Anna Maria Island

[griffl02]

We're staying at AMI for 3 nights next monthcan anyone recommend a boat tour please, plus places to visit on the way back, we're staying at AoA. Thanks

[7SeasSailor]

On the way down you could visit Roberts Christmas Wonderland and then continue down and drive over the Skyway Sunshine Bridge. On the way back visit the Ellenton Outlets and the Westfield Mall at Brandon, both off the I75.

[griffl02]

Thank you, I'll Google those.

[Hank]

If you are into wild life have a look at Palma Sola Bvld alongside Sarasota Bay
You are drive along quiet country road and eventually you cross a small bridge ( you can now see the Bay) and you can see a small marina on your right and a park area . Turn right and you can see plenty of parking, whenever we have been few local people come to see the Manatees, it was lunchtime when we went in June and one woman said she came in her lunch break every day. We saw 7 including 2 babies

We went for lunch and found a nice place, go back the way we came to Cortez Road and turned right towards the coast after short distance we turned did a u turn before just the causeway at another Bar / Restaurant and headed inland on Cortez rd again for short distance and turned right into 124th street
which took us to

starfishcompany
Star Fish Company Market & Restaurant
starfishcompany
Seafood Market and Dockside Restaurant in the Florida fishing village of Cortez



It closes at 3pm Sunday and Monday

This really is old Florida and very cheap and cheerful Cash only, no cards, we really enjoyed it, it was like going back in time, food come in a box which is
handy if you want to take any home for later, we had 1 fish soup., 1 portion of Calamares and 1 seafood salad, which cost me less than 20 dollars, great reviews on trip advisor, if you go hope you enjoy it.

[katiec68]

We found a family of manatees in the same place on Palma Sola Boulevard at Xmas a couple of years ago.

We spent an hour so watching them! Simply amazing.

And as for Star Fish Co I could eat there every night and never get fed up of it!

Its one of the the most amazing places we've eaten!

[Chocgirl93]

We stayed in Bradenton last summer and really enjoyed a visit to Desoto National Memorial Park (about 20 mins drive from Anna Maria), lovely walk through the park with some historical information about early European settlers. (small visitor centre)

Manatee Historical village was another fab place to explore (30 minute drive from Anna Maria).

[griffl02]

Thanks for the info. We'll look into it all.

[discostu]

A about 10 miles inland theres a restaurant called fullbellystuffedburgers/ its gorgeous if you like the full on American diner/burger experience ...and the owner is great craic

[68nic]

We booked with Paradise Boat Tours online 2017. We all loved it and right on the island . Located at the end of Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. On the pier they have a great Restaurant .

[Glee Fan]

We also did a tour with Paradise Boat Tours. They are on Facebook as well. We had a great time, saw lots of dolphin activity!