Bradenton Scores Highest in “Emotional Attachment”
A Gallup survey ranking 26 U.S. communities found Bradenton scored highest of all in the category of “emotional attachment” as measured by social offerings, physical beauty and an open and welcoming nature.
Village of The Arts
That friendly vibe particularly permeates the Village of the Arts, an enclave where bountiful whimsy expresses itself in the district’s colorful cottages, studios, galleries, book stores and restaurants.
Bradenton is also home to the headquarters of Beall’s Department Stores, Tropicana and Champs Sports.
Just to the west, mile-wide Anna Maria Island is home to three laid-back island communities. Just to the east is Lakewood Ranch, one of Florida’s newest and hippest planned communities.
A Gallup survey ranking 26 U.S. communities found Bradenton scored highest of all in the category of “emotional attachment” as measured by social offerings, physical beauty and an open and welcoming nature. That friendly vibe particularly permeates the Village of the Arts, an enclave where bountiful whimsy expresses itself in the district’s colorful cottages, studios, galleries, book stores and restaurants. Bradenton is also home to the headquarters of Beall’s Department Stores, Tropicana and Champs Sports. Just to the west, mile-wide Anna Maria Island is home to three laid-back island communities. Just to the east is Lakewood Ranch, one of Florida’s newest and hippest planned communities.
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New York Times Takes a Bite out of Anna Maria Island
The Island has been the subject of several positive stories in national publications recently. In July, a New York Times story on the island’s food and restaurants brought a new wave of inquiries to the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. If you haven’t seen the Times article, please take a look now and see if you agree with this travel writer’s opinions on the best places to eat.
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By CINDY PRICE – The New York Times
Published: July 26, 2009
FLORIDA is a clever little peninsula. Just when you think you’ve seen everything under its proverbial sun, you stumble across a place like Anna Maria Island — a seven-mile slip of cushy white sand tucked in the Gulf of Mexico where you can dump the car, rent a bike, swim in smooth, teal waters and eat remarkably well.
Chain restaurants line the landscape from Jacksonville to Miami. But Anna Maria Island, about 40 miles south of Tampa, has always kept things old school. A free trolley-style bus runs the length of the island, and colorful old cottages dot the landscape. There are practically no chain restaurants, no high-rise hotels or party beaches — just a laid-back, margarita-by-sunset kind of place with establishments committed to keeping things fresh, independent and local.
Complete Story
hain restaurants line the landscape from Jacksonville to Miami. But Anna Maria Island, about 40 miles south of Tampa, has always kept things old school. A free trolley-style bus runs the length of the island, and colorful old cottages dot the landscape. There are practically no chain restaurants, no high-rise hotels or party beaches — just a laid-back, margarita-by-sunset kind of place with establishments committed to keeping things fresh, independent and local.is a clever little peninsula. Just when you think you’ve seen everything under its proverbial sun, you stumble across a place like Anna Maria Island — a seven-mile slip of cushy white sand tucked in the Gulf of Mexico where you can dump the car, rent a bike, swim in smooth, teal waters and eat remarkably well.
hain restaurants line the landscape from Jacksonville to Miami. But Anna Maria Island, about 40 miles south of Tampa, has always kept things old school. A free trolley-style bus runs the length of the island, and colorful old cottages dot the landscape. There are practically no chain restaurants, no high-rise hotels or party beaches — just a laid-back, margarita-by-sunset kind of place with establishments committed to keeping things fresh, independent and local.is a clever little peninsula. Just when you think you’ve seen everything under its proverbial sun, you stumble across a place like Anna Maria Island — a seven-mile slip of cushy white sand tucked in the Gulf of Mexico where you can dump the car, rent a bike, swim in smooth, teal waters and eat remarkably well.
hain restaurants line the landscape from Jacksonville to Miami. But Anna Maria Island, about 40 miles south of Tampa, has always kept things old school. A free trolley-style bus runs the length of the island, and colorful old cottages dot the landscape. There are practically no chain restaurants, no high-rise hotels or party beaches — just a laid-back, margarita-by-sunset kind of place with establishments committed to keeping things fresh, independent and localFLORIDA is a clever little peninsula. Just when you think you’ve seen everything under its proverbial sun, you stumble across a place like Anna Maria Island — a seven-mile slip of cushy white sand tucked in the Gulf of Mexico where you can dump the car, rent a bike, swim in smooth, teal waters and eat remarkably well.
hain restaurants line the landscape from Jacksonville to Miami. But Anna Maria Island, about 40 miles south of Tampa, has always kept things old school. A free trolley-style bus runs the length of the island, and colorful old cottages dot the landscape. There are practically no chain restaurants, no high-rise hotels or party beaches — just a laid-back, margarita-by-sunset kind of place with establishments committed to keeping things fresh, independent and local.
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