Travel

  • Best Snow Crab on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Best Snow Crab on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Crack, dip, savor, repeat, that’s the magic of snow crab legs. On Anna Maria Island, digging into a pile of sweet, juicy crab legs isn’t just dinner, it’s an experience. Whether you’re cracking shells with friends over cold drinks or treating yourself after a beach day, AMI has plenty of spots serving up sweet, juicy,…

  • Best Spots to Watch Sports on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Best Spots to Watch Sports on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Whether you are tracking the NFL playoffs, following March Madness, catching a World Series game, or just want a cold drink and a big screen, Anna Maria Island has you covered. The island’s sports bars run the full spectrum, from laid-back dive bars with a handful of TVs to serious multi-screen setups with every major…

  • Best Seafood Feast on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Best Seafood Feast on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    A seafood feast by any other name is still a showstopper on Anna Maria Island. Whether you call it a seafood tower, seafood castle, or seafood sampler, AMI restaurants bring the Gulf’s freshest treasures straight to your table. From chilled shrimp and plump oysters to buttery lobster and crab, each is a celebration of coastal…

  • Dog Friendly Restaurants & Bars on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Dog Friendly Restaurants & Bars on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    One of my favorite things about Anna Maria Island is how easy it is to bring your dog along for the ride, including to dinner. So many restaurants here have shaded patios where your pup can settle in while you enjoy a good meal and a cold drink. Some spots even set out water bowls,…

  • Mexican Restaurants on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Mexican Restaurants on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Craving Mexican food near the beach? Anna Maria Island and the surrounding coastal communities offer everything from fresh tacos and Cali-style street food to Tex-Mex classics and margaritas made for sunset dining. From quick casual taquerias to lively waterfront-style restaurants, this guide highlights the best Mexican spots to check out while you are here. For…

  • Waterfront Dining on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Waterfront Dining on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Anna Maria Island waterfront dining isn’t just about the view, it’s about how you experience it. From toes-in-the-sand tables on the Gulf to dockside grills where boats drift in for dinner, each spot offers a different version of island life. Some restaurants are all about sunset front rows, others lean into casual fish-shack energy, and…

  • Best Cuban Sandwich on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Best Cuban Sandwich on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    A great Cuban sandwich is one of Florida’s most satisfying meals, and on Anna Maria Island, the local kitchens take it seriously. From the soft, buttery Cuban bread to the savory layers of roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard, each bite delivers that perfect balance of flavor and crunch that makes the Cubano…

  • Best Sushi on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Best Sushi on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Anna Maria Island is known for pristine beaches and stunning sunsets, but the sushi scene here is worth talking about too. Whether you are craving classic nigiri, inventive specialty rolls, or a steaming bowl of ramen on the side, the island has options that deliver on both freshness and creativity. One spot even pairs the…

  • Best Souvenir Shops on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Best Souvenir Shops on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Anna Maria Island is a paradise of sugar-white sand and turquoise water, and it turns out it is also a surprisingly great place to shop. From working artist studios to longtime island institutions, the shops here are filled with keepsakes that actually reflect the place, not just generic beach merchandise you could find anywhere. Whether…

  • Best Barbeque on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Best Barbeque on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide

    Anna Maria Island is best known for white-sand beaches, fresh seafood, and sunset dining, but tucked between the beach bars and coastal kitchens is a small but satisfying BBQ scene worth seeking out. From smoky ribs and slow-cooked pulled pork to creative tropical-style barbecue, these spots bring bold, comforting flavors to the island in their…