Traveling to Anna Maria Island in July. Can someone tell me what the difference is between Bradenton and Holmes beaches? I will be staying on Bradenton, but was just curious as to the differences - and distances between the two, and if one is preferable to the other.

Anna Maria Island is an island next to Bradenton. It has three cities: Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, and Anna Maria.

Bradenton Beach is located where the bridge comes over from Bradenton. It is small and conjested with a lot of traffic, and has mostly houses to rent or buy, not a lot of hotels, maybe a few B&Bs in Bradenton Beach.

A little further north of Bradenton Beach is the city of Holmes Beach. It has a nice residential area. It's beachfront is rimmed with high-to-mid rise condos and some funky hotels.

Head futher north on the beach road and at the end of the road is the city of Anna Maria. It is mostly residentia homes on both sides, no high-rise condos. There are a few hotels.

Sorry not to have answered your question regarding the distances. Holmes Beach is about a mile north of Bradenton Beach. Anna Maria is a few miles north of Holmes Beach. I might be off here but what you should know is that they are all very close to each other.

Bradenton Beach has a nice beach area but the traffic through there coming over from Bradenton can be horrendous during holidays or the high-season. And you have to cross the road to get to the beach in most spots, so it can get a little hairy. But in July it should be fine.

Actually there are two bridges from Bradenton onto the island. The Cortez Rd. bridge will put you on Bradenton Beach. If you go left you'll go past Coquina Beach--the north end of Longboat Key is just past that.

The other bridge is the Manatee Ave. Bridge (SR 64--goes from the interstate to the island). If you go over this bridge you will dead end on Holmes Beach and the main public beach. You turn right here to continue to AM. There is a short cut to the north end of AM--as you go down Gulf drive (which is curvy), you can turn right onto Marina Dr. (there's a light) and it will deposit you on AM.

Tandoori is correct--traffic will not be as bad that time of year. The heaviest on the island will be between the bridges (about a two mile span); but you'll also find some good restaurants and cute shops in that area on Bridge St.

Thanks so much to both of you for the wonderful information. I need all the help I can get. Actually, I should have clarified -not staying in Bradenton, but on Bradenton Beach. I think I made the right decision since Holmes Beach is high rises.