Now that it’s finally summertime, families from around the country are looking for a fun place to go on their summer vacation. Why not consider a trip down to Anna Maria Island? The seaside paradise is just off the coast of Florida near Bradenton and Sarasota, providing a relaxing location for you to leave your worries behind and reconnect with your loved ones.
When you’re staying in one of our vacation rentals on Anna Maria Island, you’re probably looking for fun things to do around the area. Thankfully, Anna Maria Island is not far away from some incredible day trips, including to the nearby fishing village of Cortez. There are tons of fun family-friendly things to do here, but while you’re in town, be sure not to miss out on the Florida Maritime Museum. It’s an attraction that guests of all ages are sure to love!
What is the Florida Maritime Museum?
The Florida Maritime Museum is an incredible resource that teaches locals and visitors alike about the history of commercial fishing in the area. The museum is located inside a historic 1912 schoolhouse located on the Cortez Nature Preserve, where history is indeed brought to life. With so much to see and do here, it’s no wonder that the Florida Maritime Museum is considered one of the best family-friendly activities on Anna Maria Island!
Exhibits
The Florida Maritime Museum is full of exciting exhibits, but one of the most interesting is the Blake Banks Collection. The Blake Banks Collection is named for Captain Blake Banks, who spent years as a ship captain sailing all over the Gulf of Mexico. During that time, he collected a wide range of seashells on display at the museum. This exhibit is a great way to learn about their shells in the Anna Maria Island area and about a variety of shells from around the coastline.
You can also visit the Florida Maritime Museum to see some breathtaking model ships. The ships give you an incredibly detailed look at some of the boats that sailors and anglers may have used over the years. You’ll not only see the boats, but you can also learn the fascinating details behind each boat’s unique design and how they played a role in Florida’s maritime history.
Finally, the Florida Maritime Museum has an interesting library of books related to Florida’s maritime history and the state’s history in general. The books cover a little bit of everything, from folk tales from the early days of the Sunshine State to nautical charts and boat plans. If you’re looking for a specific book or have questions about anything you see in the library, ask a helpful staff member!
Education
When you’re searching for Anna Maria Island kid-friendly activities, you want to find something that is both fun and educational. The Florida Maritime Museum is both! You’ll first want to learn about Pip the Pelican, born in the mangroves around Cortez Kitchen. Pip now lives in the Florida Maritime Museum but can sometimes be found by the docks. Pip is a beautiful Brown Pelican that you can meet for yourself, and the staff of the museum will be more than happy to teach you all about him.
We already talked about the museum a little bit, but it is truly one of the best educational resources in the area. You can learn about the history of this area from back to the beginning when only Native Americans knew about this section of Florida. The museum is always on the lookout for new and exciting books about Florida’s maritime history, which means you can come back again and again with the hopes of finding something new!
But you don’t just have to visit the Florida Maritime Museum in person to benefit from their educational resources. They also offer a wide range of digital resources for you to access anywhere! First, the blog on their website holds fascinating articles about everything from the role of coral reefs to understanding ocean currents to a feature on Captain Blake Banks and more. They also have a digital exhibit dedicated to the Cuban Ranchos, who spent nearly a century developing relationships throughout the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Upcoming Events and Classes
In addition to the permanent exhibits that can be found at the Florida Maritime Museum, this establishment also holds a wide range of events and classes throughout the year. Their on-site lecture series is always free to attend and brings in an instructor or guest lecturer to teach you about a specific topic relating to Florida’s maritime history. They also will occasionally hold off-site lectures throughout Manatee County. Additionally, you can find several recorded lectures available to watch on their website.
The Florida Maritime Museum also holds fun classes that kids and adults alike are sure to enjoy. These classes provide a hands-on experience to truly get you interested in the unique history of the area. Topics for classes may vary, so contact the museum or visit their website to see what’s going on when you will be in town. Many courses require you to register in advance, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Hours of Operation
The Florida Maritime Museum is located at 4415 119th Street West in Cortez. Starting on June 2, 2021, they will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The museum will be closed each day from noon until 1:00 p.m for lunch.
Admission into the Florida Maritime Museum is completely free, but they do appreciate any donations you can provide. Keep in mind that while you walk through the museum, you cannot have food or drink or use flash photography. Finally, no animals are written inside except for trained service animals.
Plan Your Next Stay
We know that vacation should be a time of relaxation, which is why we do everything to make sure your trip is an unforgettable one! Contact us today to get started planning your getaway to Anna Maria Island.
Where to Stay
The Florida Maritime Museum and all the fun activities on Cortez are just a few of the things you can experience with your family on your next vacation to Anna Maria Island. You can also find unique shops and restaurants along Pine Avenue or Bridge Street, splash around in the water or see beautiful nature at Manatee Public Beach or Coquina Beach, hop on the Anna Maria Island trolley to get around the island and enjoy delicious fresh seafood at any one of the local restaurants.
But before you can start planning all the fun things you’re going to do on your trip, you’ll need a place to stay! We are proud to be your premier resource for Anna Maria Island vacation rentals, no matter how long you want to visit or how many people are in your group. Our staff is standing by to help you decide which of our numerous vacation rentals is suitable for your family.
