Anna Maria Island

Must see attractions on 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.

Anna Maria Island's Absolute Essentials — Map

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Anna Maria Beach

Anna Maria Island, is a barrier island on the coast of Manatee County, Florida, in the United States.

Mimiro Miro / CC-BY-SA

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North Beach

Located at the northernmost tip of Anna Maria Island, this stretch of coastline offers views where the Gulf of Mexico meets Tampa Bay. It serves as a vantage point for spotting the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and local shorebirds.

Hermann Trapman / Public domain

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De Soto National Memorial

De Soto National Memorial is a national memorial located in Manatee County, approximately five miles west of Bradenton, Florida.

Ebyabe / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a 15-acre botanical garden located at 900 South Palm Avenue in Sarasota, Florida.

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Bayfront Park

A waterfront green space in Sarasota featuring a Mediterranean-style fountain, a children’s splash pad, and walking trails. The park borders the local marina and provides views across Sarasota Bay toward the Ringling Bridge.

TheGridExe / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Bradenton Riverwalk

Bradenton Riverwalk is a 1.5-mile-long public green space located along the Manatee River in Bradenton, Florida, between Business US 41 and…

Will Pittenger / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Mote Marine Aquarium

Mote Marine Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit, marine research organization based on City Island in Sarasota, Florida, with…

VisitSarasota / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Lido Beach

Busy beach lined with hotels, restaurants, bars and other facilities. Sometimes gets crowded yet still worth it.

Eric Brown / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Siesta Beach

Siesta Beach is a beach located on Siesta Key in the U.S. state of Florida.

Baseball Bugs / Public domain

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Sunshine Skyway Bridge

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge, sometimes referred to as the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge, the Sunshine Skyway, or simply "the Skyway", is…

Zeng8r / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay is a large natural harbor and shallow estuary connected to the Gulf of Mexico on the west-central coast of Florida, comprising…

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