How darling is this beach cottage?! Beach Basket is located near the clear turquoise water of Anna Maria Island, Florida. Built in 1920, the cheery cottage was recently restored by the owner who also happens to be a professional decorator! I love that she honored the home’s past and kept all of its charm…there are so many neat details in every room! Wouldn’t you just love a vacation here?! Well good news…it’s a rental! Check out all the details here!
While we’re talking about Anna Maria Island…have any of you ever been there?? Every year Chris and I (and now Wesley) go on a trip for Thanksgiving and this year we chose AMI for our destination. I’d love any advice about things to do, places to eat/shop! The beaches look AMAZING. We’ve been covered in snow here in Minnesota for a week now and I’m already so over it! Cannot wait to get out the flip flops again!
Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise…updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!
I grew up "in town," about a 5 minute drive from the Island (as locals call it). You will love Anna Maria Island! It really is the perfect beach town.
To eat:
Tortilla Bay
Ocean Star (for sushi)
Peaches (for breakfast and lunch)
Eat Here
Island Creperie
Star Fish Co. (technically not on the island, but just on the other side of the Cortez Bridge). Seafood does not get more authentic or fresh than this.
For shopping, head on down to St. Armand's Circle (about 15 minutes south on Gulf of Mexico Blvd. and you'll run right into it). The Columbia is excellent for lunch or dinner at St. Armand's.
If you head into town, Robinson's Preserve in Northwest Bradenton is great (nature hiking and kayaking), as is DeSoto Memorial; Sweetberries and Shake Pit, just down Manatee Avenue, are local gems for sweets.
Enjoy!
Good morning, Erin!
I don't go by one day without coming to take a look at your beautiful blog. You know how much I love it, right?
Talking about loving.. well, you know me enough to know I am nuts over beach cottages and this one is just perfect! It's colorful, fun and it's by a sandy beach. What else can you wish for? Oh, the keys to the cottage! That's right! 🙂
Have a Blessed week, my friend!
xo
Luciane from HomeBunch.com
Go to the Mote Aquarium, botanical gardens. Eat at the Sandbar and star fish cafe across the bridge in Cortez. Great fun for kids. Also sat am farmers market in Bradenton. Best place to walk on beach is Bean point in city of Anna Maria. Most beautiful ever. Great for kids!
What a sweet place, so much colour you can't help but be happy there.
Stop in to Ginny & Jane's at the old IGA – a really fun store. AMI is beautiful.
so süße bilder!!! einen schönen abend wünscht angie aus deutschland
Head to the Ringling Estate in Sarasota. Woody's Restaurant in Ellenton is a really fun place on the water with live music.
AMI is gorgeous….one of our favorite spots! We like to dine at the Sandbar and Beachhouse Restaurants. Would love to stay at this cottage!
We just got back from AMI! My boys love Anna Maria Donuts on Pine Ave (pick your own toppings), Two Scoops for ice cream, Fire and Stone Pizza-all you can eat pizza, salad bar and includes an ice cream sundae for dessert (just on the other side of the Cortez Bridge), Mote Marine Aquarium (about 20 minutes down the road in Sarasota) and The Sandbar Restaurant right on Anna Maria. The island has a trolley service and my younger boys love trolley rides. They also love spending time on The Rod and Reel Pier and Anna Maria City Pier. AMI is beautiful-Enjoy!
If you like seafood there is a restaurant right in town called the feast. All you can eat crab legs and they are delish!!!
You are about to fall in love….with Anna Maria Island that is. Definitely eat at Rod'NReel, but go EARLY, like 4:30! Great grouper sandwich, fabulous onion rings!! Shop on Pine Ave. and go to Shiny Fish Emporium, beautiful baby designs, and many other things! Rent a bike and SEE the island, really see it! Go down to St. Armands one day if you want lots of shopping in a beautiful setting. In three years time when our beach house has been built and furnished, I'll contact you and you can use it in your blog, you will be very happy with it!!
Thank you all SO much for the recommendations!! This is seriously so helpful! I can't tell you how excited I am for the trip now!
check out the sea hag!
http://theseahagg.wordpress.com/
fun shop to walk around.
Such a charming beach cottage! So funny that I have been looking at AMI for a long weekend right after New Years. We go to Tampa for the holidays to visit family, but don't want to overstay our welcome, so a little beach time before heading back to Idaho is our plan. Happy Thanksgiving, Erin! I hope you have a great time and let us know how you like AMI!
–Cyn
I know this house! Our house is the next street over on Mangrove, "Mangrove Cottage". Wish we were there now but had to cancel our beach Thanksgiving plans 🙁 . Actually, its available if anyone wants a last minute Thanksgiving getaway..
How was your trip to AMI? Hi to Tracey Schroeder! We stayed several years at Mangrove Cottage until we purchased our own place.
Loving this blog.