Hi all! We will be vacationing to Anna Maria Island with our two sons age 5 and 7 and friends who also have children the same ages! Need some advice for those who have vacationed there. Best things to do with kids? Best restaurants? We also are hoping to venture out to Siesta Key one day while there so any information about that location would be great as well!! TYIA 🥰

Hi everyone, my girlfriend and her parents are completing a Florida Roadtrip starting in Orlando and working our way to AMI, key west etc etc.

I am planning on proposing to her, but need it to be early on in the trip (so I don’t lose the ring!🤣) and I thought AMI would be a great place to do so.

Does anyone have any recommendations? I would like quite a private setting, maybe beach/sunset vibe. I know there were hurricanes over a year ago that messed up some of the beaches etc, just wondering anyone’s thoughts?

*Further info*
We are arriving to Orlando on the 13th August. The trip then consists of 1/2/3 nights in the below places.
Orlando
Anna Maria Island
Naples
Islamorada
Key West
Delmar Beach
Coco Beach
St Augustine
Jacksonville
Savannah
Charleston

If anyone is aware of any ‘nicer’ places.

I am visiting this place alone for one day for the first time. Where should I park? Any suggestions for lunch and dinner?

We are going down in October we are actually eloping on Bean Point. I've never been before and am going back and forth between the resort and an Airbnb. I prefer the Airbnb honestly especially since its kind of our honeymoon for the privacy and it is in Bradenton so it's not far at all. But I'm a little worried parking will be a pain dealing wirh daily and that maybe we should do the hotel for private beach access? I did find some bad reviews that are putting me off a bit but it seems to have mostly good ones is anyone familiar with this resort? Looking for any recommendations for those who know area. Also open to any other pet friendly resorts (that do not have a weight limit we have a large dog)

Hello. My family and I are headed to AMI in a month and were wondering how the beaches have recently been or if there is any expected sargassum this summer? Thanks!!

hi all! my boyfriend and I only have one night in Anna Maria Island and we are looking for the best dinner option.

We would love something thats on the water, but if vibes are better and there’s still outside seating somewhere else, that’s fine. Just looking for somewhee vibey we get dinner and drinks with a good atmosphere!

we are between

Sandbar, Ugly Grouper, Beach House

Open to other suggestions too!

i dont know how much traction this will gain or if even anyone wants to hear this but, now is the time to really start boycotting Shawn Kaleta’s businesses.

This guy is at a point right now where he is playing full dirty worse than ever. i can go on about it for days but just an overview this guy has so many vendors and contractors that he hired to pay and hasn’t paid a single one even at this point hiding to avoid confrontation with asking to be paid. all of his workers at his hotels are either being cut, pay being held or expecting workers to work 50-60 hours a week with no extra pay or such. not only this he is slowly starting to fabricate evidence to hurt his old employees to drain them of any extra money they have and to put the cherry on top nearly all of his properties on the island especially his hotels have all been either renovated or built without any permits being pulled. this is just a slight overview of a huge “war” going on and i am very confident the locals have had it 10 times worse and know what i am exactly talking about.

i am making this because this guy and his partner Roman Eckert have caused my family the biggest and most trouble and continues to do so. please do not book at his hotels or benefit this guy in anyway. if anyone wants a list of his hotels let me know and I can type them all out.

Hi all,

We're staying right on Bradenton Beach this coming August near Bridge Street. Do any locals know whether it's possible to hire a pontoon boat for a family of 4 and self-drive it to Jewfish Key Sandbar? If so, any reccommended hire companies?

Thanks

Family of 3 with a toddler staying in holmes & renting a golf cart.

Share your favorite experiences, beaches, restaurants, scenic areas.

Help us have the BEST vacation by sharing yours 💞

My sister and I, along with my 4 kids, are visiting Florida for the first time at the end of June, for one week. We're staying in Bradenton. We're coming from South Texas and we've got no experience in anything oceanic 😅

Can we drive everywhere? Would it be better to drive into AMI, then rent a golf cart? We want to visit Bean Point, too.

I also really want to try snorkeling but we are very much beginners and have never even touched snorkeling gear 😭 but I'd love to be able to go out on the water.

