G. T. Bray Park is a large park in Bradenton, Fl

G.T. Bray Park located in Bradenton, Fl has something for everyone.  You can walk tree rimmed paths, swing on the swing in one of the three playgrounds, swim and play in the water fountains or take your dog to the very safe enclosed dog park.

If you are looking to have a larger event while visiting Bradenton or Anna Maria Island then G.T. Bray Park could be your perfect ticket.  The Bradenton park has seven pavilions (Picnic Shelters.)  Of course sizes vary.  If you refer to the map below the numbers here correlate to those on the GT Bray park map.  (1)Cedar Hammock (2) Oak Knoll (3) Hickory Hollow (4) Meadow View (5) Woodland Grove (6) Whispering Pine (7) Bright Outlook – located adjacent to the Activity Center.  For information on availability of the picnic pavilions call (941) 742-5974.

The dog park is called happy tails and is a perfect treat for pet visitors to Anna Maria Island.  Happy Tails Canine Park is a fenced in, 3-acre off leash dog park located at the North East corner of G.T. Bray Bradenton park.  Happy Tails is just off 51st Street West. Amenities at the dog park includes one drinking fountain and free waste bags and a enclosed separate area exclusively for small, fragile, or elderly dogs.

This Bradenton park is a great place to relax or play soccer, softball or football in one of their many open fields.  Tennis and racquetball  courts are available year round.  There is a weight room available for a fee.  Skate and hockey court is also just one of the great amenities the Bradenton park has to offer.  The skate park is located at G.T. Bray Park, 5502 33rd Avenue Drive West, Bradenton, Fl, 34209.

Depending on the time of year you are visiting the beaches of Anna Maria Island, you can find many family friendly events for children all  year long.  The Christmas party is a must see, Santa Claus flies in on a helicopter with Batman to give the children their opportunity to tell him what they want for Christmas and have their photos taken.  The holiday celebration is perfect for families of all ages, face painting, bounce houses, games, crafts, etc.  Easter is when they have the largest Easter egg hunt I have ever seen!  The G.T. Park staff fill and lay out thousands of eggs.  Imagine three baseball outfields covered in plastic Easter

eggs!  These are just a few holiday events that the G.T. Bray park has to offer.

G.T. Bray Park
5502 33rd Avenue Drive West
Bradenton, Florida
(941) 742-5923

Robinson Preserve Information

If your family is looking for something adventurous and would enjoy a bike-ride on newly-paved trails, a walk along the nature paths, kayaking through the paddle trails, a climb up an Observation Tower or would just prefer to enjoy the wildlife, then Robinson Preserve is the perfect way to entertain the whole family!

The Robinson Preserve is located in Northwest Bradenton, about a 10-15 min drive off Anna Maria Island. Open year-round, Hours: Sunrise to Sunset.  Free Admission and parking.  Tours only by request and usually last about 2 hours.  Make an appointment by calling ahead of time.

Bring your bathing suit if you would like to go for a swim.  The Preserve also has plenty of picnic tables across from the Visitor Center to have a meal or a little snack. Make sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen as it can be very hot, especially during summer!!

Are you bringing your dog on vacation? Bring them to Robinson Preserve! Just make sure that you bring a leash and plenty of water!

1690 99th St NW

Bradenton,FL 34209
(941)748-4501

Robinson Preserve Downloadable Trail Map, Bradenton Florida

Sweet Berries Frozen Custard & Eatery

Sweet Berries is known for the best homemade frozen custard in the area.  Sweet Berries has been voted “best in the area” every year since it has been opened! Sweet Berries boasts a family-friendly, small town atmosphere which is a very inviting and a pleasant experience.  Their food menu consists of Soups, Salads and Sandwiches which are all made daily. Prices range from $6-$10.

If you are in the mood for ice cream and have tried a few shops on Anna Maria Island then make the 10 minute ride down Manatee Avenue, State Route 64.  You won’t be sorry.  Sweet Berries Ice Cream is fantastic and worth the ride from Anna Maria.   Their specialty is a “Concretes”. Concretes are hard-packed frozen custard and absolutely delicious.  They are very similar to a blizzard and Sweet Berries claim to fame is they will hold your Concrete upside down as they hand it to you to show it is packed nice and tight.  Don’t worry, if you are looking for a simple, creamy delicious, ice cream cone Sweet Berries will fill the need.  If you are looking for a great family environment, fresh menu or/and great ice cream then SweetBerries is for you!  They do have an outdoor seating area as well as an outdoor ice cream order center.  Sweet Berries is open until 10PM and some nights until 11 PM.

Please go to the Sweet Berries website to find out more information and take a look at the menu.

Sweet Berries Frozen Custard and Eatery
4500 Manatee Ave West
Bradenton,FL 34209
(941)750-6771

If you are looking for more things to do on Anna Maria Island be sure to visit our top ten things to do lists.

Perfect Anna Maria Island Rainy day entertainment, a movie

Rainy days while at the beach can be difficult however I have fond memories as a child seeing the Star War series while on several vacations with my family.  Watching a movie is perfect evening or rainy day entertainment while staying on Anna Maria, Florida.  The Oakmont Theater is a short 15 minute drive from Anna Maria Island.  The theater has eight very nice individual theaters that play the latest releases.  The Oakmont is recently renovated and has stadium style seating that allows everyone to get a great view of the movie. 

