r/AnnaMariaIsland

Hi! I have never visited AMI or Longboat Key. My mom mentioned them as a potential for a late August vacay. I started researching AMI - AM and Holmes area and looking for rentals. Then my mom mentioned she really heard Longboat Key was the place to go etc etc., that they are 20 min apart and all together/similar. My husband and I started researching and found a few videos that seem to make Longboat Key seem a bit farther. The video also made it sound sort of desolate?? Like the food and restaurants and stuff are more towards AMI?

Which area would be best for a 3 and 1 year old who also have a fancy grandma? 😅🤣 Which has better beaches? Do any have less sargassum or preferable beaches for littles? Is there any info we are missing? She believes Longboat is more quaint and cute town? I feel like she’s imagining Seaside vs Destin - and I can’t tell online if that’s true? AMI seems cuter?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

We are trying to figure out if we rent a car at the Airport (Sarasota) or do we uber to VRBO at north end of AMI then rent a golf cart for our 3 day stay (really 5 day but day 1 and 5 are travel days).

We would like to go to beaches, bars, restaurants and may want to go to LBK for a restaurant one night but haven't looked into all that yet.

Golf carts seem like a fun way to get around but unsure if car would just be more practical.

Thoughts?

Hi all! just finished my semester and flying out to Anna maria tomorrow morning. I am there for a few days. I plan to just uber to my airbnb (north end of island) and CHILL. If anyone wants to let me know of the best, quietest, bluest water beach areas, I would love that ( i wont tell anyone ) Also need to know the BEST coffee / food recommendations. I am vegetarian so bonus points if they have good veg options. I love italian but eat pretty healthy otherwise, although I do see there is a donut shop right by my airbnb! 😄 I do not plan on renting a golf cart / car so will walk where I can. I read there may be a bus that goes up and down the island? Anything else I should do? I plan on just bringing a towel and laying on the beach / eating a ton. Bringing a book and just need to relax. Open to hearing everyone's fave spots.

I'm coming in July and trying to save money, especially with high gas prices. I'm flying into Sarasota and thought I'd take an Uber from and to the airport, then just use the trolley to reach other parts of the island. This will be our 4th time here and we normally rent a car, but we're planning to eat at our place more often than eating out and don't have many set plans. Any arguments against using the trolley only?

Hi! My wife and I are visiting this summer, and we have been told getting rides to and from the airport can be a real pain. Does anyone have any experience with this or recommendations? Would we have any issues getting an uber or Lyft, even if it’s a little pricey? Thank you!!

Hello, I am looking for the best upscale restaurant to celebrate a surprise 50th birthday on AMI. Would love a view and a semi-private area. For about ten people. Thanks in advance!

Anywhere I rent an actual road bike instead of a cruiser? Will in town next week and would like to get in a proper ride. I could live with a beach cruiser but would be pumped if I could find a proper road bike.

Hey! My husband and I will be there for our anniversary and I would like to go eat at a nice but also semi- kid friendly place. Not geared towards kids but nobody is going to look at us funny for a 5 pm dinner with a 2 and 5 year old. Also have reservations for the porch another day, they have a kids menu so I assume they are okay with kids there 😂 figured I would check with people though.

Taking my husband to Anna Maria for his 40th birthday! Also our toddlers first real beach experience. I want to make it so special! What are absolute musts while we’re here?! And for his birthday dinner, where should we go? I’ve been torn between Sandbar because I heard the views are awesome and Waterfront because of the food 😭 We’re from ETX, so the beach views may win but what do the locals say?!

Wondering if any stores here carry billa bong! Thanks