Tag: Friends

Planning Spring Break on Anna Maria Island

Written by Paradise Realty Staff on February 28, 2023. Posted in Anna Maria Island, Blog, Info.

Spring Break: The time to turn off the early alarms, put away the textbooks, and get a good dose of Vitamin D. Spring Break on Anna Maria Island is almost here so we have a few tips and tricks to plan your family’s best beach vacation yet!

A good thing to note about our quaint 7-mile island of Anna Maria is it’s typically not a party type of Spring Break tropical destination. Things move slower and places close earlier, really making the emphasis a relaxing getaway with plenty of fun for groups of all ages.

Coquina Beach is one of the most popular spots for families with children, as it has shallow water that makes it safe for kids to swim in. The beach also features picnic tables and grills if you want to make a day out of your trip to the shoreline. There is also everything you may need for a beach day at the Manatee Public Beach. If you’re driving, plan for some traffic so get here early to snag a coveted parking spot! If you’re staying at one of our vacation rentals, you’re in luck! Everywhere on the island is walkable, bike-able, or you can take our free trolley!

Springtime weather on Anna Maria Island tends to be warm and sunny. During the day, temperatures typically range from about 70°F to 85°F, with occasional highs over 90°F.

Nighttime temperatures can sometimes to dip down into the 50s or 60s, so you might want to bring a light sweater if you’re planning on spending time outdoors at night.

April is also the start of the rainy season in Florida, so you might experience some rain during your spring break vacation. Luckily, those showers are usually short-lived and don’t last more than a few hours at a time.

If you’re wanting to add some adventure to your laidback vacation – try some local water sports! Popular options include parasailing, jet skis, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and fishing. Make the most of our beautiful waters! Be sure to book early!

Speaking of booking early, we have so many great eateries and small businesses here on AMI. From ice cream shops to souvenir stores to restaurants and more. If you want to go out and grab a drink or a great meal, our expert tip is to make reservations where you can or arrive for early mealtimes. There are plenty of awesome options!

If you’re looking for a spot on Anna Maria, in Sarasota, or nearby in Bradenton – there are still some options available! Peruse our rentals page or reach out to our team and we can help you get set up. Our local experts can also recommend and help you get set up with a great local rentals, restaurants, or services!

Just a thirty-minute drive from Sarasota, Anna Maria Island’s soft sand beaches and warm waters make it the perfect spot for some relaxing beach time. So whether you want to go swimming, sunbathing, or just enjoy breathtaking sunsets, there’s something for everyone on this island paradise. The recipe for a Spring Break you won’t forget. Let’s make it happen.

Photos from Pexels.com

Relax on Anna Maria Island

Written by Staff on August 17, 2022. Posted in Anna Maria Island, Blog, Info, Uncategorized.

It’s been a long day (week, month, year, etc.), and you’re craving some time to chill out. Coming to the crystal clear waters and powdery-sand beaches of Anna Maria Island is the perfect vacation to kick back and unwind. But, sometimes, you need to take the relaxation to the next level. Being intentional with your time-off or vacation to prioritize your zen, mental health, and wellness is paramount to making the most of your time on AMI. We’ve rounded up some local suggestions for all types of personalities and preferences to encourage relaxation after all the travel, planning, and preparing is over.

Quiet time at the beach

We’ll start with the obvious: There is nowhere more relaxing than the calm and beautiful beaches of Anna Maria Island. It’s ultimately why you planned a trip or moved here in the first place! Laying out, floating on the shoreline, escaping with a beach read, going shelling, and of course, catching a Sunset… Some of the simplest and best forms of self-care. All you need to do is head to the Gulf and our glorious AMI beaches.

Zone in on a DIY-Home Project

Sometimes the only way for our brains and lives to slow down is to focus on a home project that requires your full attention for a bit. Maybe you’ve been thinking about adding a fun wallpaper to an accent room, adding a fresh coat of paint, building or putting together a new piece of furniture, or simply rearranging some bookshelves. While renovating the home may not be everyone’s idea of a relaxing day, simply knocking one item off your to-do list or wishlist can bring such a sense of relief. And, if you’d rather pass it off to the pros, our team of experts at A Paradise Home Maintenance will make it even more seamless! A win/win.

Get outside and get moving!

Take advantage of the outdoor adventures and advantages of the Gulf Coast. If you’re looking to get moving and seek a little bit of action or exercise, it’s always good to discover the Great Outdoors! Locally, there’s so much to do! Take a k ayak tour, go for a bike ride, drop a line in and go fishing – the possibilities and benefits are endless!

Grab a drink with friends

Whether you’re traveling with a group, are a local with a flock of friends, or are heading out solo and want to socialize a bit, there are plenty of great watering-holes for whatever your speed! Kick your feet up, grab a cocktail or mocktail, keep your phone away, and enjoy the company of your crew. Being present really is the best present you can give yourself and the people around you.

Treat Yourself

When in doubt, treat yourself. Sweeten up the deal with delicious d esserts, shop til you drop and support a local small business, snag tickets to some nearby museums or entertainment, or book a luxurious spa day or just a treatment or two!

