Out of Town Activities for All Ages

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.

escape countdown is out of town — 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!

University Town Center brings much anticipated shopping to the area!

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.

1st Annual Lighting of Bridge Street on Anna Maria Island!

Mark Saturday, November 30^th on your calendar ~ we have a great way to get in the holiday spirit!

That evening from 5pm through 10pm, we are all welcome to enjoy the first official holiday Lighting of Bridge Street. Bring your friends, family (both human and furry) to Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island. The night will come alive with live holiday music by “Ted Stevens and the Doo Shots”. There will be shopping, crafts, food and a full bar available. The exact location is 107 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach….but leave the car at home! You can let loose, have a good time and shake your tail feathers by taking the free Anna Maria Island Trolley!!

What a fun way to follow up an island Thanksgiving!

This is the first of many merry holiday events on Anna Maria Island, beginning in the city of Bradenton Beach.

For more information on the host, Bridge Street Merchants, click here.

Top 5 Ice Cream Places on Anna Maria Island

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: Stir it Up: Recently opened on Pine Avenue, this is a frozen yogurt shop with some colorful walls. . . and toppings, too! Pick a flavor or two, or all of them, then add the topping(s) of your choice. This place charges by the ounce, so take as much as you desire. With many revolving flavors and 36 different garnishes, the possibilities are endless! 🙂

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 Insider Tip: One more for good measure- 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. Their ice cream sandwiches are delish! But creating your own flavor of shake just can’t be beat!

Bonus 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.

Grocery options on and off Anna Maria Island Florida

Written by Reservation Specialist Angela Watson

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.

Continue reading Grocery options on and off Anna Maria Island Florida

Christmas on Pine Avenue – Anna Maria Island

Enjoy the merriment of Christmas on Pine Avenue as you stroll down Pine Avenue in the City of Anna Maria looking for last minute gifts and listening to Christmas Carols. On Friday December 14^th the pine avenue shops will have extended hours in honor of the Annual Holiday Walk on Pine Avenue from 5pm – 8pm. Most of the Pine Avenue merchants will be providing snacks and drinks at their location and I heard a little rumor that Santa will be stopping by so bring the kids too!

While this is a post from 2012 the Christmas continues to be a tradition in Anna Maria City. Normally the walk about takes place on the second Friday of December. For example in 2015 the walk about was 12/11/2015. Normally you can find more information on the Island Real Estate Facebook page or read the Anna Maria Sun who normally sponsors the Christmas on Pine Avenue walk about.

Have a safe and Happy Holiday Season from all of us at Island Real Estate!

Anna Maria Island Chili Challenge at the Bridge Street Market

Bridge Street Market in Bradenton Beach will be having a Chili Challenge benefiting the Center for Building Hope. Get in on the action and find out who will win the challenge on Sunday November 4th at the Bridge Street Market in Bradenton Beach from 10:00am – 3:00pm.

Bridge Street Market
107-111 Bridge Street
Bradenton Beach
For more information call: 215-906-0668

There are plenty of other activities on Bridge Street to enjoy. Usually on Winter Sunday’s there is live music or during the holiday’s Santa frequents Bridge Street. Check out our Anna Maria Island Information page for more ideas.

Longboat Key Fall Festival at Centre Shops

Here’s another reason to get outside and enjoy the fall weather. Take the short drive from Anna Maria Island south to Longboat Key and join the 1st Annual Fall Festival at the Centre Shops on Longboat Key October 28th from 10am – 4pm. The Longboat Key Fall Festival at Centre Shops will get started at 10am Sunday October 28th featuring a classic car show, live music, tasty food, a farmers market, artists, antiques, collectibles, shopping, and wine tasting.

Centre Shops
5380 Gulf of Mexico Drive
Longboat Key
For more information call: 941-383-1901

There are plenty of restaurants to visit while on Longboat Key or continue South to St. Armand Circle.

Anna Maria Island Labor Day

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

Anna Maria Elementary Goes Back To School

So far it has been a wonderful summer here on Anna Maria Island and for students summer vacation is slowly coming to an end. School starts Monday August 20th and that means that traffic will increase drastically. Expect delays in Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island! It will definitely take everyone a little longer to get where they are going especially in the mornings between 8:00am – 8:30am and afternoons between 2:45pm – 3:15pm when the students are released. West Manatee Fire Rescue will be in front of Anna Maria Elementary for the first week of School to help remind the public to slow down in the school zone and keep the kids safe and secure.

If your family is gearing up for back to school shopping make sure to take full advantage of the sales tax holiday this year. The sales tax holiday will run this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday offering tax fee items such as clothing, footwear, certain accessories, and school supplies across the state of Florida.

For more information on the best ways to enjoy the rest of the summer on the beautiful beaches of Anna Maria Island. Check out our local scene and find fun outdoor activities, area restaurants, and tips like who has the best ice cream treats on the island. Have fun and stay safe!