuart Weitzman
Sunglass Hut
Swarovski
Sweet Doctors
T-Mobile
Teavana
Tesla Motors
The Art of Shaving
The Capital Grille
The Cheesecake Factory
The Walking Company
Things Remembered
Tina Stephens
Tommy Bahama
Tumi
Venus Med Spa
Vera Bradley
Victoria’s Secret
White House | Black Market
Williams-Sonoma
Yankee Candle Co.
Vince Camuto
Z Gallerie
Zales
Coming Soon!
4D Gelateria, Arhaus Furniture, Banana Moon Swimwear, Burger & Beer Joint, Charlotte Russe, Fit2Run, Footgear, Forever Flawless, Forever Nails & Spa, Francesca’s Collections, Free People, Great American Cookies, H&M, Invicta, Kiehl’s, Lucky Brand Jeans, Motherhood Maternity, Naracamicie, Natural Comfort Footwear, Talbots, Tricho Salon, Camuto and YO! Sushi.
Hey dudes and dude-ettes!! You’re back with The Island Kid right here on Kids Corner, the best place to get the best news on Anna Maria Island. I’m here today to tell you guys about the absolute best places on the island to get your ice cream fix. Now, here on Anna Maria Island, there are plenty of places you can go if you want a frozen treat to eat. But if you’re unsure of which places are best and which places to rule out. Read on for good info!
Best Places for Ice Cream on Anna Maria Island
1: Two Scoops: This ice cream shop is a small shop nestled between Two Sides of Nature and across from the Anna Maria City Pier. With 32 rotating flavors, some as weird as blueberry pie and as normal as your classic vanilla, your pallet will always be pleased. They also have pastries, assorted lunch foods, and candy bars.
2: Dips: An ice cream shop near Three Island Monkeys and The Loft #5 in Anna Maria, this itty-bitty place packs the punch when it comes to ice cream. With thousands of flavors and topping variations, your experience will never be a bore. Plus the classic candies and toys on the wall are great for a trip down memory lane.
3: Tyler’s Ice Cream is just over the bridge in Cortez Village. Well worth the jaunt to enjoy some delicious gourmet flavors-literally hundreds over the years! They have locally themed, as well as delicious classic flavors…and finding out what their latest is, is always part of the fun. But creating your own flavor of shake just can’t be beat!
4: Joe’s Eats and Sweets: This place is the bomb.com. It’s got everything from chocolate to cotton candy & nerds and more! They also have pie on a stick-yes, on a stick- and various types of milkshakes and malts. This place is big colorful building right near Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach, so climb the steps, and check it out!
5: Holy Cow: No, I’m not shocked, they just have really good ice cream! This place has many different combos of flavors and toppings, plus much more. They include a little mini gift shop inside the shop, plus indoor and outdoor seating. So feel free to enjoy your ice cream while browsing the trinkets.
Bonus tip – about 15 minutes off Anna Maria Island is a fantastic custard shop called Sweet Berries. They mix all kinds of goodies in their custard ice cream and call it a concrete. yum!
Whether you’re looking for just one spot or want try them all, these places are the best on the island. So next time you’re visiting, go check ’em out! Let us know what you thought, and check back with us here on Kid’s Corner.
Though Publix is the most evident grocery store on The Island, there are many ambiguous Island bazaars that offer a more subdued shopping experience where you can grab consumables among the eclectic Anna Maria Island charm that dazzles so many of our Island enthusiast. Below you can browse Grocery options on Anna Maria Island as well as off the Island.
An Anna Maria Island Labor day is fantastic! With temperatures in the low 90’s during the day and mid 70’s in the evenings as well as plenty of island activities, it’s going to be a great Labor Day Weekend on Anna Maria Island! There are plenty of Labor Day Activities on Anna Maria Island. Just a few things to remember, garbage pickup for Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton will be postponed by 1 day for the holiday. The Anna Maria Island Trolley will run during regularly scheduled hours on Labor Day, and we have put together a list of activities for the holiday weekend. Have a great Anna Maria Island Labor day weekend!
4pm – 7pm – Labor Day Weekend Nostalgia Nights – Concert & Car Show Bradenton Municipal Auditorium – 100 Barcarrota Blvd West Bradenton For more information call: 941-748-5875 5:30pm – Close –
Mike Sales Signs & Sunset Drum Circle Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe – 4000 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach For more information call: 941-448-5798 6pm – Galati Yacht Sales Labor Day Billfish Tournament Captains Meeting Galati Yacht Basin – 900 South Bay Blvd For more information call: 941-778-0755 7pm – 10pm –
Live Music – Russ Adams Project Island Time Bar and Grill – 111 Gulf Drive South Bradenton Beach For more information call: 941-782-1122 9:30pm – 1:30am – Live Music – Democracy DCoy Ducks – 5410 Marina Drive Holmes Beach For more information call: 941-778-5888 Saturday September 1ST 6am – Galati Yacht Sales Labor Day Billfish Tournament Begins Galati Yacht Basin – 900 South Bay Blvd For more information call: 941-778-0755 1pm – 4pm – Live Music – Doug Bidwell Island Time Bar and Grill – 111 Gulf Drive South Bradenton Beach For more information call: 941-782-1122 6:30pm – Bradenton Marauders Baseball Game McKechnie Field -1611 9th Street West, Bradenton For more information call: 941-747-3031 7pm – 10pm – Live Music – Ted Stevens Island Time Bar and Grill – 111 Gulf Drive South Bradenton Beach For more information call: 941-782-1122 9:30pm – 1:30am – Live Music – Burning Tree DCoy Ducks – 5410 Marina Drive Holmes Beach For more information call: 941-778-5888 Sunday September 2ND 10:30am – Bradenton Marauders Baseball Game McKechnie Field -1611 9th Street West, Bradenton For more information call: 941-747-3031 5pm – 18pm – Live Music – Moon Dr’s Unplugged Island Time Bar and Grill – 111 Gulf Drive South Bradenton Beach For more information call: 941-782-1122 6pm – 9pm –
Live Music – Ricci D’ Island Time Bar and Grill – 111 Gulf Drive South Bradenton Beach For more information call: 941-782-1122 Labor Day – September 3RD 5pm – Picnic and Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social Gloria Dei Lutheran Church – 6608 Marina Drive Holmes Beach For more information call: 941-778-1813
Looking for something to do in the Bradenton area during your Anna Maria Island vacation? We have compiled a list of the Bradenton area attractions for your convenience!
