If you’re looking for Anna Maria Island parks or something you can do outdoors with a full crew, then you’re in the right place. There are so many fun things on Anna Maria Island, offering fascinating history and unique attractions close to the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll get seven long miles to enjoy from top to bottom! Indeed, this tremendous island’s nearly a 10-mile stretch! Not only that, but you’ll also get to take a look at Anna Maria Island vacation rentals to help plan the perfect vacation.
While you’re in the area searching for outdoor activities, don’t miss a trip to the nearby De Soto National Memorial.
De Soto National Memorial: A Brief History
In 1539, Hernando de Soto came to Tampa Bay with over 600 of his troops, looking to establish ground and set up base. “Conquer, populate, and pacify” were their orders, and that’s what they did. They were ordered by Charles V, a Spanish monarch. The museum, as such, aims to tell their whole story, including their many finds along the way and the progress they initially made to turn this lovely Anna Maria Island area into what it is today.
General Information on the De Soto National Memorial
The hours per season can vary but are usually from 9-5 daily (parking lots closing at 5 on the dot). If bad weather moves into the area, hours may change. Remember they’re closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. As for fees, rest assured in knowing that this volunteer-led park is entirely fee-free. There are no tickets to get in, regardless of age, background, etc. Everyone gets in freely (but they do take donations)!
Need directions to get here? The full address is 8300 Desoto Memorial Hwy in Bradenton, FL. This address leads you to the Visitor’s Center/visiting tour area and admissions; you’ll need to first put in “FL-64 E/Manatee Ave” on your app or navigation system. That’s the fastest route to take to get here, and from the general city area, it’s only about 13 minutes away (even if you find yourself on the farthest end of the island).
Get off that highway toward 75th St W as soon as you see the exit. Stay on it, and it’ll become Desoto Memorial Hwy, then 75th St NW. Continue, and you’ll see the memorial (along with signs pointing to the visitor parking and entrance) in just minutes.
Outdoor Activities
You can tour the area in style, by kayak, all led by a qualified Ranger. For about 1.5 hours, you can head out in a 2-person kayak with four paddles, some flotation devices, and more. The regular check-in time is around 9 a.m. Don’t be late, or your spot might be given to the next person in line! This is a popular hobby here, and spots fill up quickly for it.
You can also enjoy many other outdoor activities such as walking the Nature Trail, bird watching, enjoying a picnic, or experiencing Camp Uzita. Fishing, boating, and swimming in the nearby waters are also popular ways to spend your time.
Indoor Activities
Here, they’ve got a theatre, a bookstore, and countless exhibits. If you want to learn the museum’s backstory a little more in-depth, then the Hernando De Soto in America film is ideal. They play it all year long in the theatre and a few other select AMI educational feature films. If you’ve ever wanted to don a real helmet and armor from the ancient days, you’ll be able to here (as well as see many other pieces on display at the exhibits). This is your place to fantasize about being a real-life knight in shining armor!
Special Programs
BARK Rangers
If you’ve got a furry companion visiting the gorgeous Anna Maria Island by your side, they can get in on the action, too. Here’s how: De Soto National Memorial sponsored the BARK Rangers program. It’s a unique initiative about eco safety as a means of taking care of the local environment in the AMI area, involving training all dogs (and even dog owners or dog walkers, respectively) to be a bit more earth-conscious.
It’s essential to be ever mindful of one’s green life all around, as the planet’s survival is of the utmost value and benefit to us all.
The program involves training in picking up dog poop as one goes along with their dog, as well as constant reminders on the benefits of keeping not only a proper leash but even a dog poop bag handy at all times when one is walking about. The staff running this program has also carefully assigned what they like to call “proper barking areas,” designated spots where you can take your dog to let loose and bark all it wants.
Plan Your Visit
Ready for your dream beach getaway? Browse our full property catalog to find the perfect vacation rental for your Anna Maria Island getaway, and click or call to book today!
Fishing Clinics
Kids seven or older can benefit from these clinics. They are designed to show your young ones every aspect of the U.S.’s fishing regulations and why they’re essential (especially those local ones in lovely Florida). These clinics aim to inspire a discipline, profound respect, and an overall desire in one’s child for all things fishing: every topic from tackle basics to in-depth gear choices for certain kinds of fish traps. Your child will learn, in mere days, how to cast, reel, make knots, prepare hooks and baits, and so much else. This is the perfect kid-friendly activity for your AMI vacation!
Every child must be joined by a guardian who is 16 or older. The camp goes from 9:30-1 daily, and they stop and break for snacks, lunchtime, water, etc. It all happens in the nearby area known as “The Rancho,” which is closely interconnected to the memorial. Clinics are held all year long, and baits plus rods are provided. Each clinic can accept 10 participants (not including their guardians accompanying them) at a time. So prepare your child to join nine other interested children and hopefully make a friend while learning fish culture.
Your Anna Maria Island Rental
If you seek to outdo your fellow vacationers by picking the best home to stay in, our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals might be your thing. We have Anna Maria Island rentals with a pool, some pet-friendly, and much more. Cut out the middleman and book straight with us; that is how you can save some money here. Our rentals give you a luxury choice of size and other accommodations, meeting multiple needs, such as stay length (a week, or longer, etc.).
Island Vacation Properties is ready to help you plan the trip of a lifetime. Contact us now to book your stay!
