Anna Maria Island For Relaxing (Sarasota, Bradenton: house, theatre, to live)

[irishcheese]

Heading here sight unseen this week for some R&R.

Holmes Beach.

How is this place? Looks nice.

Fave places to see? Eat? Groceries?

How far to mainland?

I would like to find a church with Weds services.

Any other tips would be appreciated.

Thanks,

[Oobie119]

Beach house is nice for food, just off Cortez Road.. Or you can try the Sandbar on Anna Maria Island. They are owned by the same person.

[SaveMtns]

You have chosen a GREAT destination! The mainland is 10 min. away. Lots of excellent choices for food on the island; our favorites: The Waterfront, City Pier, Sandbar, Oma's for pizza, Cafe On the Beach for breakfast, and DO NOT MISS Joe's Eats & Sweets--the BEST homemade ice cream ever. Check out the Anna Maria Museum on Pine Street, and Historic Bridge Street. For groceries: Publix in Holmes Beach. The island is small, just sounds bigger than it is because it's divided into 3 towns: Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, and Anna Maria.

[Oobie119]

Yes Cafe on the beach is awesome (Get the belgium waffles-- YUMO!)
Grab some chair and sit out on the beach for sunset, stay in front of the beachouse to hear the tunes!

[sezipip]

You lucky thing!! We were in Anna Maria in December, and it is the best place we have ever been. Try Ginny and Jane's at the Old IGA for morning coffee, very laid back and great atmosphere. Sandbar for lunch or dinner on the beach. We also went to the local Island Player's Theatre which we really enjoyed. The whole place is so relaxed and the people so friendly. Great fishing off either the city pier or the dock at the back of Roser's church on Pine Avenue. My husband was lucky enough to see a manatee at that location as well. ENJOY!!

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by irishcheese

Heading here sight unseen this week for some R&R.

Holmes Beach.

How is this place? Looks nice.
Built a home & raised children there, it's totally laid back

Fave places to see? Eat? Groceries?
Publix for groceries, for an exquisite meal go to Beach Bistro, best seafood is in Cortez at the fishmarket. Sandbar/Beach house are for tourists, Cortez is true florida fish. Waffles at Beach Drive Cafe, pancakes at Holmes Beach on Sunday morning. DCoy ducks has bands/entertainment, it's been remodeled & updated. Sunhouse in Bradenton Beach is also very good. Rotton Ralph's at Gallati Marina on north end of island is always fun...

How far to mainland?
Five miles to West Bradenton from Manatee Ave Beach.

I would like to find a church with Weds services.
Not sure on that one...google churches on Anna Maria Island.

Any other tips would be appreciated.

Thanks,

This is a very chill island, not much but beaching it. You may want to go south onto Longboat Key & take a drive to St. Armand's & Lido key...lots of shopping/restaurants, take a walk down Main Street in Sarasota. If you have time, get to Siesta Key beach, about an hour & 20 min from AMI....it's beautiful there, sand like sugar.

[KarynO]

You can't go wrong in that area. A fun thing to do is the Lebarge sunset cruise out of marina jack in Sarasota.

[lucid day dreamer]

I just got back from Anna Maria Island. We rented a beautiful beach house on the gulf and got married on the beach. It was the BEST place ever. My husband and I fell in love and even tho we are from Canada we can't stop dreaming of what it would be like to live there! We loved Matt and Doms pastires and Aqua Aveda Salon, the Sandbar was really great. The sunsets were the best and watching the dolphins every morning was just breath-taking! Not to mention everyone was just so friendly!