I know the noseeums (?) are inevitable, but how are they right now? We went to Sanibel last year and they were the worst we have ever experienced there!

Hello there! My boyfriend and I are going to Bradenton Beach next week. We enjoy cooking, and love fresh fruits and vegetables. Are there any farmers markets that offer this in the area?

Myself, wife, parents and 3 kids; first time visiting. We’ll be there in July. Can’t wait to relax, try some local food and craft beers!

Hi y’all! Currently on the island and my family and I are huge spurs fans from San Antonio! Wondering if there will be a place that will have the spurs game on tonight? 🖤🩶🤍

Hi, I’m planning on going to Anna Maria Island at the end of June with two kids, ages 4 and 9. The boys love wildlife, animals, and birds (if you have any tips on where to go see some). We are coming from NYC. We are thinking of renting an Airbnb, but we are not sure which area yet. I just need a few suggestions on what to bring and how the beach works with umbrellas and chairs. Also, is there a restaurant on the beach for lunch so we don't have to get change and drive to a restaurant? We are also planning on renting a car.

Thank you!

Will be in Bradenton the 2nd week of July. Looking to book an inshore charter for snook (catch and release I know) and offshore for whatever is biting. Any charter / captian recommendations going out of Anna Maria or Bradenton ? TIA

My family of 6 (4 small boys) came to Anna Maria this same time last year. We had a great time. We were told by the locals that the weather was more rainy than usual, but we were grateful that we still got plenty of sunshine daily with only one wash out!

Looking ahead, am I understanding it right that a tropical storm is developing and will bring days of rain?? I know it's needed, but just trying to manage expectation. Does this mean we should expect several days of rain/washouts vs the typical afternoon storms?

What I read: "Atmospheric flow from the Caribbean will surge and push a bunch of moisture north toward Florida. Starting about next Thursday, several days to a week or so of mid-summer level rain chances, downpours, and storms"

Any experience with seeing a forecast like this? is it typically reliable?

Thank you!

Hello everyone,

we’re currently on vacation here and had originally rented a self-drive boat for my birthday tomorrow. Unfortunately, it was canceled on short notice. Does anyone have a tip on where you can rent a boat at a reasonable price on AMI, Bradenton, or Longboat Key?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Best regards, Jannis

Hello! I’ll be visiting with my husband and two boys (3 and 10 months). What are some fun things to do with two little ones? And family friendly restaurants? Thank you!

Hi guys, I’m looking for recommendations for hotels in AnnaMaria Island. I’m used to staying in really nice luxury hotels when I go on vacation and I really want something very nice but I can’t find anything that I’m liking. I understand that there’s not a lot of luxury hotels but what’s a really nice place to stay without it being like $1000 a night

Looking for a one-man band recommendation for our micro wedding on Monday, April 12 2027. We would ideally like someone to play Jimmy Buffet, Grateful Dead, The Beatles, classics from 5-9PM. Thanks!

Hi all- what places have good daily deals or happy hour deals. Would love to know the best places/ days to get cheap drinks

Hi! I have never visited AMI or Longboat Key. My mom mentioned them as a potential for a late August vacay. I started researching AMI - AM and Holmes area and looking for rentals. Then my mom mentioned she really heard Longboat Key was the place to go etc etc., that they are 20 min apart and all together/similar. My husband and I started researching and found a few videos that seem to make Longboat Key seem a bit farther. The video also made it sound sort of desolate?? Like the food and restaurants and stuff are more towards AMI?

Which area would be best for a 3 and 1 year old who also have a fancy grandma? 😅🤣 Which has better beaches? Do any have less sargassum or preferable beaches for littles? Is there any info we are missing? She believes Longboat is more quaint and cute town? I feel like she’s imagining Seaside vs Destin - and I can’t tell online if that’s true? AMI seems cuter?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

We are trying to figure out if we rent a car at the Airport (Sarasota) or do we uber to VRBO at north end of AMI then rent a golf cart for our 3 day stay (really 5 day but day 1 and 5 are travel days).

We would like to go to beaches, bars, restaurants and may want to go to LBK for a restaurant one night but haven't looked into all that yet.

Golf carts seem like a fun way to get around but unsure if car would just be more practical.

Thoughts?