by Denise Seith

Created on: February 19, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Paradise Without An Attitude is not just an advertising slogan on the cover of a glossy brochure. This tropical mindset flows tip to tip along seven miles of serene Anna Maria Island. If you're flying off to Florida this winter and don't have kids to entertain, you can skip Disney and instead get a major dose of downtime on beautiful beaches fringed with swaying sea oats.

Anna Maria Island is delightfully set apart from the more popular areas of the sunshine state, which helps preserve the "Old Florida" unhurried pace that makes it such a great get-away. While only 15 miles from bustling Sarasota, it's nevertheless an island with a physical and a mental detachment from traffic, crowds, and noisy tourist attractions. If you're expecting to pound the pavement or shop til you drop, you'll be disappointed. But fish, parasail, rent a boat, beach comb, bicycle, bird-watch, sunbath, and swim to your heart's content. And when it's time for dinner, casual dress is the order of the day.

As you make your way down the island's main route, Gulf Drive, you'll pass through three tiny towns:

Anna Maria City. Anchoring the northern tip of the island, two fishing piers- Rod & Reel and the Anna Maria City Pier- are the best places to catch your dinner. But if the fish aren't biting, restaurants at both locations serve all the fresh seafood you can imagine, so you won't go hungry.

Holmes Beach. It's here in the middle of the island where you'll rub elbows with locals while grocery shopping, banking, or mailing "wish you were here" postcards back to Oregon. Follow the advice on the plentiful signs that exclaim "Eat At Bones!" Funky and fun, Mr. Bones BBQ has the best baby back ribs in the state and offers bottled beverages from an ice-filled coffin!

Bradenton Beach. Don't miss the Historic Old Town District at the southern part of the island. Recently rejuvenated with beautiful landscaping and charming boutiques, Bridge Street is the center of the district. After strolling through the seasonal outdoor markets that are set up here, hang out with the pelicans at the Bradenton Beach Fishing Pier.

Anna Maria Island works hard to preserve its laid-back "Old Florida" heritage. No lofty structure (except maybe a tall shady Australian Pine or gnarled mangrove) hides the soft white sand beaches. No concrete walls block the blue view of the Gulf of Mexico on the west, Tampa Bay on the east, or Sarasota Bay to the south. First-time visitors often turn into "regulars" and agree that truth in advertising still exists - you really can find Paradise Without An Attitude on Anna Maria Island.

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