Anna Maria Island

Things To Do Through April and May

Fun Things To Do On and Around Anna Maria Island...

Anna Maria Island is known for it quiet, serene and beautiful beaches on Florida's Gulf Coast, as well as its laid back, stress free, Old Florida charm.

Yes, Anna Maria Island truly is a tropical island paradise in the sun.

Of course, depending on your age and outlook, that quiet and laid back atmosphere most of us cherish might just be too much for some.

It's even been suggested that if you bring your teens along on your next family vacation to Anna Maria Island... they may go a bit buggy as a result of that stress free, Old Florida charm you so cherish!

Well, not too worry cause there's a full calendar of activities in the area to relieve the kids boredom from all that sand and water.

Bridge Street Market

For starters, there is the Bridge Street Market on the first and third Saturdays of each month beginning April 17.

The Bridge Street Market is an opportunity to peruse local art work, flowers, gifts and a whole lot more at the outdoor Bridge Street Market in Bradenton.

Call 941-518-4431 for more information about the Bridge Street Market.

Save 50 Bucks and Go on a Fishing Charter Too!

Best Fishing Charter in the Gulf...

We don't make that claim lightly. But then if you've ever been out fishing with Captain Larry McGuire then you know exactly what we mean!

And now you can save a whopping 50 bucks on a full day fishing charter, so what are you waiting for?

If you are planning a vacation to Anna Maria Island or anywhere in the area, then you'll want to give Larry a call.

He eats, breathes and lives for fishing and he knows how to catch you the BIG ones!

First you want to visit Sun Saver Coupons and print out your $50 discount. I mean hey, times are tough for us regular folks... right?

So why not save it while the savings are good, and right now you can book a fishing tour off Anna Maria Island that will leave you with memories that will last you a life time!

Captain Larry is no rookie in the waters off Anna Maria Island. He grew up in the area fishing, and at a young age determined that off shore fishing was his passion.

He is also an avid photographer and has had both... his and his clients catch published.

Now wouldn't that be a catch to show your friends!

Visit Larry's blog, and read about the kind of fishing trip you too could experience just by giving him a call. He can be reached on his cell at 941-720-6475.

Show Me The Fish Charters

Cell: 941-720-6475
E-mail: captlarrymcguire@gmail.com
Operating out of the Cortez Fshing Center, Bradenton, Fl.

Read what Captain Larry McGuire has to say about Fishing the Gulf in December.

Free Appetizer at Sandbar, Beachhouse or Mar Vista Restaurant

Enjoy a Free Appetizer on Anna Maria Island or Longboat Key ...

The Chiles Restaurant Group is a family of three waterfront restaurants located on Anna Maria Island and the north end of Longboat Key.

Each of the 'Chiles Group' restaurants have a unique atmosphere of their own, and embody the feel of unspoiled 'Old Florida' at its best.

All three restaurants serve fresh Florida seafood and come with breathtaking views.

The really good news is that right now you can enjoy an appetizer on the house, simply by visiting the Sun Saver Coupons website and printing out your Chiles Restaurant Group Free Appetizer coupon.

Artists Support Local Arts Education Programs

The Artists' Guild Gallery
and Artists' Guild of Anna Maria Island...

The Artists' Guild Gallery is a unique art gallery featuring the work of local artists who are members of the Artists' Guild of Anna Maria Island, the gallery host.

These artists collectively show, sell and run the non-profit gallery, and there will always be one of these artists to welcome you and answer any questions about art work or the artists.

The Artists' Guild Gallery feature original paintings in a variety of media including watercolor, oils, pastels and acrylic. The gallery also features photography, mixed media, pottery, jewelry and wood carvings.

If you're looking for just that 'right piece of art, special gift or vacation souvenir', then the Artists Guild Gallery is the place. They have special cards, available only there, created by their own exclusive member artists, as well as prints of local landscapes and landmarks, and Florida's unique flora and fauna.

Discount Coupons

Save Big on Vacation Rental Items and More...

Welcome to Anna Maria Island's very own Sun Saver Coupons ☺

There is something new and exciting on Anna Maria Island ... a chance to SAVE MONEY!

That's right, now you can save BIG on things that matter the most. Things like kayak rentals, bike rentals and scooter rentals.

You can also save on jet ski rentals, CraigCat boat and watersport rentals... and that is just the beginning.

Sun Saver Coupons also offers discount coupons for fishing charters, boat tours, restaurants, fitness and health spas... and professional wedding and event photography.

