elisequinn

We are considering a stay at a condo on AMI, traveling with a baby and a 5 year old. Does either area have more restaurants within walking distance? The places we've looked at are Tiffany Place, Bradenton Beach Club and Hidden Cove. Or is there another place (resort with restaurant) that we should consider? Thanks very much for your help with this much needed vacation!

LN

AMI is a very family oriented island and I think you're going to love it there. I can't guarantee that there's restaurants close to any of these condos but I can tell you that there is a free (yes free) trolly that runs from Longboat Key (where i live) through AMI up to the tip of the island. I believe it runs hourly and you should be able to get to any of the spots to dine.

elisequinn

Thanks very much, LN. We are thinking of coming the 2nd week in November.Is it too cold to go in the water (or wear a bathing suit) then? We went to Sanibel once in October and found it to be very hot - too hot for us outside. I'm concerned that November will be too cold.

LN

We're not THAT far north from Sanibel gt;)

The weather is generally wonderful - probably in the low 80's. (I'm not in Florida right now but will be headed back next week.) Sometimes it can get a bit cooler but it's much, much, better than the northern climes.

Wear a bathing suit, go swimming, walk the beach, build a sand castle.

If you have a car go down to the Red Barn in Bradenton and see all the crazy bargains you can get.

Take your kids into Bradenton to see Snoopy the manatee in the Bradenton Aquarium.

There's lots of restaurants on both islands some very expensive ($$$$) and some quite reasonable.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

elisequinn

LN, Thanks for the details. We bought our airline tickets today. We're looking forward to visiting your area! Based on availability, we are now looking at two condos - both on Gulf Dr. One around 7000; the other around 3000. Will we be able to walk to restaurants or will driving be required or best? Is it about an 1 hr 15 min from the Tampa airport? Thank you again for all of your help.

elisequinn

I meant 7000 Gulf Drive..

joethekay

AMI offers a free rubber tire trolley shuttle around the island including Holmes Beach with (pay) connections to Sarasota and the mainland. Or you can rent bikes and travel arounfd the island.

LN

Yes it's abnout 1 1/4 to 1 1/12 hrs from Tampa. If you take Rt 275 south from the Tampa airport you will drive around Tampa, Clearwater and St Pete. You'll then cross the big bridge, pay $1.- and start heading down to Bradenton. At Rt. 19 head south to Bradenton - take Rt 41 when you come to it and cross the bridge into Bradenton - then get in right lane and take Manatee Avenue all the way out to Anna Maria Is.

Check locations on Mapquest - looks like 7000 is up to the right on Gulf Drive from Manatee Ave and 3000 is left off Manatee on Gulf Drive. I believe they're both in nice areas with 7000 being north and more in the family area of the island. I'm not saying anything against 3000 here so please don't misinterpret me.

Thre's a great grocery store Public at the intersection of Gulf Dr and Manatee and there's another fair sized shopping center right around the corner heading north with an Italian restaurant, a smaller seafood restaurant, Skinny's hamburger place and a bunch of little places to eat. You might be able to walk or if you have bikes - you could bike there.

There's lots of people riding bikes on each of the islands - love it cause there's not too many people around in November. Come Feb - March the islands will be crowded.

I looked at each place's internet site and they look GOOD!! Recognized Tiffany place and it's always been well cared for but I've never been inside one. Hidden Cove looks great also - so take your choice - come down and enjoy the talcum powder sand - the 5 year old will love the waves as they're might lighter on the gulf side.

LN

While i think of it I'll mention some restaurants - burgers try Skinnys or Duffys on AMI. Out to dinners (kids are welcome practically everywhere) try Sandbar, Stone crab claws at Moore's on Longboat Key, another good place is Dry Dock on Longboat Key, Harry's on LBK, and the top of the line is Beach Bistro ($$$$) sitting on the beach on AMI. There's also the Gulfside restaurant for breakfast on the beach *(that's way down close to Cortez Rd). As to children I'd take my kids to any of these places and maybe call beach Bistro cause I haven't had any kids in there.

