things to do Archives - Island Real Blog

Outdoor Dining Anna Maria Island – Dine and Drink El Fresco!

Outdoor Dining Anna Maria Island is the quintessential way to hang out in beautiful tropical climate! There’s nothing better than when going out to grab a bite to eat or drinks, having the warm island breeze surrounding you. Some of the wonderful restaurants I’ve listed below have beautiful water views of either the crystal clear Gulf or Bay, or an open-air setting directly across the street from the beach.

The fresh air of AMI always makes your food taste that much better and your drinks that much tastier, bringing you relaxing vibes that will be sure to lift your spirit. I have suggested different places from smaller and more quant spots, to casual any-time spots, to romantic night spots.

Outdoor Dining Anna Maria Island

Sandbar – 100 Spring Ave, Anna Maria

Direct Gulf front

The Waterfront – 111 South Bay Blvd, Anna Maria
Bay views

Anna Maria Pier – 100 South Bay Blvd, Anna Maria
Out in the middle of the Tampa Bay

Bridgetender – 135 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach
Direct bay front

Island Time Bar & Grill – 111 Gulf Drive South, Bradenton Beach
Open-air setting, across the street from the Gulf

The Beachhouse – 200 Gulf Drive North, Bradenton Beach
Direct Gulf front

Coquina Café – 2650 Gulf Drive South, Coquina Beach
Direct Gulf front

Havana Cabana, Anna Maria Island's Cuban restaurant

The Havana Cabana Grill is a Cuban restaurant situated on the Marina Drive, Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island. The restaurant has a large selection of dishes available for people eating in and ordering out. The food served is a mixture between Greek, Italian and Cuban traditional dishes and there are a variety of others. There are dinner specials available and for the adventurous spirits out there the catch of the day will offer a delicious fresh meal. Be sure to ask what it is!! There is a relaxed atmosphere in the restaurant and one immediately feels at home and welcome.

On my visit to the Havana Cabana I had an authentic Cuban sandwich and my aunt had the Sopa del Dia, both of which were extremely good. I would recommend any of the sandwiches that are made with Cuban bread. There is so much to choose from and I will definitely be going back. The restaurant is owned and managed by John Droukas who is also the chef, you can be sure one of the better chefs on the island. The best way in testing the theory is by testing the food. We were served by a kind lady by the name of Michelle Ruiz del Vizo who was very knowledgeable of the state of Florida and its cultural heritage. We learnt from her the meaning behind the term ‘cracker’, used to describe people who are born in Florida. The term derived from the crack of the whip above herds of cattle that were being herded by the first Floridian residents, early pioneers of the region. She is a proud Cuban cracker.

To view what is available you can visit http://www.havanacabana.net/ which is a website containing the menu and contact details.

Now, enough reading for you and time to crack on to the Havana Cabana grill to experience the culinary delight that awaits you.

Havana Cabana Grill
5904 Marina Drive
Holmes Beach, Florida 34217
941-254-4999

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: 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.

Ocean Star Review. . . For Kids!!! :)

Hey kids! You’ve made your way back to Kids Corner, the #1 island blog written by kids, for kids. I’m here to talk about one of the best Asian food places on the island, Ocean Star. Not only does it have awesome food, but the atmosphere is very realistic and entertaining. Read on if you want to learn more.

Ocean Star is this great sushi and Japanese food restaurant located at the Galati Marina. It has the most yummiest sushi and dumplings you’ve ever tasted. And no matter what you like there’s something on the menu to amuse everyone.

So let’s start with the food. Honestly, I would have to say that sushi is their specialty. My favorite has to be the Hawaiian Role-Tuna and Cream Cheese tempura with eel sauce-soooo good! I mean, the other items I have tried on the menu were fantastic, don’t get me wrong, but I think the thing they spend more time perfecting their sushi than anything else. But if you’re not exactly the sushi type, Ocean Star has plenty of other options for you. They make a variety of tempura dishes (fried veggies and fish – finger food that satisfies even people like my brother). They also serve many different types of rice, dumplings, soups, noodles, and even steak, to satisfy your hunger. So feel free to eat up and enjoy!

Next, the atmosphere. As soon as you walk in the door, it’s as if you’ve entered a whole different world. In short, it’s very different than your everyday mealtime. You can eat at a table, in a booth, at the bar, or in a canopied-in booth with strips of seating area all around the table. To add to the realistic Japanese ambiance, the lights are dim and the chefs are constantly preparing food right in front of you, which adds to the awesome mood.

So, to conclude, Ocean Star is a fun, awesome restaurant that serves great food, has a fantabulous atmosphere, and is a great place to eat whether you have a special event or are just looking for a cool place to eat for dinner or lunch. Well, i gotta go. See ya l8tr. Byeeeee!!!!!!!!

Anna Maria Island Easter Bonnet Contest

Don’t miss you chance to be a part of the 3rd Annual Easter Bonnet Contest March 30th, 2013 on Anna Maria Island. The contest will begin at 10am in the parking lot located at 315 Pine Avenue in the City of Anna Maria. The Easter Bonnet contest will have a 1st place winner for children and a 1st place winner for the adults. 1st place winner in the adults contest will win a 2 night stay at the Anna Maria Guest House on Pine Avenue. 1st place winner in the children’s contest will win a lunch party for 4 at the Sandbar Restaurant. Check out our Easter Egg hunt information page.

