Anna Maria Island which area to stay?
 

Opinions on the three areas of Anna Maria Island . . . Anna Maria City, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach. <BR><BR>We'll be vacationing with another family and have 8 children between us, so we want something very family friendly. We've stayed in Siesta Key before, want to try something a little different in the area.

Friends havea time-shre in holmes beach. It was nice & there were a couple of pretty good restraunts aroun . I definitely prefer Siesta or Lido

They are indistinguishable from one another in character. It's hard to tell where one begins and the other leaves off. By the way, it's Anna Maria Island, not city. These are just small beach communities, very laid back, and no one preferable to the other.

Check out the Colony Club on Longboat Key. Great for families and much cheaper than the extremely upscale Anna Maria Island. Plus the beaches are better. Shopping for souvenirs and groceries is just around the corner from the resort also. If you don't want a resort, you could also rent beach house on Holmes or Bradenton Beach. Have done this in the past with great success. Check out Mike Norman Realty which has a website. I think mikenormanrealty.com. Good Luck. It's a great area. Also, a flight in/out of Tampa (about 90 minutes away) is cheaper than in/out of Sarasota.

Anna Maria Island "extremely upscale"?? I don't think anyone in their wildest dreams would ever accuse it of that--at least not yet. <BR>

I agree: Anna Maria "extremely upscale"??? When did that happen?? If you are going from Siesta Key to Bradenton/Holmes Beach I would say you are moving "down", not up.

Whoever would suggest The Colony on Longboat Key if your on a budget!!! VERY EXPENSIVE!! Anna Marie Island has alot of casual dining with great food. Try Rotten Ralph's along with Mr. Bones

I have only been to Anna Maria once but "been there done that" sounds like he/she has it backwards - I was under the impression (however misguided) that Longboat Key was much more upscale than Anna Maria. Anyway, we stayed at the North Beach Village in a beautiful condo/townhome a short walk from Holmes Beach. We rented through Gulf Bay Realty. We flew into Tampa, rented a sebring convertible and had a great time.

I've stayed at Runaway Bay Condos on Bradenton Beach. Very nice and resonably priced. A couple of good restaurants are Rotten Ralphs and Dudleys for a burger.

they basicly run right into each other...and all are fine...it all depends on what your looking for to rent and how long your staying...there is a B&B on Anna Maria...Harrington house..an Econolodge on2502 Gulf Drive North,Bradenton Beach--phone,,941-778-6671...on Holmes beach at the public beach,there is a restaurant and a good Sunday bkfst...try Duffy`s a cross the street and on Anna Maria try the Sandbar rest--afternoon entertainment..

Any updates to this posting? We have tickets to Tampa and now have to choose what beach town to rent a condo in. Would like someplace where teens could walk to some activities (food, shopping, mini golf, when they get tired of the beach). No one wants to dress up. We like casual. some might say we're downscalers, as opposed to upscale. Son # 1 might want to check out a college in Orlando during the trip and all my boys (DH included) will want to see a baseball game. Thanks for any suggestions.

Rachel - for teenagers, I would stick closer to Holmes or Bradenton Beach - more activity on the beaches. Or even Long Boat Key beach is fun. Anna Maria Island is a little more quieter.

For good food - try Rotten Ralph's, the Sandbar, or the Beach House (teenagers would like this one the best probably).

Heidi

thanks for the tips Heidi. It should help in the planning.

Spring training is just about over. So that leaves pro ball. There's the Devil Rays in Tampa. Is that where you're headed? Then why not consider the St. Pete beaches. LOTS to do there for teens. St. Pete Beach is a big teen hotspot. Check out the Tradewinds or the Alden.

Thanks for the suggestion Tandori. We went to St. Pete's Beach last spring and want to be closer to Bradenton this trip as DH's dear childhood friend lives there and will join us after work on a couple of ocassions. You actually hlped me with some suggestions last year for St. Pete, so thanks again.

Hi Rachel. There is no mini-golf on Anna Maria. There are only restaurants, not much else on the entire island. It is beautiful but the teens will likely be bored -- but who cares about them! It's your turn. Rent them some bikes and they can ride to Sarasota by way of Long Boat. That should keep them busy.

Just in case you're interested - there is a miniature golf on Cortez Rd which is right off Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Another good place is the Bradenton Red Barn - it's open on Wed, Fri, Sat, and Sun. Everyone seems to enjoy visiting the place and there's lots of good bargains (even ki8ds love it)