Story and photos by Scott Kendall (unless otherwise indicated)
White Sandy Beaches and Turquoise Waters
Bradenton and Anna Maria Island are favorite destinations for locals and tourists alike. While Bradenton is on the mainland on the Manatee River, Anna Maria Island is a seven mile island bound by the intracoastal waterway on the east and the expansive Gulf of Mexico on the west.
Anna Maria Island consists of the cities of Anna Maria to the north, Holmes Beach in the middle, and Bradenton Beach to the south. Historic Cortez Fishing Village, the Florida Maritime Museum, and the Anna Maria Pier are all popular destinations on the island and in the surrounding area. Add in the dozens of spectacular beaches, restaurants, shops, and lodgings, and you have the makings for a fun filled visit to the beach!
The Lost Ring
In addition to spending some time with our wonderful hosts and fellow travel writers, I have a very personal connection to the area. Somewhere buried in the water and sands of Bradenton Beach is my lost wedding ring from 1988.
As a young Lieutenant stationed at the Naval Hospital Orlando in the late 80’s, I had just married my wife Julie, who was a Navy Nurse at the same hospital. Julie and I had gone to Bradenton to visit her Aunt Laura and Uncle Joe. Acting like the newlyweds we were, we were splashing, swimming, and having a grand old time in the cool blue waters of Bradenton Beach on a relatively warm January afternoon.
Anna Maria Historic Pier
The original Anna Maria Island pier was destroyed in 2017 from the ravages of Hurricane Irma. Stretching 700 feet into Tampa Bay, the pier has been a well-loved icon in the area since being constructed in the early 1900s. In 2000 the newly constructed pier opened up, and once again offers locals and visitors great views of sunsets, the waters of Tampa Bay, and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
At the north end of historic Pine Avenue with its restaurants, beach shops, and a wide selection of lodgings, the pier is close to Bayfront Park and City Pier Park. At the far end of the pier, you can find the small but good City Pier Grill and Bait, restrooms, benches, and a place to test your rod and reel if you are in a fishing mood. On many Saturdays you can listen and relax to live music while you watch fishermen try their luck catching the big one!
Anna Maria Island Historical Museum
The Anna Maria Island Historical Society is housed in a 1920 building originally used as the town’s newspaper office. Adjacent to the main museum building sits a structure that previously sat on the Anna Maria Island Pier and functioned as the icehouse. The building has served many different purposes over the years, including time as a sea turtle hatchery.
Some of the interesting subjects covered by the museum include the first settlers in the area as well as the island’s baseball and fishing history. We enjoyed the small Anna Maria Island Old City Jail, an open air building with no door and no roof where the city used to “quarter the rowdies.” Don’t miss Belle Haven, the historic cottage on site, and the lovely Mangrove Walk.
Cortez Fishing Village
As we walked towards the docks of the historic Cortez Fishing Village, we saw a local artist busy at work putting some finishing touches on a redheaded mermaid. After all, what is a fishing village without a mermaid?
A white heron sat on the pier as a pelican flew overhead. We watched a small boat headed out to sea with its fishing nets, and an older man worked on his sputtering engine. Several waterside shops and restaurants greeted visitors. Find out for yourself why historic Cortez Village was placed on the list of National Register of Historic Places.
Floridays Woodfire Grill & Bar
Floridays is a fun seafood restaurant right next door to the Compass Hotel. We arrived just before sunrise, and were treated to spectacular views across the bay at sunset. As if the bay wasn’t enough to give us that chilled island vibe, the decor of Floridays reminded us we were at the beach. A large manatee and a killer shark hung from the ceiling, while a giant swordfish adorned a back wall.
For an appetizer, we ordered the Mussels in a garlic butter and white wine sauce. Fresh Grouper was on the menu, as were Shrimp Skewers and the Seafood Boil. The Seafood Boil included a nice variety of succulent shrimp, mussels, clams, sausage, potatoes and corn, boiled in an herbed beer broth. Floridays also has a nice selections of burgers, sandwiches, salads, steaks, and chicken dishes.
For dessert, we tried the tart yet sweet flavors of the Key Lime Pie and the chocolatey goodness of the P Nut Chocolate Bar. Outstanding!
AMI Beach Café – Anna Maria Island Beach Café
Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe is the best place for breakfast on the island. From all you can eat pancakes, to vegetarian omelets and French Toast covered with blueberries or strawberries and cream, breakfast is King at AMI Beach Cafe. This beach cafe is, well, right on the beach. Sitting on the outdoor patio, it was the perfect place to enjoy the beach and ocean views. After eating, we took a leisurely stroll along the beach, with the warm sand and cool waters beneath our feet.
Can’t make it for breakfast? No problem. AMI Beach Cafe also serves seafood, burgers, sandwiches, salads and other selections during the day. Beachgoers can also grab a cold snow cone, ice cream, and cold drinks, including adult beverages, at the cafe. How about a Fuzzy Mango, a Marvelous Margarita, or a Captivating Colada?
AMI Beach Cafe is open every day from 8 am to 8 pm.
Swordfish Grill in Cortez
Swordfish Grill in Cortez overlooks “The Kitchen,” so named because the contents of this part of the bay fed many hungry residents of early coastal Florida. Enjoy great seafood, live music, and wonderful waterfront views at the Swordfish Grill. With 230 seats spread throughout its large indoor and outdoor dining areas, Swordfish in well-prepared to feed and entertain you.
Our table started with the Conch Fritters and the Oyster Sampler, with fan favorites being the Oysters Rockefeller, Garlic Parmesan, and Bacon Jalapeño. I ordered the Grouper Provencal for my entree, fresh grilled fish in a white wine sauce served with a vegetable medley and rice.
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Pub
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Pub is one of the fabulous restaurants owned and managed by the Chiles Hospitality Group. Dining at this wonderful waterfront restaurant with its own private beach, surrounded by green vegetation and towering trees, is indeed a pleasure. With rising superstar Executive Chef Aaron Kulzer, Mar Vista provides one of the premier dining experiences on Longboat Key.
Sustainability and using locally sourced products are a high priority at Mar Vista. One example of using every part of the animal as possible is the snapper “chicken wings.” Chef Kulzer takes the belly meat attached to cartilage and fries it similar to how you would prepare chicken wings. The result is tremendously moist, flavorful fish bites with just a touch of buffalo sauce to give it a little bit of a kick.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier
Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier is another great waterfront restaurant in Bradenton Beach. One of four locations in the area, Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier is on the intracoastal waterway, and can be visited by car or by boat.
We started with more Mussels and Oysters, fresh and flavorful. After appetizers, the fan favorite dish for our group on this day was the fresh Mango Salad topped with grilled grouper. Another favorite was the coconut shrimp served with an apricot-horseradish sauce, fries, and coleslaw. So good!
