Local Points of Interest
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Points of Interest
Just off the premises one block north is Cortez Rd. where you can walk [or ride] to several restaurants, including Applebee’s and The Outback, a super Publix grocery store with a drug store and liquor store included, a bowling alley, a multi-screen movie theater, shops, and many other things. If you are a shopper, check out Beals Outlet on the other side of Cortez Rd or Marshalls. The famous IMG Bolletieri Tennis and soccer Academy is located at 5 minutes drive. See the link at the the following address: Sports Academy: Athletic & Education Performance | IMG Academy
BEACHES
The most fun place is the Manatee Public Beach (Holmes beach) at the very end of Manatee, right on the Gulf on the famous Ana Maria Island. This is an easy 20-minute drive south on the beach from the condo. They have meals all day and music most evenings in case you want to have an ice cream cone & sit & listen. But the favorite meal is in the morning - all-you-can-eat pancakes & sausage. Sit outside & enjoy the beach. Do not go Sunday morning during the season - too crowded.
Address: 4000 State Road 64 and Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, FL 34217 Manatee Beach Park (Holmes Beach) - please check all you need to know BEFORE you go at Anna Maria Island 2023: Best Places to Visit - Tripadvisor
See the website for Bradenton beaches: Parks, Preserves & Beaches - Manatee County (mymanatee.org) Parks & Beaches - Manatee County (mymanatee.org)
Cochina beach- Coquina Beach - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) (tripadvisor.com)
Bradenton beach: Bradenton Beach - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) (tripadvisor.com)
Bean Point on Ana Maria Island: Bean Point - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) (tripadvisor.com)
Famous Longboat Key beach with more details here: Longboat Key, FL 2023: Best Places to Visit - Tripadvisor
Amazing Siesta Key beach with more details here: Siesta Key, FL 2023: Best Places to Visit - Tripadvisor
GOLF COURSES
Just north of our property there is Pinebrook/Ironwood which is a great golf spot with beautiful views and a course that suits all skill levels.
Pinebrook Ironwood | Golf Course in Bradenton, Florida
4260 Ironwood Cir, Bradenton, FL 34209
+1 941-792-3288
PLACES TO SHOP OR VISIT
1) Beer Can Island: I highly recommend Beer Can Island. It is on the very north end of Longboat Key. When you cross the Longboat Pass bridge onto Longboat Key, look to your right. That is Greer Island, locally know as Beer Can Island. It is like being on Robinson Crusoe’s Island. You must drive to the first street, turn right, drive a couple of short blocks until you are near the beach & park on the right shoulder (where parking is allowed). Walk to the beach, then turn north and keep walking north & then east until you are almost to the bridge. A couple of years ago we had to swim, but sand has filled it in again so we can walk.
2) AMI Bayside Piers: You will also want to walk out on the two bayside piers at the north end of the island - and maybe fish.
3) Free Trolley on Anna Maria Island Click on the site below to read about the free trolley & download a map & schedule. Island Trolley - Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce
4) The Riverwalk in downtown Bradenton: “Our outdoor gathering place overlooking the Manatee River, the Riverwalk is a 1.5-mile park that spans downtown Bradenton. Web addres: Bradenton Parks - Bradenton, Florida (cityofbradenton.com). You will have a wonderful time here.
In case of rain, here are some indoor suggestions.
