White sand beaches, tropical turquoise water, the salty, crisp scent of the ocean drifting through the air—it's a typical day on Anna Maria Island, where we live the best of life by the sea. Our charming island hosts visitors year-round, from the guests of the lively summer season to the snowbirds looking for a reprieve from winter storms, but one of the times that many people overlook is the fall season on Anna Maria Island! The weather is certainly warmer than most of the country, but even our temperatures are dropping a bit, giving way to comfortable evenings where you can relax beachside with a glass of wine. It’s all the festive parts of fall without the impending winter, and you can bring out the summer wardrobe that you might have already packed away for the year. There are lots of things to do in the fall on Anna Maria Island, so if you’re considering an AMI fall getaway, we’ve compiled a list of activities ideal for the season! Here are some of the best
Fall Activities in Anna Maria Island for 2022.
Bring Your Pet Along for Your Trip!
Enjoy Fall Beach Weather on Anna Maria Island
One of the best things about visiting in the fall is that it’s technically the “off” season, meaning that you get to experience the benefits of skipping the summer crowds and the winter-break surge. The weather cools off a bit but depending on the day the water can still be swimmable, meaning you get to revel in all the glory of a beach day without the overabundance of tourists. Manatee Public Beach and Coquina Beach are sure to still have an upbeat atmosphere, as they’re near restaurants, beach cafes, and shopping, but there are other spots if you’re looking for more of that deserted island vibe. Bean Point is known for having a more remote feel but doesn’t have any facilities. Bayfront Park is well-maintained and offers a calmer shorefront on the bay, perfect for splashing around. You can still soak up the sun during the fall season on AMI!
Dive Into Anna Maria Island’s Best Restaurants
With weather that’s great for sitting on the patio (especially in the evenings), it’s an opportune time to grab a reservation at some of our island’s highly rated restaurants. Take a night out at the unassuming Waterfront Restaurant, situated right off Bayfront Park with elevated views, specializing in sushi and fusion fare. The Ugly Grouper in Holmes Beach offers a selection of dishes straight from the sea, from fish tacos to expertly prepared grouper. If seafood isn’t your culinary style, you can find almost any type of cuisine on AMI—try Vinny’s Italian Kitchen for casual Italian dishes, or Smokehouse for authentic American BBQ dishes as well as unique twists on the old classics.
Your Selection of AMI Fall Festivities
Fall is a terrific time to visit if you’d like to get a feel for the island’s local markets. The Bridge Street Market reopens annually in November and has hours every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.--even better, you can take the island trolley to get there! Also nearby, you can visit the Bradenton Farmer’s Market, open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through October to May. Grab some fresh ingredients to bring home to your vacation rental—with over 30 local vendors selling a variety of crafts and goods, you’ll likely find lots to love. Another market to explore includes the Coquina Beach Market, opening November 2022—also accessible from the free trolley route, with an offering of local food, handmade items, and fresh produce.
Up on Pine Avenue, you’ll find our island’s main shopping hub, with lots of local stores and a generous amount of stops on the free island trolley, making it easy to explore the avenue. Grab some seasonal closeout beachwear, pick up a fall scented candle—maybe even buy a lightweight scarf to take home!
Celebrate the Season at Your Beach Vacation Rental
There’s always plenty to keep you entertained at
your vacation rental, whether it’s a leisurely pool day or a homecooked family meal with fall flavors to get into the spirit of the season. If you’re visiting during Halloween, you can pick up some pumpkins and have a carving contest, or just pick up a local fall brew and relax with a scary movie marathon on your vacation home’s large smart TV. From relaxing in the hot tub at night and stargazing to admiring early morning ocean views, your vacation home can be the highlight of your fall vacation on Anna Maria Island!
Book Your Fall Vacation Rental on Anna Maria Island Today!
There’s no question that the fall season is an excellent time to visit AMI, as it’s less crowded than usual and just as beautiful! If you’d like to learn more about our selection of Anna Maria Island vacation homes, give our friendly reservation team a
call today!