Want to ensure maximum relaxation and take the stress out of your Anna Maria vacation or staycation? You can trust that our A Paradise vacation rentals are well-taken-care-of and you won’t get swindled into a scam. Our team of local experts are happy to help you find your dream rental or home or even help you with suggestions in the area! Give us a call (800-237-2252), and let us take care of you! You deserve it!

Photos from Pexels.com

Nightlife on Anna Maria Island

Written by Staff on March 15, 2022. Posted in Anna Maria Island, Blog, Info.

While our quaint 7-mile paradise on the Gulf Coast, Anna Maria Island, is known for its quiet simplicity and relaxing vibes… We also know how to cut a rug and have a good time! There are so many fantastic options to sip a drink, do some dancing, befriend some locals, or catch live music. In fact, you can find all of that and more at these nightlife spots we’re highlighting on Anna Maria or very close by! We also tried to mostly list places that are open past dinner hours. Alright, let’s get this island party started!

Casual and Classic

Our first suggestion has to go to our dear neighbors at Hurricane Hanks. In fact, if you’ve rented with us we’ve probably sent you to Hanks before— we love their team and their offerings! Some other casual and classic bars on Anna Maria we love are Slim’s Place, Duffy’s Tavern, and Freckled Fin Irish Pub. They all serve some of the very best pub food, too! Freckled Fin often has some great live music and the others are a go-to place to catch some sports on TV.

Bridge Street

Arguably the busiest area for nightlife on Anna Maria Island is along Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. It has something for everyone! Everything from local dives (we’ll get to those below!) to frozen tiki drinks to family-friendly places to dance to live music. You can easily walk down Bridge Street and see what fits your night’s plans. Head to Daiquiri Deck for a sweet daiquiri, or stop in to Blue Marlin or Island Time for some delicious dinner and family-friendly dancing to live entertainment. Another mention, The Kokonut Hut is a bit further up in Bradenton Beach but is truly right on the beach!

Crafty and Comfortable

This place is all about good vibes and great products. Slicker’s Eatery in Cortez is the place to try a fun craft cocktail (we recommend the Smoked Old Fashioned), sip some local beers, and try something from their fresh and eclectic menu. Slicker’s is quickly becoming known as a favorite place to have an exciting drink and some great laughs. They even make all of their syrups in-house with natural ingredients!

Upscale Ambiance

Want to start your night with some upscale ambiance and exciting cocktails? Check out The Doctor’s Office or The Waterfront Restaurant. They have some fun drink menus that really show off the skillset of their inventive bar staff. These are particularly great nightlife spots for a nice date night on AMI.

Local Dives

To us, a “dive” is a term of endearment especially when talking about these local watering holes. When referencing the local-renowned DCoy Duck’s in Holmes Beach it has been said: “Wherever you start, this is probably where you’ll end up.” The same could be said for some other local favorite bars like Sports Lounge, Anchor Inn Pub, Tommy Knockers Saloon, Bortell’s Lounge. They each offer something different and are beloved and frequented by the locals for many years so definitely belly up to the bar and keep in mind you’re visiting a local stomping (and often) dancing ground!

Important things to keep in mind:

There is never an excuse to drink and drive, especially with how easy safe transportation is to find on the island. There is a free trolley that runs from 6am-11pm every day, but if you’re out past that there is always the Monkey Bus or Uber/Lyft rides are available as well! Check out our transportation tips here!
Almost ALL of the above suggestions have live music at some point so we recommend heading to their individual Facebook profiles or giving them a call for the most up-to-date entertainment offerings!

Photos from Unsplash.com

The Center of Anna Maria Island

Written by Paradise Realty Staff on June 15, 2021. Posted in Anna Maria Island, Blog, Info.

After the last year of spending more time at home than usual, it makes sense that you and your family may be itching for some extra activity. We’ve all probably learned that intentional socialization and having exciting things to look forward to is paramount to our mental health and overall happiness. That’s where The Center of Anna Maria Island comes in.

Since the 70’s The Center has been a vibrant hub of action here on Anna Maria. Especially with the new building expansion and update in 2008 and recent developments through enthusiastic leadership, The Center has really grown into a gathering place of very diverse offerings. From youth sports to outdoor concerts, dances to adult fitness classes, personal training to summer trips – The Center offers something for everyone in a positive environment.

Ultimately, The Center strives to truly serve our whole island community and gather our residents and visitors for a sense of togetherness and growth. With Summer upon us, The Center is a great place to look to keep your family busy – they offer recreational sports teams for kids and adults alike, summer camps for ages 5-14, teen summer trips, and fun family events like concerts and socials. During the school year they even have before and after school care for children. You can become a member and dive right into the many offerings, get a daily/weekly pass if you’re just visiting, or just pop-in for a special event.

Don’t let the “I’m bored” whines during the first weeks of summer stress you out – just check out the frequently updated Events Calendar on the Center of Anna Maria Island website… and don’t let your last year of staying at home keep you lonely, there’s always a friend and fun at The Center, a true gem of our beloved island.

Photos from Center of Anna Maria Island