City Guide – Anna Maria Island, FL with Kids

The Donut Experiment – I’m not even much of a donut girl (gasp) – I mean, I’ll eat them if they’re there – but they’re not my favorite. However, I think this donut shop has converted me. They make vanilla cake donuts (in front of you) with choose your own icings and toppings and with flavors like salted carmel, key lime pie and cinnamon sugar – how can you not be a convert (apparently they also get creative with savory flavors, but the salted carmel is the winner for me)!

Ginny and Jane E’s Bakery Cafe – This bakery has cinnamon rolls the size of your head (ask for them warm) and my husband tried the creme brulee french toast which was to die for! The line is long, but so worth the wait. And while you’re in line you can take the guitar off the wall and play a little tune for the patrons, if you feel so inclined!

Starfish Company – I’ve never actually eaten at the restaurant (my brother loves it, though) but we pick up fresh seafood here to cook up back home. This year we made fish tacos and a seafood pasta too. Their seafood is fresh, local and delicious. (Sidenote: they only take cash).

Island Time Bar & Grill – This is a fun restaurant/bar with fine dining upstairs and a casual restaurant downstairs. Plus you can eat outside on the porch and they often have live music.

Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe – We love to walk down the beach in the mornings to the Island Cafe where you can sit on the beach and devour all you can eat pancakes. They also have yummy omelets, burgers and on Friday’s they have an all you can eat fish fry. Next door, there is a beach playground for kids that parents can view (while kids are playing) from the patio seating.

What We Do

We spend a lot of time on the gorgeous beaches, but we also like to explore the island activities while visiting AMI.

The Fish Hole Mini Golf – My girls and niece and nephew LOVE The Fish Hole mini golf and even 5-year-old June got a hole in one! The 18-hole course is quick, fun and filled with vegetation and small ponds where you can feed the fish. They’ve even labeled the native plants throughout the course.

The Island Trolley and Monkey Bus – There is a free Island Trolley that comes around every 20 minutes or so. And if you’re not up for waiting, you can call the free Monkey Bus to pick you up (Be sure to have a little cash for Monkey Bus tips)

City Pier – City Pier is a must see on the Island where you can see the boats, walk along the planks and at the end there is a fun restaurant where you can get a drink, lunch or dinner or simply look out over the ocean.

Studio at Gulf & Pine – This is a beautiful art gallery where – among other rotating artists – my sister-in-law shows and sells her work. It’s a good gallery for kids since it’s small but still accessible for kids.

Anna Maria Island Historical Society and Museum – This is a tiny local museum that my kids love. They have a scavanger hunt for kids that is so fun and also an old jail building that kids can explore.

 

There is also tons of shopping and places where you can rent bikes, paddle boards, sailboats or go on fishing outings. There are several parks and playgrounds, running trails and a community center on the island too.

Have you ever been to Anna Maria Island? What am I missing that you love?