Anna Maria Island, Florida

• What is Bean Point?
  • Bean Point is a historic site that preserves the former homestead of George Emerson Bean, the founder of Anna Maria Island.
• Who was George Emerson Bean?
  • George Emerson Bean established his 160-acre estate at Bean Point in 1892. He was responsible for developing many of the city's homes, businesses, and streets and is recognized as the founder of its water system.
• Why is Bean Point a popular attraction?
  • Bean Point is known as one of the island’s most beautiful, scenic, and secluded private beachfront areas, offering an alternative to more crowded public beaches on the island.
• What activities can visitors enjoy at Bean Point?
  • Visitors can explore the beautiful beachfront scenery, enjoy nature photography, and spot native wildlife, including marine life.
• Are there parking facilities at Bean Point?
  • No designated parking lot facilities are available. However, limited street parking can be found nearby on Jacaranda Road and Fern Street.

• What is Coquina Baywalk?
  • Coquina Baywalk is one of the top free attractions in the Bradenton Beach region, located along the southern end of Anna Maria Island at Leffis Key.
• What does Coquina Baywalk protect?
  • The baywalk nature preserve protects 30 acres of restored natural habitat at Leffis Key, offering visitors a chance to explore the area via a mile-long wooden boardwalk.
• What is the history of habitat restoration at Leffis Key?
  • The native Floridian wildlife habitat was damaged due to dredging of the Intracoastal Waterways in the mid-20th century, which led to the invasion of non-native species and seagrass bed destruction.
  • Since the 1980s, efforts have successfully restored wetlands, mangroves, and seagrass areas, creating a safe habitat for local wildlife.
• What wildlife can be seen at Coquina Baywalk?
  • Visitors may spot crabs, hawks, stingrays, herons, egrets, and pelicans within the protected habitat.
• What native plant species are found in the area?
  • Native plant species include Jamaican dogwood, sea oats, southern red cedars, and dune sunflowers.
• Are there educational resources along the baywalk?
  • Yes, interpretive signs along the baywalk provide details about the local flora and fauna found in the habitat.

2651 Gulf Dr S, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217

• What is the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum?
  • The Anna Maria Island Historical Museum is dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the Anna Maria Island region, housed in a historic 1920s ice house.
• When did the museum open?
  • The museum opened to the public in 1992 under the operation of the Anna Maria Historical Society.
• Is there an admission fee?
  • No, the museum is free to the public year-round, except for its closure during September.
• What exhibits are featured at the museum?
  • Exhibits include a recreation of a 1920s-era jail, which serves as a unique photo opportunity.
  • Other collections showcase artifacts related to the island’s history as an indigenous fishing camp, a baseball player wintering site, and information about its native plant life.
• Are there activities for children?
  • Yes, the museum offers scavenger hunt packets to entertain young visitors as they search for unique artifacts in the exhibits.
• Where is the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum located?
  • 402 Pine Ave, Anna Maria, FL 34216
    Phone: 941-778-0492

• What is the Island Players Community Theatre?
  • The Island Players Community Theatre is Manatee County's oldest community theater organization, originally founded and opened to the public on Anna Maria Island in 1949.
• Where is the theater housed?
  • The theater is located within the converted family home of William H. Gillette, originally built around 1912. Over the years, the building has also served as a church, school classroom, and tourist information center.
• When was the building renovated?
  • In the mid-1970s, the theater acquired the historic landmark building and completed major renovations to bring it up to current code conditions.
• What types of performances are held at the theater?
  • The theater presents five annual theatrical productions, featuring Broadway-style musicals, dramas, and comedies.
• Is the theater involved in any local arts events?
  • Yes, one annual production is showcased as part of the island's artsHOP celebration.
• Where is the Island Players Community Theatre located?
  • 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, Florida 34216
    Phone: 941-778-5755

• What is the Anna Maria Historic Green Village?
  • The Anna Maria Historic Green Village is a collection of environmentally-friendly buildings located in the historic downtown district of Anna Maria Island.
• What makes the Historic Green Village unique?
  • It is one of fewer than 100 locations worldwide to have achieved the prestigious Platinum LEED certification, the highest possible environmentally-friendly certification for modern buildings and community areas.
• Where is the Historic Green Village located?
  • The village is situated on the city's main street, Pine Avenue, in the heart of historic Anna Maria.
• What historic buildings are part of the village?
  • Notable historic buildings within the district include:
    • Rosedale Cottage
    • Sears Cottage
    • Pilsbury Home
    • Thelma By the Sea
• What attractions are available at the Historic Green Village?
  • The village is home to various attractions, including:
    • An art gallery
    • A village bakery
    • A fishing and kayaking outfitters store
    • A performance apparel retailer

