Let’s Go to the Movies! The Bradenton Royal Palm Movie Theater shows ‘em all…

Every once in a while, a little rain must fall.  But when you are staying on Anna Maria Island, you still have lots to do, and lots of activities to choose from.   As we’ve mentioned before on our Top Six Things to Do on a Rainy Day blog , going to the movies can be a good way to pass the time away on a rainy afternoon, or a lazy afternoon, or any afternoon, or evening, for that matter.  Just a quick car ride across the Cortez Bridge and out 53rd Ave/SR70 will take you to the Carmike Royal Palm 20 Theater, where you can catch the latest releases on the big screen.  The Royal Palm 20 is located at 5125 26^th Street in Bradenton (map it here).  That’s right, 20 theaters playing the latest shows only a hop, skip and a jump (and about 20 minutes in the car) from the beach!   Check out their website for showtimes.  Their Super Bargain shows start at $6.00 and prices go up from there.  If you are a planner, you can head to Fandango and purchase your tickets to your favorite show online, ahead of time.  They also accept Visa and Mastercard at the ticket counter, and the concession stand. 

The last time we were there, the debate was not over which movie to see, but what to add to the popcorn!  The concession stand has a whole” Personalize your Popcorn” station.  You can add their tasty shakers o’ flavor to your classic movie snack.  They have savory and sweet flavors-including cheese!  But the winner for my crowd was our own purchase, and the old stand by- M&Ms!  It’s the perfect combination of savory and sweet…and it’s always a pleasant surprise in the dark of the theater, to guess how many chocolatey treats you might grab out of the bucket!  If you make it early for your show, there’s a seating area in the lobby where you can nosh while you wait.  There is plenty of signage too, to make sure you know which direction to head to catch your flick.   The theaters are good sized, and the seats are large and comfy, with cup holders big enough for those gi-normous drinks! 

So, if you are looking for a rainy day activity, or date night fun, head in to town to catch a movie.  They are SURE to be playing something you’ll enjoy at the Royal Palm 20!  Oh yeah, did I mention they have 3-D movies as well?  Sorry, these movies are a bit more expensive but they do supply 3-D plastic glasses to enjoy the movie with, and what a thrill!

Top Ten things to do with Pets on Anna Maria Island

I am married to a veterinary technician.  Dogs, cats, birds, snakes, lizards and lots of other pets are all part of the family.  So why leave your pet behind when Island Real Estate has so many pet friendly properties.  Let’s get down to business….the best spots to take Fido, the family pet while visiting Anna Maria Island.   Unfortunately, Anna Maria Island does not have any pet friendly beaches but there are plenty of other options.  By the way, not sure if this is the exact order but they are all great things to do!

#10 – Take a walk up in Anna Maria City with an easy to tie up leash.  So many places to visit and so many businesses that are excited to see your pets.  Just walk Pine Avenue or Rudy’s and string them up.  Rudy’s actually has a dog paw wall where you can measure the height of your pet(s).   Last time I was at Rudy’s sub shop they had a dish of water outside.  Don’t forget Ginney and Janie’s, they are pet friendly inside last I was there.

#9 – Go up to Bayfront park in Anna Maria City and enjoy a picnic while you enjoy the bay.  If you have children they can have fun on the playground as well. Grab a sandwich for a quick fun afternoon.

#8 – Go take a walk at Robinson’s preserve.  The park has a wonderful tower that has gorgeous views of the Tampa Bay.  There are miles and miles of walk way’s with pet friendly bag stands as well as paved walkways as well for roller bladers.

#7 – Go to the causeway and let your pet enjoy the beach and the water.  The causeway is the beach you see traveling to Anna Maria Island on Manatee avenue or State Route 64.  It is only about 1/4 of a mile from 75th Street on the mainland of Bradenton, Fl.  Just a short 5 minute drive of Anna Maria.  If you want to grab Google maps type in Anna Maria Island in and move the map East until you see Palma Sola Bay.  That is the spot where pets can play in the water.

#6) - Go visit Sarasota amd St. Armand’s circle.  The Circle in Sarasota is a fantastic shopping area with clothing,

 jewelry, artwork, etc.  Lots of great local gifts and trinkets to grab.  In addition, lots of ice cream shops and restaurants with outdoor seating that allow you to sit outside with your pet and grab a bite to eat.  If shopping is your passion then try Red Barn Flea market in Bradenton as well.  Much of the flea market is outside and there are some indoor areas however sorry, not absolutely sure they allow pets.  Here is a video of the Red Barn Flea market.

#5) – Go visit the Sarasota Bay and water park, Bay Front park.  There is a great park over by Marina Jack’s.  I am sorry we do not yet have a blog on this but hope to write one soon.  While there go grab a special treat for your pet in downtown Sarasota.  Grab a snack at Max’s dog bakery on main street in Sarasota.   Walk up and down main street window shopping, maybe even grab yourself a snack then stop in at Max’s dog bakery for a treat!

#4) - Fort Desoto Park in St. Petersburgh.  There is a very large dog park that allows for dogs to swim in the Ocean.

