Larry - Island Real Estate Blog

June 20, 2010December 5, 2020

Highlands Hammock State Park – The "Real" Florida

If you need a break from the beach take a ride to the “real” Florida. The Highlands Hammock State Park is centrally located in the middle of Florida, near Sebring. This park is one of Florida’s first state parks and known for its beautiful old-growth hammock and cypress swamps. A 3.1 mile loop drive gives a first impression. In addition there are nine different nature trails that take visitors through lush, jungle-like foliage. There are habitats like the pine flatwoods, hardwood swamp, marshes, scrub vegetation and lots of wildlife to discover. White-tailed deer, raccoons, bobcats, tortoises, herons, anhingas, ibis and of course alligators are among the animals living in the state park. The most popular hiking trail is the Cypress Swamp Trail that takes you on a 30 minute walk on an elevated boardwalk. The swamp borders a blackwater stream in the lowest elevation and numerous key points include the variety of plants, birds and other wildlife.
A large picnic area, 159 campsites, horse trails, playground, restaurant and the Civilian Conversation Corps Museum are other features of the park. During my visit I took the tram ride that leaves daily at 1 pm if there are at least 5 passengers present. For $5 this is possibly the best value you can get in any state park. Our park ranger Nick provided us with a wealth of information while touring the remote areas on this 60 minute ride. I guess it is even more interesting as we were very lucky to see all kinds of wildlife including a wild boar. Take a look at the pictures!

Contact Information:
Highlands Hammock State Park
5931 Hammock Road
Sebring, Fl 33872
https://www.stateparks.com/highlands_hammock.html

For other great activities or suggestions for your leisure time please visit our Island Real Estate blog.

Larry

Meet Larry Chatt. Larry is the Broker/Owner of Island Real Estate – and has owned Anna Maria Island investment property while residing in New England, Ohio, Colorado, Iowa and across Europe. He and his family have been on the island for decades and Larry has served his community in various roles with the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce

May 15, 2010December 5, 2020

Shake Pit – the Name Says It All – Great Shake’s off Anna Maria

Sure, there are lots of spots on and off Anna Maria Island to pick up ice cream. If you are in the mood for a thick old style milkshake there are less spots to suggest when visiting Anna Maria Island. The Shake Pit is the spot to suggest if you are looking for a great milk shake that reminds you of the good – ole – days. The employees even ask how thick you want your shake. You can get extra thick and believe me that means it is thick. Don’t plan to get the shake through a straw for a while. If you want to drink the shake through a straw then just tell them that.

My favorite shake is Peanut Butter – Caramel. That’s right, Peanut Butter, wow! The Strawberry Shake is great for those that are not as adventurous. One thing is for sure, whatever flavor you like grab a thick milk shake at the Shake Pit. The Shake Pit is just off Manatee Avenue about 10 minutes off Anna Maria Island.

The Shake Pit has more than just shakes. They have hamburgers, french fries, hot dogs, a few sandwiches, Onion Rings, fish and chicken baskets and a few other items to eat. All in all its a perfect spot to have something to eat and most importantly indulge in one of life’s little pleasures – a thick, rich Milk Shake.

A few notes about the Shake Pit…they take cash only, pets are not allowed on the outdoor patio but you can chain them up to a tree nearby, the pit is normally closed on Wednesday’s. For more Ice Cream Choices on and off Anna Maria Island visit our top ten restaurants page.

Shake Pit
3801 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, FL, 34205
(941) 748-4016

Larry

April 11, 2010December 5, 2020

Carol’s Top Ten List of Things to Do When Visiting Anna Maria Island

1) Have lunch at Tortilla Bay after….
2) Shopping at Irene’s – the only island Brighton retailer!
3) Watch the sunset at Café on the Beach on a Friday night
4) Take a photo of friends inside the Anna Maria City Jail
5) Split a banana split at Joe’s Eats and Sweets
6) Visit one of America top beaches and spend the day on Siesta Key beach.
7) See a movie at Burns Court – independently owned theater in Sarasota that shows independent and interesting films
8) Trivia night on Tuesdays at Lakewood Ranch Beef O Bradys!
9) Sarasota Main Street Friday nights Art Walk – galleries open late and all local artists showing their work
10) St. Armand’s Circle Walk – start at the South end for dinner at Tommy Bahamas and end of the 360 gets you at Kilwins for ice cream!

