TAG:Family Vacation
What to Pack for Your Vacation to Anna Maria Island
You have just booked your next family vacation to Anna Maria Island and you have asked off work to be able to go and relax on vacation. But we know that for many families packing can be a daunting task, especially when you are vacationing with little ones. Having a plan or even a list can help you pack for the whole family so that you can relax and enjoy your beach vacation. We at AMI Locals have come up with a list to get you started on packing for your upcoming vacation.
Before you Start Packing
- Going on vacation can be fun, exciting and relaxing but knowing a few things before you start to pack can help you in the long run. Always check the local forecast before you leave on vacation and yes, even before you pack. You know that you will need your swimsuits and shorts for your vacation, you may also need to bring a rain jacket or even a lightweight sweater as well depending on the time of year you visit.
- Make a list of activities that you’d like to do with the family including day trips, outings or eating out. Be sure to make a list for the whole family of what you will need. We suggest doing this a few weeks before your trip just in case you need to add a few things at the last minute.
- Organize a wardrobe for each day especially for the little ones including underwear and sleepwear too. To help keep you organized when packing the little ones, grab a box of gallon sized Ziploc bags and put two outfits in each one for each day. This can not only help you stay organized but can also help keep up with what they will wear each day too.
Clothing
- Beach Clothing | This should consist of swimsuits (we suggest at least 2 for each family member), hats, flip-flops and cover ups (a lightweight dress will do too).
- Everyday Clothing | Each member of the family should have at least 1 outfit for each day of vacation plus a couple extra ones for emergencies. For the younger children, we suggest at least 2 outfits a day and that includes underwear and socks.
- Footwear | We understand that some shoes are bulky, and you don’t want to bring them, so we suggest bringing 3 pairs for each family member. A pair of comfortable tennis shoes for walking any distance, a pair of flip-flops and a nicer pair in case you want a date night or two.
- Nighttime Clothing | Don’t forget about packing your pajamas and plenty of underwear and socks.
Toiletries
- Haircare Products | Shampoo, Conditioner, Hair Ties, Hair Gel, Shower Cap, Hair Dryer, Flat Iron, Brushes, etc.
- Mouth Care | Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss
- Eye-care | Contacts & Case, Contact Solution, Glasses, Sunglasses
- Everything Else | Safety Pins, Feminine Products, Razors, Body Wash, Soap, Cotton Swabs, Air Freshener, etc.
Medicine Bag
- Prescription Medication | Bring all medications in their original bottles in case you need to go see a doctor while on vacation you know what you are on. (Also have a list on your phone in case of an emergency.
- Over the Counter Medications | Benadryl, Motrin, Tylenol, Vitamins
- First Aid Kit | Band-Aids, Neosporin, Sunscreen, Aloe, etc.
Miscellaneous
These are the other items that you will need to bring with you on vacation such as things for the beach including a beach bag, chairs, towels, sand toys, beach umbrella and more. Also, if you’d like to bring your bikes you can especially for the younger kids so they can have fun at your AMI Locals vacation rental. Books and things that the kids can color with can help keep them busy on a rainy day too.
There are so many other things that you can pack for your family vacation, but we felt this list should do the trick. If you still haven’t booked your next family vacation to Anna Maria Island, we suggest you check out our availability. We can’t wait to see you and your family on your next adventure to our beautiful island!
Mini Golf at the Fish Hole with AMI Locals
There’s a great mini golf course located right on Historic Bridge Street, called the Fish Hole! It is fun for all ages. And several of our AMI Locals’ properties are within walking distance of all the shops and restaurants on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. Gulf View Beach House, Bayfront Retreat, and Coastal Cove, for instance. Come visit us on Anna Maria Island, grab your friends and follow our lead for a round of mini golf!
Time to Take a Swing at Mini Golf!
First, choose the color of your golf ball. This is a very important decision and can set you up for a very successful round. Next, choose your putter. Now, choose who gets to keep score – remember that the competition can get very heated in golf, mini or just the regular type. So choose the scorekeeper wisely. Fore!
Also, all of the holes at the Fish Hole course are named after different kinds of fish! For example, Swordfish, Grouper, and Hogfish. And you can learn more fun facts about these fish on each sign, along with what number Par is for that particular hole. Then as you move through the course, there is all kinds of fishy décor, a Koi pond, live turtles, and a waterfall. Not to mention, it really is a great place to cool off after a long day at the beach.
