Florida is rightly famous for its tennis facilities, and next door to Anna Maria Island we have one of the premier tennis resorts in the whole country, Longboat Key. So why not combine a stay in one of the beautiful villas of Anna Maria Vacations with some hard graft on the courts.
But you don't have to travel south to Longboat, you can just as easily play on the island. Alternatively, you could always head over to the Bollettieri Academy for some truly world-class coaching.
The Anna Maria Island Community Center's Hagen Tennis Courts offer three all-weather tennis courts, available for use by membership or with the purchase of a day pass. Everyone is invited to participate in an adult round-robin from 7.30am to 11.30am Monday through Saturday. Day passes are available for $5 per person.
Everyone who wants to play tennis must go to the office to get a membership or a day pass. The court door will only be opened by a bar-coded card. Tennis lessons are not permitted without written prior approval from the center's director. The centre is at 407 Magnolia Avenue, Anna Maria. Phone 941 778 1908
Alternatively there are a number of tennis clubs and facilities nearby, the most famous of which is the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton - 808 75 St NW, Bradenton, Florida 34209. Phone: 941 755 1000
With 21 courts to play on, the academy features programs for all ages and ability levels in an ideal training environment, following 30 years of experience in developing the coaching techniques that have produced many of the world's top players. You can join them for a weekly, summer or full-time programs.
The Resort At Longboat Key Club (941 383 3761) also has 38 courts and plays host to the Kriek/Eagleton Tennis Academy, offering clinics directly from internationally renowned player, Johan Kriek. For more information visit www.kriekeagleton.com or call 941 914 6054
Tuesday 31 March 2009
Thursday 26 March 2009
Go golfing, come to Anna Maria
Florida truly is a golfer’s paradise and this part of it is no exception. You could stay a month and still not even play all the courses in our area. Here are our pick of the best public courses within an hour or so of Anna Maria Island. For more information on Florida’s courses check out the websites www.fgolf.com and www.floridagolferguide.com
Public courses
Legacy Golf Club - 8255 Legacy Blvd Bradenton Florida, 34202. Phone 941 907 7067
An Arnold Palmer-designed course and a delight to play. Open Year Round, with an open guest policy, driving range and nice restaurant. Probably the best pay-and-play course in the area.
Stoneybrook Golf Club of Bradenton - 7515 Grand Harbour Pkwy, Bradenton, FL 34212. Phone 941 746 2696.
The 18-hole, par-72 course plays through a landscape highlighted by mature woods, wetland preserves, ponds, and lakes creating a wonderful blend of strategic risk/reward holes. On
Greenfield Plantation - 10325 Greenfield Blvd Bradenton Florida, 34202. Phone 941-747-9432
The Links at Greenfield Plantation combines a rare mix of affordability with championship golf, outstanding course conditions and natural beauty. Generous landing areas off of the tee are coupled with well bunkered undulating greens as the course weaves its way through wildlife rich wetlands and lakes.
Manatee County Golf Course - 6415 53rd Ave W Bradenton Florida, 34210. Phone 941-794-2835
Open guest policy and with a driving range.
River Run Golf Links - 1801 27th St E Bradenton Florida, 34208. Phone 941-708-6331
A popular municipal course, originally designed by Ward Northrup and opened for play in 1987, River Run was redesigned by Azinger - Lewis in. The enhanced 18 hole par 70 layout offers a wide variety of challenges for players of all ages and experience levels.
Public courses
Legacy Golf Club - 8255 Legacy Blvd Bradenton Florida, 34202. Phone 941 907 7067
An Arnold Palmer-designed course and a delight to play. Open Year Round, with an open guest policy, driving range and nice restaurant. Probably the best pay-and-play course in the area.
Stoneybrook Golf Club of Bradenton - 7515 Grand Harbour Pkwy, Bradenton, FL 34212. Phone 941 746 2696.
The 18-hole, par-72 course plays through a landscape highlighted by mature woods, wetland preserves, ponds, and lakes creating a wonderful blend of strategic risk/reward holes. On
Greenfield Plantation - 10325 Greenfield Blvd Bradenton Florida, 34202. Phone 941-747-9432
The Links at Greenfield Plantation combines a rare mix of affordability with championship golf, outstanding course conditions and natural beauty. Generous landing areas off of the tee are coupled with well bunkered undulating greens as the course weaves its way through wildlife rich wetlands and lakes.
Manatee County Golf Course - 6415 53rd Ave W Bradenton Florida, 34210. Phone 941-794-2835
Open guest policy and with a driving range.
River Run Golf Links - 1801 27th St E Bradenton Florida, 34208. Phone 941-708-6331
A popular municipal course, originally designed by Ward Northrup and opened for play in 1987, River Run was redesigned by Azinger - Lewis in. The enhanced 18 hole par 70 layout offers a wide variety of challenges for players of all ages and experience levels.
