Summer is here, and you have travel on your mind!
Thousands of families take to the skies every year, searching for the perfect vacation destination. For many, the ideal summer vacation prominently features a beach. Surf, sun, tropical cocktails, and hours of relaxation are synonymous with a beach vacation.
Anna Maria Island sits just off Florida's Gulf coast. Just minutes away from St. Petersburg and Sarasota, Anna Maria Island offers the luxurious feel of a hideaway while still being convenient to the amenities you love.
Let's look at what Anna Maria Island offers and find out why Anna Maria Island real estate makes perfect sense for your second home.
Why Choose Anna Maria Island?
The Florida Keys get a lot of attention, but Florida's Gulf Coast islands offer a uniquely different experience. Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, and Siesta Key retain much of an old Florida feel, but each island has its pros and cons.
For instance, Siesta Key feels like spring break all year round. Locals and visitors flock to its beaches for daiquiris and late-night dance parties.
On the other hand, Anna Maria Island is more laid back. Perfect for families, Anna Maria Island draws people who want to dive into a relaxed island lifestyle and prefer beach houses over resorts.
Getting to Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island boasts not one but three major airports within 60 miles.
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is a mere 16 miles away. It welcomes direct flights from cities like Boston, Atlanta, Cleveland, Houston, and New York's La Guardia and JFK airports.
St. Petersburg International Airport receives non-stop flights from Kansas City, Chicago, Memphis, and even Toronto, Ontario.
Tampa International Airport welcomes domestic flights from cities like Dallas, New Orleans, Denver, and Los Angeles. If you're traveling from Europe, you can fly non-stop from London, Frankfurt, and Zurich.
Depending on the airport, you can be on Anna Maria Island within 60 to 90 minutes of landing. This beach destination couldn't be more convenient.
Things to Do on Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island's Gulf of Mexico lies off Florida's west coast in the Gulf of Mexico. It boasts the sugary white beaches that make Florida famous. Add a quaint, small-town feel, and you have a blissfully serene spot for a vacation.
Let's explore some of Anna Maria Island's top outdoor activities, shopping, and dining experiences.
Bird Watching
Bird enthusiasts flock to Florida's Gulf Islands, and summer is the best time to spot some incredible bird species. Keep your eyes peeled for great blue herons, snowy egrets, white ibis, hawks, osprey, and pelicans.
Perhaps the most exciting bird you'll spot is the roseate spoonbill. In fact, the spoonbill's feathers are such a bright pink that you can't miss them.
Be sure to pay attention to protected nesting areas, so these birds continue to thrive on Anna Maria Island.
Horseback Riding
Riding a horse along a pristine beach is an experience you'll never forget. But what if you could do that and swim with your horse through crystal, turquoise waters? It's true, and you can make that happen on Anna Maria Island.
Several horse outfitters offer guided rides along the beaches of Anna Maria. Riders also have the chance to swim their horses through the shallow island waters. If you're fortunate, a pod of local dolphins might swim alongside.
For experienced riders, Opportunity Farms in nearby Bradenton offers hunter-jumper lessons and horse boarding.
Sunset Cruises
Sunsets on Florida's Barrier Islands are like none other on the planet. The orange, pink and red hues fill the sky, making it seem otherworldly. Viewing the sunsets from the beach is fantastic, but it's even better when you're on the water.
Join a charter or book a private sunset cruise. You'll be in awe as you watch the sun sink into the Gulf of Mexico. Add a glass of champagne and a few dolphins, and you'll see why so many people visit Anna Maria Island and think about buying a vacation home here.
Shopping on Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria is only seven miles long and two miles wide, but the shopping opportunities are endless.
Back Alley Treasures features local arts and crafts and a small coffee and wine bar. The Shiny Fish Emporium offers cute and funky decor items and souvenirs. The owner is an interior designer specializing in mid-century pieces, and they always feature something unique.
You'll find everything you need on Anna Maria Island, from groceries to beachwear. If you need to visit a mall or big box store, Bradenton is just a short drive away.
Anna Maria Island Dining and Nightlife
Dining on Anna Maria Island is truly a treasure.
For a fine dining adventure, try the Beach Bistro. Their extensive wine list and locally caught fish make the Beach Bistro a true feast. Reserve a table on the sand for sunset.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar sits right on the pier and features fresh oysters caught daily. You can also try conch fritters and other seafood with a view over the Intra-Coastal Waterway.
You'll also find pizza, burgers, Italian, French and Indian cuisine on the island. In addition, coffee shops and ice cream parlors are never far away.
For craft cocktails, don't miss The Doctor's Office. This hip bar also offers creative snacks and shareable plates.
The Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe is another favorite. With gorgeous views, fresh cocktails, and cold beer, it's everything you want in a beachside bar. Rent a cabana for the day and watch Florida's Gulf Coast go by.
Nearby Activities and Hidden Gems
Anna Maria Island feels like it's worlds away, but some of Florida's bustling urban centers are a short drive away. St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Tampa offer world-class galleries, museums, and hidden gems.
Opened in 1982, St. Petersburg's The Dali Museum holds more than 2,000 pieces, making it the second-largest Salvador Dali collection in the world. The Dali Museum also hosts traveling exhibitions and private events.
Don't miss the Braden Castle Ruins, the namesake of the town of Bradenton. In the 1850s, two brothers decided to try their hand at sugar cane farming and acquired 1,100 acres on Florida's Gulf Coast. They built a castle and then fell on hard times. You can see nature reclaiming the castle ruins at Braden Castle Park.
When you're in Sarasota, you have to visit Molly the Mollusk. Housed at the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Molly is a giant squid hailing from New Zealand. Measuring 27 feet long, Molly is one of the few preserved giant squid specimens available to the public.
Also in Sarasota is the John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art. John Ringling wasn't just the owner of a circus. He was also a patron of the arts.
John and Mabel left their entire estate to the state of Florida, and their mansion is now a world-class art museum. You can tour their mansion, view the hundreds of works of art, and visit the circus museum next door.
Make Anna Maria Island Real Estate Your Own
How often have you been on vacation and thought about buying a second home there? Anna Maria Island is an enchanting place. But when searching for Anna Maria Island homes for sale or Anna Maria Island condos for sale, you might experience a bit of sticker shock.
What if we told you there was an easier way to own an Anna Maria beach house?
The Lifestyle Asset Group can help make your Anna Maria Island real estate dreams come true. We offer a one-of-a-kind opportunity to own a portion of paradise, but we're not a timeshare company.
The Lifestyle Asset Group brings together small groups of people who share the same dream: owning a vacation home in a beautiful setting.
We take care of the day-to-day issues like maintenance and property management. All you need to do is choose the dates and enjoy your time in your home on Anna Maria Island. We make buying a vacation home seamless.
Additionally, as a Lifestyle Asset Group Elite Alliance member, you can exchange your own property usage with a large protfolio of luxury properties worldwide. You can choose a high-rise apartment in Dubai for a week of shopping, a gorgeous hacienda in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, during Dia de Los Muertos, or an ocean view villa in Koh Samui, Thailand for a SCUBA adventure. As we continually add more properties, your travel options will grow too.
Contact Us Today to Learn More
At Lifestyle Asset Group we embody luxury travel, and our passion is offering others the chance to experience the same. Our team includes travel planners and local hosts to ensure your time in your second home is full of adventure and delightful memories.
Contact our team today. We'll help you learn more about our available co-ownership properties, Anna Maria Island real estate and how Anna Maria Island could be your second home.