To be sure, family vacations are a great way to get to know Anna Maria Island. You will make memories to last a lifetime, and the vibe of the Island is very laid-back and relaxed. Book your getaway with AMI Locals and we will be sure to show you how to #vacationlikealocal!
If you go: The Fish Hole is located in Bradenton Beach on Bridge Street. And it’s open from 9 am – 10 pm every day. Check out their facebook page for more info! https://www.facebook.com/thefishholeami/
NCAA Bowl Games & An Anna Maria Beach Vacation
NCAA Bowl Games & An Anna Maria Beach Vacation
NCAA Football Bowl time is upon us! It’s time to pencil in a luxury beach vacation to Anna Maria Island on your bracket. In December and January, Florida hosts eight NCAA Bowl Games. Four of those are within driving distance from the beautiful beaches of Anna Maria, Florida.
NCAA Bowl Games in Florida
Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl
The Bad Boys Mowers Gasparilla Bowl starts at 8:00 pm on December 20th in Tampa at Raymond James Stadium. The local South Florida Bulls will take on the Marshall Thundering Herd. The Fan Invasion starts at 4:30 pm outside the stadium so be sure to arrive early.
Camping World Bowl
Next up, the Camping World Bowl will be played in Orlando on December 28th, and the match-up between the Syracuse Orangemen and the West Virginia Mountaineers is sure to be a good one! Kick-off starts at 5:15 pm. FanFest will begin at 1:15 pm on Tinker Field next to the Stadium for this NCAA Bowl Game. Admission is FREE with lots of fun activities for everyone in your group.
Outback Bowl
On New Year’s Day, the Outback Bowl kicks off in Tampa at noon and has the Iowa Hawkeyes playing vs. the Mississippi State Bulldogs. It’s held at Raymond James Stadium and there’s no shortage of excitement leading up to the game. The Pregame Bowl Bash starts at 9:00 am with live music and a Pep Rally outside the stadium, and food and refreshments will also be available.
Citrus Bowl
Finally, the VRBO Citrus Bowl starts at 1:00 pm in Orlando on January 1st, 2019. The Penn State Nittany Lions will take on the Kentucky Wildcats at Camping World Stadium. FanFest begins at 9:00 am on Tinker Field next to the Stadium. Admission is FREE featuring interactive games, face painting, and food and beverages available for purchase from local vendors.
Where to Stay
With Anna Maria just a short drive away, why not enjoy a relaxing week at the beach before or after the big game? Traveling with all of your family and friends? Atlantis Beach House has plenty of room and a waterslide! Or, Nautical Tides features a fantastic rooftop deck overlooking the Bradenton Beach Marina. While Blue Pearl has a lush and tropical backyard oasis to escape to after a long day of adventures. So, plan on a day in Tampa, Orlando, or St. Petersburg for the big game, and then spend the rest of your time on the sunny shores of the Gulf of Mexico beaches!
What’s Your Next Move?
Well, grab your playbook, call an audible to an agent, and get yourself booked into one of our available vacation rental homes! There’s not much more for you to do once you touchdown in Anna Maria Island, but relax!
Have a Perfect Beach Day on Anna Maria Island
Summer may be coming to an end but that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the beach long after the kids have gone back to school. We know how you can have the perfect beach day on Anna Maria Island after school has begun for the kids. Staying in one of our beach view rentals can help you be close to the action and enjoy the fun fall weather. Let’s look at how you can make new memories with your family while you enjoy the beach on vacation.
What to Pack
When you go on vacation to the beach you want to make sure that you pack the necessities. Pack sunscreen at least 50 SPF especially if you have kids because well let’s face it, the sun is still hot even in the fall and winter months. We don’t want you to have your vacation ruined on your first day at the beach. You will also want to bring some chairs, an umbrella, a blanket for the kids to use, towels, hats and even bring baby powder (helps get the sand off easier). Also bringing a small cooler will help keep your drinks and food cold while chilling on the beach. But if you happen to be staying in one of our beach view rentals, then you can always head in if the kids need a nap or you want to take one. It’s OK you’re on vacation after all!
