Guidebook

Plus Vacation Rental
Plus Vacation Rental
Guidebook

Food scene

Sage Biscuit - The PERFECT brunch spot. Chef-crafted breakfast and lunch. Mimosas and Bloody Mary's on the menu. The is our favorite by a mile.
44 locals recommend
Sage Biscuit Cafe
6656 Cortez Rd W
44 locals recommend
Sage Biscuit - The PERFECT brunch spot. Chef-crafted breakfast and lunch. Mimosas and Bloody Mary's on the menu. The is our favorite by a mile.
North Shore - It’s the cutest little spot on the island with waterfront outdoor seating, good coffee, smoothies, Acai’ bowls, and healthy meals.
12 locals recommend
North Shore Cafe
304 Pine Ave
12 locals recommend
North Shore - It’s the cutest little spot on the island with waterfront outdoor seating, good coffee, smoothies, Acai’ bowls, and healthy meals.
Peaches - Low key and awesome. Comparable to waffle house, but local and way better.
13 locals recommend
Peach's Restaurants - Holmes Beach
3240 E Bay Dr
13 locals recommend
Peaches - Low key and awesome. Comparable to waffle house, but local and way better.
The Donut Experiment - Wild, whacky and delicious donut shop on the Island.
66 locals recommend
The Donut Experiment
210 Pine Ave
66 locals recommend
The Donut Experiment - Wild, whacky and delicious donut shop on the Island.
Bonefish - It’s a chain, but it’s good for brunch on Sundays and they do BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS!
78 locals recommend
Bonefish Grill
5062 4th St N
78 locals recommend
Bonefish - It’s a chain, but it’s good for brunch on Sundays and they do BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS!
Poppos Tacos - Ifs like Chipotle, but way better and more adventurous. The owners ore locals to AMI! Ifs a must-try
56 locals recommend
Poppo's Taqueria
212C Pine Ave
56 locals recommend
Poppos Tacos - Ifs like Chipotle, but way better and more adventurous. The owners ore locals to AMI! Ifs a must-try
The Feast - Ifs unassuming, super delicious, and chef-crafted. The portions are big! Ifs a go-to when you ore hungry!
35 locals recommend
The Feast Restaurant
5406 Marina Dr
35 locals recommend
The Feast - Ifs unassuming, super delicious, and chef-crafted. The portions are big! Ifs a go-to when you ore hungry!
Whitneys - Wonderful and adorable retro market and casual restaurant on Long Boat Key. They have delicious healthy options, seafood tacos, and homemade donuts holes. The froze´ (frozen rose´) is a must-try.
21 locals recommend
Whitney's
6990 Gulf of Mexico Dr
21 locals recommend
Whitneys - Wonderful and adorable retro market and casual restaurant on Long Boat Key. They have delicious healthy options, seafood tacos, and homemade donuts holes. The froze´ (frozen rose´) is a must-try.
The Shore - Our all-time favorite spot. It’s a 10/10 across the board. The vibe is awesome. It’s on the water. View are great. Food is even better, and the prices are not crazy. This is our go-to.
65 locals recommend
Shore Longboat Key
800 Broadway St
65 locals recommend
The Shore - Our all-time favorite spot. It’s a 10/10 across the board. The vibe is awesome. It’s on the water. View are great. Food is even better, and the prices are not crazy. This is our go-to.
The Shore - Our all-time favorite spot. It’s a 10/10 across the board. The vibe is awesome. It’s on the water. View are great. Food is even better, and the prices are not crazy. This is our go-to.
71 locals recommend
Beach Bistro
6600 Gulf Dr
71 locals recommend
The Shore - Our all-time favorite spot. It’s a 10/10 across the board. The vibe is awesome. It’s on the water. View are great. Food is even better, and the prices are not crazy. This is our go-to.
Rod N' Reel - Small seafood restaurant at the end of the Rod N' Reel pier. You can get a drink at the bar while you wait for a table
111 locals recommend
Rod and Reel Pier
875 N Shore Dr
111 locals recommend
Rod N' Reel - Small seafood restaurant at the end of the Rod N' Reel pier. You can get a drink at the bar while you wait for a table
Blue Marlin - The is our go-to dinner spot. Locally owned, chef-crafted and amazing in every way. We recommend sitting outside on the patio and enjoying the live music.
59 locals recommend
Blue Marlin Seafood Restaurant
121 Bridge St
59 locals recommend
Blue Marlin - The is our go-to dinner spot. Locally owned, chef-crafted and amazing in every way. We recommend sitting outside on the patio and enjoying the live music.
The Shore - Our all-time favorite spot. It’s a 10/10 across the board. The vibe is awesome. It’s on the water. View are great. Food is even better, and the prices are not crazy. This is our go-to.
102 locals recommend
Star Fish Company
12306 46th Ave W
102 locals recommend
The Shore - Our all-time favorite spot. It’s a 10/10 across the board. The vibe is awesome. It’s on the water. View are great. Food is even better, and the prices are not crazy. This is our go-to.
Chateau 13 - Coursed out and pre-fix. It’s fancier and intimate but it’s really amazing! This is great for a date night!
18 locals recommend
Château 13
535 13th St W
18 locals recommend
Chateau 13 - Coursed out and pre-fix. It’s fancier and intimate but it’s really amazing! This is great for a date night!
Danny’s Pizza - This is a local favorite. They serve great traditional and unique pizzas. We love the family-size calzone and garlic knots.
34 locals recommend
Dannys Pizzeria
7220 Manatee Ave W
34 locals recommend
Danny’s Pizza - This is a local favorite. They serve great traditional and unique pizzas. We love the family-size calzone and garlic knots.
Sweet Berries - Best frozen custard you ever had.
22 locals recommend
Sweetberries Frozen Custard & Eatery
4500 Manatee Ave W
22 locals recommend
Sweet Berries - Best frozen custard you ever had.
Bridge Tinder - Casual place on the water. They serve cheap beer and well drinks on the patio along with food if you are hungry! This is a  local hang and dog friendly.
51 locals recommend
The Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar
135 Bridge St
51 locals recommend
Bridge Tinder - Casual place on the water. They serve cheap beer and well drinks on the patio along with food if you are hungry! This is a  local hang and dog friendly.
Doctor's Office - Craft cocktails and an intimate atmosphere. Best on the Island.
44 locals recommend
The Doctor's Office
44 locals recommend
Doctor's Office - Craft cocktails and an intimate atmosphere. Best on the Island.
Gulf Drive Cafe - Beach-y drinks with waterfront views.
50 locals recommend
Gulf Drive Cafe
900 Gulf Dr N
50 locals recommend
Gulf Drive Cafe - Beach-y drinks with waterfront views.
Decoy Ducks - Dive bar with a true AMI experience . Live music and arcade available.
10 locals recommend
D Coy Ducks Bar & Grille
5410 Marina Dr
10 locals recommend
Decoy Ducks - Dive bar with a true AMI experience . Live music and arcade available.
Sandbar Restaurant - Grab a drink from the bar in a plastic cup & enjoy on the beach. Signs says you can’t, but no one cares. Easy access to food when you get hungry. Great for sunsets before dinner.
168 locals recommend
The Sandbar Restaurant
100 Spring Ave
168 locals recommend
Sandbar Restaurant - Grab a drink from the bar in a plastic cup & enjoy on the beach. Signs says you can’t, but no one cares. Easy access to food when you get hungry. Great for sunsets before dinner.

