Anna Maria Island bicycling is fantastic for many reasons. Once you take a bike ride around the island you are sure to agree. From perfect year round weather to scenic bike routes, Anna Maria Island bicycling is wonderful.

See Anna Maria Island by Bike!

There are several things to keep in mind while biking the island. Below is the Harrington House list of things to know while cruising around by bike.

Anna Maria Island Bicycling – where to get a bike?

While visiting The Harrington House you will have beach bikes available for use. However, if you like to rent your own bike there are several equipment rental companies on Anna Maria Island. Check out Fun and More Rentals in Holmes Beach or Beach Bums in the city of Anna Maria. Both offer affordable options for bikes and many other equipment options.

As seen in Forbes Anna Maria Island made their list of America’s Prettiest Towns and we couldn’t agree more!

Fourth of July sunset on Anna Maria Island

Old Florida Charm

Located just south of Tampa Bay and north of Sarasota Anna Maria Island is one of the last vestiges of “Old Florida” charm on Anna Maria Island. Spread across three cities on one little island the azure waters and powder soft sands of our Gulf of Mexico beaches are truly one-of-a-kind. The lack of high rise condos and hotels help keep the wonderful sunrises and sunsets visible from all angles on. Regardless of whether you’re in Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach or the City of Anna Maria.

Looking for something new like exciting Water Excursions during your visit to Harrington House Beachfront Bed & Breakfast on Anna Maria Island? Take a excursion with Capt. Jeff who departs from the Mainsail Basin located at 5425 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

There are a number of different cruises to choose from: explore nearby Egmont Key, watch the sunset over Bean Point and dolphin watch cruise, or go for a beautiful boat ride down Longboat Key for lunch or even a day along the historic Manatee River.

Harrington House was honored to receive the Anna Maria Island Chamber Medium business of the Year Award for 2013 from the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. Our thanks go to out to the wonderful guests and staff who keep us going so we can contribute to our community. Pictured are Frank, Mark and Jo Davis.

The new Anna Maria City Logo was launched at the end of last month. Unveiled by Mayor Fran Barford the new logo is a nice fresh design by Mike Thrasher. You will start to see the new logo around town on city trucks and on various promotional items created by the city.

Anna Maria was first homesteaded by George Emerson Bean a traveller to the area from Connecticut. Head over to the Rod and Reel Pier which is the location of his first home. Later George Bean, his son, was one of the first land developers in the area and he along with his partner John Roser formed the Anna Maria Beach Company which was responsible for most of the development in the area.

For more history on the area go to the City of Anna Maria website. While staying at our beachfront bed and breakfast make sure to spend some time and visit the Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum at located in the original ice house at 402 Pine Avenue they are open: 10 AM to 1 PM Tuesday to Saturday to learn about the history of the City of Anna Maria.

Living by the coast in Florida has a lot of benefits but the one we love the best in the summer months are the Sea Turtles. Our amphibious local friends come back to nest on the local beaches year after year.

We share our beaches with nesting females and their newborn Sea Turtles from May through October Annually. The Bradenton Herald recently reported that the first mother turtle quietly came ashore to check out the area looking for the best real estate to lay her eggs this year.

Sea Turtles come back year after year to the same nesting area and when the babies are big enough to nest they find their way back to the same spot they were born, just amazing!

During the summer guest should be vigilent not to leave any trash on the beaches to entangle or block the young turtles as they head to the sea, watch out for turtles on the roads as you drive around the island as sometime they can stray off course.

The Annual Anna Maria Island Wedding Festival kicks off on Saturday May 5th at 4pm with a grand Welcome Reception and over $10,000 in prizes.

Anna Maria Island Wedding Festival - Photo by Jack Elka

The wedding festival is a fun informative festival and in past years has brought thousands of brides, their mothers, family’s and grooms to the island in search of the best Florida beach wedding.

Wedding couple on beach at sunset florida by Jack Elka The Wedding Festival gives you a chance to talk to hair and makeup artists, taste wedding food and wine, chat to entertainment organizers, watch fashion shows and visit with wedding photographers, florists and caterers. Harrington House wedding specialist will be on hand so you can ask questions, visit our grounds and discuss your wedding plans.

Register for the event at the Anna Maria Chamber of Commerce website.

Wedding images by Jack Ella

The Last Best Beach Town

Sarasota Magazine article from author Robert Plunket & Su Byron and Photographer: J.B. McCourtney.

[Read the following article on Anna Maria Island that came out in the October 2010 Sarasota Magazine. And if you click the “Read More” link, you will see the complete article. There was also a “Rent the Dream” section that featured Harrington House’s very own Vista Grande luxurious beachfront condo!]

Our own little Anna Maria is gaining a name as Florida’s most enchanting hideaway.

Florida has a short list of beach towns that are world-famous for their fantasy tropical lifestyle. Key West, for instance, symbolizes raffish hedonism. Palm Beach epitomizes the perfection and style that only great wealth can bring. Sarasota represents culture and sophistication co-existing quite nicely with golf and boating.

The Oil Spill from the Deepwater Horizon accident has been on everyone’s mind. We have had a number of calls about whether we have seen any impact from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and are grateful to report.

Currently, there is no local impact from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Our beaches and destination are open for business.
We are in no imminent danger of being affected.

Here are a couple websites with additional information:

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/

http://www.flra.com/

http://www.manateechamber.com (on the home page there is a link for a live look at the beach on Anna Maria Island)

http://www.mymanatee.org/

We have modified our cancellation policy: You may request a full refund of all monies deposited if the oil reaches Anna Maria Island anytime prior to your arrival date. Please come and visit us soon!

Also our sister company, Island Real Estate has a blog and recent update with video of the Anna Maria Island beaches: go to http://blog.islandreal.com/anna-maria-island/june-6th-2010-anna-maria-island-oil-spill-update/

Island Players presents Catch Me if you Can.

The Island Players present, Catch Me If You Can by Jack Weinstock & Willie Gilbert on March 18-April4, 2010.

Over flowing with laughs, this whodunit is exciting from beginning to end.
(Comedy/Mystery)

The Island Players, Inc. is a non-profit community theatre housed in the historic Old Community House on Anna Maria Island at the corner of Gulf Drive and Pine Avenue.

From the Island Players Website:

“Founded in 1949, The Island Players, Inc. is an organization dedicated to providing artistic experiences for the communities of Anna Maria Island and its neighboring cities through the presentation of stage productions.
The Island Players is the oldest community theater in Manatee County.

To accomplish these goals, we present five performances each year between October and May of the following year. Recently, one of our presentations is during ArtsHOP, which is sponsored by Cultural Connections of Anna Maria Island.

The Island Players Theater has a long history on Anna Maria Island. The building, originally the home of the William H. Gillette family of Parrish, was brought by barge down the Manatee River and placed where it is now on the corner of Gulf Drive and Pine Avenue around 1912.”

News from Harrington House - Harrington House

Anna Maria Island Bicycling

See Anna Maria Island by Bike!

Anna Maria Island Bicycling – where to get a bike?

Anna Maria Island – America’s Prettiest Towns

Old Florida Charm

Water Excursions from Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island Chamber Medium Business of the Year Award 2013

New Anna Maria City Logo

Sea Turtles Hatch Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island Wedding Festival 2012 at the Harrington House

Sarasota Magazine Article on Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island Has No Oil Spill From Deepwater Horizon Accident

Island Players present Catch Me if You Can

Island Players presents Catch Me if you Can.