Planning Your Next AMI Adventure? Include These Experiences On Your Itinerary!

Whether you’re visiting Anna Maria Island for the first time or you’ve been coming here for years, there are some things you just have to do. We’ve put together a list of our top experiences that every vacationer should enjoy at least once, if not more! From ways to stay to activities to check out, these items will help you fully embrace the laid-back life on our beloved island. 

Check off something from our Anna Maria Island bucket list? Feel free to tag @bradentongulfislands with your pics – or share other iconic AMI things to do that we should include.

Stay Like a Local

For starters, let’s talk lodging. Anna Maria Island resorts and hotels are top-notch and always a special treat. But if you want to experience the island like the locals who call it home, consider booking one of our many private rental options. These homes and condos can be found all along our low-rise coastline, nestled throughout the different beach communities. They’re perfect for immersing yourself in the AMI lifestyle and getting to know your friendly neighbors. Rentals often include golf carts and bikes too, so you can easily head in to town or explore spots off the beaten path.

Eat Breakfast on the Beach

Lazy mornings are a must on vacation. Just make sure you wake up early enough (before 11 a.m. on weekdays and noon on the weekend) at least once to have breakfast at Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, where you can indulge in all-you-can-eat pancakes WITH your toes in the sand. Stacks of fluffy cakes and breathtaking horizon views for as far as the eye can see are the heavenly pairing you never knew you needed.

Enjoy Fresh, Local Seafood

Keeping with the food experiences…you can’t visit a barrier island that’s known for its fishing – not to mention right next to a still very thriving fishing village – and not treat yourself to the incredibly fresh seafood from its surrounding waters. Practically every restaurant menu features local fish and seasonal delicacies – from grouper and snapper to stone crab and oysters. Chefs lean into the area’s signature Floribbean cuisine to serve up mouthwatering culinary creations, while dockside dining and beachside cafes provide the perfect coastal-casual ambience. If you’re new to seafood, this is the ideal introduction!

Go on a Dolphin Tour

All ages will love this activity. There’s just something magical about spotting a dolphin in the wild – seeing its dorsal fin peek out of the water or a whole pod of dolphins dancing among the waves. Taking a guided tour is your best bet for viewing and learning about these playful creatures, thanks to expert captains who know where dolphins like to hang out and can share fun facts along the way. Whether you want to go by charter boat or kayak, all sorts of tours exist, including ADA-friendly accommodations and excursions that offer additional activities like shelling or snorkeling. While on your adventures, don’t forget to give wildlife their space and practice shelling with care – easy but important ways to Love It Like A Local and help preserve our paradise.

Travel Easy & Eco-Friendly

When you get an itch to explore the island, the last thing you should do is jump in the car. Instead, opt for one of the island’s many eco-friendly transportation options. Hop aboard the free Anna Maria Island Trolley, which runs up and down all seven miles of our picturesque coastline, from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., 365 days a year. Or for just $5 a person, book the Monkey Bus and turn your ride into an entertaining trip – imagine a karaoke experience on wheels, with a touch of tour guide commentary. Bikes and golf carts are also convenient ways to get around that let you slow down and enjoy the refreshing Gulf breezes. You’ll have no trouble finding a place to rent either – that is, if the place you’re staying doesn’t already come equipped with wheels!

Pay a Visit to Pine Avenue

Speaking of places to explore, Pine Avenue on the northern end of the island is a delightful spot to visit – cute, quaint, and full of treasures. Walk along its crushed-seashell sidewalks (an eco-friendly design!) and pop into one charming store after another for a cool treat, some beachy attire, or the perfect artsy souvenir. Don’t forget to snap a pic at the Instagram-worthy Anna Maria City Jail – tucked in among the shops and restaurants.

Take It Easy on Bridge Street 

Opposite Pine Avenue, Bridge Street is the southern end’s chill, historic hangout. You can easily spend an afternoon or longer here, browsing the different stores, playing a round or two of mini golf, and grabbing a fresh bite to eat. No visit is complete without a stroll down the pier to see who’s fishing for the day (people and birds!), look out over the sparkling bay, and just slow down. Bonus: The pier is also where you can catch the Gulf Islands Ferry for a scenic ride into downtown Bradenton to check out the area’s museums and art centers or a baseball game at LECOM Park.

Did we miss any must-have moments? Let us know on Instagram what else you think we should add to our list of quintessential experiences on Anna Maria Island.