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Sustainability
Car-Free Ways to Get Around the Bradenton Area
From Trolleys to waterways: Easy Ways to Get Around Without a Car
There are so many ways to immerse yourself in the natural splendor of the Bradenton Area. On your first, or return trip, consider this avenue of exploration – a car-less adventure! It’s convenient, easy and is one way to be a responsible tourist. It’ll help you “Love It Like a Local” – an outlook and simple way to help preserve our pristine coastlines by minimizing your carbon footprint. Car-less travel also eliminates the stress of driving, all while enjoying our relaxed pace of life by leaving your vehicle in park.
Anna Maria Island’s roots are in our emerald waters. Our sugar-sand white beaches and majestic shores were originally only accessible via boats from visitors from the other side of Tampa Bay from nearby Tampa. Those origins fuel our Love It Like a Local principles of embracing sustainability and conservation, placing our environment in better place than when we found it. By exploring our destination without your car, you assist in being a steward of the responsible travel.
Here are four easy alternative modes of transportation while staying on Anna Maria Island
1. The Gulf Islands Ferry
Since its debut the Gulf Islands Ferry has taken the steering wheel out of your hands and just let you enjoy a ride on the water. The two Coast Guard-certified catamarans provide a unique chance to enjoy the Manatee River and Tampa Bay. This multi-modal transportation option alleviates car congestion on our roadways – every three Ferry passengers eliminates one vehicle off our streets. Funded by tourist development tax dollars, the Gulf Island Ferry connects downtown Bradenton via the Riverwalk Pier to Anna Maria Island on the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach. Powered by renewable energy sources and energy-efficient design elements, the vessels further support our Love It Like a Local initiative.
Check out the schedule and information using the myStop app through the Apple App and Google Play store.
While on the Riverwalk, immerse yourself into the vibrant art scene in the Bradenton Area’s urban core. The Riverwalk itself is a 2-mile ADA-accessible path with interactive public art, a skateboard park, beach volleyball, a splash pad and playground along with other educational and entertainment activities.
2. The Anna Maria Island Trolley
Seeing all the seven miles of sublime coastline is a breeze on the Anna Maria Island Trolley, a free service that lets others handle the search for parking spots. The Trolley travels from the southern tip of the island on Coquina Beach up to the northern portion on the Anna Maria City Pier. Wake up with the sun and start your journey beginning at 6 a.m. and travel the length of the island, hoping on and off on one of 35 stops. Service doesn’t end until 10:30 p.m., allowing for fun after the sun sets. Each stop is serviced in about 20-minute increments, meaning you’ve never too far or waiting too long from the beach, dining spot or shopping destination.
Download the myStop Mobile app for times and routes (or grab a trolley map when you board) and sit back and let the driver take you to your next destination.
3. The monkey Bus
For $5 dollars, the entire Island is yours, thanks to the Monkey Bus, a fleet of small busses that will transport you anywhere on Anna Maria Island, Cortez and the Palma Sola Causeway. An Island fixture for nearly two decades, the Monkey Bus is part transportation service, part DJ booth, part Island historian.
4. Bikes, Golf Carts, and more rentals
One of the first things you’ll notice after arriving to Anna Maria Island is the abundance of bicycles and golf carts. You may also notice that the pace of ‘island life’ is a bit more laid back (Speed limit 35 mph), which lends itself to a leisurely cycle ride. Since most of us don’t travel with our bikes, you’ll want to visit one of the many rental outposts, like Beach Bums or ZoomAround to secure a bike, cart or other vehicle for your length of stay. You’ll find all your multimodal needs met here, including electric golf carts and MOKEs along with other beach necessities. Don your safety gear and set off on your two-wheeled (or four-wheeled!) Plus, many Bradenton Area accommodations offer on-site bike rentals (like Mello on the Beach and Silver Surf Beach Resort), or even come with their very on golf cart! Check with your vacation rental company before your trip to see if a bike or cart is included in your stay.
Going car-free allows you to enjoy the islands natural scenic beauty, undisturbed by overdevelopment. No matter the length of your stay in the Bradenton Area, these alternative transportation options are an inviting way of exploring Anna Maria Island without the hassle of driving. Leave your car behind, ride the water, pedal our safe streets, enjoy the breeze on the trolley or relax in a rented golf cart on your next visit.
