Food Scene
Poppo's Taqueria
212C Pine AveDelicious quick bite to eat (vegetarian options, too!)
Casual dinner on the Gulf with plenty of seafood and cocktail options
71 locals recommend
Beach Bistro
6600 Gulf DrCasual dinner on the Gulf with plenty of seafood and cocktail options
Blue Marlin Seafood Restaurant
121 Bridge StLive music on weekends
Joe's Eats & Sweets
219 Gulf Dr Shomemade ice cream
Ginny's & Jane E's Cafe and Gift Store
9807 Gulf DriveQuirky breakfast spot
Start with a vanilla cake donut, then you pick your icing and toppings.
66 locals recommend
The Donut Experiment
210 Pine AveStart with a vanilla cake donut, then you pick your icing and toppings.
Swordfish Grill
4628 119th St WGreat place for lunch--try the nachos!
Waterfront dining with delicious fresh seafood and other favorites. Good wine selection as well.
168 locals recommend
The Sandbar Restaurant
100 Spring AveWaterfront dining with delicious fresh seafood and other favorites. Good wine selection as well.
Put on some dressier clothes for a nice dinner with indoor or outdoor dining (with a great view of the Bay). Their fried green tomato appetizer is a favorite as is their apricot glazed pork tenderloin. Plenty of parking available.
99 locals recommend
The Waterfront Restaurant
111 S Bay BlvdPut on some dressier clothes for a nice dinner with indoor or outdoor dining (with a great view of the Bay). Their fried green tomato appetizer is a favorite as is their apricot glazed pork tenderloin. Plenty of parking available.
HIstory and charm inside this seafood restaurant considered "Old Florida" on Longboat Key. Plenty of gluten-free options.
88 locals recommend
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant
760 Broadway StHIstory and charm inside this seafood restaurant considered "Old Florida" on Longboat Key. Plenty of gluten-free options.
Casual BBQ spot that's walking distance from the ranch (note: restaurant closes at 8pm)
15 locals recommend
Smoqehouse
1701 Gulf Dr NCasual BBQ spot that's walking distance from the ranch (note: restaurant closes at 8pm)
All-you-can-eat-pancakes on the Gulf of Mexico--need I say more?
36 locals recommend
Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe
4000 Gulf DrAll-you-can-eat-pancakes on the Gulf of Mexico--need I say more?
A casual, family restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining. Serving seafood, steaks, and fresh Maine lobster
27 locals recommend
Lazy Lobster Longboat Key
5350 Gulf of Mexico DrA casual, family restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining. Serving seafood, steaks, and fresh Maine lobster
Two Scoops
101 N Bay Blvdknow for its 32 flavors of homemade ice cream
Casual, kid-friendly seafood spot sporting funky nautical accents & outdoor seating on the water.
69 locals recommend
Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier
200 Bridge StCasual, kid-friendly seafood spot sporting funky nautical accents & outdoor seating on the water.
The only place on Anna Maria Island where you can watch a game, listen to live music, and enjoy great food and drinks while your kids enjoy games like cornhole, ring on a string, and ring toss. Weekends feature live music.
54 locals recommend
The Ugly Grouper
5704 Marina DrThe only place on Anna Maria Island where you can watch a game, listen to live music, and enjoy great food and drinks while your kids enjoy games like cornhole, ring on a string, and ring toss. Weekends feature live music.
An eclectic menu of BBQ, Indian & Greek cuisine is offered in this quirky, laid-back restaurant.
17 locals recommend
Mr Bones BBQ
3007 Gulf DrAn eclectic menu of BBQ, Indian & Greek cuisine is offered in this quirky, laid-back restaurant.
Casual family-friendly American restaurant featuring a seafood-heavy menu, plus a large craft beer selection.
35 locals recommend
The Feast Restaurant
5406 Marina DrCasual family-friendly American restaurant featuring a seafood-heavy menu, plus a large craft beer selection.
Great Tex-Mex food and drinks. Try the Wicked Queso dip!
45 locals recommend
Wicked Cantina Bradenton Beach
101 7th St NGreat Tex-Mex food and drinks. Try the Wicked Queso dip!