#3)  Just bringing your pet on vacation is a big treat.  Grab one of Island Real Estate’s pet friendly properties with a pool and let us know a pet will be using the pool during your reservation.  Many of our pool properties can be pre-arranged to be cleaned twice during your stay for no extra charge!  Island Real Estate’s vacation rental website allows you to search for only pet friendly vacation rentals!  They have made the process easy!  

#2)  Visit Lakewood ranch and take in a Polo match.   Horses and lots of spectators taking in the Polo action.  Polo matches are open to the public on Sunday’s and they typically start matches in December and they go until April.  The kids can take a hay ride on one of the breaks and your pet will love you for it.  Get out in the sunshine on their over 140 acres and spend some time outside where the entire family including your pet will create memories for a lifetime.   Check out the polo match video below.

#1)  Drum roll…. All dogs love to run and play take them to GT. Bray Park in Bradenton, Florida.  This is a fenced in park where dogs can run and have fun with lots of other dogs.  Of course you need to have a mild mannered dog as there are lots of dogs inside the area.

Shake Pit – the name says it all – Great Shake’s off Anna Maria

Sure, there are lots of spots on and off Anna Maria Island to pick up ice cream.  If you are in the mood for a thick old style milkshake there are less spots to suggest when visiting Anna Maria Island.  The Shake Pit is the spot to suggest if you are looking for a great milk shake that reminds you of the good – ole – days.  The employees even ask how thick you want your shake.  You can get extra thick and believe me that means it is thick.  Don’t plan to get the shake through a straw for a while.  If you want to drink the shake through a straw then just tell them that.

My favorite shake is Peanut Butter – Caramel.  That’s right, Peanut Butter, wow!  The Strawberry Shake is great for those that are not as adventurous.  One thing is for sure, whatever flavor you like grab a thick milk shake at the Shake Pit.  The Shake Pit is just off Manatee Avenue about 10 minutes off Anna Maria Island. 

The Shake Pit has more than just shakes.  They have hamburgers, french fries, hot dogs, a few sandwiches, Onion Rings, fish and chicken baskets and a few other items to eat.  All in all its a perfect spot to have something to eat and most importantly indulge in one of life’s little pleasures – a thick, rich Milk Shake.

A few notes about the Shake Pit…they take cash only, pets are not allowed on the outdoor patio but you can chain them up to a tree nearby, the pit is normally closed on Wednesday’s. For more Ice Cream Choices on and off Anna Maria Island visit Island Real Estate’s Dining page.  Be sure to scroll down towards the bottom of the page for cold treats.

Shake Pit
3801 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, FL, 34205
(941) 748-4016

Various Bird Photos – Images on and off Anna Maria Island

This is several years of taking images of the birds that can be found on and off Anna Maria Island, FL.  While most of the photos were taken on Anna Maria Island in Anna Maria City, Holmes Beach or Bradenton beach you will find some pictures of birds, pelicans, seagulls, love birds, an eagle, Osprey, etc taken in Robinson Preserve as well as Emerson Point.  Click on the below image gallery and enjoy plenty of pictures and a large variety of birds.

Anna Maria Island restaurants and shops open Easter holiday

Anna Maria Island is a great place to visit all year around.  If you happen to be visiting during a holiday, finding a spot to have breakfast, lunch or dinner could be a frustrating process if you don’t know before hand what restaurants are open.  Hopefully this information will help during Easter and there is a fairly good chance that if these restaurants and stores are open for Easter, they will be open for other Anna Maria Island holidays as well.  Have a happy holiday and

here is to doing no dishes this year!

ANNA MARIA ISLAND RESTAURANT’S OPEN EASTER HOLIDAY

Beach Bistro – Dinner – Holmes Beach, Florida
Gulf Front elegant dining with casual dining available

Beach House – Lunch & Dinner – Bradenton Beach, FL
Gulf Front casual dining – you can eat right on the beach

Da Giorgio – Dinner – Holmes Beach, Florida
Italian business casual dining with live entertainment

Euphemia Haye – Dinner – Longboat Key, Florida
Elegant dining, huge assortment of desserts

Moveable Feast – Lunch and Dinner – Holmes Beach, Fl
Casual dining with plenty of holiday seating

Paradise Cafe – Lunch – Holmes Beach, East Bay Plaza
Order take out or small availability for dining in

Rod  and Reel Restaurant – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner – Anna Maria City
Bay front dining – casual – live sea-life daily

Sandbar – Lunch & Dinner – Anna Maria City, Florida
Gulf Front dining – walk right in from the beach!

Sign of the Mermaid – Three meals – Anna Maria city, Florida
Business Casual dining.  National award winning key lime pie.

Sunhouse restaurant- Late Lunches, Dinner – Bradenton Beach, Fl
Floribean cuisine with Gulf Views and plenty of window shopping nearby

Waterfront restaurant – Lunch and Dinner – Anna Maria City, Florida
Bay View business casual dining.  Reservations strongly suggested

OTHER BRADENTON STORES OPEN HOLIDAY’S

Albertson’s Supermarket – Bradenton, Fl

Sweetbay Supermarket – Bradenton, Fl

Walgreens – Bradenton, Fl – Open 24 hours

Island Real Estate Offers Deep Discounted Thrifty Car Rental Rates

Island Real Estate of Anna Maria Island is happy to announce our recent affiliation with the Thrifty Car Rental company making it possible to offer our guests a significant discount on their rental car costs.

