For travelers who want to experience incredible white-sand beaches and shockingly turquoise water, an Anna Maria Island vacation may be the perfect getaway. Since the seven-mile barrier island is subject to fairly strict regulations regarding business construction, the nearby town of Bradenton is a popular destination for Anna Maria's visitors. Here are 10 great ideas for places to visit in Bradenton—including several places where you can eat and drink, of course.

Robinson's Preserve

Robinson's Preserve is a 600+ acre coastal preserve located in Northwest Bradenton that features hiking and biking paths, waterways for kayaking and paddle boarding, bridges, picnic spots, and a 53-foot tower with a wide-open view of the Tampa Bay area. This is a great place to observe Florida nature while getting in a bit of activity at the same time!

Legacy Golf Club

Between a lazy breakfast and a late afternoon seafood lunch, golfers can catch a round at the upscale Legacy Golf Club.

Bradenton Downtown Farmer's Market

This farmer's market has not only fresh fruits and veggies but also great food trucks. Check it out Saturday mornings!

Sage Biscuit Cafe

Every traveler on an Anna Maria Island vacation needs a great brunch spot. Enter Sage Biscuit Cafe, offering plenty of vegan and vegetarian options plus traditional brunch items and amazing desserts.

Ellenton Premium Outlets

No Anna Maria Island vacation would be complete with a little shopping. The Ellenton outlets have 130 stores, including Nike, Kenneth Cole, Kate Spade New York, and many more.

Paddle Manatee
Visitors can rent a kayak and explore the rivers and tidal creeks of Manatee County while checking out local wildlife like dolphins and manatees. Don't worry; the difficulty level is beginner.

Drago's
A relaxing Anna Maria Island vacation spot, Drago's offers sandwiches, ice cream treats, and luscious Cuban coffee.

Red Barn Flea Market
This huge air-conditioned flea market features clothing, sunglasses, fresh produce, souvenirs, two large food courts, and tons more.

TreeUmph! Adventure Course
Friends and families alike can get some energy out with the zip lines and Tarzan ropes at TreeUmph! This is a fun activity for all ages and is a good activity to enjoy the beautiful weather.

Duffy's Tavern
The way to tell a great restaurant apart from its competitors is whether the locals go there, too, and Duffy's definitely passes that test. With its amazing freshly made burgers, ice-cold beer, and casual atmosphere, Duffy's is a must-go for visitors on any Anna Maria Island vacation.

As the Beach Bistro parade of Holmes Beach, Anna Maria Island nears its 20th anniversary, people are excited to see what new floats and exotic animals make their way into the lineup. But, as great as the parade is going to be, we know what's really on everybody's mind is where they're going to drink afterwards! Duffy's Tavern is the only way to go!

Head to Duffy's for the great food, voted the best burger joint on the island. Our Tex Burger with tender bacon, fresh cheddar, and tangy BBQ sauce is a favorite among our customers. However, while a great burger is a great way to re-energize, we know that what people are looking for after all those hot hours standing on Palm Drive watching the procession go by is an ice-cold, refreshing beer. Come on down with your friends to celebrate St. Patty's day the right way, getting a froth mustache from one of our draft beers. Whether you're a Budweiser guy or a Stella girl, or you prefer something more unique, Duffy's has over 20 beers to suit your taste! Duffy's Tavern is the place you'll want to be on Sunday, March 13th!

We'll try and save you a seat, but no promises. Let the real parade begin!

Is there a better way to celebrate International Beer Day than coming into Duffy's for the coldest beer in town? We can't think of one! Celebrated the first Friday of every August, International Beer Day is a celebration that was founded in 2007 in Santa Cruz, California. It has 3 declared purposes: 

    1. To gather with friends to enjoy the taste of beer.
    2. To celebrate those responsible for brewing and serving beer.
    3. To unite the world under a banner of beer, by celebrating the beers
        of all nations together on a single day.

Participants in International Beer Day are encouraged to give one another "the gift of beer" by buying one another drinks and showing appreciation for bartenders and brewers! In honor of International Beer Day, here are some fun facts about beer.

    • Egyptian Pyramid workers were paid with 1 gallon of beer per day
    • In the Middle Ages, beer was consumed more than water because the alcohol in it made it safer
    • Beer is claimed to prevent cardiac disease and cognitive decline
    • Cenosillicaphobia is the fear of an empty beer glass
    • The strongest beer in the world has a 67.5% alcohol content
    • There are approximately 400 types of beer
    • One of the oldest laws in the world required each person to have a daily ration of beer based on their social status

So what are you waiting for? Come on in to Duffy's today, grab a cold one, and enjoy one of our world famous burgers while you're at it!

1. Ride the Island Trolley
The Anna Maria Island Trolley will take you nearly everywhere on the island for free! These brightly colored vehicles operate on a daily schedule around the island between 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every 20 minutes from the Anna Maria City Pier on the north to Coquina Beach on the south. Not only is it convenient and cost-effective, but you also get to experience the life of a true Islander!

They are also perfect for nights out on the town- don't drink and drive, take the trolley instead!

2. Enjoy the beach
Florida's gulf coast is blessed with its west-facing, breath taking views. Take advantage of it by renting a paddleboard and getting out on the open water! Rent paddleboards from Anna Maria Island Paddleboard Rentals as well as take lessons and tours! No matter your skill level, you'll be paddling through the ocean in no time.