Check Out Our Full Selection of Rentals Here!There is no better summer destination in the country than Florida. Get ready for the perfect sum getaway with the kids by booking a trip to Anna Maria Island. The summer season is always a special time for the kiddos as they are finally on break from school and are looking forward to a vacation like no other. Anna Maria Island has a
variety of family-friendly activities that will make for an unforgettable stay. Take a look at how you can spend your family vacation on Anna Maria Island for the Fourth of July:
4th of July Parade
The fun starts off with the annual 4th of July Parade located at Anna Maria Island. This parade has been known to be extremely fun as it features water fights between those in the parade and the crowd along with beads and candy being tossed out. The parade starts at 10:00 AM and can be long. After your parade fun check out these remaining activities in the area perfect for the whole family.
Mini Golf
Take the kids out for a thrilling round of mini golf at Anna Maria Island’s number one mini-golf destination, The Fish Hole. This exciting attraction is located on Historic Bridge Street on the Southern end of Anna Maria Island. The kids will have all kinds of fun as exciting fishing facts are displayed at each hole. The koi pond and tropical foliage provide beautiful scenery like no other. The mini-golf holes are perfect for kids of all ages so everyone in your group will have a great time. Mini golf is always a great way to kick off your summer getaway!
Visit Mote Marine Aquarium
Nothing says the Florida coast quite like a trip to the local aquarium. Anna Maria Island is home to Mote Marine Aquarium where you and the kids can learn all about the marine life that surrounds the area and all over the world. In addition to huge exhibits full of colorful fish, you can enjoy the hands-on exhibits that include touching rays and sharks up close. Mote Marine Aquarium is a popular attraction in the area so make sure you purchase tickets in advance to get in quickly at the door!
Explore the Area by Bike
It is always fun to explore a new area on foot but you can turn up the excitement even more by traversing on a bike. Head over to local bike purveyor Fun and More Rentals for your bike rental needs. Fun and More Rentals offers a variety of rental bikes including men’s, women’s, and children’s bikes for you to choose from. You can choose how long you want to rent the bikes to plan around your day. The best part is that Fun and More Rentals will even bring your rental bikes straight to your vacation rental. Talk about some easy rental service!
Book a Cruise
Another great family activity is heading off to sea with a thrilling ocean cruise. Anna Maria Island has several different tour companies available for you to choose from. AMI Dolphin Tours is the perfect tour service for you to see loveable dolphins out in the water. Seeing dolphins with this tour service is always guaranteed but you will also have the opportunity to see other incredible animals such as manatees, a variety of birds, and other wildlife. Visitors are able to book both public and private tours letting you choose how to enjoy your dolphin tour. If a sunset cruise sounds more up your alley you can book a tour with Island Pearl Excursions. You have plenty of options when you visit Anna Maria Island!
Grab Some Ice Cream
Cool off this summer season by visiting the local ice creamery, Two Scoops. It can get hot in Florida during the summer season so make sure you take a break from the sun with one of their 32 different flavors at any given time. This local favorite can be found just across the street from the Anna Maria Island Pier where you can enjoy oceanside views as you enjoy your treat.
Shop Around Pine Avenue
Anna Maria Island is home to the Greenest Little Main Street in America also known as Pine Avenue. This smaller size downtown street is the perfect spot to take a stroll with the family. Pine Avenue has plenty of fun little shops along the way where you can find some fun souvenirs. This includes Flip Flop Stop & Candy Stop where you will take a step back in time with its nostalgic candy and of course flip flops.
Historic Bridge Street Pier
It wouldn’t be a family trip to Anna Maria Island without a stop by the Historic Bridge Street Pier. This is the best spot in the area to enjoy beautiful views of the water. The pier also features fun little vendors to grab a bite to eat at. Don’t miss out on this historic part of Anna Maria Island.
Book Today for Anna Maria Island
It does not get better for family vacations than Anna Maria Island. This vacation destination is the perfect spot to hang out with the kids and enjoy all of the lovely attractions around you, so find your favorite
Anna Maria Island vacation rental today and come join the fun!