Tuesday 17 March 2009
On the theme scene
If you really have to have your fix of theme parks, Anna Maria Island is perfectly placed for a day trip and back again. We think you'll be glad to return to the tranquility and calm of Anna Maria, but understand if you have little ones who want to see Mickey, ride a rollercoaster or just fill up on sugar and run around like mad things all day.
So, here are your best two options for major attraction-based fun: Busch Gardens and Orlando.
Busch Gardens
If you really want a whole day of lively entertainment then gather up the family and head on up over the spectacular Sunshine Skyway Bridge to visit the world famous Busch Gardens theme park for a day out to remember. Their Adventure Island water park is also terrific fun with plenty of thrills for all ages. Alternatively the spectacular six million dollar Aquarium is teeming with undersea life.
Orlando
Home to Disneyworld, Epcot and MGM Studios, Sea World and Universal Studios. Drive up early in the morning and if you stay to take in one of the amazing evening firework displays, then just sleep overnight in one of the many hundreds of hotels, motels or bed and breakfast accommodations in Orlando. It’s fun, but we’re sure you’ll be glad to return to the peace and tranquility of Anna Maria Island.
So, here are your best two options for major attraction-based fun: Busch Gardens and Orlando.
Busch Gardens
If you really want a whole day of lively entertainment then gather up the family and head on up over the spectacular Sunshine Skyway Bridge to visit the world famous Busch Gardens theme park for a day out to remember. Their Adventure Island water park is also terrific fun with plenty of thrills for all ages. Alternatively the spectacular six million dollar Aquarium is teeming with undersea life.
Orlando
Home to Disneyworld, Epcot and MGM Studios, Sea World and Universal Studios. Drive up early in the morning and if you stay to take in one of the amazing evening firework displays, then just sleep overnight in one of the many hundreds of hotels, motels or bed and breakfast accommodations in Orlando. It’s fun, but we’re sure you’ll be glad to return to the peace and tranquility of Anna Maria Island.
Sunday 15 March 2009
So near, so go
So, we've looked a bit at the island of Anna Maria, let's have a little glance at what there is to do around about the place. First up, a couple of nearby attractions you might want to visit. Take the family, head over on your own, either way you are sure of a grand day out.
South Florida Museum, Bishop Planetarium and Parker Manatee Aquarium
Three great attractions under one roof. South Florida Museum is the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast, while the Bishop Planetarium features one of the most advanced all-digital projection systems in the world, and presents astronomy programs the whole family will enjoy.
The Parker Manatee Aquarium, part of Florida’s manatee rehabilitation network, is home to the oldest known living manatee, Snooty. The attraction is located at 201 10th Street West, Bradenton FL34205. Call 941 746 4131 for more information.
De Soto National Park and Memorial Mansion
With nature trails, a living history camp, secluded beaches, fishing, boating, camping and bird watching, the De Soto park and memorial is another great day spent outdoors.
The memorial has special living history presentations at specific times of the year. The Spanish encampment features daily presentations (weather permitting) from mid-December to the last weekend in April.
The Last day of the living history encampment also includes a special reenactment of Hernando de Soto's landing in 1539. De Soto National Memorial is located at the northern terminus of 75th Street North West in Bradenton, Florida.
Visitors can reach the park from I-75 or I-275. Call 941 792 0458.
South Florida Museum, Bishop Planetarium and Parker Manatee Aquarium
Three great attractions under one roof. South Florida Museum is the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast, while the Bishop Planetarium features one of the most advanced all-digital projection systems in the world, and presents astronomy programs the whole family will enjoy.
The Parker Manatee Aquarium, part of Florida’s manatee rehabilitation network, is home to the oldest known living manatee, Snooty. The attraction is located at 201 10th Street West, Bradenton FL34205. Call 941 746 4131 for more information.
De Soto National Park and Memorial Mansion
With nature trails, a living history camp, secluded beaches, fishing, boating, camping and bird watching, the De Soto park and memorial is another great day spent outdoors.
The memorial has special living history presentations at specific times of the year. The Spanish encampment features daily presentations (weather permitting) from mid-December to the last weekend in April.
The Last day of the living history encampment also includes a special reenactment of Hernando de Soto's landing in 1539. De Soto National Memorial is located at the northern terminus of 75th Street North West in Bradenton, Florida.
Visitors can reach the park from I-75 or I-275. Call 941 792 0458.
Tuesday 10 March 2009
You've got a ticket to ride
If you want to get around, get a bus.
Anna Maria Island benefits from a free shuttle service, known locally as the trolley, which does a continual loop of the island.
