Anna Maria Island is a great choice for your next family vacation. The slow pace of life on the island is perfect for leaving your worries behind and simply relaxing with the ones you love most. Take this opportunity to leave your phones and screens behind and truly connect with nature!
On Anna Maria Island, there’s some seriously beautiful nature to be discovered. No matter how you want to get outside, you should take the time to embark on an adventure on some of the stunning trails in Anna Maria Island! Best of all, any trail you choose is just a few minutes away from our vacation rentals in Anna Maria Island, so you can get out the door in a hurry!
Exploring Anna Maria Island
The first thing to keep in mind before hitting one of these Anna Maria Island trails is that there are tons of different ways to explore. Pick a method that you and your family can actually enjoy! Many people choose to simply walk or hike along the trails, taking their time to observe the beautiful nature on foot. However, some people might prefer to bike, and that’s great, too! Cycling is a cheap and eco-friendly way to get around the island and explore all the beautiful trails in the area.
For something a bit more unique, consider riding a scooter! You can rent a scooter from several convenient businesses on the island, letting you get around in an exhilarating way. If you’re wanting to reach a trail that’s a bit further away, hop on the free Anna Maria Island trolley to navigate the island with ease! Finally, you can reach any destination on the island thanks to the free Monkey Bus service, which offers “Rides for Tips” and can accommodate up to 16 people! Just be sure to call them if you want to take advantage of this service, since they don’t do regular stops around the island like the trolley does.
Places to Explore on AMI
Now that you know how you can explore the island, where should you go? There are all kinds of exciting Anna Maria Island activities and trails around the area, so be sure to try one (or go for them all!) while you’re in town.
Head to the southern end of Anna Maria Island to experience Coquina Beach and the easily accessible Coquina Beach Bike Path. This multi-use trail gives you a stunning view of the water while also taking you past some of the island’s most popular shops and restaurants. Since this is a multi-use trail, you’re not simply restricted to biking here; it’s totally fine if you’d rather just walk along the trails! Either way, you’ll get to feel the ocean breeze and view some truly breathtaking wildlife along the way.
Coquina Beach is located in the city of Bradenton Beach, where there are even more family-friendly trails to explore. All in all, Bradenton Beach has more than 5 miles of paths and lanes that you can explore! The majority of the paths take you down Gulf Drive, which is the main thoroughfare on the island. You can travel along these paths to reach various shops and restaurants or even make your way over to Longboat Key via the Longboat Pass Bridge. Pedestrians and bicyclists are both more than welcome on these trails.
To truly get a glimpse of the most beautiful nature in Florida, take a quick journey onto the mainland into the city of Bradenton (not to be confused with Bradenton Beach on the island). Here, you’ll find Robinson Preserve, with nearly 700 acres of nature for you to explore! There are some trails in this facility that are specifically reserved for pedestrians, while some trails are open to cyclists as well. While you’re here, you can also head into the Valentine House visitor center and the brand-new “Expansion” section to learn more about the incredible wildlife and experience hands-on exhibits that kids and adults alike are sure to love!
Lake Manatee State Park offers a similar experience to Robinson Preserve, but this destination is slightly more underrated (less crowded!). Come as a pedestrian or on your bike to discover this amazing park, offering both paved trails and off-road cycling opportunities. Of course, hiking is a popular activity here as well, with more than 600 acres for the area’s most interesting wildlife to run around. You can actually spend an entire day in this incredible location while you swim, kayak, picnic, fish, or any other outdoor activity that might interest you!
Finally, return back to Anna Maria Island and head to the northern side to experience the paths along Pine Avenue! This vital shopping strip in the city of Anna Maria is wonderful for cycling or walking along to discover the quaint boutiques and shops. There’s a little something for everyone here, from the antique stores to the food shops, art gallery, hairdresser, and even a spa just for dogs! Walking through Pine Avenue is truly like taking a step back in time, and it’s the perfect way to get outside with the ones you love most.
Bike Rentals
We know what you’re thinking: “I want to explore these trails and all the other fun family friendly things to do in Anna Maria Island, but I don’t want to lug my bike all the way to the island from home!” Good news: you don’t have to! There are several convenient rental companies on the island that make it easy for you and your entire family to rent bikes and any other equipment you might need during your stay.
Anna Maria Vacation proudly recommends their premiere partner AMI Adventure Rentals, offering bikes and safety equipment for both kids and adults. You can also come here for a wide range of other equipment rentals like beach chairs, paddleboards, baby items, and more!
Plan Your Next Stay
Feel free to contact our staff at any time to learn more about all of our Anna Maria Island Vacation Rentals and to decide which one is best for you! Well, what are you waiting for? Reach out today to book your stay!
Book Your Anna Maria Island Rental
As you can see, there’s so much to discover on your next trip to Anna Maria Island. But after a long day of being out in the sunshine and seeing some of the most incredible nature of Florida, you’re bound to be exhausted! Once the sun starts to go down, pack up your things and grab dinner before heading back to one of our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals. We offer luxurious properties at affordable prices, perfect for enjoying a getaway with the ones you love most.
Our family-friendly rentals in Anna Maria Island are scattered throughout AMI, so no matter which of the island’s three cities you want to stay in, we’ve got an option for you! We even offer specialty properties such as our incredible Gulf view units or our popular pet-friendly accommodations. No matter how much you want to spend, how many people you’re bringing, or how long you plan to stay, we’ve got you covered. We’ve got tons of properties to choose from, and we know it might be overwhelming to make a decision.
