Local Information
Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island just may be one of the most unpretentious places on the planet.
No one’s consulting their schedule on their cell phone, or looking at the logo on
your shirt. They’re busy with more important activities like eating grouper
sandwiches at funky little beach bars, kayaking with dolphins in Palma Sola Bay,
fishing from an old wooden pier, or watching the sky turn 10 shades of
beautiful as the sun settles into the Gulf…
Bradenton
There’s plenty to do in Bradenton, making it a great spot to take a break from the beach. Visitors will find a
vibrant downtown with restaurants, galleries and boutiques along with the South Florida Museum (home to Snooty, quite possibly the world’s most famous manatee)
as well as a planetarium, science and natural history exhibits…
Lakewood Ranch
Lakewood Ranch began its life as a planned residential community, but it’s grown up now, becoming an attractive place for visitors too. Most spend their time exploring the upscale boutique shops and restaurants on Main Street (there’s everything from a Parisian café to a Scottish pub to Russian restaurant to a sushi place), or catching a mainstream or indie flick at the small movie theater…
Longboat Key
If Anna Maria Island is a bit of a beach bum, then Longboat Key is her more sophisticated seaside cousin. Quiet, leisurely and relatively upscale, Longboat Key lures visitors who want a bit of pampering. Here, travelers dine well on globally-inspired cuisine and fresh seafood, shop in small boutiques, and gaze at the impossibly green waters of the Gulf of Mexico.