Kick it old school and catch a movie at the Ruskin Drive In Theater from the comfort of your own car!
We have a Chipotle about 20 minutes off Anna Maria Island. Chipotle is a great Tex Mex restaurant.
Looking to catch up on some recreational bowling? AMF Bowling Center will cater to your needs.
With how pricy catching a movie at the theater can be nowadays, the Desoto Dollar Movie Theater is a great option for those that are budget conscious!
The Tingley Memorial Library in Bradenton Beach is one of two libraries on Anna Maria Island. Tingley Memorial Library is a privately funded non-profit organization existing on donations and volunteer help, and is independent of the county library system. Tingley Memorial Library is located two blocks south of the Cortez Bridge, just off of gulf drive behind Bradenton Beach City Hall.
There is fantastic shopping to be had on Anna Maria Island however some
Brandon Mall Entrance
shop-a-holics need more. Sure Anna Maria Island has lots of shopping opportunities but if you are looking for 100’s of sneakers to choose from, 100’s of different pants, shirts, blouses or Jeans then visiting anyone of our malls within an hour drive of Anna Maria Island will fill that shopping need you have.
The Westfield Mall in Brandon is a great choice. Realize this is not to be confused with the Westfield Mall in Sarasota which is good however the Brandon location is MUCH bigger.
The Brandon Westfield Mall has several electronic stores. The biggest being FYI which is a huge music and electronics store. If you are looking for some great video games then hit the game stop or maybe even the APPLE store. That’s right, there is an Apple store for all those hard to find items you may need. The store is outfitted with lots of computers and gadgets for you to try first hand.
The major Department stores for Westfield at the time of this writing is Dick’s which is a sporting goods store, Dillards, JcPenney’s, Macy’s and Sears. If you are looking for some more clothing and Jewelry stores then the mall will not
disappoint. Coldwater Creek, Coach bags, The Disney Store, Fossil, Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, Guess, Lucky Jeans, and many many more stores. I have been told some other stores not to miss out are SEPHORA, Ann Taylor Loft and MAC cosmetics.
If you are looking for a bite to eat then there is plenty to choose from as well. Starbucks, Cheesecake factory, Five guys a great burger joint, California Pizza kitchen and about 10 other choices.
So, with the above description I have barely dented the stores at the Brandon Mall but hopefully I have peaked your interest if you are adventures and want to leave the serenity of Anna Maria Island for a big shopping day. If you are visiting the Brandon Mall for a specific store then be sure to visit the Mall’s information page to be sure it is there.
One last thing, another person explained going to the Brandon-Westfield mall…”you failed to describe the Euro-phobic feeling when one steps inside this palace of commerce. The sights of shiny new things all waiting to be purchased – it gives me goosebumps!!”
For directions to the store see the below address or visit the Mall directions page.
The Beach House restaurant is located in Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island just past the street light after the Cortez Bridge heading south.
The Beach House has great Florida seafood and breathtaking views
Experience great waterfront dining on the Gulf of Mexico with breathtaking views and fresh Florida seafood. It is the perfect place for family dining with plenty of room for all the kids to play on the beach while you sip on a tropical drink and enjoy great food while listening to live entertainment by local artists. You can choose, if you like, to have your meal inside the dining room or on the waterfront deck. There is even a covered Gulf front area, which makes it perfect rain or shine.
Beside the regular lunch and dinner menus, Beach House offers a happy hour menu at the bar including delicious libations and small plates. In addition to fresh local seafood you can find farm fresh produce on the menu. The Grouper sandwich is a popular menu item, but be sure to check out any seasonal offerings like the stuffed squash blossoms from Gamble creek farms.
Bradenton Beach Sunsets
The Beach House is a wonderful spot to enjoy a gulf sunset after a long day at the beach. If you like to take a look at some spectacular sunset pictures visit our Anna Maria Island blog and get in the mood for a nice dinner at The Beach House.
It is also a great place to have a wedding. The Beach House is an award-winning location for beach weddings, receptions or any special event. Maybe if you are in luck you’ll witness one of the happy couples exchange their vows.
You can even do a little shopping in their gift and souvenir shop located at the entrance area of the restaurant.
The Beach House hours:
Open 7 days a week
11:30am-10:00pm every day during Daylight Savings Time
11:30am-9pm Sun-Thurs, 11:30am-10:00pm Fri and Sat during Standard time.
An Anna Maria Island Labor day is fantastic! With 
