These picks come directly from our Bradenton city guide — updated regularly with local intelligence on the best spots, when to go, and what locals actually order.
Top Picks
Alden Beach Resort
The island's most luxurious option features sophisticated suites with marble bathrooms and premium linens. Their rooftop bar serves craft cocktails while you watch dolphins play in the surf below.
Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures
Their guided mangrove tours through Leffis Key reveal manatees and dolphins that most tourists never see. The clear-bottom kayaks let you watch stingrays glide beneath you in the shallow waters.
AMF Bradenton Lanes
This classic bowling alley serves cold beer and surprisingly good pizza between strikes. The cosmic bowling nights transform the place into a neon party, perfect for groups looking to shake off rainy day blues.
AMI Adventure Trail
This self-guided scavenger hunt takes families through the island's history with clues hidden at local landmarks and businesses. Kids earn stamps at each stop and get a prize at the end, making it the perfect way to explore beyond the beach on a hot afternoon.
AMI Brewery Happy Hour
Weekday happy hours feature discounted craft beers and appetizers that make dinner unnecessary. The outdoor seating and live music create perfect atmosphere without cover charges or minimum spending.
AMI Brewing
This nano-brewery in a converted beach house serves craft beer you can't find anywhere else, made with Gulf Coast ingredients. The owner-brewer often chats with guests about his unique brewing process using local citrus.
AMI Community Center Rotating Exhibits
The community center hosts monthly rotating exhibitions featuring work by island residents and visiting artists, from watercolor landscapes to sculpture installations. The intimate setting allows visitors to meet artists during opening receptions and learn about their island-inspired creative processes.
AMI Donuts & Deli
The island's donut institution has been serving fresh-made pastries since dawn for over two decades. Their cake donuts are made throughout the morning, and the breakfast sandwiches on fresh-baked croissants have sustained countless fishing trips and early beach days.
AMI Locals
A collective of local artists and crafters showcase their work in this cooperative gallery space, from hand-painted island scenes to jewelry made from local shells. Every purchase directly supports island residents, and the inventory changes monthly with new creations.
Anna Maria Bayfront Park
This calm bayside spot offers warm, shallow waters perfect for small children and spectacular sunset views across Tampa Bay. Local families gather here for evening picnics while watching dolphins feed in the bay grass.
Explore this spot →