Information on area restaurants, beach, bike and golf cart rentals, area grocery stores and pharmacies, local things to do, and themed parks in Tampa and Orlando.
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Anna Maria is a perfect place to visit and have a great vacation and never leave home. You have the Gulf of Mexico across the street and a private pool if you prefer. You can relax on the beach, enjoy the warm water of the Gulf of Mexico, then grill lunch or dinner poolside. You can fish from the beach or you can take a beautiful short walk or bike ride to the Rod & Reel Pier and fish from the pier. A little further from the Rod & Reel Pier is the City Pier. We have some restaurants within walking distance of the house. You can have a wonderful vacation and never get in the car to drive anywhere.
Anna Maria Island has a lot of great restaurants close by. Within walking distance is the Sandbar Restaurant, the restaurant at the Rod & Reel Pier, Rudy's Sub, Harry's Grill, Slms, and the sign of the Mermaid. The City Pier Restaurant is a pleasant 30 minute or so walk as is the The Waterfront Restaurant. The restaurants on Pine Street are close by, just a few are Poppo’s Taqueria, Anna Maria Donuts, J. Burns Pizza. Just a short drive or bike ride are many many more wonderful places to eat.
There is a lot to see and do if you want to venture away from the house. In Sarasota is the Mote Aquarium and the Ringling Museum. The Ringling museum has a world class art museum that is well worth seeing. Also, at the Ringling is the former home of John and Mabel Ringling. You can take a tour of the public spaces which is very interesting. You can also follow that up with a tour of the private spaces. Both tours are interesting. St. Armand's Circle in Sarasota is a very nice place to take a leisurely walk around the circle. It has great shops and dining. You can rent a boat from Cannon Marina in Longboat Key. It is a wonderful way to see the area. You can snorkel, fish, tube, or boat out to Egmont Key. Egmont Key is a island is the site of Fort Dade from the Spanish American War period. You can explore the ruins and see the still operating lighthouse.
A short drive to Tampa is Busch Gardens. A fantastic park that combines a zoo and amusement park. The roller coaster rides at Busch Gardens Tampa are amazing. About a two hour drive from Anna Maria is Walt Disney World which has three parks, the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney Studios. Just north of Walt Disney World is Universal Studios which has two parks, Universal Studios, and Islands of Adventure. Part of Universal studios and just outside the parks is City Walk which to see is free.