A daily service runs from 6am to 10.30m every 20 minutes from the Anna Maria City Pier in the north to Coquina Beach in the south. Trolleys offer both air conditioned and open-air seating. Trolley Stops are two to four blocks apart along the route. Look for the green sign with the picture of a trolley on it.
Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) fixed routes connect with the free trolley at Holmes Beach and Coquina Beach. From Holmes Beach you can catch the No3 bus Monday thru Saturday along Manatee Avenue, passing through Bradenton and past the Manatee Memorial Hospital, health department and a Wal-Mart store.
The No6 Cortez Road service starts at Coquina Beach and passes over the Cortez Bridge in Bradenton Beach before taking a route past some of the main shops along Cortez Road, and finishing near the De Soto Mall.
Just don't forget to pack the credit card...
Anna Maria Island benefits from a free shuttle service, known locally as the trolley, which does a continual loop of the island.
A daily service runs from 6am to 10.30m every 20 minutes from the Anna Maria City Pier in the north to Coquina Beach in the south. Trolleys offer both air conditioned and open-air seating. Trolley Stops are two to four blocks apart along the route. Look for the green sign with the picture of a trolley on it.
Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) fixed routes connect with the free trolley at Holmes Beach and Coquina Beach. From Holmes Beach you can catch the No3 bus Monday thru Saturday along Manatee Avenue, passing through Bradenton and past the Manatee Memorial Hospital, health department and a Wal-Mart store.
The No6 Cortez Road service starts at Coquina Beach and passes over the Cortez Bridge in Bradenton Beach before taking a route past some of the main shops along Cortez Road, and finishing near the De Soto Mall.
Just don't forget to pack the credit card...
Tuesday 3 March 2009
One island, three cities
Anna Maria Island, you will notice, is divided in three, which is quite an achievement for somewhere so small. What is also slightly surprising is how different they all are.
Here's our simple guide to each of them.
Bradenton Beach
Bradenton Beach, on the southern end of the island, has Coquina beach, a long stretch of white sugar sand and plenty of parking. This community has just restored their City Pier and welcomes anyone wanting to fish for their dinner along with those who just want to sit down at the pier restaurant for a grouper sandwich and watch the fisherman on the pier. Bradenton Beach has quite a few resorts and a revitalized Bridge Street shopping area. Along the gulf side you'll find a variety of restaurants where you can view the beautiful sunsets.
Holmes Beach
Holmes Beach has the Manatee County Beach with a restaurant on the beach and plenty of parking and picnic areas. There are several shopping plazas in Holmes Beach for groceries, pharmaceutical needs, hardware, etc. along with some laid back beach stores that rent kayaks, bicycles, and furniture for renters. The commercial center of Holmes Beach has several banks and other shops.
Anna Maria City
Anna Maria City is the northern-most part of the island and is mostly residential. However, there are a couple of small shopping plazas and some wonderful restaurants to enjoy. The beach front restaurants are a favorite spot for weddings. The historic Anna Maria Pier goes out into Tampa Bay and is the gathering place for many of the island locals for fishing or just island talk, as is the Rod and Reel Pier, just to the north. The beaches of Anna Maria are beautiful, but there is limited parking.
Come to Anna Maria Island and come and stay with us at Anna Maria Vacations. We've got the best rental properties you will find, but don't just take our word for it, check out our website and discover for yourself the best rentals on Anna Maria Island
Here's our simple guide to each of them.
Bradenton Beach
Bradenton Beach, on the southern end of the island, has Coquina beach, a long stretch of white sugar sand and plenty of parking. This community has just restored their City Pier and welcomes anyone wanting to fish for their dinner along with those who just want to sit down at the pier restaurant for a grouper sandwich and watch the fisherman on the pier. Bradenton Beach has quite a few resorts and a revitalized Bridge Street shopping area. Along the gulf side you'll find a variety of restaurants where you can view the beautiful sunsets.
Holmes Beach
Holmes Beach has the Manatee County Beach with a restaurant on the beach and plenty of parking and picnic areas. There are several shopping plazas in Holmes Beach for groceries, pharmaceutical needs, hardware, etc. along with some laid back beach stores that rent kayaks, bicycles, and furniture for renters. The commercial center of Holmes Beach has several banks and other shops.
Anna Maria City
Anna Maria City is the northern-most part of the island and is mostly residential. However, there are a couple of small shopping plazas and some wonderful restaurants to enjoy. The beach front restaurants are a favorite spot for weddings. The historic Anna Maria Pier goes out into Tampa Bay and is the gathering place for many of the island locals for fishing or just island talk, as is the Rod and Reel Pier, just to the north. The beaches of Anna Maria are beautiful, but there is limited parking.
Come to Anna Maria Island and come and stay with us at Anna Maria Vacations. We've got the best rental properties you will find, but don't just take our word for it, check out our website and discover for yourself the best rentals on Anna Maria Island
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