Larry

March 31, 2010December 5, 2020

Amy’s Top Ten List of Activites When Visiting Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island – Amy is an Island resident and vacation specialist at Island Real Estate. Here is her list of things to do when visiting Anna Maria Island. From the beach to the attractions, there is always something fun and new to experience across Anna Maria Island’s three cities! Try out some of Amy’s suggestions, and enjoy your time spent on Anna Maria Island.

10) Go to miniature golf on Bridge Street

9 ) While on Bridge Street go to Bridge Tender for lunch

8) Walk out on the Bridge Street pier

7) Ice cream at Joe’s Eat’s and Sweet’s

6) Walk to the beach for a sunset with your ice cream

5) Kayak in Robinson’s Preserve (featured in image above)

4) Eat or visit the Rod n’ Reel restaurant

3) Visit or have a picnic at Bay Front Park

2) Dine at the Star Fish Restaurant

1) Rent or take a boat out in the Gulf of Mexico or Tampa Bay

Larry

March 17, 2010December 5, 2020

Shopping at the Westfield Mall in Brandon, FL

There is fantastic shopping to be had on Anna Maria Island however some shop-a-holics need more. Sure Anna Maria Island has lots of shopping opportunities but if you are looking for 100’s of sneakers to choose from, 100’s of different pants, shirts, blouses or Jeans then visiting anyone of our malls within an hour drive of Anna Maria Island will fill that shopping need you have.

The Westfield Mall in Brandon is a great choice. Realize this is not to be confused with the Westfield Mall in Sarasota which is good however the Brandon location is MUCH bigger.

The Brandon Westfield Mall has several electronic stores. The biggest being FYI which is a huge music and electronics store. If you are looking for some great video games then hit the game stop or maybe even the APPLE store. That’s right, there is an Apple store for all those hard to find items you may need. The store is outfitted with lots of computers and gadgets for you to try first hand.

The major Department stores for Westfield at the time of this writing is Dick’s which is a sporting goods store, Dillards, JcPenney’s, Macy’s and Sears. If you are looking for some more clothing and Jewelry stores then the mall will not disappoint. Coldwater Creek, Coach bags, The Disney Store, Fossil, Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, Guess, Lucky Jeans, and many many more stores. I have been told some other stores not to miss out are SEPHORA, Ann Taylor Loft and MAC cosmetics.

If you are looking for a bite to eat then there is plenty to choose from as well. Starbucks, Cheesecake factory, Five guys a great burger joint, California Pizza kitchen and about 10 other choices.

So, with the above description I have barely dented the stores at the Brandon Mall but hopefully I have peaked your interest if you are adventures and want to leave the serenity of Anna Maria Island for a big shopping day. If you are visiting the Brandon Mall for a specific store then be sure to visit the Mall’s information page to be sure it is there.

One last thing, another person explained going to the Brandon-Westfield mall…”you failed to describe the Euro-phobic feeling when one steps inside this palace of commerce. The sights of shiny new things all waiting to be purchased – it gives me goosebumps!!”

Westfield Brandon Mall
459 Brandon Town Center
Brandon, FL 33511
(813) 661-5100

Larry

March 12, 2010December 5, 2020

Kacey’s Top Ten List of Things to Do on Anna Maria Island

1.   Lay out in the sun is the top thing I’d do!!!
2.   Karaoke out on Siesta Key Captain Curts
3.   Dinner at Waterfront Restaurant
4.   Site seeing on Mystic Dolphin
5.   Deep sea fishing – Used to use Flying Fish Fleet before they moved to Marina Jack’s in Sarasota
6.   Mote Marine
7.   Shopping at St. Armand’s Circle
8.   Dinner at the Columbia House Restaurant on St. Armand’s
9.   Ride the Trolley with no set destination
10.   Breakfast and coffee at Ginny and Jane E’s.

