Travel

  • Holidays on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Holidays on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    The holiday season on Anna Maria Island is magical. Whether visiting for Christmas or ringing in the New Year, the island delivers festive events, parades, light displays, twinkling decorations, fireworks, and candlelit church services that make the season feel genuinely special in a way only a small beach town can. Below is a comprehensive guide…

  • Anna Maria Island Restaurant Directory: Every Place to Eat on the Island

    Anna Maria Island Restaurant Directory: Every Place to Eat on the Island

    Sometimes you just need the list. This is a complete directory of restaurants, cafes, bars, ice cream shops, and food spots on Anna Maria Island, organized by neighborhood. No descriptions, no deep dives, just names, addresses, and phone numbers so you can find what you are looking for fast. For the full insider experience, including…

  • Best Pampering Spots on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Best Pampering Spots on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Anna Maria Island is not just about sunshine and sandy beaches. It is also the perfect place to unwind and treat yourself. Whether you are planning a romantic getaway, a girls’ trip, or simply need a break from the sun, the island offers everything from beachfront massages and full-service salons to mani-pedis, hair styling, and…

  • Rainy Day Activities on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Rainy Day Activities on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    You arrive on Anna Maria Island for your dream vacation. You pack your beach bag with all your essentials, lather on the sunscreen, and step outside your rental, only to discover it is raining. Even on Florida’s sunniest coast, showers happen, but don’t let a little rain ruin your getaway. The island is full of…

  • Best Beach Bag for Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Best Beach Bag for Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Everything you actually need for a perfect beach day: no fluff, just the good stuff. A great beach day doesn’t happen by accident. It starts with a bag packed with the right things: sun protection that actually holds up, a towel that won’t come home full of sand, and the little extras that turn a…

  • Savor the Flavors of Taiwan at Din Tai Fung in San Diego

    Savor the Flavors of Taiwan at Din Tai Fung in San Diego

    In the summer of 2024 my college best friend and I set off on a cross country road trip from San Diego to Anna Maria Island. Before we hit the road, we made one non-negotiable stop: Din Tai Fung at La Jolla’s UTC Westfield Mall. It was the perfect way to begin an adventure that…

  • Best Coffee Spots on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Best Coffee Spots on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Mornings on Anna Maria Island start slow. Coffee in hand, salt in the air, and nowhere you really need to be. Whether you are heading out for a beach walk, hopping on a bike, or easing into the day over breakfast, finding the right coffee spot is part of the rhythm here. This guide covers…

  • Things to Do with Kids on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Things to Do with Kids on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Traveling with kids can sometimes require additional planning. Here is a comprehensive list of kid friendly activities on Anna Maria Island. These family friendly activities will keep both kids and adults entertained.

  • Best Ice Cream on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Best Ice Cream on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    If you are visiting Anna Maria Island, stopping for ice cream is practically part of the experience. After a day at the beach, there is nothing better than cooling off with a cone in hand while wandering the island’s charming streets. From classic scoop shops to small-batch creameries and gelato spots, this guide covers the…

  • The Colorful Parrots Outside Sun & Surf on Anna Maria Island

    The Colorful Parrots Outside Sun & Surf on Anna Maria Island

    If you are wandering through Holmes Beach, you might hear them before you see them, bright, chatty parrots perched outside the Sun and Surf Beach Shop, holding court on the sidewalk like they own the place. It is one of those unexpected island moments that catches you off guard in the best way. The Shop…