You’re finally on your Anna Maria Island dream family vacation. You pack your beach bag, lather on the sunscreen, and step out of your Anna Maria Island vacation rental to check the weather. And it’s raining.
While Anna Maria Island boasts an average of more than 350 days a year of sunshine, sometimes it rains. Rather than sit inside, take the kids to one of the many family-friendly indoor activities on and near the island.
These attractions are a great way to absorb some local history, learn about local marine life, enjoy some self-care, or see a play. Let’s face it, you probably could use an afternoon out of the sun.
Below is a guide to some of the best things to do and places to see on Anna Maria Island when it’s raining near our Anna Maria vacation rentals.
Rainy Day Activities
Below are very affordable and fun attractions for couples and adults traveling to the island during the rainy season.
Kill a couple of hours exploring artifacts and stories from Anna Maria Island’s vibrant history. The main attraction here is the city’s original jail, an authentic look into the darker side of the island’s history. The Anna Maria Island Jail and Historical Society is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
You can easily spend a relaxing two hours under the pat-pat of the rainfall caring for your nails and feet at Salon Salon on Pine Avenue.
Head to Bradenton to hunt for treasures at the Red Barn Flea Market. It’s open most days from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and most of the vendors are undercover. Local produce and hand-made treasures are among the finds at this popular market.
Kid-Friendly Rainy Day Activities
There are many family-friendly ways to spend a day on Anna Maria Island, many of which cost little to nothing. Here are a few nearby adventures kids will love. Trust us: they won’t even miss the beach.
The Florida Maritime Museum is one of the best in the state for maritime history and instruments. Kids will be captivated by model boats, archaic fishing tools, and the stories, photographs, and instruments of the long fishing history of coastal Florida. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Take a day trip to Sarasota for a matinee or evening show at the Florida Studio Theatre. Starting April 14, the theatre will launch a new children’s show, The Boy Who Liked Pulling Hair. The imaginative stories are both funny and full of important lessons. Children’s shows are every Saturday evening. Call (941) 366-9000 for schedule and tickets.
The not-for-profit Mote Marine Museum is acclaimed for its diverse marine life and otter exhibit. Be sure to check out the Shark Zone, “The Teeth Beneath” crocodile and caiman exhibit, the Ancient Survivors sea turtle room, and the Florida manatees. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Once you’ve exhausted the Mote Museum and the other indoor things to do, count on the South Florida Museum to keep the little ones occupied. The gorgeous grounds feature a planetarium and a manatee aquarium for kids.
Rain or shine, our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals guarantee a fantastic family vacation. With tons of attractions, things to do, and places to see both on sunny days and when it’s gloomy, it’s easy to have non-stop fun.
