Basics
- Length:
- 2.8 miles (4 km)
- Time:
- 30 minutes
Description
This scenic shoreline byway starts at the south end of the seven-mile Anna Maria Island and ends 2.8 miles to the north in historic Bradenton Beach. Gulf Drive, as the natives call the throughway, offers its travelers fine views of the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota Bay, and Coquina Beach. Swimming, sunbathing, wildlife viewing, and picnicking are just some of the recreational opportunities provided along the route. The byway intersects Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach, which continues to historic Bridge Street Pier. The pier is famous along the Intercoastal Waterway for its fishing, dining, and strolling.
Tourism Resources
Helpful Links
Tourism Resources
Points of Interest
Points of Interest Along The Way
Anna Maria City (FL)
Anna Maria Island's first settler homesteaded much of what is now the City of Anna Maria.
Directions
On the North end of Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island Historical Museum (FL)
Anna Maria Island Historical Museum offers a look at the early history of Anna Maria Island through books, pictures, artifacts, and maps.
Directions
402 Pine Avenue Anna Maria, FL 34216
Bradenton City (FL)
Bradenton lies south of Tampa Bay area and is a wonderful get-away with plenty of golfing, fishing, shopping, and historical attractions.
Directions
Bradenton City lies just across Palma Sola Bay.
City of Bradenton Beach (FL)
For decades, the City of Bradenton Beach served as the hub of activity on Anna Maria Island. From 1922 until the late-fifties, Cortez Bridge extending from Bradenton Beach was the only Bridge to the mainland.
There are many aquatic activities to participate in: swimming, sailing, jet skiing, parasailing, or fishing. If your desire is to just relax, you can take a barefoot walk in the white sand along the beaches.
Directions
The North end of the Bradenton Beach Scenic Byway.
Coquina Baywalk at Leffis Key (FL)
The Coquina Baywalk on Leffis Key is a park owned by Manatee County. The tiny peninsula, just across the street from Coquina beach on Anna Maria Island, has undergone much restoration over the years. Now the walkways of the Coquina Baywalk surround 30 acres of vegetaiton and wildlife, offering visitors the chance to view this natural habitat up close.
Directions
On Leffis key on the east side of the Bradenton Beach Scenic Highway.
Coquina Beach (FL)
Coquina Beach is one of the largest beaches in the area. The beach is located on the south end of Anna Maria Island. Some amenities include,free parking, lifeguards, concessions, picnic tables, a playground, restrooms and showers. A boat launching point is just across the street from the beach.
Directions
Just off of the west side of the Bradenton Beach Scenic Byway.
De Soto National Memorial (FL)
De Soto National Memorial commemorates Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. De Soto and his army of 600 soldiers landed on the southwest Florida coast in 1539. De Soto intended to explore and colonize "La Florida," and obtain riches for the King of Spain. De Soto was never able to establish a permanent colony in Florida before his death four years later.
Directions
Approximately forty miles north east of Bradenton Beach.
Historic Bridge Street Pier (FL)
The Bridge Street Pier is the last remaining piece of the historic bridge that first connected Bradenton Beach to the mainland. The Bradenton Beach fishing pier is the western end of that bridge.
Directions
At the eastern end of Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach.
Holmes Beach (FL)
Holmes Beach is located in the middle of Anna Maria Island, andis the largest of the three cities on the island. One of two mainaccess bridges comes from Florida's West Coast to Holmes Beach.Many of the island's fine restaraunts, lodgings and shoppingcenters are found in the city.
Directions
About 2 miles north of Bradenton Beach City.