5)Ringling Museum of Art (free on Mondays) The Ringling Museum of Art (U.S-41 at University, near SRQ airport) is free on Mondays. There's a nice restaurant in the museum, also. http://www.ringling.org/artmuseum.aspx
6) Manatees:Meet Ripkin and Toober manatess at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton. Go at feeding time. Meet the Manatees - The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature (bishopscience.org)
7) Mote Marine Labs Another favorite of EVERYBODY is Mote Marine Laboratories & Aquarium. You go to the south end of Longboat Key, cross the bridge and turn left immediately. The aquarium is about one block east on the right side. Just a little farther is the Marine Mammal Center on the left. Your ticket gets you into both parts. There is a new otter habitat & in there are sea turtles & 2 manatees. On the aquarium side there are many things, including a touch tank, shark tank, short movie & (my favorite) petting the stingrays. www.mote.org
8) DeSoto National Historic Site. Wonderful walking trails. Right on the Manatee River at the north end of 75th St - very close to the island. Also great for kids. They can try on armor & watch a short movie about how the explorer DeSoto came to Florida. Adults like the short movie, also. Operating Hours & Seasons - De Soto National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
9)Ellenton Premium Outlets (A wonderful discount mall) http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/ellenton
10)If you like Wal-Mart or have never been to a “Super Wal-Mart” you might want to visit the one about 4 blocks away. Turn left on Cortez Rd and it will be on your left just after the first traffic light.
BEACHES
The most fun place is the Manatee Public Beach (Holmes beach) at the very end of Manatee, right on the Gulf on the famous Ana Maria Island. This is an easy 20-minute drive south on the beach from the condo. They have meals all day and music most evenings in case you want to have an ice cream cone & sit & listen. But the favorite meal is in the morning - all-you-can-eat pancakes & sausage. Sit outside & enjoy the beach. Do not go Sunday morning during the season - too crowded.
Address: 4000 State Road 64 and Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, FL 34217 Manatee Beach Park (Holmes Beach) - please check all you need to know BEFORE you go at Anna Maria Island 2023: Best Places to Visit - Tripadvisor
See the website for Bradenton beaches: Parks, Preserves & Beaches - Manatee County (mymanatee.org) Parks & Beaches - Manatee County (mymanatee.org)
Cochina beach- Coquina Beach - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) (tripadvisor.com)
Bradenton beach: Bradenton Beach - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) (tripadvisor.com)
Bean Point on Ana Maria Island: Bean Point - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) (tripadvisor.com)
Famous Longboat Key beach with more details here: Longboat Key, FL 2023: Best Places to Visit - Tripadvisor
Amazing Siesta Key beach with more details here: Siesta Key, FL 2023: Best Places to Visit - Tripadvisor
GOLF COURSES
Just north of our property there is Pinebrook/Ironwood which is a great golf spot with beautiful views and a course that suits all skill levels.
Pinebrook Ironwood | Golf Course in Bradenton, Florida
4260 Ironwood Cir, Bradenton, FL 34209
+1 941-792-3288
PLACES TO SHOP OR VISIT
1) Beer Can Island: I highly recommend Beer Can Island. It is on the very north end of Longboat Key. When you cross the Longboat Pass bridge onto Longboat Key, look to your right. That is Greer Island, locally know as Beer Can Island. It is like being on Robinson Crusoe’s Island. You must drive to the first street, turn right, drive a couple of short blocks until you are near the beach & park on the right shoulder (where parking is allowed). Walk to the beach, then turn north and keep walking north & then east until you are almost to the bridge. A couple of years ago we had to swim, but sand has filled it in again so we can walk.
2) AMI Bayside Piers: You will also want to walk out on the two bayside piers at the north end of the island - and maybe fish.
3) Free Trolley on Anna Maria Island Click on the site below to read about the free trolley & download a map & schedule. Island Trolley - Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce
4) The Riverwalk in downtown Bradenton: “Our outdoor gathering place overlooking the Manatee River, the Riverwalk is a 1.5-mile park that spans downtown Bradenton. Web addres: Bradenton Parks - Bradenton, Florida (cityofbradenton.com). You will have a wonderful time here.
In case of rain, here are some indoor suggestions.
