At one point in Anna Maria Island history, if you wanted to access any of Anna Maria’s things to do, you would have had to cross the Cortez Bridge. While you may not need to cross it to get onto the island now, its current remnants (the Bridge Street Pier) is an attraction that’s worth your time.
History of the Bridge Street Area
Before the Bridge Street Pier and surrounding area became a family-friendly tourist attraction, it was the Cortez Bridge. Built in 1921, the bridge wasn’t intended to ever become a tourist destination; it was simply a way to get to the island.
This bridge was rather dangerous in its old, wood design. After all, when it was constructed the only thing crossing it were people and Model-T cars!
It was in 1976 that the Cortez Bridge was closed and half the Cortez Bridge was removed. The Anna Maria Island side was turned into the Bridge Street Pier, where you can now find fishermen, tourists, restaurants, shops and other interesting Anna Maria things to do during any time of the year.
Recent Revitalization
The pier was renovated in recent years to make it safer for tourists and to maintain the structure. However, the former bridge wasn’t the only thing that was revitalized.
There has also been an increase in the number of attractions in the Bridge Street Area to make your visit well worth your while; with many of them being housed in restored buildings. Some of them include innovative restaurants, stores, and outdoor activities like the Bridge Street Farmers Market.
You can easily tour the area during your vacation if you aren’t already planning on staying nearby. The totally free Anna Maria Island Trolley stops nearby and gets to just about every part of the island that you may be staying at. Hop on the free trolley during its operating hours and get off right at Bridge Street.
Try a Segway tour of the area
If you want something a little more unique, however, there are always the Segs by the Sea Segway tours which take you on a tour of the area including Cortez Fishing Village, Bridge Street, Coquina Beach, and other parts of Bradenton Beach. These run at 1 hour, 1.5 hour, and 2 hour intervals, allowing you to choose how in-depth you would like your tour to be and where you would like to travel.
Fishing on the Pier
One favorite of locals and tourists alike is fishing on the Bridge Street Pier. This is a well-known fishing spot that not only yields plenty of fish, but it is also a beautiful spot to relax as well. It is a family-friendly activity and you will see many people relaxing with their children, watching the boats pass and feeding the birds.
Nearby Restaurants and Pubs
If you get hungry on your day out at Bridge Street, don’t worry! There are plenty of quality places to eat in the Bridge Street area within walking distance.
First, there is the Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Bridge Street Pier. Here you can enjoy a dinner of nice oysters with cocktails after your day of fishing and relaxing, along with plenty of other excellently prepared seafood dishes.
Another top eatery in the Bridge Street area is the Blue Marlin Seafood Restaurant, featuring a nautical décor theme and a selection of items made from the freshest locally caught seafood, as well as land-side dishes.
These are just a few of the dozens of restaurants and attractions that you’ll find in the area. You could also hit up one of the many bars and pubs Bridge Street to quench your afternoon thirst – another popular Anna Maria Island thing to do.
Venues like the Drift Inn and Bridge Tender Inn allow for a relaxing atmosphere with plenty of drink specials without forcing you to leave the waterfront. The Freckled Fin offers a combination of great food, ambiance, live music, and frequently drink specials with pleasant outdoor seating; one of the more popular casual eateries/pubs in the area.
In any case, your vacation won’t be complete without a visit to the recently revitalized Bridge Street area on Anna Maria Island!
