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.
5 Reasons Why You Should Take A Solo Trip to Bradenton
Over the last couple of years, there has been a significant increase in tourists visiting Anna Maria Island, Florida.
As someone interested in visiting this place, here are a few reasons why you should consider doing it alone:
1. To Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
Traveling by yourself provides a much-needed nudge and makes you accommodate the new surroundings. Going to unknown places and destinations like Bradenton and Anna Maria Island will help you better understand yourself and allow you to interact with new people.
It will push you to get out of the boundaries of your home or other areas you are comfortable with. Only by visiting this location and experiencing its rich culture can you discover new things in and around you.
Communicating with the locals may be difficult since you do not yet know the lay of the land. But as you try your best to expand your knowledge and vocabulary, you will overcome more obstacles and grow exponentially.
2. To Make New Friends
While traveling alone, you do not have any companions you bring from home. After a point, you may feel compelled to interact with strangers, fellow travelers and locals. Usually, locals from any place are fascinated with solo travelers and can provide support and become quality friends. There is also much to learn about different people and their way of life.
3. To Build New Experiences
Your experiences matter the most when you travel alone, especially when you come to a place like Bradenton and Anna Maria Island. The islands are known for slow Florida feel they provide. You can explore the exciting places it offers and reflect on all the new things you got an opportunity to learn. Knowing that you can travel alone and enjoy your company is a liberating experience.
4. To Boost Your Self-Confidence
Many people do not like traveling alone because they feel lonely. Traveling alone requires you to make your own decision, face all challenges along the way by yourself and plan a trip you will enjoy. Making these calls can help you become more decisive, assertive, and confident, thus boosting your self-confidence.
5. To Get an Immersive Experience
The best part of traveling alone is focusing only on yourself and the things you want to do. You can easily do things that you will enjoy without any compromise or disagreements. Additionally, people say that when you travel by yourself, you have a heightened awareness of your surroundings. It ensures that you are entirely into the trip and are experiencing a rich and rewarding experience.
Why Choose Bradenton and Anna Maria Island as Your Next Vacation Destinations?
Now that you know why you should not wait for anyone else and travel alone, let us tell you why you choose Bradenton and Anna Maria Island. This island is situated on the west coast of Florida. Bradenton Beach lies on the island’s south end, while Anna Maria lies on the north side of the seven-mile-long island. The Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay surround the island with several bustling towns. This Florida region’s rich and diverse culture makes it the best choice to spend a vacation.
Here are some additional reasons why you should come here:
1. Scenic Beaches
Bradenton has the best white sand beaches, and along with Anna Maria Island, people hail it as one of the most scenic destinations. Its plethora of beaches is the perfect place to bask in the sun or indulge in water sports and activities to experience the complete feel of the area. The waves in this area are also gentle and provide a serene experience for those swimming.
Since it is an island, this region has plenty of beaches. Apart from Bradenton beach, you can also relax at Coquina Beach, Cortez Beach near the Bridge Street Historic Area, Manatee Public Beach, Holmes Beach, Bayfront Park Public Beach and more.
2. Picturesque Sunsets
Another thing that Bradenton and Anna Maria Island are known for is their picturesque sunsets. The colors of this island are hard to beat, and each sunrise and sunset is unique. Many visitors who stay in rentals near the beach can vouch for this. You can frequent all popular hangouts and restaurants by the shore to enjoy the view.
3. Laidback Life
The island is known for its “Old Florida” charm and culture. The locals are very protective of their culture and do not get consumed by modern developments. It ensures that the island’s features stay intact and provide every visitor with an authentic and unique experience.
4. Outdoor Adventures
Since the island is biologically diverse, many travelers partake in outdoor adventures. The most popular ones are dolphin boat tours, flyboarding, kayaking through protected areas, swimming at beaches, biking, snorkeling, paddle boarding, parasailing, hiking and much more. If you are a fun-loving and adventurous person, traveling alone to Anna Maria Island will be filled with merriment and new experiences.
The region is also rich in history, with a museum and jail open for visitors. You can visit the Historical Society Museum on Pine Avenue, where you can learn about the island and its history. You can also visit the Anna Maria Jail, an open-air jailhouse built in 1927.
5. Exquisite Food
The highlight of any place you travel to is its food. Many travelers love to experiment with local cuisines, and Anna Maria Islands excel at seafood and other local delights. The region has multiple casual hangouts, fast-food joints and restaurants that provide you with a view and an extensive menu. Dishes like Seafood Gumbo and Seafood Pasta are some must-haves when visiting the island.
If you are someone who wants to enjoy cooking for yourself, you can easily do that here. You can find the freshest seafood caught by local fishermen for sale in local grocery stores, farmer’s markets or piers. Locally caught seafood includes Florida lobsters, Mahi, shrimp, stone crab, flounder, snapper and mackerel, among others.
6. Easy To Get Around
Anna Maria is approximately 7 miles long, so tourists prefer to walk from place to place. If you do not want to walk, you can take bikes or Segways, whichever makes you feel comfortable. There are multiple tourist attractions and monuments like Anna Maria City Pier, Bradenton Beach Pier, Coquina Baywalk and others.
Now that we have covered the land, you can explore the island from the water. You can kayak or jet-ski across the island’s shore to experience the full beauty of the ocean.
7. Easy Access
Since the demand for tourism is high in the area, the island is easily accessible by flights from over the country. Airlines in this area may be busier during the summer as it is the peak season for tourism. If you are planning on getting to Anna Maria Island, you can fly to Tampa (TPA), following which you can rent a car and embark on a 50-minute drive.
The other option is to fly to Sarasota/ Bradenton Airport (SRQ), which will likely be a 15-minute drive to your rental home in Anna Maria Islands. Other airports that provide access to this area are St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, which is an hour away from the island, and Orlando International Airport, which is 2 hours away.
Once you have reached the island, you can explore it using other readily available transport options. You can use Uber or taxis, rent a car or walk from one place to another.
8. Spacious Vacation Rentals
The island provides affordable boarding, especially for solo travelers. You’ll find spacious and welcoming Anna Maria Island house rentals with multiple features like pet-friendly homes, private pools, proximity to the beach, and access to top-rated restaurants in the area, spas and local markets.
At Anchor Down Vacation Rentals, we provide you with spacious vacation rentals to elevate your holiday experience. We have a “No Worry Guest Guarantee” that ensures your stay is comfortable from reservation to checkout. We strive to provide all that with us, ensuring you experience the local magic.
If you are considering traveling alone to Bradenton and Anna Maria Island for its beaches, ambiance and history, reside with us. Get in touch with us at Anchor Down Vacation Rentals for more information.