Anna Maria Island has a little something for everyone to discover, whether you’re interested in outdoor activities, art galleries, natural sites, or seafood restaurants. Between discovering all the fun sites in the area, be sure to carve out some time to visit the historical fishing village of Cortez, just across the bridge from Anna Maria Island. We even have convenient Cortez vacation rentals perfect for any group planning a long weekend getaway! Here’s a bit of background before you visit Cortez.
Historical Fishing Village of Cortez
Cortez Village is a National Register of Historic Places community that brings the unique Florida Gulf Coast heritage to life again. While many cities throughout the state have lost that “Old Florida” feeling, Cortez is one place where it is still alive and well.
The history of Cortez goes back to the Native Americans that took pride in their home and its abundant fishing opportunities. The first group of people to come to Cortez from Europe were Spanish, and visitors can still see the Spanish influence on the town today.
Cortez was originally called Hunter’s Point and was officially settled in the 1880s. Prominent families here include the Guthries and the Taylors, whose descendants still live on the shores today. These family members have helped to get Cortez recognized as a Historic Landmark and has placed many of its buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
How to Get There
If you’re wondering how to get to Cortez, Florida, from Anna Maria Island, it’s really a simple journey. The easiest way to reach Cortez is by making your way to Gulf Drive and then turning onto Manatee Avenue. Find your way to FL – 789 S / Gulf Drive N, then turn onto State Highway 684 / Cortez Road W.
This final road will take you over the beautiful Cortez Bridge, which provides an unmatched view as you make your way into the fishing village. Your trip to Cortez is almost worth it just for this view alone!
Plan Your Anna Maria Vacation
Ready for some time in paradise? Contact the team at Island Vacation Properties to start planning your beach escape to Anna Maria Island!
What to Do
So now that you’ve gotten here, you’re probably wondering about all the fun things to do in Cortez. First, we recommend that you pay a visit to the Cortez Cultural Center. This is one of the best places to learn about the fishing village and the history that made it the place it is today. You can see incredible artifacts from the original settlers of the area and speak to the staff to learn fascinating stories from Cortez’s past.
As you can probably expect, since Cortez is a fishing village, there are plenty of delicious seafood restaurants around. Some of the most popular include Seafood Shack, Starfish Company, Swordfish Grill, and Cortez Kitchen.
No matter which of these eateries you choose to stop in, you’re bound to find fresh local seafood, welcoming staff, inviting atmosphere, and an unbelievable view of the water.
If you’re really interested in maritime history, don’t miss out on the Florida Maritime Museum. This incredible resource is located inside a 1912 schoolhouse at the Cortez Nature Preserve that has since been restored to its former glory. You’ll have tons of awesome exhibits to view as you stroll through, and best of all, it’s absolutely free!
Want to learn more about how we can help preserve Cortez and areas like it? Visit the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage, abbreviated as F.I.S.H. This nonprofit organization was established in 1991 and works to teach locals and visitors alike about the importance of sustainable commercial fishing and the preservation of local marine life.
Where to Stay
This is just a handful of the activities you can experience in Cortez. Even though the village is small, you probably can’t experience it all in just one day. Luckily, we have convenient vacation rentals in Cortez that allow you to take all the time you want to discover the wonders of this village.
If you haven’t decided where to stay in Cortez, Florida, you might be interested in staying across the bridge in one of our Anna Maria Island rentals. Here, we have all kinds of rentals perfect for groups of all sizes, including Anna Maria Island pet-friendly rentals for those who want to bring their dogs along! Contact us today to learn more.
