Anna Maria Island

Island ·🇺🇸 United States

Time zone America/New_York

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Explore Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island's Absolute Essentials

This collection spans the Florida Gulf Coast from the quiet shores of Anna Maria Island to the cultural hubs of Sarasota and Bradenton. Highlights include the 15-acre Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, known for its extensive epiphyte collection, and the Mote Marine Aquarium’s research-focused exhibits. Historical context is provided by the De Soto National Memorial, marking the 1539 landing of Spanish explorers, while the 1.5-mile Bradenton Riverwalk and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge offer distinct architectural and recreational perspectives of the Tampa Bay estuary.

11 places

Top Beaches and Shelling Spots

This collection spans the Gulf Coast from the quartz-rich shores of Siesta Key to the nature preserves of Fort De Soto Park. Siesta Beach is distinguished by its 99% pure quartz sand, which remains cool under the sun, while Crescent Beach features Point of Rocks, a rare limestone formation for snorkeling. Further north, Manatee County Beach provides full public facilities on Anna Maria Island. The list also includes the historical grounds of Fort De Soto and the manatee-frequented waters of Apollo Beach.

11 places

Florida's Museum Treasures

This collection spans the Florida Gulf Coast, highlighting diverse cultural institutions from St. Petersburg to Sarasota. It features the world-renowned Salvador Dalí Museum and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, which houses a vast collection of Rubens and European masters. Visitors can explore the Chihuly Collection’s permanent installations of studio glass, the Florida Holocaust Museum’s historical records, and the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, which includes a planetarium and manatee rehabilitation habitat. Local history is preserved at the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and the Manatee Village Historical Park.

18 places

Premier Parks and Gardens

Spanning the Gulf Coast from Sarasota to St. Petersburg, this selection features diverse landscapes ranging from the five offshore keys of Fort De Soto County Park to the 1.5-mile Bradenton Riverwalk. The list includes specialized sites like the 15-acre Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and the historic Sunken Gardens, alongside community spaces such as Manatee Mineral Springs Park and the waterfront Bayfront Park. These locations offer a mix of botanical collections, natural springs, and recreational facilities along the Manatee River and Tampa Bay.

15 places