You’ve got your Ann Maria Island rental booked, but now you need to focus on daily activities. What day trips near Anna Maria Island should you take?
As it turns out, AMI is surrounded by some seriously cool and unique places to visit. From Sarasota to Lido Key, you can find locations packed with fun destinations for tourists. Just check out the three following spots that are near in proximity to AMI and offer many exciting things to do while you’re on vacation.
Sarasota
Sarasota is an absolute ‘must’ while you are staying in one of the gorgeous rentals on Anna Maria Island. Sarasota is only about half an hour away from AMI, and you can get there in many different ways. If you did not drive or rent a vehicle, no worries! You can get a ride on the Anna Maria Trolley for free and get off in Coquina Beach. From there, you just get onto the Long Boat Key Trolley, which will only cost you 75 cents. This will get your right into Sarasota. Along the way, you will get to enjoy seeing the turquoise Gulf waters and the cottages lining AMI’s coast.
There are many opportunities to experience wildlife in Sarasota, and one of the coolest if the Big Cat Habitat. This non-profit rescue has been around since 1987 and is a “fur-ever” home for exotic felines. Anything you spend here goes right back into helping them take care of the animals, and it’s a family-friendly environment with much to learn.
Art galleries and museums abound in Sarasota, and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall always has a show running. If you’re more interested in outdoor activities, take a guided kayak or stand-up paddleboard tour around Sarasota’s waters. You might just get up close and personal with a manatee or dolphin!
Tampa
Tampa is another staple of every AMI visit. It isn’t too far away, and you can do all kinds of thrilling stuff there. Busch Gardens is probably one of Tampa’s biggest attractions. If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, hop on the Gwazi or test out the new Cobra’s Curse.
The Florida Aquarium is a great place to take the family, too. You can see all types of Floridian wetland habitats right there under one roof. Check out the otters, Burmese pythons, and gators. You can even dive down with the sharks!
Plan Your Visit
Sarasota, Tampa, and Siesta and Lido Keys are all close by to our beautiful Anna Maria Island waterfront rentals and are packed with fun things for the entire family to see and do!
Siesta Key & Lido Key
Siesta Key and Lido Key are packed with adventure too. Siesta Key is home to Siesta Beach, which is world-famous for its beautiful, soft, cool sand. This beach is about 99% white quartz from the Appalachian Mountains, unlike other beaches that have 99% pulverized coal. Go ahead, spend a day on the beach – you’ll get to instantly cool your feet in those luscious white sands.
Fishing is insanely popular on both Keys, as there are hundreds of species of fish in the ocean, lakes, and streams. You might also see some turtles nesting on Turtle Beach during the nesting season.
When you’re done with your adventure, head on over to one of the local shops, and get your grub on at a restaurant before heading home. Getting out of your comfy Anna Maria Island vacation rentals might be tough, but there are so many things to see and do within a short distance from AMI.