With so many destination options, how do you decide what's best? This question likely has many different answers depending on individual wants and desires from a vacation "goal" perspective. Committing to purchase vs. rent takes that decision to an entirely different level. So why did we, as owners, choose Anna Maria Island (AMI)?
For many years, I was content to take a one week vacation in Florida, but had no desire to ever "winter", or live, here. When we chose to vacation on the island for the first time, it took me less than 48 hours to turn to my wife and say "Okay, I could live here". Why? What is so amazingly different about this place? Each time we are here, new reasons seem to get added, but originally, there were only three significant differences.
First, the beaches. White sand, beautiful water, and plenty of space to park your beach chairs and umbrella and just enjoy. Why aren't they crowded, even during peak season? Because there are no high-rise condos! Other than one exception, no building on the entire island is over three stories high. That means that no where are there a thousand people trying to find space on one little stretch of beach. It's fantastic!
Second, almost zero Golden Arches. Or similar. The island is blanketed with amazing, delicious, unique "mom and pop" type restaurants. The options are endless, and the attitude is laid back (see the "relax" theme?). We once had an almost two hour wait at a place we chose. No one gets impatient. New friends were made while waiting. We grabbed a few bottles of adult beverages while waiting, and the owners policy when we tried to pay was "don't worry about it - just bring your empties to the table when you're seated so that we can figure out the bill". Small town atmosphere.
Third, the island-wide speed limit never tops 35 mph, so bicyclists sometimes move at too fast a pace for this town. Instead of a car, it’s more likely you’ll use a bike or flip-flops. During the busiest spring break season, when traffic is the worst, the laid-back atmosphere prevails. Almost every driver is patient and content to just stop for pedestrians, cruise with the gulf breeze, and get there when they get there.
We are excited about our long term commitment to this amazing place. There's no place in Florida that we'd rather be. MI Happy Place is now a part of our Anna Maria story and passion, and we hope it will a part of each of your stories some day as well!
We loved AMI!! The island was breath taking with so many things to do! MI Happy Place was incredible with a relaxing atmosphere and everything we needed for an amazing vacation! We loved it so much that we booked for next year, so the countdown begins!