The movie theater is located on Cortez Road West on the South side just 15 minutes from Anna Maria Island, Fl.  Of course the theater has plenty of popcorn, drinks, candy, and snacks.   If you are looking for dining before or after your movie there are plenty of choices that you will pass by on your way to the Oakmont from Anna Maria Island.

Regal Oakmont 8
4801 Cortez Road West
Bradenton, Fl, 34210
(941) 954-5768

If you need help finding a perfect Anna Maria Island Vacation rental be sure to visit Island Real Estate’s rental website.  If you are looking for a lifetime of memories on Anna Maria Island be sure to see any one of our full-time professional real estate sales associates or visit our website.  If luxury real estate is more your style then be sure to visit our exclusive luxury real estate website.

Anna Maria quick telephone references for property owners

This is a list of quick references for Island Real Estate owners in Manatee county, Florida, which includes but is not limited to, Anna Maria Island, North Longboat Key, and Bradenton. 

Who to call if you see…

illegal dumping… (941) 792-8811 #4969
blockages in County maintained ditches and streams … (941) 708-7522
debris in minor roadside ditches …(941) 708-7497
Water main break …(941) 792-8811 #5268 or # 5216
sewer drainage or back up problem (941) 795-3411
building without permit … (941) 749-3047

Anna Maria Island and surrounding area Flood information

• Never walk or drive through flood waters

When the Emergency Operations Center is activated, you can find shelter information as well as weather updates on their website.  In addition, locally, television channels will be utilized to broadcast information to the public – channels 7, 8, 9, 10, & 13.  In addition the following radio stations will offer information – FM 88.1, 100.7, 105.9, & AM 970, 1420

If your property consistently has flooding problems call the Public Works Department and they will visit your property and offer suggestions to prevent flood damage. … (941) 708-7497

For a review of the Lake Manatee water and release levels call … (941) 746-3020

Building information

If you decide to make major modifications to your home you must be concerned about the definition of “Substantial Improvement.”  If the structure is in a Special Flood Hazard area and your renovation equals or exceeds 50% of its fair market value, your property falls under substantial improvement.  If your property falls under substantial improvement your structure must be elevated to the same guidelines as new construction.  For additional information visit the FEMA website and consult your Island Real Estate Sales Associate.

Bradenton, FL Easter Egg Dash

If you have never witnessed 100’s of children running over 100′ to 36,000 Easter Eggs you should come stay on Anna Maria Island Easter Week and make the 10 minute drive out to G.T. Bray Park 9:30 AM EST on Easter Sunday.  There at G.T. Bray Park, they run an unbelievable operation where 36,000 Easter Eggs are laid out over 4 baseball fields.  They categorize children by ages to ensure the fairest of play.  This year they had 10 grand prizes.  The grand prize…a period of time in the Money booth.  Whatever you catch is yours and believe me there were not coins in the money booth.  Along with the Easter Egg dash they brought the Easter Bunny himself, a large pirate ship sure to get everyone ready for the dash, blow up play areas, as well as games where prizes are given out.  My son gained a prize for smiling and saying “please.”  If you just cannot wait until next year take a look at the video and pictures below.  It just might get you through the year but I dare you not to smile when staring at the pure elation on the children’s faces running towards the thousands of Easter Eggs. 

Link to Easter Egg Dash You Tube Video

Local Medical Centers

There are a few hospitals within a 20 minute drive of Anna Maria Island.  Blake Medical Center is the closest located at 2020 59th Street West
Bradenton,  FL,  34209
Telephone: (941)792-6611

Manatee Memorial Hospital is located in the heart of Bradenton at
206 Second Street East
Bradenton, Fl, 34208 
(941) 746-5111

Pharmacies

There are several Anna Maria Island pharmacies located directly on the island.  The two that come quickly to mind are located in the center of the island just off Manatee Avenue on East Bay Drive.  CVS offers a 1 hour photo center and both CVS and Walgreen’s offer the normal variety of miscellaneous beauty supplies, minor groceries, and beach toys.

CVS
611 Manatee Avenue
Holmes Beach, Fl, 34217
(941) 778-1411
Store #: 3953 

Walgreen’s
3248 East Bay Drive
Holmes Beach, FL, 34217
(941) 778-0451
Store# : 1801

Travel to Anna Maria Island

If you need to fly to the area the main choices are the Tampa Airport  or Sarasota Bradenton International airport. The Tampa airport is about 1.25 hrs drive from Anna Maria Island while Sarasota Bradenton International is an estimated 45 minutes from Anna Maria.  Some less conventional airports to fly into are the St Petersburg/Clearwater airport which is about the same distance as the Tampa Airport.  For international flights another alternative is to fly into one of two Orlando airports.  Normally Orlando offers some very competitive airfare and the one way car trip takes about 2 hours in light traffic.  

Click the link for more information on transportation services to Anna Maria Island from the Tampa International Airport or Sarasota/Bradenton Airports.

Traveling to Anna Maria Island by vehicle is always an alternative.  See below for estimated mileage from a few major North American cities…

Montreal, Quebec – 1550 Miles  :  Toronto, Ontario – 1400 Miles
Milwaukee, WI – 1300 Miles       :  Chicago, IL – 1220 Miles
Syracuse, NY – 1325 Miles          :  New York, NY – 1175 Miles
Boston, MA – 1420 Miles             :  Pittsburgh, PA – 1075 Miles
Orlando, FL – 122 Miles               :  Atlanta, GA - 500 Miles

Information on Wireless Internet Hot-Spots on Anna Maria Island