Anna Maria Island is a haven for vacationers with its crystal water, clear blue skies and white sandy beaches. Its laid back vibe provides a perfect opportunity for relaxation and fun if you are looking for a nice romantic getaway. Besides, if you want to spend time with your special someone, Anna Maria Island is a great place for a date night too!
There are plenty of activities and attractions that you can do with your partner on this island situated off the coast of Florida. From romantic sunsets to exquisite dining, here are some of the best Anna Maria Island date night activities you can plan for the perfect evening. (more…)
Bradenton, Florida, is an excellent destination for tourists and locals alike. This place is a great vacation destination with its beautiful beaches, exciting attractions, and stunning natural beauty. You can find something for everyone here, whether you are into adventures, sightseeing or a beach body. But do you know what’s even better? A day trip from Bradenton!
The location is close to some of the best nature parks, piers and beaches. From Sebring and Lake Placid to Myakka River State Park and Anna Maria Island, you can experience multiple destinations during your day trips. Whether you’re looking for an adventure or a relaxing getaway, here are some of our favorite day trips from Bradenton, FL! (more…)
Anna Maria Island is one of Florida’s most scenic vacation spots, popular among all tourists. People get drawn explicitly to this location due to its Old Florida style, serene white sand beaches and clear water. Situated in Manatee County on the Gulf of Mexico, near Bradenton and Sarasota, the island offers a lot to visitors of a heterogeneous group. Most seasoned travelers know which places to visit and what to do on vacation here. However, if you are coming to the island for the first time, you may need help navigating all the things to do.
Here is an extensive list of the best tours near Anna Maria Island that can help you explore its entirety, understand its history and experience its culture. (more…)
Bradenton and Anna Maria Island are hotspots for tourist attractions for their beautiful beaches, sunsets and relaxed lifestyle. Many travelers love to come here to unwind and get away from their busy lives. You may also be debating taking a trip to this charming island with your loved ones. But what if your schedules do not align? Will you cancel your entire trip?
Vacations in Anna Maria Island can be highly beneficial for you. You can better experience the island to its fullest, especially if you travel alone. If you are worried about accommodations, there is no need to be. We at Anchor Down Vacation Rentals have you covered.
In this blog, we provide you with increasingly convincing reasons to stop putting off your trip to Bradenton. (more…)
Family vacations, whether they last a weekend or a month, are a great opportunity to spend quality time with your loved ones.
How can you make the most of your time in Lakewood Ranch?
We have some ideas for great family activities, and we invite you to check out our list of fun things to do in Lakewood Ranch, FL. When you’re ready to finalize all the details of your Florida trip, make sure you talk to us at Anchor Down Vacation Rentals. We can help you find the best place to stay depending on who in your family is coming and how long everyone is staying. (more…)
Welcome to Bradenton, Florida.
What are you going to do while you’re here?
Bradenton calls itself The Friendly City, and that’s pretty appropriate. You’ll make new friends, even if you’re only here for a day or two. We hope you stay longer, though, because there’s so much to do.
You’ll find Bradenton in Florida, on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The city is south of Tampa and St. Petersburg and just north of Sarasota. The city center is on the banks of the Manatee River, creating an ideal Riverwalk space that’s full of views, outdoor entertainment, and a perfect setting for outdoor events.
In Bradenton, you’ll find lots of art, gorgeous parks and green spaces, highly rated restaurants, and diverse opportunities for entertainment and recreation. You can go to the beach or do some shopping or explore a museum.
If you’re still putting together your own list of things to do when you visit Bradenton, we have some ideas we’d love to share with you. Check out some of the top activities in Bradenton available here. (more…)
What do you look for in a golf course? Are you impressed by setting, by scenery, by level of difficulty?
Maybe you’re an avid golfer with a competitive streak or a recreational player who simply enjoys the peace of a well-landscaped fairway. We like golf courses with personality. We look for good design, accessibility for every possible level of golfer, and a good use of environment and landscape. We appreciate smart holes and a natural setting.
In Florida, golf is a year-round activity. It’s one of the reasons so many people flock here in the winter months. Who doesn’t love a tee time in February?
We’re highlighting some of the best Lakewood Ranch golf courses today.
What makes Lakewood Ranch such a special place for golf?
It’s unique.
Lakewood Ranch is one of the most celebrated and sought-after master-planned communities in the country. It covers more than 30,000 acres and 50 miles outside of Sarasota, near Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coast. The multi-generational neighborhoods and 55+ communities provide a residential sanctuary that’s just minutes from shops, restaurants, entertainment, and recreation. Full-time residents and part-time visitors enjoy clubhouses, fitness centers, pools, pickleball, tennis, and miles of trails and parks.
There’s also a lot of golf.
There are five Lakewood Ranch golf courses in the community alone, and then visitors have another 82 golf courses to play that are less than half an hour from Lakewood Ranch, including 42 public courses, six municipal courses, four plantation courses, and 29 private courses.
Lots of options.
Let’s take a look at the golf courses you don’t want to miss when visiting Lakewood Ranch, Florida. (more…)
Lakewood Ranch is a bit of a marvel. Located just a few minutes from Sarasota, this master-planned community has just about everything you need, whether you’re visiting for a few days, staying for the season, or laying down roots in a more permanent fashion.
If you’ve never been to Lakewood Ranch, we invite you to visit. It’s easy to access from just about anywhere in Florida. You’ll find it off Interstate 75; a trip that won’t take more than 20 or 30 minutes from Sarasota or Bradenton. You can be here from Tampa in about an hour.
We’re going to tell you a little bit about this community, and then we’re going to offer 3 reasons to visit. There are actually dozens of good reasons to come and spend some time in Lakewood Ranch, but we’ll focus on three of the best reasons. You can discover the rest on your own. Exploring is half the fun. (more…)
If it’s been awhile since you explored downtown Bradenton, may we suggest that you re-acquaint yourself with the area?
It’s a lot of fun. You can stroll along the Riverwalk and take a peek at the history museum. There’s also an aquarium and a planetarium. Shows are always coming through the performing arts center, and you have the Manatee River right there in front of you. Explore the marina and start saving for your own boat. You can also visit art galleries, shop in unique and locally owned boutiques. On Main Street, you’ll find bars and breweries. Outdoor festivals can usually be found, including live music and entertainment.
Don’t forget there’s even baseball. The Pittsburgh Pirates have a spring training stadium in downtown Bradenton.
While you’re having all of this fun, you’re likely to get hungry.
With food in mind (food is always on our minds), we decided to put together a list of the 5 best restaurants in downtown Bradenton.
This list is of course subjective. We know that everyone has a different idea of what makes a great restaurant. In fact, we’d love to hear your favorites if you don’t see them on this list.
The next time you’re looking for a great place to eat, whether you’re local to Bradenton or visiting from out of town, try one of these spots. You won’t be sorry. (more…)
Few things are as fun as planning a vacation.
At least that’s the expectation. Vacation planning is exciting, but it’s also overwhelming. Lazy planning or a lack of planning can turn your high expectations into a nightmare. Reservations may not be made, the latest weather pattern might be missed, and you might find yourself completely disorganized when it comes to what you’re doing and where you’re going.
Don’t let your vacation spiral, especially if you’re lucky enough to be going on Anna Maria Island vacation.
It’s pretty hard to get stressed here. However, you want to make the most of your plans – so make sure your plans are in place.
We’re here to help. With a little bit of preparation and effort, you can have a better time in Anna Maria Island than you even thought possible. (more…)