Florida's Gulf Islands Visitors Guide® 2009 - (Page 11) about our world OUR COMMUNITY Our destination attracts over two million annual visitors to Florida’s Gulf Islands. Manatee County is a mid-size Florida community, with 741 square miles of land, 150 miles of coastline and 315,000 residents. Our islands are home to 15,000 people. inventor of the Fig Newton, played instrumental roles in building the community that is so rich and thriving today. OUR BEACHES More than 27 miles of white sand beaches offer amenities such as barbecue pits, concession stands, lifeguards and free parking. Anna Maria Island is home to Anna Maria Beach, Bayfront Park, Holmes Beach, Manatee County Public Beach, Bradenton Beach and Coquina Beach, while Longboat Key claims Greer Park (Beer Can) Island, Conrad Beach and Whitney Beach. sides by shimmering waters. The Gulf of Mexico sits to the west, Tampa Bay hugs the north, and Sarasota Bay wraps the eastern shores. Even our mainland enjoys our waterways, with the Manatee and Braden Rivers meandering through our towns. OUR HISTORY The area was settled by the Timucuan Indians who, according to legend, named the Manatee River for the gentle sea cows that still slowly swim along area inlets. Spanish explorers claimed the area around 1530, but eventually left the area in relative quiet for a few hundred years. In the late 1800s, Emerson Bean and Charles Roser, OUR CLIMATE A warm climate year-round works wonders for island visitors. An annual average temperature of 75 degrees is complemented by blue skies, puffy clouds and spectacular sunsets. Winter visitors enjoy highs of 75 and lows of 50 while summer guests bask in highs of 90 and lows of 70. OUR WATERS Visitors to our islands are surrounded on all TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Manatee County Area Transit – MCAT 1108 – 26th Ave. E., Bradenton 941-749-7116, www.mymanatee.org Eleven routes including downtown Bradenton, Cortez Plaza, DeSoto Square Mall, Manatee Convention Center, theaters, sporting arenas, dining and beaches. Connects with Manatee Trolley and Sarasota Area Transit. Wheelchair lifts and bike racks. Free Beach Express shuttle on Sun. and holidays. Service runs hourly Mon. – Sat. 6am – 7pm. Fare: $1 Reader Response 3. See ad on page 33. Longboat Key Trolley – MCAT 1108 – 26th Ave. E., Bradenton 941-749-7116, www.mymanatee.org Runs south from Coquina Beach through Mote Marine Aquarium to St. Armands Circle and into downtown Sarasota. Access to boutique shopping, dining, antiques and galleries. Connects with SCAT fixed routes and MCAT Routes 6 and 99, as well as the Manatee Trolley. Runs daily, every 30 minutes, 6am – 11pm. Fare: $.75 each way. Manatee Trolley – MCAT 1108 – 26th Ave. E., Bradenton 941-749-7116, www.mymanatee.org The Manatee Trolley provides FREE transportation on Anna Maria Island for shopping, dining, beachcombing, sightseeing and more. Connects with MCAT’s 11 routes serving Manatee County. Trolleys offer both air-conditioned as well as open-air seating. Trolleys offer wheelchair lifts and bike racks. Service runs every 20 minutes daily; 6am – 10:30pm. Fare: FREE Sarasota/Tampa Express 2875 University Parkway, Sarasota 800-326-2800, Reservations 941-355-8400 www.stexps.com The Sarasota/Tampa Express services the Tampa International Airport and the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. 9 departures daily. Van service available for home pick-up at additional charge. 8am – 5pm weekdays; 8:30am – 4:30pm weekends. Fare: $22 one way. TAXI & LIMOUSINE SERVICES Checker Cab of Bradenton - 941-755-9339 Island Taxi - 941-778-6201 Island Transportation - 941-779-2520 Luxury Limo/Bus Services - 941-926-4873 Suncoast Taxi - 941-727-3333 Yellow Cab of Longboat Key - 941-383-8885 Gulf Coast Florida Limousine, Inc. 7050 15th St. E., Sarasota 941-360-1469, 866-455-4400 www.gulfcoastfloridalimo.com Service from and to all Florida air and cruise ports with Lincoln Town Car sedans, 6 and 10 passenger limousines, 7 passenger SUV and our new Limo/Bus. Dependable, reasonably-priced service for weddings, nights on the town, concerts, etc. Permitted, licensed and insured. Itinerary for the love of nature Itinerary for the foodie in you SUNRISE BOAT EXCURSION - The area has many knowledgeable captains who offer sightseeing trips inshore, nearshore and offshore, or even rent your own. The calm morning waters will be teeming with activity of the natural kind! EMERSON POINT - Explore native Florida with Around the Bend Tours to lead you through this 365-acre preserve. You will see the largest Native American Temple Mound, go “Critter Catching” in the Manatee River. MANGROVE GRILL - Have lunch dockside at the Riviera Dunes Marina Resort in Palmetto. The Tommy O’Brien salad and a cup of Gulf Coast Gumbo will be another great find. NATURE TOUR - On a canoe or kayak, with a nature guide or on your own, our island waters abound with manatees, dolphins and stingrays for peaceful exploration. CORTEZ FISHING VILLAGE - Walk through the historic fishing village of Cortez, visit old fish houses like the Bell Fish Company, and eat fresh catches at Cortez Kitchen or Starfish Company. GINNY AND JANE E’S - Fire up the day with a latte and fresh bakery item to start off your culinary excursion while you browse this quirky shop/local hangout. MIXON FRUIT FARMS - Continue your day with a tour of the grove on the Orange Blossom Express. See the new wildlife refuge and enjoy a famous “Orange Swirl” ice cream cone. MR. BONES BBQ - Don’t let the skeleton on the sign scare you off; this place has perfectly seasoned melt-in-your-mouth ribs, plus a menu of Indian and vegetarian dishes. DAKIN DAIRY FARMS - Sample locally made yogurt, cheeses and milk from the Dakin Dairy Farms. Agri-tourism tours also available. BEACH BISTRO - Enjoy a Zagat Rated Restaurant, voted as the best food on the Gulf Coast. You’ll have to pull yourself away from the delectable fare for a brief moment to watch the sunset from your table. 11 http://www.mymanatee.org http://www.mymanatee.org http://www.gulfcoastfloridalimo.com http://www.mymanatee.org http://www.stexps.com
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