1. Red Barn Flea Market
One of Florida’s most popular flea markets and it has air conditioning!! More than 600 unique retail stores and flea market-style booths. Enjoy family fun, bargain hunting and farm-fresh produce. In the center of the indoor portion of the flea market, grab an ice cream cone and sit down and listen to live entertainment while enjoying an ice cream cone or a sausage and onion hoagie from Ma’s.

2. Manatee County Public Beach
If you drive clear to the end of State Road 64 (Manatee Avenue), you’ll run right into Manatee County Public Beach. There are concessions, a café, picnic area, grills, restrooms, showers, playground and lifeguards. You’ll experience sun, relaxation and the most beautiful, breathtaking sunsets you’ve ever seen.

3. Roadside Fun
On Manatee Avenue (3800 block), you’ll find ice cream and great burgers at the Shake Pit. For over 50 years, they’ve been serving locals and tourists with thick milkshakes and malts. For a truly unique dining experience, drive off the beaten path to Linger Lodge (off S.R. 70) where you’ll find hundreds of Florida’s creatures mounted on display. Dining rooms include display cases filled with raccoons, bobcats, armadillos, birds, fish, bugs, spiders, butterflies and reptiles.

4. Rod & Reel Pier
The Rod and Reel Pier lies parallel to and is a stone’s throw from the Anna Maria City Pier on North Shore Road in Anna Maria. The restaurant on the pier is actually the most northern eatery on the island, and also looks out onto Tampa Bay and the Skyway Bridge. This dining establishment and watering hole is an institution, with diner style indoor and outdoor dining and a hidden bar under the stairs. Fishing and dolphin watching are favorites on the pastel-colored Rod and Reel Pier.

5. Village of the Arts
Funky would be an understatement for this vintage area of frame cottages in downtown Bradenton where artists live and work. If you’re lucky enough to attend a Friday monthly ArtWalk, the village comes alive with hundreds of shoppers and art lovers strolling from exhibit to exhibit.

6. Dining on Longboat Key
The first left turn once you get over the Longboat Key Bridge from Anna Maria Island will take you to the Mar Vista Restaurant. This is classic old Florida. Dine inside the quaint dining room or on the outside covered deck overlooking serene Sarasota Bay. Another favorite…Moore’s Stone Crab where you will find the oldest family-owned restaurant in Manatee County, specializing in, what else, stone crab !

7. Anna Maria Island Trolley
Trolley hop your way up and down Anna Maria Island for an afternoon of unique shops, boutiques, tasty restaurants, and ice cream parlors. Start at historic Bridge Street and make your way to the Anna Maria City Pier, or vice versa. And best of all…..it’s free !!

8. Mixon Fruit Farms
Tour the grove and Matthews Wildlife Rescue; alligator, deer, hawk and more. The gift shop has unique Florida gifts. Have lunch in the deli, sample fresh citrus, juice, fudge, and Florida wines. Enjoy “Orange Swirl” ice cream.

9. Pittsburgh Pirates / McKechnie Field
If you find yourself here during Spring Training season, catch a good old-fashioned baseball game at McKechnie field, southern home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Bradenton Marauders play here as well.

10. Beach Weddings
Anna Maria Island is becoming known as the wedding capital of the world. With over 500 weddings taking place here per year on our beaches alone, you may be lucky enough to catch one taking place. Stop for a moment and reflect on the beauty of what is happening. You may event get a chance to wish the couple luck on their new venture together. Or better yet ... consider renewing your vows on one of our sandy beaches.