Many towns and cities seem to have that one street where it all “happens,” a bustling boulevard of activity, shops, restaurants, and attractions. For Anna Maria Island, that “hot spot” is Bridge Street.
You could literally spend a full day of fun and never set foot off this historic street. You can shop (indoors and out), eat, and even go fishing (from Bridge Street Pier in Anna Maria Island)!
And if you’ve chosen from among the many rentals on Anna Maria Island that are nearby, you won’t even have far to travel to start the day.
History
What started out as a simple means to get to Anna Maria Island was turned into a significant tourist site attracting thousands and thousands of vacationers a year.
The original Cortez Bridge, erected in 1921, was closed in 1976 due to increased traffic that the structure was never designed to accommodate; its old wooden supports were meant only for foot traffic and model T’s!
The reconstructed bridge became Bridge Street Pier in Anna Maria Island. Converted to a fishing pier, still in use today, the site soon became a restaurant. Over the following decades, shops and more eateries sprang up. Following a recent renovation over the past few years that increased the number of these businesses, Bridge Street has become, as its motto states, a place to “shop, dine, and play—from the beach to bay.”
Despite the renovations, Bridge Street on Anna Maria Island has remained true to the Historic Old Town District. It is the center; many structures have retained their charming “old world” feel, giving the street a quaint and appealing visage that visitors love.
So, what to do on Bridge Street?
Things to Do on Bridge Street
Like New York City, it seems that Bridge Street never sleeps.
Home to several art galleries, you’ll find art shows throughout the year. Bridge Street also hosts holiday celebrations, concerts and music events, barbecues, open markets, outdoor movies, and more.
Shop the small stores, boutiques, and galleries and souvenirs, beachwear, sandals, sunglasses, jewelry, toys, and so much more. Many items are hand-made by locals, so you can purchase genuinely one-of-a-kind goods that can be sentimental reminders of your vacation and your time spent on Bridge Street on Anna Maria Island.
Live entertainment is a popular and frequent activity on Bridge Street. You’ll find many local musicians putting on shows at restaurants and often at the Bridge Street Market, which operates from November through April every Sunday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Set against the backdrop of the Bridge Street Pier, The Market contains booths and tables displaying art, food, and gifts from local vendors and artisans. You’ll find locally grown fresh produce, herbs, flowers, beach-themed décor (displaying such common images as dolphins, anchors, and oceans), and art such as watercolor paintings and photography. Local musicians also sell CDs of their music.
Year-round, wander through the Bridge Street Bazaar: from beach gear to trinkets, you’re sure to find a beach item you need or a souvenir you admire to take home a piece of your Bridge Street visit. T-shirts, swimwear, toys, and so much more. They also carry major brands like Cobain and Ray-Ban.
Shopped out? Get a massage—the only massage you may ever get in a tiki hut!—at Serenity Beach Spa & Eco Boutique. Into a fun family activity? Hit the mini-golf course at The Fish Hole, themed after an old Florida fishing village. Rather bike than walk? Hit the street on bikes rented from Segs by the Sea. You can even pop into Paradise Boat Tours and set up an exciting waterway tour that’ll bring you close to dolphins, manatees, and other wildlife.
You can also jump on the FREE Anna Maria Island trolley and get on and off as you like (it runs from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day) to hit the spots you really want to see.
Places to Eat
Some of the best places to eat on Anna Maria Island can be found on Bridge Street! From casual to formal dining, you’re sure to find something to your liking when you spend the day on this busy street.
Bridge Street Bistro presents an award-winning menu of locally caught seafood dishes: shrimp, scallops, and lobster. Pair your meal with a glass from the wide selection of wines or order an original cocktail, and you’ve got the perfect dinner to end your Bridge Street day.
Another popular eatery is the Blue Marlin Seafood Restaurant. Experience dining in a nautical-themed atmosphere (even the bar is curved, reminiscent of a boat) and enjoy a fresh seafood dish focusing on the hand-picked main catch of the day; thus, the menu is continuously rotating at the Blue Marlin to ensure seasonal freshness. Some suggested must-tries include the blackened grouper and stone crabs.
Other great Bridge Street restaurants on Anna Maria Island include:
- Anna Maria Island Oyster Bar: it’s cocktails and oysters to end your day!
- Bridge Tender Inn: enjoy a surf (gulf shrimp, seared tuna, grouper) and turf (roasted duck, steak) menu as you listen to live music at this dockside bar operating since 1989.
- The Island Creperie: hitting Bridge Street early and looking for breakfast? This is a great breakfast and lunch spot serving (of course) breakfast crepes—a wide range of white or buckwheat—along with croissants as well as salads, sandwiches, and dessert crepes.
- Daquiri Deck Anna Maria Island: bar-style restaurant with platters, salads, and more than a dozen creamy, fruity, and tart daiquiris
- Tintos Colombian Coffee Shop: rather a snack than a full meal? Tintos offers coffee drinks (Café Con Leche seems to be a fave), snacks, and a variety of empanadas
Check out nearby Gulf Drive to expand your selections; top dining establishments include Beach House Restaurant, Smoqehouse, French Table, Island Time Bar & Grill, Oma’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant, Gulf Drive Café, Coquina Beach Café, and Sharky’s Seagrill.
Plan Your Next Visit
There are plenty of Anna Maria Island vacation rentals (such as beach houses and cottages) that are close to the beaches as well as this central location, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds and not even have far to travel! You’ll have the luxury of, depending on your choice, queen- or king-sized beds, fully equipped kitchens, screened balconies, private decks, washers/dryers, grills, game rooms, private pools, and so much more!
Directions & How to Get There
Parking at Coquina Beach and taking the free trolley is a great way to get to Bridge Street. You’ll get off on Gulf Drive and simply walk a short way to Bridge Street.
Gulf Drive is the main drive to take when coming from points north or east, such as Holmes Beach or Bradenton. From Holmes Beach, take Gulf Drive South; from Bradenton, it’s Cortez Road to Gulf Drive North after leaving the highway (FL-64 W).
You might have rented a bike, golf cart, or other means of transportation for your stay on the island; if you’ve chosen from among Anna Maria Island beach house rentals that are nearby, then you can reach Bridge Street that way.
Explore Rentals on Anna Maria Island!
Looking to plan your next vacation to Anna Maria Island? Browse our entire selection of Anna Maria rentals today and find the perfect match for your next getaway. With plenty of amenities and options available, there’s something for everyone at Beach House!