Activities and Attractions for Couples:

• What is The Center of Anna Maria Island?
  • The Center of Anna Maria Island is a nonprofit community center located in the island's historic downtown district, offering recreational and educational programs for visitors and residents of all ages.
• What services does the center provide?
  • The center functions as a youth/teen center, senior center, fitness center, and recreational center. It also serves as a disaster shelter during hurricanes.
• What types of fitness and wellness programs are available?
  • The center offers a variety of fitness and wellness classes, including:
    • Yoga
    • Pilates
    • Tai chi
    • Cycling
    • Meditation
• Are there sports facilities available?
  • Yes, visitors can use tennis and pickleball courts as well as multipurpose outdoor sporting courts.
• What children's programs are offered?
  • The center provides theater, music, art, and sports camps, along with after-school programs.
• What adult and senior programs are available?
  • Adults and seniors can participate in ballet, karate, and courses through the Lifelong Learning Academy.
• What annual public events does the center host?
  • The center hosts several annual events, including:
    • A golf tournament
    • A family fun day
    • A murder mystery performance

407 Magnolia Avenue, PO Box 253, Anna Maria, FL 34216, Phone: 941-778-1908

• What is AMI Charters?
  • AMI Charters offers a variety of private fishing and boating charters, owned and operated by regional resident Captain Scott.
• What types of fishing excursions are available?
  • The company offers half-day, three-quarter-day, and full-day fishing excursions for inshore and nearshore fishing.
  • Deep sea fishing trips are also available for half-day and three-quarter-day excursions.
• What fish species can be caught on inshore and nearshore trips?
  • Participants may catch species such as pompano, trout, redfish, tarpon, snook, and a variety of shark species.
• What fish species can be caught on deep sea fishing trips?
  • Deep sea fishing excursions offer opportunities to catch hogfish, grouper, snapper, and kingfish.
• Are there other tour options available?
  • Yes, AMI Charters also offers:
    • A nighttime dock light fly fishing trip
    • Family eco-tours
    • Sunset cruises
• Are the charters safe and reliable?
  • Yes, all charters are operated on clean, well-maintained, safety-inspected boats, led by a licensed and insured captain.
• How can I contact AMI Charters?
  • Phone: 941-348-2035

• What is Salty Buddha Paddle and Yoga Co.?
  • Salty Buddha Paddle and Yoga Co. is a stand-up paddleboarding lesson company and yoga studio, owned and operated by island native Rachael Croll since 2016.
• What type of paddleboarding courses are offered?
  • The company specializes in stand-up paddleboard yoga, practiced in calm waters when wind conditions are safe and sheltered.
• Is paddleboard yoga difficult for beginners?
  • Many participants find stand-up paddleboard yoga surprisingly easy to balance on the water, making it accessible for beginners.
• What equipment is used for paddleboard yoga?
  • The company owns a fleet of Glide Lotus yoga paddleboards, specifically designed for stability and balance during yoga practice.
• Are there different types of yoga classes available?
  • Yes, in addition to weekly paddleboard yoga courses, the company offers a monthly sunset yoga class and children's paddling camps.
• Does Salty Buddha have an indoor yoga studio?
  • Yes, the company features an indoor yoga studio with intimate lighting and a Himalayan salt wall to create a calming ambiance for traditional yoga classes.

• What is Ginny's and Jane E's Cafe and Coastal Store?
  • Ginny's and Jane E's Cafe and Coastal Store is a combination cafe, coffee shop, ice cream bar, and vintage store, housed in an old village grocery store on Anna Maria Island.
• What kind of unique goods does the store sell?
  • The store offers a variety of local art pieces, antiques, home goods, including furniture, lamps, and handmade beach jewelry.
  • Travelers can also find one-of-a-kind island postcards.
• Are beach supplies available for purchase?
  • Yes, the store sells suntan lotion, flip-flops, sunglasses, and other beach essentials.
• What kind of coffee and beverages are served?
  • The cafe offers a variety of espresso-based drinks, including:
    • Lattes
    • Cappuccinos
    • Italian-style macchiatos
    Customers can choose from different milk and flavor options.
  • Hot teas, smoothies, and cold drinks are also available.
• What food options are available?
  • The cafe serves decadent baked goods and muffins daily.
  • For lunch and dinner, diners can choose from sandwiches, salads, and sides like fries or chips.
• Where is Ginny's and Jane E's Cafe and Coastal Store located?
  • 9807 Gulf Dr, Anna Maria, FL 34216
    Phone: 941-778-3170