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Travel Guide
Sustainability
Business and the Beach
Business and the Beach Where to Stay What to Do
It’s okay to admit it. You don’t really miss going into the office at all. No more commutes. No more conference rooms. No doubt, working from home has its perks. One of those being, you don’t even have to be home at all. If you’re one of the lucky ones who can work remotely, why not go somewhere where you can feel like you’re on vacation, even when you’re not. From island to mainland, we have rentals filled with all the comforts of home — but better — where you can work a little, play a lot and finish your 9-to-5 with the hardest-working sunsets you’ve ever seen.
Anna Maria Vacations
No matter what you’re looking for, Anna Maria Vacations has it — luxury Gulf beachfront homes, beach condos, bay waterfront homes, and many exquisite inland homes just in Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach or the City of Anna Maria. The website organized all their offering in easy-to-understand categories (such as “last-minute deals,” “Beachfront rentals,” “short-term rentals,” etc.), so finding the right rental for you is easy.
Mainsail Beach Inn
Overlooking stunning turquoise waters, Mainsail Beach Inn features twelve residences located right on Holmes beach. The two- and three-bedroom condominiums and townhomes wrap up the furnishings and features of a luxury home with the services and amenities of a world-class hotel. Classic island-inspired architecture and craftsmanship surround professionally designed interiors, authentic pine flooring, designer fabrics and comfortable furniture. Fully-equipped gourmet kitchens and marble bathrooms add a touch of luxe to your stay.
Waterline Villas & Maria
Just a few blocks south and a short dogleg east is Waterline Villas & Marina, Mainsail Beach Inn’s sister resort. Also known simply as The Waterline. In nautical terms, a waterline is “the level reached by water, visible as a line on a boat, beach or bank.” The nautical theme carries through the entire resort in big and little details. Tranquil colors, soothing textures and small personal touches inspire a relaxed state of being. Gracious island villa-condos provide separate living and sleeping spaces and include fully equipped gourmet kitchens.
Vacasa
Vacasa offers a vast variety of Anna Maria Island vacation rentals — from the town of Anna Maria to Bradenton Beach. Vacasa offers 3-D tours of every property and every vacation home meets the highest standards of safety, comfort, and cleanliness.
Hiking
With trails that weave through mangrove-lined coasts and climb through the wooded forests along the Manatee River and its tributaries, hiking in the Bradenton Area offers a world of discovery to explore, whether walking, hiking, biking and even on horseback. Here are just a few of our favorites.
Duette Preserve
At over 21,000 acres, the Duette Preserve is the largest Preserve in the County system and is rich in both cultural, historic, and natural resources — including homestead sites and Carruthers Mound, which is thought to date from 1300-1700 A.D.
Leffis Key Preserve
On the south end of Anna Maria Island, across the way from Coquina Beach, you’ll find the small but stunning Leffis Key Preserve. What was once an overgrown spoil full of invasive species plants, Leffis Key Preserve has now become a impressive example of what a community can do to save its natural wetlands and estuaries. Leffis Key has 1,500 feet of boardwalks that take you around the island and lead up to a 26-foot high hill that features stunning panoramic views of Sarasota Bay and Anna Maria Island. There’s also various viewing platforms with benches that make for a relaxing, short hike where you can enjoy all of the natural sea oats, marshlands, and spot wildlife like manatees, dolphins, and species of birds galore!
Robinson Preserve
With 682 acres of coastal saltern, marsh, and mangrove habitat, hiking and biking trails, and a 40-foot observation tower in the heart of the park, Robinson Preserve is a portal to the natural world. It’s also a family favorite thanks in part to its NEST (center for Nature, Exploration, Science and Technology), a multiple-use space that features hands-on learning for all ages.
Terra Ceia Preserve State Park
This park’s 2,000 acres encompass mangrove forests, freshwater and saltwater wetlands, and uplands communities. Park trails are open to foot traffic only and accessible from park gates.
Birding
Our diverse ecology attracts and supports a variety of native and rare birds. From the lush barrier islands to the inland preserves, there are countless ways to watch these amazing avians in their natural habitat. Grab your binoculars, download our handy Bradenton Area Birding Guide for a complete guide on Bradenton Area birds and where to find them.
Boating
Navigating the numerous, local waterways is the perfect way to experience the more authentic side of the region. Explore our lakes, estuaries, rivers, bays and the Gulf of Mexico — each one offering distinct vistas of shorelines and sunsets. Sail to one of the many marinas by yacht, hop on a sightseeing tour vessel, or charter a boat to chart your own course.
Fishing
The Bradenton Area offers some of the best angling opportunities around, including freshwater, in-shore, and offshore fishing. The unique geography and miles of pristine coastline means you’ll never run out of fishing options on your next visit. From Largemouth Bass to Bluegill, Grouper to Mahi Mahi, you’re sure to reel in the big one—or have an amazing time trying.