Larry

March 8, 2010December 5, 2020

Cold Stone Creamery – Gourmet Ice Cream Just off Anna Maria Island

Looking for gourmet ice cream? Try Cold Stone Creamery just off Anna Maria Island. It is on the corner of Cortez and 75th Street West in Bradenton, Florida. It shares the same building as Starbuck’s. Cold Stone’s claim to fame is there great creamy ice cream as well as creating special mixes within their ice cream. They use an ice cold slab to mix up ice cream with your favorite mixings. Berries, peanut butter cups, cookie pieces, M & M’s, you name it. The staff takes their great ice cream and with two scoops manually mixes in the extra’s. Our family loves the Birthday cake mix special which you guessed it, tastes just like birthday cake. It is fantastic.

So if you are looking for a special treat and can wait a few minutes for the staff to delicately prepare your custom order of ice cream with mixins, try a quick drive off Anna Maria Island to Cold Stone. Cold Stone sells ice cream cakes pre-made as well as a few other ice cream treats including ice cream cookies and drinks. Of course you can purchase larger servings of your custom order ice cream.

Cold Stone Creamery
7476 Cortez Road West
Bradenton, Fl, 34210
(941) 761-3252

Check out our Top 5 ice cream places on AMI!

Larry

January 20, 2010December 5, 2020

Miniature Golf Course "Fish Hole" on Historic Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach

Mini Golf Bradenton FL – When you’re visiting the Island with your family sometimes this question comes up: “What is there to do on the Island after the beach?” Now there is an answer.
Located on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach is a wonderful 18 hole miniature golf course. The “Fish hole” offers entertainment for the entire family. It goes way beyond traditional miniature golf calling itself adventure golf with waterfalls, lagoons, and treacherous handicaps and with a little local history and fishing education mixed in.
The ice house and water tower, complete with running water are based on actual buildings which once existed in the historic Cortez fishing village and the old wooden bridge represents the original bridge from Cortez to Anna Maria. They are continually gathering historical information about Anna Maria and Cortez to be placed around the beautifully landscaped grounds.
Each of the 18 holes is named after a different fish – the black tip shark, the grouper, the barracuda and the tarpon are some examples. But what makes the 18 holes even more interesting is the degree of difficulty of a particular hole is directly tied to the degree of difficulty in catching the fish the hole is named for. A lesson in fishing and golf rolled into one. At night, The Fish Hole’s park-like setting become even more magical when the “village” twinkles.

They have clubs for all heights from children to tall adults, and if you need a break, you can rest in one of their colorful rocking chairs. They also have party packages that are great for birthday celebrations and family get together.
Try it out and (to use The Fish Hole slogan) “get hooked”!

For more ideas and other great activities on the Island visit our Anna Maria Island Blog.

The Fish Hole
115 Bridge Street
Bradenton Beach, Fl 34217
Phone (941) 778-3400

Larry

January 12, 2010December 5, 2020

Olive Garden Is a Great Bradenton Italian Restaurant

Olive Garden is a great economical place to eat if staying on Anna Maria Island or in Bradenton, Florida. The Bradenton

Olive Garden Restaurant has outdoor seating for the great balmy nights of the West coast of Florida. The restaurant has a bar for waiting or just to eat or have a quick cocktail or bit to eat. Typically the Olive Garden is a great place to eat for busy nights on Anna Maria Island. The restaurant is about a 20 minute drive from Anna Maria Island.

The Olive Garden is primarily Italian although they do have a few traditional dishes. Beef, Pork and Fish dishes. The restaurant often offers all you can eat bread as well as soup or salad.

The Olive Garden has great spaghetti, chicken Parmesan, heck anything Italian is good.

Olive Garden Restaurant
4420 West 14th Street
Bradenton, Fl, 34207

Want another great Italian choice just off Anna Maria Island? Try Oma’s just off Anna Maria Island on Manatee Avenue.

Larry