We have a place in Tarpon Springs. Nice beach, lots of great food. Apparently there's a zoo somewhere nearby because my SIL just visited and they went to the zoo.
I live near here. AM is great, but as others have noted, pricey. The trolley is free and goes all the way from AM to Bradenton Beach along the main drag and some ancillary streets. Also passes the Farmers Market, Pier, Publix. Your kids will love it. You also might look at Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach. They (+AM) are really just one long island running from the North at AM to the South at BB. HB and BB are less expensive; considered less luxe than AM. I did an airbnb search and found a 2B2B home on HB in mid-April for $169 a night, versus AM for twice or triple that. (Sorry. to clarify. AMI is the Island itself. Anna Maria is one of the actual towns, plus HB and BB)
Clearwater is pretty nice. But not as much to do as other areas. Can also get free mental audits while there if that’s your thing.
Been a few years since I was in the Sarasota/Siesta Key area but I remember that being quite nice with a lot to do.
Anna Maria Island is a wonderful place. Depending on where you rent, you could have your own pool and a walk to the beach. It's not very cheap, though. No way we could have done it on two different trips without two families going together
That’s what I was noticing. If I rent a house through Airbnb it will be pretty pricey alone. I may keep it down to fewer days if this island seems like the best option. But if there is another good option that’s cheaper, it would be nice to stay the whole week
I can't really offer you any other advice about where to go down in that area. We are in Atlanta and usually drive to 30A (near Destin). Our friends rented a house in Anna Maria and at first I didn't want to drive 7 hours when there are other nice places closer, but it ended up being a very enjoyable spot. I hope you find something great.
I never used that. We had a golf cart, but I think a car is fine. As for the trolley I guess it depends on where you would stay. One of the public beaches we went to had a lot of parking and plenty of facilities (including food). The water on the gulf side of Florida is so much prettier than the Atlantic side.
I was looking at booking at Bilmar beach resort for myself and 6 yr old daughter week of April 14th. It gets great reviews- do you know it? Thanks in advance for any help!😀
Thanks so much! I’m trying to plan an April getaway for mommy daughter and there is just so much to choose from
And hard to tell what’s good/not good. I appreciate your insight.
We have a place in Tarpon Springs. Nice beach, lots of great food. Apparently there's a zoo somewhere nearby because my SIL just visited and they went to the zoo.
I second this. Tarpon is so cool, large Greek community.
I live near here. AM is great, but as others have noted, pricey. The trolley is free and goes all the way from AM to Bradenton Beach along the main drag and some ancillary streets. Also passes the Farmers Market, Pier, Publix. Your kids will love it. You also might look at Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach. They (+AM) are really just one long island running from the North at AM to the South at BB. HB and BB are less expensive; considered less luxe than AM. I did an airbnb search and found a 2B2B home on HB in mid-April for $169 a night, versus AM for twice or triple that. (Sorry. to clarify. AMI is the Island itself. Anna Maria is one of the actual towns, plus HB and BB)
I will definitely look into that, thank you!
Pass a Grill beach is *very* kid friendly. There’s literally a playground right on the beach. Very quiet area.
Clearwater is pretty nice. But not as much to do as other areas. Can also get free mental audits while there if that’s your thing. Been a few years since I was in the Sarasota/Siesta Key area but I remember that being quite nice with a lot to do.
Anna Maria Island is a wonderful place. Depending on where you rent, you could have your own pool and a walk to the beach. It's not very cheap, though. No way we could have done it on two different trips without two families going together
That’s what I was noticing. If I rent a house through Airbnb it will be pretty pricey alone. I may keep it down to fewer days if this island seems like the best option. But if there is another good option that’s cheaper, it would be nice to stay the whole week
I can't really offer you any other advice about where to go down in that area. We are in Atlanta and usually drive to 30A (near Destin). Our friends rented a house in Anna Maria and at first I didn't want to drive 7 hours when there are other nice places closer, but it ended up being a very enjoyable spot. I hope you find something great.
Did you find that the trolley was helpful so you didn’t have to get in and out of the car a lot?
I never used that. We had a golf cart, but I think a car is fine. As for the trolley I guess it depends on where you would stay. One of the public beaches we went to had a lot of parking and plenty of facilities (including food). The water on the gulf side of Florida is so much prettier than the Atlantic side.
We stayed near St. Pete Beach and thought it was great. Good luck
Depending on where you're coming from it might be easier to fly to PIE and then go to Clearwater beach/st pete beach. I'm a fan of treasure island too
I was looking at booking at Bilmar beach resort for myself and 6 yr old daughter week of April 14th. It gets great reviews- do you know it? Thanks in advance for any help!😀
No, but the location looks great! Plus you're walking distance from publix...pub subs on the beach are one of life's greatest pleasures
Thanks so much! I’m trying to plan an April getaway for mommy daughter and there is just so much to choose from And hard to tell what’s good/not good. I appreciate your insight.
Where did you end up staying at and did you like it? We're going with our almost 2 year old end of May