Anna Maria Island Arts & Entertainment 
The main attractions on Anna Maria Island are the beautiful beaches and tropical weather. However, visitors can supplement their lazy days with shopping trips, strolls around the City Pier, and excursions to nearby Bradenton and Sarasota. Theater fans can take in a show by The Island Players, who put on a full season of comedies, mysteries and a special summer presentation of classic Shakespeare.
The Island Players With comedies as their main staple, The Island Players offer up thespian delights throughout the fall-to-spring theatre season, with a special presentation of classic Shakespeare each summer. www.home.earthlink.net/~islandplayers/ 10009 Gulf Drive . Bradenton Beach, FL . (941) 778-5755
Longboat Key Center for the Arts Budding artists young and old can test their skills with a brush at The Longboat Key Center for the Arts. Established in 1952, the center has become one of the state's premier facilities, providing studios for instruction and continually changing exhibits in three art galleries. The center also sponsors regular outdoor concerts featuring local budding musicians. www.lbkca.org 6860 Longboat Drive South . Longboat Key, FL 34228 . (941) 383-2345
Circus Sarasota The circus is an important part of Sarasota's legacy, so a performance by the city's resident big top is a definite must see. The European-style one ring show offers non-stop entertainment with unique acts including the Russian Cossack Riders and a Roman rings and aerial act. www.circussarasota.org (941) 355-9335
John and Mable Ringling Museum Complex Circus magnate John Ringling helped transform Sarasota into a cultural capital in the 1920's. Today his influence is still evident in the John and Mable Ringling Museum complex, affiliated with Florida State University. Stunning architecture and an expansive collection of works by baroque masters and American artists delight serious art aficionados. Innovative installations and object art help showcase the wall pieces by giving the viewer a sense of time and place. In addition, the estate encompasses Ca d'Zan (the recently restored 32-room Ringling mansion), the Circus Museum, Original Asolo theater, Rose Garden and beautifully landscaped grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay. www.ringling.org 5401 Bay Shore Road . Sarasota, FL 34243 . (941) 359-5700
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is the perfect place for gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers to check out orchids, ferns, bromelaids and heliconias. The garden's biggest claim to fame is that it has more epiphytes than any other exhibit or display in the nation. What's an epiphyte - you ask? A breed of flower that seems to grow out of thin air. Not excited by obscure horticulture? No worries - nine acres of walking paths guide you through scenic gardens full of hibiscus, wildflowers, banyans, and tropical fruit trees. www.selby.org 811 South Palm Avenue . Sarasota, FL 34236 . (941) 366-5731
Mote Aquarium/Sarasota Bay Explorers Cruise Mote Aquarium's informative exhibits portray underwater life in grass flats, rivers, and artificial reefs. The popular "touch tank" allows little visitors to get up close and personal with a variety of marine life while three working laboratories give budding scientists insight into the world of Mote's research projects. The brand new Sea Cinema allows theater-goers to experience life as a hungry shark, thanks to surround sound, a big screen and 3D objects. The Sarasota Bay Explorers Cruise, a fascinating extension of the aquarium, travels through the bay with a marine biologist on board to help passengers spot dolphins and manatees. A brief stop on an island rookery allows glimpses of pelicans, herons, ibises and egrets. www.mote.org 600 Ken Thompson Parkway . Sarasota, FL 34236 . (941) 388-4441
Myakka River State Park Florida's largest state park gives visitors a sense of what the state was like a hundred years ago. 29,000 acres of primal wilderness surrounding the Myakka River teem with alligators, vultures, and wild boars. Guided tours by foot, canoe, and kayak offer nature lovers an interesting look at wild cypress swamp, mangrove forests, and marshland. www.myakkariver.org 13207 State Road 72 . Sarasota, FL 34241. (941) 361-6511
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Arguably the crown jewel of Sarasota's contemporary arts scene, the landmark Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall welcomes a broad range of performers. Set along the waterfront, the stately venue hosts world-class symphonies, premier dance companies, jazz artists, pop legends, and Broadway shows. www.vanwezel.org 777 North Tamiami Trail . Sarasota, FL 34236 . (800) 826-9303 Anna Maria Fishing & Watersports  Three popular piers on Anna Maria Island give the rod 'n reel set plenty of places to try their luck. With 20-miles of beaches in the greater Bradenton area, and easy access to the Manatee River, Sarasota Bay, and Tampa Bay, Anna Maria is a playground for fishing and boating. Scuba, parasailing, windsurfing, jet skis, and waverunners are popular activities, and a variety of local outfitters supply rentals, classes, and guided excursions.