If you'd rather do something more laid-back, gather a group of friends for a sunset picnic on the beach, go for a romantic stroll, or cast out a line and hope for some bites!

3. Visit Robinson Preserve
The preserve is a 600+ acre coastal preserve located in northwest Bradenton. The interior of the park consists of paved and unpaved hiking/biking paths, picnic spots, bridges, and kayak and canoe waterways that are also great for paddleboarding. Its most impressive landmark is the 53-foot tall watchtower with an open view of Tampa Bay. It's also dog-friendly so you can bring your furry friend!

4. Cool Off With Some Ice Cream!
Anna Maria has numerous delicious local ice cream shops. Two Scoops, Dips, Joe's Eats and Sweets, and Holy Cow Ice Cream are just a few to check out. After a long day at the beach, an ice cream cone, milkshake, or other sweet treat is just the thing to help you relax and cool off.

5. West Coast Surf Shop
With just over 50 years of business, this surf shop is one of the oldest in the state, and the oldest on the gulf coast. They have a great selection of brand name surf gear and apparel, like Roxy, Quicksilver, Ray Ban, Oakley and much more! Come see why it's been a local favorite year after year!

6. Grab a Burger and Beer at Duffy's!
To experience a little bit of hamburger heaven on Anna Maria Island, stop by Duffy's Tavern! A favorite of locals and visitors both, Duffy's is known for their "world famous burger and the coldest beer in town." With a variety of burgers, sandwiches, soups, and homemade sides like potato salad and coleslaw, you'll definitely think you're in hamburger heaven. Choose from a selection of over 20 beers to accompany your burger and enjoy the casual, laid back atmosphere!

Although burger month is over, we still have one more specialty burger! If you got all four stamps from each burger of the week during the month of May, you'll get to try our final burger! Come in all this week, show us your stamps, and treat your tastebuds. Here's what we have in store for you!

Didn't get all 4 stamps but still want to try this awesome creation? No worries, it is available for purchase as well!

The Cuban: Fresh ground chuck topped with Ropa Vieja (shredded beef), house made crispy fried plantain chips and Swiss cheese. All this sits on a toasted bun with a Mojo Aioli.

Burger month is coming to a close, but we have one more featured burger of the week for you! Remember, if you've tried every burger of the week and received a stamp for it, you'll get a free Duffy's burger the next time you come in. Here's this month's last featured burger!

The Southerner: Fresh ground chuck served on a toasted sesame bun with a fried green tomato, pimento cheese and a Bacon Aioli.

We're just about halfway into burger month, and we hope you've been able to stop by and try our first two featured burgers of the week, The Italian and The New Yorker! As part of burger month, if you try each featured burger you'll get a stamp, and anyone with all four stamps at the end of the month will get a free Duffy's burger! So what are you waiting for? Stop by Duffy's today and try this week's featured burger! 

The Greek: Fresh ground lamb patty served on flatbread, with a mint slaw and Tzatziki sauce.

Hopefully many of you have gotten a chance to stop in and try our first featured burger of the week, The Italian. It's Friday, so that means it's time to reveal our next featured burger! Come in each week to try our specialty burger and get a stamp for each one you try. If you have all four stamps by the end of the month you’ll get a free burger!

Here's this week's featured burger, it's not one you want to miss!

The New Yorker: Fresh ground chuck patty served on a toasted pretzel bun with a chippolini onion jam, drizzled with a Russian dressing, and topped with house made pastrami.

The greatest month of the year is here- it’s National Burger Month! That means that you have even more of a reason to come celebrate at Duffy’s. Not only can you enjoy all of our original burgers, but we’ll also be creating four brand new specialty burgers just for Burger Month! Come in each week to try our featured burger and get a stamp for each specialty burger you try. If you have four stamps by the end of the month you’ll get a free burger!

We’ll be revealing our featured burger every Friday, so make sure to check back in with us every week. Here’s this week’s featured burger!

The Italian: Fresh ground chuck patty on a ciabatta bun with arugula and basil pesto, topped with fresh mozzarella and prosciutto chips.

The weather is warm, the breeze is cool, and it’s the perfect time to hit the beach! When you’re all sunned out, stop by and refuel with a delicious burger and an ice cold beer from Duffy’s! Located minutes from the beach, it’s the perfect place to grab a bite to eat without even having to change out of your bathing suit.

With a laid-back atmosphere and the best burger on Anna Maria Island, Duffy’s is the place to be. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic cheeseburger or something more adventurous like our Tex Burger or Brie and Caramelized Onion Cheeseburger, you can be sure your tastebuds will be in burger heaven.

Not in the mood for a burger? No problem! We offer a variety of other options including a BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, Chili dog or Braunschweiger. Pair your burger or sandwich with any of our sides including homemade potato salad, homemade coleslaw, or a variety of Lays potato chips (sorry, no fries)!

Duffy’s serves a variety of ice cold draft beers, starting at just one dollar for a mug and considered “the coldest beer south of heaven.” Pitchers are also available for all draft beers, or if you prefer bottled beer you’re sure to find one you like with over 15 varieties to choose from!

Come visit us Monday- Saturday 11am-8pm and Sunday noon-8pm (Closed Tuesdays). We’re located across the street from Holmes Beach City Hall and the skate park on Anna Maria Island. We don’t accept cards so make sure to bring some cash!