For more information call 941-778-8710

Check here for this year’s Easter Worship Services Schedule.

How I Would Spend My Day on Anna Maria Island!

Beach-North End — Bay Front Park in The City of Anna Maria

So here’s what I would do if I wasn’t working today! I would drive past my office in Holmes Beach and head straight to Bay Front Park in Anna Maria, unload my bicycle and go for a ride. As my stomach starts to grumble with hunger I would stop at the Rod N Reel Pier for some breakfast. Remember that breakfast is the most important meal of the day even if you’re eating bacon, eggs, & home fries at your favorite island restaurant.

After breakfast it’s time for a little adventure so I would go see my friends at Yolo Parasail for a relaxing boat ride and sky high view of Anna Maria Island. If you have never been parasailing off the coast of Anna Maria Island you should put it on your to do list!

Beach chair on Holmes Beach — Enjoy Holmes Beach

As the morning comes to an end and the afternoon is just about to begin I would go soak up some rays on Holmes Beach for a couple of hours while looking at the amazing pictures I took from my parasailing adventure. If you are at one of the public beaches you can enjoy some ice cream too.

Now it’s time to go see my good friends at Segs By The Sea in Bradenton Beach for a SEGWAY tour. We start our tour on Bridge Street and head to the beach. Travelling south along the paved beach path through Coquina Beach and up over the Longboat Key Bridge and back. If you have never been on a SEGWAY before don’t worry one of the fabulous tour guides will teach you how to ride, and in about five minutes you will be comfortable and confident on a SEGWAY.

As the Sun is setting on our return trip to Bridge Street the day is almost over but the night is just beginning and now I’m hungry once again. In the mood for good food and live music I head just a couple of doors down to The Blue Marlin where I meet friends and family for diner & drinks. The Blue Marlin is famous for their fresh fish & seafood that they purchase daily from local seafood markets. I’m not the biggest seafood lover but absolutely love the burgers, steak sandwich, and of course ice cold beer outside in the Trap Yard where on the weekends you can enjoy live entertainment from local musicians.

So that’s what I would do if I wasn’t working in paradise today… But I am working today at Island Real Estate on Anna Maria Island and would like to get you here too!

Tell us your story on facebook title it my perfect day on Anna Maria Island and let us know what you did or would do… “Remember life’s better on the beach!”

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2012 Home Games

Enjoy NFL action live and in person at the next home Tampa Bay Buccaneers Game, just less than an hour from the beaches of Anna Maria Island! Sunday November 25^th at 1pm in Raymond James Stadium the Bucs take on the Atlanta Falcons in a classic NFC South Divisional matchup. Catch Josh Freeman, future Hall of Famer Ronde Barber and the November 4^th Offensive Player of the Week RB Doug Martin in action. Tickets available from just $35 at www.buccaneers.com.

Sarasota Medieval Fair is great day trip for Anna Maria Visitors

Hear ye, hear ye! The Sarasota Medieval Fair occurs annually in the month of November. Just a short trip from Anna Maria Island it is a perfect day trip for visitors. The Sarasota Medieval Fair is located at the Sarasota Fairgrounds on Fruitville Road rain or shine from 10-6 each weekend. Enjoy performances by Jousters and Human Combat Chess. Jump in and participate in craft demonstrations of pottery, basket weaving, blacksmith work, torched glass beading and even leather working. Bring your appetite because the turkey legs are HUGE and the beer is served cold.

Tickets are available at the Medieval Fair website.

Visit Island Real Estate’s top ten list of things to do for more ideas of what to do when visiting Anna Maria Island.

Home Depot Workshops for Kids

The Home Depot offers Kids’ Workshop near Anna Maria Island on the first Saturday of every month.

Designed for children ages 5-12, the kids can enjoy making a FREE craft project from 9am-12pm on the first Saturday of each month. They receive hands on instruction, a commemorative pin and certificate of achievement, not to mention, their very own Home Depot workshop apron.

Check with their website each month to see what they will be making.

Check out Island Real Estate’s top ten things to do information pages that make your visit to Anna Maria Island a breeze. Visit our top ten things to do as a family. Top ten things to do if you are a kid on Anna Maria Island. AND lots more top ten lists of things to do!

Music in the Park at Bradenton Riverwalk

Grab the kids, family, and friends and head downtown to Music in the Park at Bradenton Riverwalk for some live music. Realize Bradenton will be hosting Music in the Park Thursday evenings at the brand new Riverwalk downtown Bradenton. This family friendly concert series begins October 25^th and will continue Thursday evenings from 5pm – 7pm until November 15^th at the Riverfront Pavilion and Mosaic Amphitheater.

Riverfront Pavilion and Mosaic Amphitheater
452 3^rd Avenue West
Bradenton Florida

Riverwalk is a fabulous Anna Maria Island activity. Walk along the river and take in all there is to offer. Swings, a playground, water park, a skate park, pavilion and much more. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Downtown Bradenton.