Dolphin Dreams Charters Captain Tom Chaya has been fishing Florida's Tampa Bay area for over 20 years. His local knowledge will allow you the opportunity to fish like a native. Captain Tom's specialty is light tackle sport fishing with live bait. He offers backwater/backcountry, flats, bay and offshore fishing charters on Florida's west coast. www.fishtampawaters.com (941) 778-4498
Severino Scuba Severino Scuba features open water dives from Anna Maria Island in the Gulf of Mexico. The company teaches PADI scuba diving classes, specializing in small class sizes, private lessons, tune-up classes and PADI referrals. Open Water classes through Divemaster, Enriched Air Nitrox, Underwater Photographer, Night Diver, Drift Diver and Equipment Specialist are available. www.severinoscuba.com (941) 721-4129
Aquarius Parasail & Sightseeing Tours Parasail with one of the area's most experienced captains over beautiful waters, and enjoy a tranquil and panoramic view of Siesta Key. One, two or three can fly together. Later, board the Fat Tuesday for sightseeing trips, sunset tours and dolphin watching. 1249 Stickney Point Road . Siesta Key, FL . (941) 346-3532
CB's ORVIS® Endorsed Saltwater Outfitters Fly and light-tackle angling for snook, redfish and speckled trout are year-round specialties at CB's. An employee favorite, this excursion provides fishing for tarpon mid-May through Mid-July, and snook at night around the lighted docks. Professional ORVIS® endorsed outfitter guides will take you through the back country of Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, or Boca Grande - all locations where the real prizes lay their stake. www.cbsoutfitters.com 1249 Stickney Point Road . Siesta Key, FL 34242 . (941) 349-4400
Longboat Key Fishing Charters Captain Clive Burgess' custom built 24-foot center console fishing boat offers a clean, dry, comfortable ride for up to 4 people. Fishing licenses, bait, tackle, and ice are all provided. Child-friendly backwater tours for fledgling anglers are their specialty. www.fishinglongboatkey.com 601St. Judes Drive . Longboat Key, FL 34228 . (941) 387-0136
Wolfmouth Charters Spend some time roaming the most beautiful and bountiful west coast of Florida with Captain Wayne. Customize your fishing experience, with options ranging from day or night excursions, Gulf or bay, cruising and dolphin tours, shelling tours, photo excursions, and more. With space for up to six people, sit back and relax on the soft ride out to the hot fishing spots on their 28' power catamaran. Captain Wayne's motto is "we go where the fish feed like wolves" and promises a memorable experience. Wolfmouth comes fully equipped with the latest navigational, communication and safety features. www.wolfmouthcharters.com 4120 Gulf Drive . Longboat Key, FL 34228 . (941) 755-1632 Anna Maria Island Golfing  Anna Maria Island's resident golfers enjoy an easy commute to a wealth of fine courses in both Bradenton and Sarasota. Bradenton's courses garner regular awards from Golf Digest and Golf Magazine, thanks to world-famous architects, impeccably manicured greens, and state-of-the-art facilities. Sarasota gets similar critical raves, and boasts over 30 courses, from fine public facilities to upscale semi-private golf communities, and posh private clubs.