5)Ringling Museum of Art (free on Mondays) The Ringling Museum of Art (U.S-41 at University, near SRQ airport) is free on Mondays. There's a nice restaurant in the museum, also. http://www.ringling.org/artmuseum.aspx
6) Manatees:Meet Ripkin and Toober manatess at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton. Go at feeding time. Meet the Manatees - The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature (bishopscience.org)
7) Mote Marine Labs Another favorite of EVERYBODY is Mote Marine Laboratories & Aquarium. You go to the south end of Longboat Key, cross the bridge and turn left immediately. The aquarium is about one block east on the right side. Just a little farther is the Marine Mammal Center on the left. Your ticket gets you into both parts. There is a new otter habitat & in there are sea turtles & 2 manatees. On the aquarium side there are many things, including a touch tank, shark tank, short movie & (my favorite) petting the stingrays. www.mote.org
8) DeSoto National Historic Site. Wonderful walking trails. Right on the Manatee River at the north end of 75th St - very close to the island. Also great for kids. They can try on armor & watch a short movie about how the explorer DeSoto came to Florida. Adults like the short movie, also. Operating Hours & Seasons - De Soto National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
9)Ellenton Premium Outlets (A wonderful discount mall) http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/ellenton
10)If you like Wal-Mart or have never been to a “Super Wal-Mart” you might want to visit the one about 4 blocks away. Turn left on Cortez Rd and it will be on your left just after the first traffic light.
Local Attractions And Dining
Please see below a website with local dining in Bradenton, Sarasota and Tampa
https://www.opentable.com/n/tampa/sarasota-bradenton/bradenton-restaurants
Good restaurants that we tried and recommend are the followings:
1) There is an excellent Thai Restaurant (Thai Palace) on Cortez just west of 43rd Street – Thai Palace, website http://thaipalacebradenton.com/#gallery - fabulous food & service - not cheap, but worth every penny.
2) There is also a wonderful Japanese restaurant called IZUMI Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi bar with tableside hibachi, website: http://www.izumisushifl.com, address: 4446, 3611 1st St, Bradenton, FL 34208
3) For a special treat with amazing fresh fish from the Gulf, go to the Star Fish Company, on Sarasota Bay in the village of Cortez. You get in line & order, then sit at a picnic table & they bring your meal in a box. It is pure old time Florida. You can watch dozens or hundreds of tropical birds sitting on boathouses or old fishing boats. Crowded during season, so go at off times. Website: http://starfishcompany.com/starfishcompany/index.html. Address: 12306 46th Ave W Cortez Fl, 34215, tel (941) 794-1243. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11:30am - 8:00pm Sunday & Monday 11:30am - 3:00pm.
4) On the island, most people love to take their guests to the Beach House (end of Cortez) or the Sandbar (north in Anna Maria on the beach) and eat outdoors while viewing the Gulf of Mexico.
5) Also turn left on Cortez, travel about six miles and you are on Anna Maria Island and can visit some of the best beaches in Florida and good restaurants.
On the bay side of the island in the town of Anna Maria, you can get a sandwich or ice cream cone, then walk across the street to the boardwalk with picnic tables or walk out on the very long Anna Maria City Pier to watch people fishing. There is also a restaurant on the end of the pier. Farther north on the bay side, there is the Rod & Reel Pier, a shorter pier where people fish. Web address and menu at Our Menu | The Rod and Reel Pier (rodreelpier.com) This is one of my favorite places to eat. It is up a short flight of stairs. They have breakfast as well as lunch & dinner. You usually see dolphins through the windows & also a view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge which crosses Tampa Bay.
6) Also South of Cortez, on Bridge Street (the fishing pier was the original bridge to the island many years ago) are many cute shops and small restaurants.
7) Everyone's favorite breakfast place is Peach's. The one on the island is on East Bay Drive near Walgreens & Publix. Peach’s on Cortez is in the shopping center at 59th St.
8) A good family restaurant, Riverside Café, is right across the Manatee River in Palmetto. Go across the bridge on U.S. 41 and turn left immediately after the bridge ends. It's a good. Web address below: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g34538-d391662-Reviews-Riverside_CafePalmetto_Florida.html
https://www.opentable.com/n/tampa/sarasota-bradenton/bradenton-restaurants
Good restaurants that we tried and recommend are the followings:
1) There is an excellent Thai Restaurant (Thai Palace) on Cortez just west of 43rd Street – Thai Palace, website http://thaipalacebradenton.com/#gallery - fabulous food & service - not cheap, but worth every penny.
