What I Did on My Winter Vacation
>After a week long visit with mom and dad on southwest Florida, my hubby and I set off for Anna Maria Island. It’s a tiny island, near Sarasota, which loads of charms and beaches to die for. We stayed in a charming little cottage within a group of charming little cottages called Anna Maria Island Beach Cottages. We had a studio with a roomy bathroom and little kitchen with fridge that allowed us to keep cold beverages available at all times!
Over a charming bridge (which was, literally, steps from our cottage), this was “our” beach for the week
We beached, biked, hiked, shopped, and ate to our heart’s content. And, since we’re in business ourselves, we’re always on the lookout for businesses we think are stepping it up. Here are our favorites from this trip.
Best Beer & Desserts - Waterfront Restaurant, Anna Maria Island
Once my husband discovered their selection of draught microbrews, this was a frequent stop for cocktails. He liked the Harpoon IPA, while I favored the Dead Guy Ale. Our beers came in glasses that had the name of the beer on them! We also imbibed on a couple of desserts here — the key lime pie was delicious and the Red Velvet Cake — YUM! The setting is beautiful — across the street from Tampa Bay. They have outdoor seating out front overlooking the water and also in a courtyard near the middle of the restaurant.
Best Use of an Old IGA Store - Ginny and Jane E’s at the Old IGA, Anna Maria Island
This was far and away our favorite hangout. These two girls have turned an old IGA store into the Island’s most happening place. Part coffee shop (the best cappuccinos on the island), part lunch spot, part antique shop, part florist, this place is simply enchanting. Lots of great Florida antiques, some repainted in bright colors, plus lots of other cool stuff made this place a daily stop for us. Oh, and the apricot & cream cheese scones? Addicting.
Best Burger — Duffy’s Tavern, Anna Maria Island
You gotta love a place that knows what it’s about. Duffy’s is about hamburgers. You can also get hot dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches, and bean soup (homemade — with a new bone, according to the menu). No fries (you can get chips if you want), no onion rings, no nothing else. Except the coldest beer in town (it’s true, too) in a frosty mug. You place your order at the bar and pick it up when it’s finished.
Best Thing to do on a Rainy Day (yes, we had a rainy day!) -
The Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, FL
For $15, you can tour the Circus Museum (very interesting - a miniature of a circus in Knoxville, real circus wagons, lots of circus posters, and other memorabilia), the Ringling Mansion (Ca d’Zan) and the Art Museum (lots of Renaissance paintings and while we were there — an exhibit called 5000 Years of Jewelry). It’s only a 30 minute drive from Anna Maria and it was a really fun day.
Our vacation was fabulous and I’m glad that I have these pictures so that I can forget that this is what I came back to!