Sightseeing

Palma Sola Causeway Park - The is a beach on the causeway headed to Anna Maria Island that's dog friendly! Bring a hammock and a cooler!
18 locals recommend
Palma Sola Causeway Park
9917 Manatee Ave W
18 locals recommend
Palma Sola Causeway Park - The is a beach on the causeway headed to Anna Maria Island that's dog friendly! Bring a hammock and a cooler!
Central Park Dog Park - Located on the island! It's convenient and you’ll meet locals!
Central Park
6000-6100 Flotilla Drive
Central Park Dog Park - Located on the island! It's convenient and you’ll meet locals!
Happy Trails Dog Park - Located in Bradenton. Newer improvements with shade, water and room to run!
Happy Tails Dog Park
2811 51st St W
Happy Trails Dog Park - Located in Bradenton. Newer improvements with shade, water and room to run!
DeSoto National Memorial - Well maintained  park  and  nature trail  through the mangroves with some waterfront views. It was built to commemorate the 1539 landing of Hernando de Soto.
10 locals recommend
De Soto National Memorial - Visitor Center
75th Street Northwest
10 locals recommend
DeSoto National Memorial - Well maintained  park  and  nature trail  through the mangroves with some waterfront views. It was built to commemorate the 1539 landing of Hernando de Soto.
Robinson Preserve - Gorgeous nature preserve that's a great place to walk, run, bike, fish and kayak. It also has a covered playground!
193 locals recommend
Robinson Preserve
1704 99th St NW
193 locals recommend
Robinson Preserve - Gorgeous nature preserve that's a great place to walk, run, bike, fish and kayak. It also has a covered playground!
Beer Can Island on LBK - No bathrooms or shower. Local secret, secluded and beautiful.
32 locals recommend
Beer Can Island
North Shore Road
32 locals recommend
Beer Can Island on LBK - No bathrooms or shower. Local secret, secluded and beautiful.
Manatee Beach - Restrooms, cafe, bar, showers, volleyball, ice cream, and beach supplies. It’s more crowded and touristy. Watch out for the seagulls.
7 locals recommend
Manatee Beach Park
Florida 64
7 locals recommend
Manatee Beach - Restrooms, cafe, bar, showers, volleyball, ice cream, and beach supplies. It’s more crowded and touristy. Watch out for the seagulls.
Coquina Beach - Restrooms, grills, abundant parking and shade from trees. Crowded, occasional traffic but less busy and touristy than Manatee.
138 locals recommend
Coquina Beach station
138 locals recommend
Coquina Beach - Restrooms, grills, abundant parking and shade from trees. Crowded, occasional traffic but less busy and touristy than Manatee.

Traveler advice

Getting around

Getting around

We are right across the street to shopping, grocery stores, USPS & UPS, and restaurants. The bus stop 0.4 miles from our house which will take you anywhere you need to go. Uber and Lyft are both readily available.
What to pack

Beach stuff

We have some beach gear you are welcome to use if you don't want to bring or purchase. Just ask!