Bobby Jones Golf Complex This municipal facility boasts two regulation eighteen hole courses and a nine hole executive course. The American Course, designed in 1963 by R. Albert Anderson, and redesigned by Ron Garl in 1988, is a tricky circuit with water and trees coming into play on most holes. The British Course is a bit more forgiving, but still shakes things up with a healthy serving of sand bunkers. Trivia fans relish the fact that in 1940 the British course hosted the longest playoff in PGA Tour history, between Otto Hackbarth and Jock Hutchinson. www.bobbyjonesgolfclub.com 1000 Circus Boulevard . Sarasota, FL 34232 . (941) 955-8097
Foxfire Golf Club Foxfire gets regular accolades as one of Florida's top public golf courses, and prides itself on its "member for a day" private club-style service and impeccably manicured grounds. Foxfire's three nine hole courses are played in three eighteen hole combinations, with an emphasis on challenging narrow fairways and small greens. Water hazards and trees come into play on numerous holes. Amenities include a full-service restaurant and lounge, and a comprehensive practice facility. 7200 Proctor Road . Sarasota, FL 34241 . (941) 921-7757
Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood Ranch This award-winning Arnold Palmer-designed course, managed by Troon Golf, has quickly earned its reputation as one of the premier courses in Southwest Florida. The well-maintained 18-hole championship course features elevated multiple tees, and most holes are lined with sand and water. The 360-foot wide fairways on all corridors give the course a very dramatic look. Golf Digest lists the Legacy as one of its "Best Places to Play," and the readers of the magazine give it four-and-a-half stars. www.legacygolfclub.com 8255 Legacy Boulevard . Bradenton, FL 34202 . (941) 907-7067
Oak Ford Golf Club The Oak Ford slogan touts that the club is "a little out of the way, a lot out of the ordinary." Only 20 minutes from downtown Sarasota, the club is nestled in a 850-acre wildlife preserve. It winds through live oaks and grove lands, and attracts an abundance indigenous South Florida birds and beasts, including deer, boar, and bobcats. The courses offer seasoned and weekend players a challenge , with numerous water hazards, small greens, and narrow corridors. www.oakfordgolfclub.com 1552 Palm View Road . Sarasota, FL 34240 . (941) 371-3680
The River Club For the discriminating golfer who prefers a challenge, this Ron Garl-designed 18-hole championship course is as vexing as it is beautiful. Not your typical Florida course, the front nine has rolling fairways with plenty of mounding; the back nun winds through dense woods with undulating greens. This course was cut out of a jungle, creating a challenging environment for both the average and experienced player. The fairways are wide open tough, and the greens are undulating and putt true. www.riverclubgc.com 6600 River Club Boulevard . Bradenton, FL 34202 . (941) 751-4211
Waterlefe® Golf & River Club Nestled on a beautiful section of the Manatee River, complete with wide expanses of pristine marshes, the Waterlefe features gently sloped greens and the newest Tiff Eagle Bermuda grass. Designed by Ted McAnlis, the course protects its surrounding natural environment, giving it a unique character. Don't be surprised if on the 15th tee you spot a family of manatees poking noses up for a breath of air. Five sets of trees for each hole allow golfers to customize their games, and the full-service grill and barr allow them to talk it all over at the end of the day. www.waterlefegolfandriverclub.com 1022 Fish Hook Cove . Bradenton, FL 34212 . (941) 744-9771 Anna Maria Island Spa & Wellness 
Luxury resort spas on Anna Maria Island offer high-tech fitness centers, decadent spa treatments, and beach front yoga classes. Beauty buffs looking for pampering at a fraction of the cost can take advantage of a variety of gyms, day spas and salons in the area. Ana Molinari Salon and Spa The Ana Molinari Salon and Spa is popular with the scores of bridal parties that flock to the Longboat Key area for beach weddings. Manicures, pedicures, and a full menu of hair cuts and colors help brides and their supporting casts get glammed up for the big day. www.anamolinari.com 201 Gulf of Mexico Drive . Suite #10 . Longboat Key, FL 34228 . (877) 262-7722
Plumeria Day Spa Located on the Bridgewalk Resort on Anna Maria Island, this day spa and salon offers visitors a full menu of massage therapy, body treatments, and services for skin, hair, and nails. The Plumeria Grande package includes a 60-minute massage session, facial, manicure, spa pedicure, spa gift and lunch. 110 Bridge Street . Bradenton Beach, FL 34217 . (941) 782-1123
SpaRenity - A Day Spa & Wellness Center Beauty buffs can choose from the spa's menu of skin care, body care, and massage treatments. Next door, the Wellness Center is helmed by a licensed physician an offers visitors vitamin therapy, acupuncture, and treatment for back and neck pain. www.sparenity.net 810 53rd Avenue West . Bradenton, FL 34207 . (941) 727-7711 |
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