Page 41 - 2024-2025 Travel Guide to Florida

A DAY IN...
BRADENTON,
ANNA MARIA ISLAND, LONGBOAT KEY
Wake up in your charming beachfront cottage and head to Ginny’s and Jane E’s to indulge in their famous crème brûlée French toast. Visit Pine Avenue, the heart of Anna Maria Island, and paint a sand dollar keepsake at the Shiny Fish Emporium. Rent a bicycle from Beach Bums and tour the island. Visit Coquina Beach, revered as one of the best in Florida. Enjoy a picture-perfect sunset and watch dolphins at play while dining at the Sandbar Restaurant.
FORT MYERS/SANIBEL
Begin your day at sunrise for fabulous shelling on the beaches here. Then find out why birdwatchers have ranked the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island tops for birdwatching. Tour the historical homes of famous inventors, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers. Cap off your day with dinner at the exclusive Veranda restaurant or at Pinchers.
NAPLES/MARCO ISLAND
Take an early morning walk along Marco Island’s crescent- shaped white sand beach. Search for shells and birdwatch at Tigertail Beach on the island’s north end, a top spot on the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail. Book a sightseeing cruise on board Pure Florida’s Double Sunshine departing from Tin City on the Old Naples Waterfront. Enjoy a grouper sandwich and slice of key lime pie at Pinchers Crab Shack next to the docks at Tin City. Explore the Smith Children’s Garden and the Naples Botanical Garden.
SARASOTA
Start your day with a freshly brewed cup of coffee and pastries in downtown Sarasota before heading to Bayfront Island Park for a stroll alongside Sarasota Bay. Hop over to St. Armands Circle for retail therapy and lunch at al fresco dining spots. Then grab a paddle and kayak the mangrove tunnels on Lido Beach. Reserve your evening for a sunset on Siesta Beach, where the luxurious quartz-white sand is unmatched. Top off your day with cocktails and dinner at any of the delightful restaurants in Siesta Key Village.
YOUR
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
SOUTHWEST
FLORIDA
EXPERTS
The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel: fortmyers-sanibel.com Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau: bradentongulfislands.com
Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce: bocagrandechamber.com City of Palmetto: palmettofl.org
DeSoto County Florida Tourism Development Council:
visitdesoto.com
Discover Hendry County: discoverhendrycounty.com
Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau: paradisecoast.com
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau: pureflorida.com
Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce: siestakeychamber.com
Visit Sarasota County: visitsarasota.com
2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA 39