Wanted to get this off tonight - so again Ciao - good night.

bellhouse

LN's directions are great - except that right now the Manatee Ave bridge out to the island is closed for repairs. It may be open again by the time you get here, but if not: they have an overhead electric sign on Manatee Ave just before you get to the intersection of 75th St. (almost all streets/avenues are numbered) and Manatee Ave. If it says the bridge is closed turn left onto 75th St. and stay on it until you get to Cortez Road (big intersection). Turn right onto Cortez and it takes you straight to the island. South Florida Museum (where Snooty is) also has a planatarium that your 5-year-old might enjoy. If the weather is bad (low chance at that time of year), there's a fun hands-on kids museum in Sarasota called - I'm blank! I'll get back with you on the name. Two more fun places to eat are the Star Fish Company in Cortez, which you will drive through if you have to detour, and Mr. Bones on the island. Cortez is an old fishing village that has kept out high rises and such and the Star Fish Co. is a fish packing house/fish market/restaurant. The restaurant is out back overlooking the docks and the water - picnic tables - order at the window. My b-i-l from California says they have the best hush puppies he has ever tasted (I agree), plus they have wonderful cheese grits and all sorts of seafood. I'm hungry just thinking about it! If you're getting in around lunchtime, you might want to stop at The Crab Trap for lunch - it's on the right after you come over the Skyway Bridge - it's a little pricier, but it's great seafood. Have fun!

bellhouse

Ah ha! My senior moment finally passed: GWix is the name of the museum! www.gwiz.org My kids loved it when they were younger.

LN

Thanks Bellhouse for the info on the Manatee bridge - I hope that the Cortez bridge isn't jam-packed.

You also revived my memory on Starfish and Mr Bones. My kids have always enjoyed Mr Bones ribs - it had been a favorite for years.

I'm heading back on Wednesday.

bellhouse

LN - do you summer up north, or are you on vacation? I see you a lot on Sarasota/B'ton posts and you always have good advice. I went out to the Star Fish Co. last Monday, mid-day, for some mullet - traffic was fine until the four lanes went down to two - then it slowed down, but not too bad. I have no idea (and don't want to find out!) what it's like on weekends.....I just checked and the bridge is scheduled to reopen on Nov. 14th. Here's a website with up to date info: http://www.amibridgerehab.com/index.html

LN

Hi again Bellhouse

I spend most of the year on LBK just a few trips north to the DC area. At one time it was actually the reverse but it shows how much I've grown to love Florida.

Now if I can find a place that serves steamed blue crabs in Bradenton or Sarasota I'll be in 7th heaven!!

bellhouse

LN - what a nice mix: a fun big city and a great island.

bellhouse

The Manatee Ave bridge has reopened - 6 days early even! People, especially islanders, are ecstatic.

LN

Hi again Bellhouse

Yes, the bridge is open early!! That is great news isn't it. We've had some great dinners here and the beach walks have been perfect!! The weather has been good to us. Dinner at the Sun House on Bradenton beach was wonderful - I can easily recommend it.

Friends just came and checked in at a place called Umbrella Beach (??) it is really a spacious townhouse with a garage!! And just off from the beach. I did like it and would recommend it.

I did have a question for you though, whose burgers do you like better Duffys or Skinnys?

bellhouse

I'm afraid I'm one of those "cut off my nose to spite my face people": I really liked Duffy's and when Skinny's retook possession of the building across from Public Beach I vowed I would never go to Skinny's. We continued going to Duffy's, but then the boys decided that the absolute BEST burgers are at Council's - a pool hall on the west side of the Bradenton courthouse - so we deserted Duffy's for Council's. My siter-in-law and sister are appalled that I go to such a place, but we love it. What about you - Skinny's or Duffy's? The weather has been gorgeous, hasn't it?

LN

Hi again

I guess we kind of straddled the fence but recently Skinny's has been keeping a deplorable house - I mean the guys in our groups actually got wet clothes to clean off the very dirty tables!!

I have not been to Council's though and will have to give that a try. Thanks for the recommendation. We're heading north for a couple weeks see you later!!

And I hate leaving in such beautiful weather - the beach walks have been refreshing.

bellhouse

The Hob Nob in Sarasota - just north of downtown on 301 - have you been there? We try to schedule trips down there around lunchtime, and sometimes just go because we want a good burger and onion rings.