Anna Maria Island
Distance from Polk County – 81 miles
A barrier island on Florida’s shimmering Gulf Coast, Anna Maria Island is a popular beach destination for much of Central Florida. It has an island life vibe and a favorable selection of public beaches on which to sun and swim. Popular beaches include Manatee Public Beach, Anna Maria Public Beach, Bean Point Beach, Coquina Beach, and Bayfront Park.
If a beach day is what you’re after, pack a cooler, a towel, SPF and you’ll be good – or take out the boat (or rent one) for saltwater fishing and sealife spotting. A weekend stay in one of the many cheery, beachy-hued condos on the island is preferable to get in all that AMI has to offer. Take the Island Trolly up and down all 7 miles of the island for free. Something to do, eat, or buy will be within walking distance of one of the trolly’s 80 stops.
Expect a getaway packed with swimming, seafood, and shopping. Bridge Street is one of the island’s hot shopping spots lined with boutiques and bistros. Make your way down the historic Bridge Street Pier to Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB on the Pier) where you can enjoy oysters and other seafood fare as you watch the shades of orange and pink sun sink beneath the drink. If you haven’t yet dropped from said shopping, roam Pine Avenue for more craft shops, food, and the like.
Another must-dine Anna Maria pier restaurant is a beach-casual spot on the far north end of the island, Rod and Reel Pier. Not only does this oft called “hidden gem” serve Gulf favorites, but guests can also bring a fishing pole and cast from the restaurant’s dock and walkways for a small fee.
Additional views and vendors can be found each week on Sunday and Wednesday from 10 am to 4 pm (check their Facebook, @BeachMarketAtCoquinaBeach for updates on COVID closures) at the Beach Market at Coquina Beach. Stroll the market for “fresh produce, arts and crafts, jewelry, local artists, scarves, apparel, pottery, purses, health and beauty items, music and more,” according to their Facebook page.
If you’re imbibing during your trip, the island has plenty to choose from. For a Hurricane that won’t make you panic-buy supplies and Sex on the Beach that won’t get you arrested (maybe), stop into Hurricane Hank’s for a beer-battered fish sandwich and tropical cocktails. A trendy stop to get your medicine is The Doctor’s Office, a craft bar located in a real former doctor’s office. The good doc offers craft cocktails, beer, wine, and small plates to sober up. I believe the saying goes, “A stiff drink a day keeps the doctor away.” This is just scratching the surface of the adult beverage offerings on the island.
After you’ve dumped the sand from your swimsuit and assessed the sunburn you swore you wouldn’t get, don’t forget to get your photo in the clink at the old Anna Maria City Jail. This is a frequented photo-op on the island with “no roof, no doors, no windows, no bars, no guests for yrs and yrs.”
Article Written By: Tara Crutchfield & Amy Sexson Jul 1, 2020. LKLD Haven Magazine