Anna Maria

Anna Maria Island is the kind of place where summer feels endless. Warm breezes, turquoise waters and a laid-back pace define life on this seven-mile barrier island off Florida’s Gulf Coast. It’s where locals know the value of a slow morning and visitors quickly adopt the art of unwinding. Whether you’re here for a family vacation, a romantic escape or a solo getaway, the summer season brings out the very...

There’s something about a family reunion in Florida that deserves more than folding chairs in someone’s backyard or a rushed weekend in a cramped hotel. It should be a time where everyone, from toddlers to grandparents, can actually relax, reconnect, and make new memories without feeling like they’re just checking boxes on a schedule. That’s where Anna Maria Island comes in. Whether you’ve got cousins flying in from all corners...

In other places in the world it may feel as if you wait all year for summer to arrive, only to have it end in a blink of an eye, and although that is not an issue we have here on Anna Maria Island, we do feel your pain. Fortunately, the time left until Memorial Day, the unofficial kick off to summer, can now be counted in days and weeks,...

It’s time to start daydreaming about your next summer vacation, and we’ll bet Anna Maria Island has been crossing your mind! With scenery that rivals the Caribbean islands and a wealth of activities available, Anna Maria Island has always been a favorite of vacationers year-round but especially shines during the popular summer season. It’s an ideal way to get a taste of the tropical lifestyle without ever leaving the country...

Located in Anna Maria on Gulf Drive, Dips is the perfect spot for ice cream and candy. This family-owned and operated ice cream shop is definitely a favorite of locals and visitors as it has been voted the #1 ice cream shop on Anna Maria Island by the Anna Maria Island Sun eight times! Take a different kind of dip at Dips selecting from its 32 flavors of ice cream,...

Bortell’s Lounge is another favorite spot for locals and visitors looking for a place to quench their thirst, shoot a round of pool and boogie to the tunes on the juke box! Located on the north end of Anna Maria Island, just a short walk from the Gulf of Mexico beach, the bar/lounge is open from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m....

The historic Anna Maria City Pier is a great place to take a stroll, fish (fishing is free when you purchase anything at the restaurant or bait shop!), buy some authentic jewelry or grab a great meal. Located at the end of the 750-foot-long pier is the appropriately-named City Pier Gril. The waterfront restaurant is open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10:00 p.m. Friday...

Family owned and operated for over 10 years, Ocean Star’s number one priority is its customers. From the quality of its food to the level of its service they give it all 100 percent. Traditional Japanese menu items mixed with sushi, wines, beer and sake, along with daily fresh sushi specials, Ocean Star truly has something for everyone. Ocean Star has two location — in Bradenton and, its newest location,...

Rod & Reel Pier Restaurant is a local favorite for residents and visitors alike and is an institution in the city of Anna Maria. It sits at the end of a pier on Tampa Bay and offers incredible views. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served, but seating is limited, and larger parties will be divided up into separate tables. Visit: 875 North Shore Drive, Anna Maria, Florida 34216 Contact: 941-778-1885 Connect:...

Poppa’s delivers authentic Mission style Mexican food using well-sourced ingredients, like organic produce and antibiotic/hormone free meats, at a reasonable price. In every aspect, they strive to make sure that they’re elevating accepted standards and surprising your expectations. At Poppo’s they’ve got something to prove. They figure it’s about time that people have the option of a meal on the go that doesn’t sacrifice the standards they practice at home....