Shore Longboat Key
800 Broadway StHip dinner spot for 30 and 40-somethings
Whitney's
6990 Gulf of Mexico DrHip American cuisine with indoor/outdoor space on nearby Longboat Key
Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier
200 Bridge StCasual seafood spot on the water
Peach's Restaurants - Holmes Beach
3240 E Bay DrNo-frills casual breakfast spot
Tons of frozen drinks at this 3-story casual eatery
16 locals recommend
Daquiri Deck (under construction)
107 Bridge StTons of frozen drinks at this 3-story casual eatery
Vinny's Italian Kitchen
5337 Gulf DrItalian Restaurant, Bakery & Pizzeria
The Cheesecake Cutie & Cafe
3324 E Bay DrLunch and desserts including gluten-free cheesecake
The Kokonut Hut
900 Gulf Dr NCasual lunch, dinner and waterfront drink spot
Oma Pizza & Restaurant
201 Gulf Dr NLate-night pizzeria
Tasty Mexican food and margaritas with a must-try queso appetizer - live music on select evenings
45 locals recommend
Wicked Cantina Bradenton Beach
101 7th St NTasty Mexican food and margaritas with a must-try queso appetizer - live music on select evenings
SALT Bar & Table
Hip, trendy dinner and cocktail spot with valet parking
Parks & Nature
Bean Point Beach
793 N Shore DrBayfront Park
5 Bayfront DrA park along the water? Yes, please!
The free Perico Preserve sits on 176 acres directly east of the Anna Maria Bridge and just a few minutes from Anna Maria Island. It serves as a wildlife haven for shore and wading birds and was extensively restored and designed to be accommodating to several different species of wading birds.
13 locals recommend
Perico Preserve
11700 Manatee Ave WThe free Perico Preserve sits on 176 acres directly east of the Anna Maria Bridge and just a few minutes from Anna Maria Island. It serves as a wildlife haven for shore and wading birds and was extensively restored and designed to be accommodating to several different species of wading birds.
The vast 600+ acre Robinson Preserve is widely rated as the number one Anna Maria island outdoor activity to experience for anyone visiting. Kayaking and paddle boarding are exciting ways to explore the preserve without disturbing the environment, and guided tours are available from multiple local providers. Although admission is free, guided or self-guided kayak tours and other equipment rentals have a varying fee depending on the provider.
193 locals recommend
Robinson Preserve
1704 99th St NWThe vast 600+ acre Robinson Preserve is widely rated as the number one Anna Maria island outdoor activity to experience for anyone visiting. Kayaking and paddle boarding are exciting ways to explore the preserve without disturbing the environment, and guided tours are available from multiple local providers. Although admission is free, guided or self-guided kayak tours and other equipment rentals have a varying fee depending on the provider.
Coquina Beach station
Anna Maria Beach
Siesta Beach
Rated one of the best beaches in the world in nearby Siesta Key
Coquina Beach station
Holmes Beach
Rent a bicycle and spend an afternoon trekking along a paved bike trail on what used to be a rail line. The trail has everything from views of water and nature to more urban areas.
61 locals recommend
Legacy Trail
Central Sarasota ParkwayRent a bicycle and spend an afternoon trekking along a paved bike trail on what used to be a rail line. The trail has everything from views of water and nature to more urban areas.
Beach access is a short minute walk from the house. Head to 22nd Street and turn right. Walk a block and you'll find beach access.
117 locals recommend
Bradenton Beach
Beach access is a short minute walk from the house. Head to 22nd Street and turn right. Walk a block and you'll find beach access.
Ten acre botanical garden designed around three ponds with two attractive “Old Florida style buildings” as well as several nice gazebos.
There is an enclosed picnic pavilion, a small playground for children and shelled walkways and bench areas. Despite not being an overly large park, it is a great place to walk along the paths running throughout the sculptured gardens that show off rare palm trees, fruit and flowering trees and a butterfly garden.
You can relax with your lunch and a good book and enjoy nature while sitting beside one of the three sizable ponds.
31 locals recommend
Palma Sola Botanical Park
9800 17th Ave NWTen acre botanical garden designed around three ponds with two attractive “Old Florida style buildings” as well as several nice gazebos.
There is an enclosed picnic pavilion, a small playground for children and shelled walkways and bench areas. Despite not being an overly large park, it is a great place to walk along the paths running throughout the sculptured gardens that show off rare palm trees, fruit and flowering trees and a butterfly garden.
You can relax with your lunch and a good book and enjoy nature while sitting beside one of the three sizable ponds.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Doctor's Office
a cocktail to cure whatever may "ale" you...
Island Time Bar and Grill
111 Gulf Drive SouthLive music plays nearly every night at the open-air bar
Come for the tiki beachfront ambiance and stay for the great cocktails like an Island Mule or a Malibu punch bucket.
24 locals recommend
The Kokonut Hut
900 Gulf Dr NCome for the tiki beachfront ambiance and stay for the great cocktails like an Island Mule or a Malibu punch bucket.
A former auto dealership-turned-microbrewery with taproom tours & sprawling, neon-lit beer garden with live bands & sports play
80 locals recommend
Motorworks Brewing
1014 9th St WA former auto dealership-turned-microbrewery with taproom tours & sprawling, neon-lit beer garden with live bands & sports play
Rollicking hangout with late hours, poker nights, televised games & live music on the weekends.
