Suppose you’d rather not travel outside of the United States and yet are looking for a spectacular family vacation destination providing white sand beaches, lots of fun water and land activities, plenty of great restaurants, and a wide range of comfortable and luxurious vacation rentals to choose from. In that case, Anna Maria Island should be at the top of your list.
Located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, just west of West Bradenton, this beautiful barrier island has enough activities and sights to keep family members of all ages engaged. No one will be bored on an Anna Maria Island summer family vacation! And you get to enjoy it all from one of the many Anna Maria Island vacation rentals that are conveniently located close to beaches, restaurants, and shops. One to eight-bedroom homes, cottages, and condos featuring such enticing amenities (based on which unit you choose) as fully-stocked kitchens, private balconies, heated pools, rooftop decks, and washer/dryer on the premises.
With perfection both inside your family vacation rental and outside among the surrounding streets and beaches, you’ll find that an Anna Maria Island family vacation is the paradise you’ve worked hard all year to enjoy!
“Old Florida” Feeling
It was discovered by Native American tribes and settled by its first permanent resident in 1892. Anna Maria Island maintained the “Old Florida” charm. The “Old Florida” feeling reflects the laid-back lifestyle of the state before tourism started to draw in large crowds of visitors and vacationers. When one thinks of “Old Florida,” they think of small towns, quaint shops, and local family-owned restaurants. The term also reflects the architectural styles of older buildings erected before the mid-20th century.
This is precisely the feeling you’ll get when vacationing on Anna Maria Island. You’ll come across many old-style buildings dating from before the mid-20th century, some restored to their natural beauty. These would include boutiques, rental homes, residences, restaurants, and even an Old Jail built in 1927. And there’s still lots of original beauty to the refurbished City Pier, built-in 1911, with many eateries like dessert shops and stores the whole family will love.
When you want a vacation to truly “get away from it all”, nothing quite accomplishes this like the sort of old-world charm that Anna Maria Island offers.
Anna Maria Island Vacation Rentals
When you’re away from home, sometimes you might be looking for that “home-away-from-home” feel for the comfort of your and your family. When you choose Anna Maria Island as your family destination site, you couldn’t have selected a better locale when it comes to great rentals that feature so many things that will help make your vacation comfortable, convenient, and memorable.
Here at Beach House Real Estate, we offer Anna Maria Island rentals with up to eight bedrooms and that space to fit up to eighteen: potentially two whole families who can vacation together and share the same vacation home!
Besides many of these rentals on Anna Maria Island being just a few blocks or less from the beaches, some are within walking distance of restaurants and shops, and other attractions. Depending on the size of the rental you choose, you can enjoy such luxuries as:
- Fully stocked kitchens with top-line appliances
- Furnished covered or screened lanai
- Private balcony and private pool
- Heated pools and Jacuzzis
- BBQ grills and beach chairs
- Rooftop decks
- HD flat-screen TVs
- Spa showers
- WiFi and cable
- Washer/dryer
The Beaches
As wonderful as your rental amenities will be, you’re likely not going to be spending all of your vacations at your home or condo; there’s simply no way you’ll be able to resist the allure of the pristine white sand beaches on Anna Maria Island.
To start, Bayfront Park is located on the north end of the island. This is a great family beach destination due to shallow and calm waters and lack of crowds; however, it’s worth noting that this beach does not have lifeguard services. This beach is considered one of the best things to do with kids on Anna Maria Island, with a new playground (complete with slides, ramps, and fireman poles), picnic areas, paddleboard, and kayak rentals, great fishing spots for youngsters, and souvenir shops.
A top family-friendly beach location, Manatee Public Beach also features a playground and picnic areas in addition to an on-the-beach café. Families can also enjoy a volleyball net, grilling stations, and the opportunity to spot manatees in bays and shallow waters around the area.
Considered a historic site on Anna Maria Island, Bean Point is a secluded beach that’s great for searching for and finding shells and sand dollars, something the kids will love to do! While there are no facilities, you’ll have to bring your food and drink, but that’s just an opportunity for a fun beach picnic! No crowds, tranquil waters, and a breathtaking view of the sunset make Bean Point a must-see during your Anna Maria Island vacation.
Finally, we’ve got Coquina Beach. This southern-end location is best known for its scenic views and is considered the “best choice” for families. A list of things includes grilling, gift shops, games tables, playgrounds, paved trails, and sand volleyball. Swim crystal-clear blue waters. Eat at picnic tables under shaded pavilions. You also get peace of mind that there are lifeguards along the amazing white-sand beach!
Kid-Friendly Activities
With so many Anna Maria Island things to do with kids, your children will never complain about being bored, no matter if they’re teens, tweens, or younger.
In addition to the playgrounds, paddleboarding, kayaking, shell gathering, volleyball games, swimming, and picnicking already covered in our previous discussions about the beautiful beaches you can visit, some other activities you and your family will enjoy include jet-skiing, surfing, fishing, and maybe even spotting a dolphin from the shore!
Other fun things to do on the island, some that can even give you a break from the sun and sand, are:
- Visiting the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum.
- Taking a free trolley ride to City Pier, where you can visit gift stores with unique items like handmade pendants and jewelry; snack at a dessert shop; get an unmatched view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge; eat at the famous Sandbar Restaurant, and fish right off the pier!
- Going on a dolphin and manatee watching tour.
- Renting kayaks and take tours to see wildlife and native plants.
- Hiking through nearby preserves.
Places to Eat
All of the fun in the sun and outdoor adventures, as well as indoor attractions and shopping and walking, are bound to make you and your family hungry; you’ll be happy to find there’s absolutely no shortage of great family-friendly restaurants on Anna Maria Island and some within a short distance of your vacation rental.
Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. Seafood. Burgers. Sweets. Snacks. No matter what you’re looking for, you’re sure to find a place the whole family will love.
At the Anna Maria Island Beach Café, you’ll find sandwiches, salads, platters, pancake and sausage buffet, so much more. For something a bit more upscale, The Sandbar Restaurant has everything from stuffed shrimp to fish tacos, burgers to beef tostadas, BLTs to clam chowder.
Plan Your Next Adventure
Eating in some of Florida’s finest restaurants…sunbathing and swimming on the most beautiful beaches on Florida’s Gulf Coast…loads of fun activities for the whole family…staying in luxurious Anna Maria Island vacation rentals. When it comes to your summer vacations, sounds like it’s right here!
At Hurricane Hanks, the kids will love the choices! Chicken tenders, club sandwiches, burgers, wings, and shrimp & fish combo baskets. An excellent place for lunch! Finally, Waterfront Restaurant has casual dining, lots of fish and chicken dishes and sandwiches for lunch and dinner, with a children’s menu including mac and cheese, fish n’ chips, grilled cheese, hamburgers, and chicken tenders.
AMI also has lots of ice cream, and sweet tooth stops any kid (and adult!) will appreciate, such as Island Scoops, Cupcake Delights, Hometown Desserts, and Flip Flop Candy Shop.
These are only a few of the many restaurants and eateries you should visit when vacationing on Anna Maria Island!
Explore Our AMI Rentals With Beach House Real Estate!
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!
