Anna Maria Island just may be one of the most unpretentious places left on the planet. No one's consulting their schedule via web-enabled cellular device, or looking at the logo on your shirt. They're too busy with more important activities – like eating grouper sandwiches at funky little beach bars, kayaking with dolphins in Palma Sola Bay, fishing from an old wooden pier, or watching the sky turn 10 shades of beautiful as the sun settles into the Gulf of Mexico. Life is simple here and good – and even if you come for only a few days, you come away feeling better for that.
Apropos to its beginnings as a planned community, the area has a tidy and manicured feel. Fully half the land in Lakewood Ranch has been set aside as public lands: Parks and trails offer nature experiences, places to run, walk, bike, or rollerblade, and several playgrounds for little people. With so much green space, the feeling here is quiet and relaxing.
Ideally located between Sarasota and Tampa Bay, Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, and on the mainland, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch, form a magical margin along Florida's beautiful southwest coast.
With their small town, Old Florida charm, breath-taking scenery, funky dining and shopping districts, and miles of sugar-white sand it is no wonder that these are award winning beaches.
Offering a rich array of island experiences at a budget-friendly bargain, several island cottages and charming bed and breakfast inns cater to guests ‘desire for the comfy extras without the extra price tag. And some of Florida's finest independent dining locales are located here, making fresh cuisine a casual staple.
Adding to the destinations broad family and cultural appeal are unique local attractions such as a day with Snooty™ the manatee at the South Florida Museum, a stroll through the Village of the Arts in downtown Bradenton, or a breezy ride on the free Anna Maria Island Trolley.
Longboat Key at a Glance
If Anna Maria Island is a bit of a beach bum, then Longboat Key is her more sophisticated seaside cousin. Quiet, leisurely and relatively upscale, Longboat Key lures visitors who want a bit of pampering. Here, travelers dine well on globally-inspired cuisine and fresh seafood, shop in small boutiques, and gaze at the impossibly green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The Key is perfectly sandwiched between the beachy playfulness of Anna Maria Island to the north – and the nightlife, restaurants and culture of St. Armands Circle and adjacent downtown Sarasota, just a few minutes to the south.
Bradenton at a Glance
There's plenty to do in Bradenton, making it a great spot to take a break from the beach. Visitors will find a vibrant downtown with restaurants, galleries and boutiques along with the South Florida Museum (home to Snooty, quite possibly the world's most famous manatee) as well as a planetarium, science and natural history exhibits. Visitors can shop and explore Village of the Arts, a working artists' community or check out Emerson Point Preserve archaeological site and Gamble Plantation (once a working antebellum sugar plantation), and the historic fishing village of Cortez. Just off of I-75, Ellenton Premium Outlets – with scores of stores including Saks OFF 5th, COACH Factory, and more – is a must-do for shoppers. The Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, near the outlet mall, offers a fun way to get out of the sun.
Lakewood Ranch at a Glance
Lakewood Ranch began its life as a planned residential community, but it's grown up now, becoming an attractive place for visitors too. Most spend their time exploring the upscale boutique shops and restaurants on Main Street (there's everything from a Parisian café to a Scottish pub to Russian restaurant to a sushi place), or catching a mainstream or indie flick at the small movie theater. There's a good chance you may wander into an event while visiting: farmers markets, festivals and concerts are held regularly, including "Music on Main" (free and held the first Friday of every month). A great deal of Lakewood Ranch is set aside as park or public recreational space, and visitors can take advantage of the area's playgrounds and miles of walking and jogging trails.
Most of the tourists prefer vacation home rentals. It offers greater level of enjoyment. Instead of being restricted the small hotel rooms, one should be able to stretch out. The vacation home in Orlando includes rental houses, townhouses, condos, villas, cabins and so on which provides all the amenities one expects in luxury accommodations. Most of the vacation home rentals are within minutes from every vacation spots in Orlando. With a location like this one can be more comfortable to reach the theme park in the morning, coming back and refresh at noon, going out again in afternoon or arranging your trip to various spots in any manner that you like.
Apropos to its beginnings as a planned community, the area has a tidy and manicured feel. Fully half the land in Lakewood Ranch has been set aside as public lands: Parks and trails offer nature experiences, places to run, walk, bike, or rollerblade, and several playgrounds for little people. With so much green space, the feeling here is quiet and relaxing.
Ideally located between Sarasota and Tampa Bay, Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, and on the mainland, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch, form a magical margin along Florida's beautiful southwest coast.
With their small town, Old Florida charm, breath-taking scenery, funky dining and shopping districts, and miles of sugar-white sand it is no wonder that these are award winning beaches.
Offering a rich array of island experiences at a budget-friendly bargain, several island cottages and charming bed and breakfast inns cater to guests ‘desire for the comfy extras without the extra price tag. And some of Florida's finest independent dining locales are located here, making fresh cuisine a casual staple.
Adding to the destinations broad family and cultural appeal are unique local attractions such as a day with Snooty™ the manatee at the South Florida Museum, a stroll through the Village of the Arts in downtown Bradenton, or a breezy ride on the free Anna Maria Island Trolley.
Longboat Key at a Glance
If Anna Maria Island is a bit of a beach bum, then Longboat Key is her more sophisticated seaside cousin. Quiet, leisurely and relatively upscale, Longboat Key lures visitors who want a bit of pampering. Here, travelers dine well on globally-inspired cuisine and fresh seafood, shop in small boutiques, and gaze at the impossibly green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The Key is perfectly sandwiched between the beachy playfulness of Anna Maria Island to the north – and the nightlife, restaurants and culture of St. Armands Circle and adjacent downtown Sarasota, just a few minutes to the south.
Bradenton at a Glance
There's plenty to do in Bradenton, making it a great spot to take a break from the beach. Visitors will find a vibrant downtown with restaurants, galleries and boutiques along with the South Florida Museum (home to Snooty, quite possibly the world's most famous manatee) as well as a planetarium, science and natural history exhibits. Visitors can shop and explore Village of the Arts, a working artists' community or check out Emerson Point Preserve archaeological site and Gamble Plantation (once a working antebellum sugar plantation), and the historic fishing village of Cortez. Just off of I-75, Ellenton Premium Outlets – with scores of stores including Saks OFF 5th, COACH Factory, and more – is a must-do for shoppers. The Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, near the outlet mall, offers a fun way to get out of the sun.
Lakewood Ranch at a Glance
Lakewood Ranch began its life as a planned residential community, but it's grown up now, becoming an attractive place for visitors too. Most spend their time exploring the upscale boutique shops and restaurants on Main Street (there's everything from a Parisian café to a Scottish pub to Russian restaurant to a sushi place), or catching a mainstream or indie flick at the small movie theater. There's a good chance you may wander into an event while visiting: farmers markets, festivals and concerts are held regularly, including "Music on Main" (free and held the first Friday of every month). A great deal of Lakewood Ranch is set aside as park or public recreational space, and visitors can take advantage of the area's playgrounds and miles of walking and jogging trails.
Most of the tourists prefer vacation home rentals. It offers greater level of enjoyment. Instead of being restricted the small hotel rooms, one should be able to stretch out. The vacation home in Orlando includes rental houses, townhouses, condos, villas, cabins and so on which provides all the amenities one expects in luxury accommodations. Most of the vacation home rentals are within minutes from every vacation spots in Orlando. With a location like this one can be more comfortable to reach the theme park in the morning, coming back and refresh at noon, going out again in afternoon or arranging your trip to various spots in any manner that you like.
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