Go online to www.SunSaverCoupons.com to learn more! 

Sun Saver Coupons is an Anna Maria Island specific coupon book. It was put together by a group of local Anna Maria Island businesses for the sole purpose of SAVING YOU MONEY!

What's Your Anna Maria Island Experience?

Life On Anna Maria Island...

Do you love Anna Maria Island as much as we do?

Yes, then take advantage of this opportunity to tell the world why. Write us an article and we will publish it, right here on the Anna Maria Island blog.

Got a hobby or serious interest that somehow involves Anna Maria Island? Are you a landscaper, gardener, fisherman, business person or authority on something you do on Anna Maria Island?

Maybe you just would like to write an article about your Anna Maria Island vacation experience, or what its like growing up or living on the Florida Gulf coast... on beautiful Anna Maria Island.

Its entirely up to you. If you think you would like to write about something that would be of interest to readers of the Anna Maria Island Life blog, then by all means... write it and we'll publish it.

It just has to be appropriate and something our readers would find interesting.

Welcome to Anna Maria Island Life, a website and online portal to all the good things that are Anna Maria Island.

Vacation in Paradise

Sun, Sand, Shopping and Treats
Anna Maria Island is a Beach Worth Visiting...

That My wife, family and I are here on vacation enjoying beautiful Anna Maria Island. Yesterday we went out and did some exploring.

The first thing we did was visit Fun and More Rentals. They are a local vacation supply rental company that can rent you just about anything you would need, or imagine you might need, while on vacation.

Quite literally, Fun and More Rentals has for rent; baby equipment, furniture and supplies, bikes for rent, kayaks and skim boards, beach stuff like umbrellas, beach chairs, BBQ's and coolers. They even sell vacation snack packages so you can have more time to enjoy your vacation.

We rented a crib, stroller and high chair for our youngest, a pair of kayaks for the teens, bocce balls for the wife and I, and some beach chairs, an umbrella and a cooler for those long days on the beaches of beautiful Anna Maria Island.

Anna Maria Island Art League

Receptions at Anna Maria Island Art Galleries Showcase Local Artists...

ANNA MARIA ISLAND ART LEAGUE

Several art shows and sales are planned this weekend in addition to opening receptions for artists at local galleries.

This pastel to the right will be among works by Peggy Potter on view at the Anna Maria Island Art League on Friday.

Peggy Potter and Pastel Moments

A reception for "Peggy Potter: Pastel Moments" will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach. A longtime Island resident, Potter's pastels capture moments in time over the past 30 years.

This exhibit is a retrospective of landscapes, seascapes and portraiture.

The exhibit will be on display through Dec. 19; hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 778-2099 or visit islandartleague.org.

A Week Into The Bridge Closure

Anna Maria Islander's Report Mixed Experiences as a Result of Bridge Closure...

Well, its a week into the Anna Maria Island bridge closure, and according to local news reports, "though residents and businesses braced for the 45-day closure this week, organizing a community market, concert and mini golf tournament to stave off business losses, it's unclear whether this weekend's planned Bridging the Gap events have that much of a gap to bridge."

After seven days of our beloved bridge being closed to traffic for repairs, local shops, restaurants and commuters are reporting mixed traffic and business experiences.

According to businesses on Cortez Road, traffic is pretty much normal. A little better than normal actually, according to some. On the other hand, businesses in Holmes Beach are reporting mixed experiences.

According to Chef David Woolheater, of Cafe on the Beach in Holmes Beach, business at the popular eatery has been slow but steady throughout the week despite the bridge closure. It remains to be seen how the bridge closure will affect business this weekend.

When talking to local area residence, they say the drive to Anna Maria hasn't worsened since the bridge closure, and that at this point they really don't think it will.

Cortez Market

Everything You Need For Your Trip To Anna Maria Island...

Cold drinks, delicious subs, and everything else you might want for a day on the sunny beaches of Anna Maria Island.

Cortez Market is your last stop before heading across the bridge to the beaches of Anna Maria Island. It has been an area landmark for decades. During this time, Cortez Market has had its fair share of owners, but none like the two who have owned it since 1979.

Click on the map to the right for a larger view of just were to find Cortez Market.

Lou and Nancy Nassar have owned and operated the Cortez Market for nearly 30 years now. Since that very first month, February of 1979, Lou has lost more hair and the store has gained more square footage, but through these changes, one thing remains constant...

You will always be greeted at Cortez Market with a smile!