Lunch Time
Lunch time can always be fun if you add the sand in the mix of things especially if you have kids. It’s a known fact that when you vacation with the kids, sand will get into your food no matter how hard you try to keep it out of it. We suggest bringing a snack bag for the kids and then one for the parents. That way your food is sand free or let’s hope it is. There is a Publix Super Market in Holmes Beach that you can always go grab some groceries for the week. If you are needing a Walmart there is one over the bridge in Bradenton, FL. Waters are a good thing that you can freeze the night before and then you can bring on the beach as the day goes by, you will still have cold waters.
Timing
Timing can be everything on Anna Maria Island. If you go to the beach early, then you will want to stay out there for most of the day. But did you know that the sunsets on Anna Maria Island can be too beautiful to not enjoy. So, if you’d like to catch the sunset while spending time on the beach, head out on the sand around 2 or 3 pm. You will then be able to see the sunset and make new memories while watching it with your family.
Walk the Beach
Taking a walk on the beach in the mornings and of course in the evening can be wonderful for everyone. Not only can it be relaxing for just you but bring the kids along in the evenings and collect seashells. The sand is so soft on Anna Maria Island that why wouldn’t you want to walk barefoot on the beach with the family. Or if you like to run, go for a run on the beach in the morning and enjoy the sunrise. No matter what time you go to the beach just take in the beauty that Anna Maria Island has to offer you.
Any visit to Anna Maria Island will allow you to have a perfect day at the beach but these are just a few to help you enjoy your day a little more. We thought that coming and visiting Anna Maria Island any time of the year is better than not coming and visiting at all. Even if it’s for a short visit, you are still able to enjoy a few days away from life at home. If you are still looking for a beach vacation rental to stay check out what we have available for this fall. We hope to see you this year while you vacation on Anna Maria Island!
5 Best Things to Do with Kids on Anna Maria Island
Do you have a family vacation this year on Anna Maria Island and not sure what there is to do with the kids? If you are staying in one of our beach and gulf view vacation rentals, we can tell you some of the best things to do with the kids. We have compiled a small list for you to check out and see what you and your kids can do on your next family vacation!
Go to the Beach
Well you are vacationing in Florida, so one of our number recommendations is to hit the beach and spend as much time as you can there. Let your kids spend as much time there creating new memories with them. Build as many sandcastles as you’d like and let the play in the beautiful, white sand. The best part of heading to the beach on Anna Maria Island is that there are sand bars that help create shallow water areas for your kids to play in. Let the kids wear their energy out on the beach for the day!
Hunt for Sea Shells
When you are vacationing hunting for sea shells can be a favorite activity for everyone in the family to do. This can be a great activity for the younger ones who are just learning to walk and for even the parents. Plus, we know of a great area to head to get to the best shells. If you head over to Beer Can Island (Greer Island) you can find some of the best area for the best shells.
Play & Enjoy Bayfront Park
We understand that your kids build up more energy than you can handle and need to run it off. Take them to Bayfront Park where they can run off that energy and where you can enjoy the beautiful views of the bay. This is a free park and a great new place to visit when you are on vacation.
Go Get Donuts
When on vacation you must get donuts especially at one of the most delicious places in the US! You will need to take the kids to The Donut Experience at least one time while you are on vacation to experience the made to order donuts. When you arrive though, don’t be surprised if you find a line out the door. This is a very popular place to go whether you are a local or a tourist. The process is simple and you will see many options to help you make your donuts better tasting. Just have fun and let the kids be creative. What a better way to enjoy these donuts!
Eat on the Beach
If you are looking for a new experience when it’s time to eat dinner or lunch with your family. Head over to The Sandbar Restaurant where you can eat with your toes in the sand. This is a locally owned restaurant that has an expansive patio with many tables over actual sand. And to make it better when you go just before sunset where you can experience a beautiful view of the sun setting over the water. They have a great kid friendly menu and no worry about the kids making a mess on the floor, it’s sand. Maybe make this your last meal while on the island. What a beautiful memory to make on your final day!
While there are still many other things to do with your kids but these are just a few that we’d thought that you’d like. While staying with us in one of our vacation rentals, you will find that there is something for everyone in the family. Take pictures, make new memories and come back to the island for years to come!