2) There is also a wonderful Japanese restaurant called IZUMI Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi bar with tableside hibachi, website: http://www.izumisushifl.com, address: 4446, 3611 1st St, Bradenton, FL 34208
3) For a special treat with amazing fresh fish from the Gulf, go to the Star Fish Company, on Sarasota Bay in the village of Cortez. You get in line & order, then sit at a picnic table & they bring your meal in a box. It is pure old time Florida. You can watch dozens or hundreds of tropical birds sitting on boathouses or old fishing boats. Crowded during season, so go at off times. Website: http://starfishcompany.com/starfishcompany/index.html. Address: 12306 46th Ave W Cortez Fl, 34215, tel (941) 794-1243. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11:30am - 8:00pm Sunday & Monday 11:30am - 3:00pm.
4) On the island, most people love to take their guests to the Beach House (end of Cortez) or the Sandbar (north in Anna Maria on the beach) and eat outdoors while viewing the Gulf of Mexico.
5) Also turn left on Cortez, travel about six miles and you are on Anna Maria Island and can visit some of the best beaches in Florida and good restaurants.
On the bay side of the island in the town of Anna Maria, you can get a sandwich or ice cream cone, then walk across the street to the boardwalk with picnic tables or walk out on the very long Anna Maria City Pier to watch people fishing. There is also a restaurant on the end of the pier. Farther north on the bay side, there is the Rod & Reel Pier, a shorter pier where people fish. Web address and menu at Our Menu | The Rod and Reel Pier (rodreelpier.com) This is one of my favorite places to eat. It is up a short flight of stairs. They have breakfast as well as lunch & dinner. You usually see dolphins through the windows & also a view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge which crosses Tampa Bay.
6) Also South of Cortez, on Bridge Street (the fishing pier was the original bridge to the island many years ago) are many cute shops and small restaurants.
7) Everyone's favorite breakfast place is Peach's. The one on the island is on East Bay Drive near Walgreens & Publix. Peach’s on Cortez is in the shopping center at 59th St.
8) A good family restaurant, Riverside Café, is right across the Manatee River in Palmetto. Go across the bridge on U.S. 41 and turn left immediately after the bridge ends. It's a good. Web address below: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g34538-d391662-Reviews-Riverside_CafePalmetto_Florida.html
Fishing Diving And Snorkeling
I recommend the following tours:
1) Anna Maria Island Dolphin Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) (tripadvisor.com)
Anna Maria Island Private Dolphin Tours offers two hour and more private guided Dolphin Eco Tours, two hour Sunset Tour. If you are looking for an up close and personal , Manatee, Sea Turtles, Eagles, Roseate Spoonbills, Osprey and other tropical wildlife then look no further.
2) Parasailing: 2023 90 Minute Parasailing Adventure above Anna Maria Island (tripadvisor.com)
This lesson provides everything beginners need to go parasailing above Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria Island: all parasailing equipment, safety instructions, and a motorboat with an experienced crew. Meet at the Bradenton Beach Marina, get harnessed up, and parasail in groups of two or three on approximately 10-minute sessions.
3) Paradise Boat Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) (tripadvisor.com)
1) Anna Maria Island Dolphin Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) (tripadvisor.com)
Anna Maria Island Private Dolphin Tours offers two hour and more private guided Dolphin Eco Tours, two hour Sunset Tour. If you are looking for an up close and personal , Manatee, Sea Turtles, Eagles, Roseate Spoonbills, Osprey and other tropical wildlife then look no further.
2) Parasailing: 2023 90 Minute Parasailing Adventure above Anna Maria Island (tripadvisor.com)
This lesson provides everything beginners need to go parasailing above Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria Island: all parasailing equipment, safety instructions, and a motorboat with an experienced crew. Meet at the Bradenton Beach Marina, get harnessed up, and parasail in groups of two or three on approximately 10-minute sessions.
3) Paradise Boat Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) (tripadvisor.com)
Partners And Special Deals
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Special Events
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