10 locals recommend
D Coy Ducks Bar & Grille
5410 Marina DrRollicking hangout with late hours, poker nights, televised games & live music on the weekends.
Freckled Fin Irish Pub
5337 Gulf DrTraditional Irish food and bar with live music
Shopping
Bridge Street
Bridge StreetEat, drink, shop, even play min-golf there
St Armands Circle Shops
300 St Armands CirVisit some of the many shops along St. Armand's Circle
Red Barn Flea Market
1707 1st StEllenton Outlet
5461 Factory Shops BoulevardPerfect rainy day activity
Publix Super Market at Bradenton Commons
4651 Cortez Rd WSightseeing
Check out manatees, dolphins and turtles while visiting the pier. There are also restaurants nearby.
111 locals recommend
Rod and Reel Pier
875 N Shore DrCheck out manatees, dolphins and turtles while visiting the pier. There are also restaurants nearby.
Happy Paddler
6844 Gulf of Mexico DrRent a kayak or paddleboard with a guided tour
Bradenton Beach Parasailing
200 Bridge StUp to 3 people can parasail at a time
Offers scenic tours and custom rentals of the popular and innovative Segway
6 locals recommend
Segs By The Sea
103 Gulf Dr NOffers scenic tours and custom rentals of the popular and innovative Segway
See how Florida’s finest citrus is grown and harvested, watch Mixon’s packinghouse in operation from the visitor’s observation area.
20 locals recommend
Mixon Fruit Farms
2525 27th St ESee how Florida’s finest citrus is grown and harvested, watch Mixon’s packinghouse in operation from the visitor’s observation area.
Entertainment & Activities
Watch the Baltimore Orioles' Spring Training games at newly-renovated Ed Smith Stadium
54 locals recommend
Ed Smith Stadium
2700 12th StWatch the Baltimore Orioles' Spring Training games at newly-renovated Ed Smith Stadium
The Fish Hole Miniature Golf
115 Bridge StPlay a round of miniature golf on Bridge Street
“Palm Avenue’s First Friday Walks” in downtown Sarasota
are held the first Friday of each month from 6 ’til 9pm.
Enjoy gallery openings, dining, antiques, specialty shops.
106 locals recommend
Downtown
“Palm Avenue’s First Friday Walks” in downtown Sarasota
are held the first Friday of each month from 6 ’til 9pm.
Enjoy gallery openings, dining, antiques, specialty shops.
Play in the trees at SW FL’s only elevated adventure course. Enjoy an adrenaline-pumping activity that has something fun for everyone. Play on wobbly bridges, hanging nets, bungee swings, swinging logs, foot bridges, Tarzan ropes,ZIP lines and more.
76 locals recommend
TreeUmph! Adventure Course
21805 State Road 70 EPlay in the trees at SW FL’s only elevated adventure course. Enjoy an adrenaline-pumping activity that has something fun for everyone. Play on wobbly bridges, hanging nets, bungee swings, swinging logs, foot bridges, Tarzan ropes,ZIP lines and more.
Shopping or arts & crafts, they have it all! Paint sand dollars during a girl's afternoon or pick up some cute treasures.
6 locals recommend
Shiny Fish Emporium
306 Pine AveShopping or arts & crafts, they have it all! Paint sand dollars during a girl's afternoon or pick up some cute treasures.
You're 45 minutes from seeing Florida's railroad history museum containing vintage train cars & locomotives from the 1940s-1950s. Take a ride on their excursion train each weekend plus check out Thomas The Tank Engine (March) and monthly Murder Mystery Excursion Train Rides. Their website has all the info: www.frrm.org/index.html
16 locals recommend
Florida Railroad Museum
12210 83rd St EYou're 45 minutes from seeing Florida's railroad history museum containing vintage train cars & locomotives from the 1940s-1950s. Take a ride on their excursion train each weekend plus check out Thomas The Tank Engine (March) and monthly Murder Mystery Excursion Train Rides. Their website has all the info: www.frrm.org/index.html
Sunset cruise with live music and cocktails in downtown SRQ
37 locals recommend
LeBarge Tropical Cruises
2 Marina PlazaSunset cruise with live music and cocktails in downtown SRQ
Ed Smith Stadium
2700 12th StCatch the Baltimore Orioles spring training games
McKechnie Stadium
1611 9th St WCatch Pittsburgh Pirates spring training games
Everything Else
It's a preserved working fishing village. Take in the cottages, boats, and markets.
Signatures Salon & Wake up Beautiful Permanent Make-up an Skincare
6610 Cortez Rd WIt's a preserved working fishing village. Take in the cottages, boats, and markets.
A relaxing massage / facial is just steps away from the house.
7 locals recommend
Aluna Wellness Center & Spa
2219 Gulf Dr NA relaxing massage / facial is just steps away from the house.