If are looking for a rental car while vacationing with us in Anna Maria Island or in other cities, just click on the Thrifty Car Rental logo on our website to make your reservations.   You can then easily pick up your car at the airport or other locations when you arrive.

Savings can be up to 40% off  in most cases depending on travel dates.  Island Real Estate’s Corporate Code is 004C005932.  This code should be entered in the Corporate Code box to enjoy the discounts we are able to pass on to our guests and clients.

Here are some helpful rental car tips:

• Always print your confirmation when you book your reservation online.  It is always helpful to have a copy of the confirmation with you in case of any discrepancies on the rental fee.
• Check back from time to time and re-price your reservation.  Rates change often and you may be able to lower your cost by re- booking the reservation.   Don’t forget to use our discount Corporate Code 004C005932.
• Join the car rental company’s frequent renter program.  This will often save you time in line for picking up the vehicle, and may even offer special discounts.
• Check for different car classes. You may find a special offer on a minivan rather than a compact at times.  It pays to shop the car classes. When gas prices rise, you may find that a SUV rents for less than a mid-size car.

Don’t forget to book your next vacation to Anna Maria Island with us at Island Real Estate of Anna Maria Island.   We are here 7 days a week for your convenience and offer everything from luxury gulf front accommodations to Old Florida style cottages from gulf front to bay and canal front and everything in between!

If you need additional information on which Airport to fly into ,etc be sure to visit our Travel to Anna Maria Island Information page.

Cold Stone Creamery – gourmet ice cream just of Anna Maria Island

Looking for gourmet ice cream?  Try Cold Stone Creameryjust off Anna Maria Island.  It is on the corner of Cortez

and 75th Street West in Bradenton, Florida.  It shares the same building as Starbuck’s.  Cold Stone’s claim to fame is there great creamy ice cream as well as creating special mixes within their ice cream.  They use an ice cold slab to mix up ice cream with your favorite mixings.  Berries, peanut butter cups, cookie pieces, M & M’s, you name it.  The staff takes their great ice cream and with two scoops manually mixes in the extra’s.  Our family loves the Birthday cake mix special which you guessed it, tastes just like birthday cake.  It is fantastic.

So if you are looking for a special treat and can wait a few minutes for the staff to delicately prepare your custom order of ice cream with mixins, try a quick drive off Anna Maria Island to Cold Stone.  Cold Stone sells ice cream cakes pre-made as well as a few other ice cream treats including ice cream cookies and drinks.   Of course you can purchase larger servings of your custom order ice cream.

Cold Stone Creamery
7476 Cortez Road West
Bradenton, Fl, 34210
(941) 761-3252

Olive Garden is a great Bradenton restaurant

Olive Garden is a great economical place to eat if staying on Anna Maria Island or in Bradenton, Florida.  The Bradenton

Olive Garden Restaurant has outdoor seating for the great balmy nights of the West coast of Florida.  The restaurant has a bar for waiting or just to eat or have a quick cocktail or bit to eat.  Typically the Olive Garden is a great place to eat for busy nights on Anna Maria Island.  The restaurant is about a 20 minute drive from Anna Maria Island.

The Olive Garden is primarily Italian although they do have a few traditional dishes.  Beef, Pork and Fish dishes.  The restaurant often offers all you can eat bread as well as soup or salad.

The Olive Garden has great spaghetti, chicken Parmesan, heck anything Italian is good.

Olive Garden Restaurant
4420 West 14th Street
Bradenton, Fl, 34207

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

Atlanta Bread Company

Atlanta Bread Company is a good place to go if you are looking for breakfast, lunch or just a little something sweet and a coffee.  The menu is set to wet the appetite of almost anyone in your party.   The breakfast is a selection of egg sandwiches and a variety of delicious pastries.   The bread is made fresh daily and the selection of soups changes from day to day.   The best thing of all?  Atlanta Bread Company is just a 15 minute drive into Bradenton, Florida from Anna Maria Island.

The bread company also offer a good selection of fresh made salads that you can do a half and half order with either a half sandwich or soup.  The desserts are encased in a bakery window for you to gaze and drool over.  The restaurant offers a wide arrangement of baked goods from  muffins to cookies to fresh made coffee cake and key lime cheese cake.  All are sure to cure your sweet tooth.

The restaurant prices are reasonable, $3 and up to $8.  They accept credit card or cash and also offer free wireless internet.

Planning a party at your vacation home?  The Atlanta Bread Company offers fantastic catering.

Atlanta Bread Company
6401 Manatee Ave
Bradenton, Fl 34209
Mon-Sat 7AM-9PM
Sun 8AM-8PM

Telephone-941-792-1380
Fax–941-792-1390

For more information on Restaurants in the Bradenton, Fl area or the Anna Maria Island Area visit our Restaurant informational page.

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