Anna Maria Island & Bradenton

Just a reminder that payment is due within 24 hours after RSVP is made. Names without payment will be removed!

Long Drive Long Day* Anna Maria Island

To view the slideshow of Anna Maria Island click here!

The Beach House Restaurant or it's sister Sandbar has a selection of fresh seafood and farm to fork features on the Waterfront. View of Passage Key and Egmont Key and the Gulf Beyond. We will visit the Anna Maria Island Historical Society. This Island just west of Bradenton is known for its’ great little eateries and views of the Gulf of Mexico. We will also tour around Bradenton.
The Island is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa Bay, and the Intracoastal Waterway. It's only 7 1/2 miles long and less than a mile wide and, for starters, boasts not a single towering condo. (No building over three stories is allowed.) Chain restaurants? Very few of them. The restaurants are delightfully local and extremely good. In other words, you’ve stepped into the Florida of decades ago, with one major difference: New amenities enhance the old charm for a winning combination.
Village of the Arts-One day I took a little side trip off the island to Bradenton to explore Village of the Arts. This artists’ colony covers several 1920s Crayola-colored cottages, each featuring a variety of artsy offerings. My favorite was Dancing Crane Gallery, with its sculpture, jewelry, and ceramics. I especially loved the gem shop inside, where an artist designs your own piece of jewelry on the spot. I also enjoyed Village Voices & Eclectic Art Emporium, with its Florida author-written books, an art gallery, and local woodwork.“Let's Not Shout About IT” Having worked in the travel industry all of my life I have visited quite a few places.
This beach at the North End of Anna Maria is in my humble opinion among the best in the world. It is so quiet and unspoiled
See Anna Maria Green Point Village
Historic Pine Avenue
The museum and park are located at 402 Pine Avenue in Anna Maria City. Historic Pine Avenue is a recently restored downtown area featuring cottages dating to the early 1900s and many shops and restaurants. Food, drinks, and places to cool off in the summer are readily available and in short walking distance from the museum.
The Museum and Historical Park
The museum and park have four components located on the same property: the museum and gift shop, the old City Jail, Belle Haven Cottage, and the Mangrove Walk. All of these components are in short and easy walking distance of each other.

• The museum offers exhibits on various aspects of the island's history. Most visitors spend about 10 to 20 minutes browsing the exhibit. The gift shop sells local artwork, books by local artists, tee-shirts, hats and other items.
• Belle Haven Cottage is only accesible with a docent guided-tour. Docents in the museum are happy to take visitors over on request.
• The Mangrove Walk and the old City Jail are open from dawn until dusk. The Mangrove Walk is a short trail through a native plants garden with an outlook over Lake LaVista. The old City Jail is the building that served as a jail from 1927 to the late 1940s.
• Overview-Manatee Village Historical Park preserves the pioneer heritage of Manatee County's founding period of 1840-1918. The historical park contains 14 preserved and replica structures representative of the founding period, including the 1903 Wiggins General Store, the Fogarty Boatworks, the 1912 Stephens House, a smokehouse, a sugar cane mill, a barn, the 1887 Methodist church, the 1908 schoolhouse, the 1860 courthouse, a Cow Hunter's bunkhouse, and a steam engine.[2] Museum visitors can also tour the nearby 1850 Manatee burying grounds. Admission is free.

## History

In 1974, a group of women formed the Heritage of Manatee’s Environment Committee after hearing of plans to tear down two historic buildings, the 1887 Methodist church and 1860 courthouse. The Committee worked with county officials to reestablish the Manatee County Historical Commission. The Commission had both historic buildings moved to the current museum location in December 1975 and restoration efforts began. Manatee Village Historical Park was officially opened on July 4, 1976. The museum has since grown to include 14 structures.[3]

Members $70 Guests $75 includes Tours, Guide, Transportation and Museum Village
Leave Viera Walmart Murphy's Gas Station 8am with about an 8:30pm return.

***

RESERVATION FORM:

Reservations are on a request basis until payment is received. Please place your reservations and make checks payable to Florida Greeters, Inc. and mail to: 6300 North Wickham Road, # 130-222 Melbourne, FL 32940 or credit card by Phone (321) 259-6300
E-mail: dayawaytravel@aol.com

Rates Includes Transportation aboard Mini Bus according to group size, admissions, tour guide, &gratuities. Cancellations: No refund for unused portions or cancellations received within two weeks prior to departure unless a substitution is made. Separate Conditions apply to Multi Day Trips according to trip flyer or brochure. All prices and itineraries are subject to change based upon availability.