Visit Bayfront Park in Anna Maria

Anna Maria Island is located just off the Gulf coast of Florida, offering a unique and exciting beach experience that guests of all ages can enjoy. Whether you’re traveling solo, with your partner, or the whole extended family, there’s something for everyone to discover! AMI is full of delicious restaurants, quirky shops, fun attractions, and some of the most stunning beaches you’ve ever set eyes on.

The island is divided into three cities, and at the north end of AMI, you’ll find the city of Anna Maria. Here, you’ll find one of the most well-loved parks on Anna Maria Island: Bayfront Park. This destination has a little something for every member of your group to enjoy, and it’s just minutes away from our Anna Maria rentals, so you can get here in no time!

Things to Do

little girl on playground

There is honestly no limit to the fun you can have at Anna Maria’s Bayfront Park. You can get here as early as sunrise and watch the sun light up the city. There’s plenty of green space for you to spread out a blanket and soak up the sunshine, or you can choose to stay shaded under one of the park’s huge Australian pine trees. 

Bayfront Park is a wonderful place to bring your kids, since there’s plenty of room for them to run around and play. There’s even an exciting playground and giant sandbox for them to explore! If you want to grab lunch, you’re welcome to bring your own picnic basket and eat here or visit any one of the numerous restaurants nearby. There’s also an awesome ice cream shop that your kids are sure to love! 

This park is also an excellent place for the animal lover in your family. Tons of wildlife species make their way through the park every day, but it’s best for birdwatching. You can spot the native and migrating species flying up into the trees of the park or wading in the waters on the beach. Just make sure to bring your binoculars to get the best view! 

There are also some fun activities right nearby Bayfront Park. If you want an awesome spot to fish, watch the view, or simply sit and relax, the Anna Maria City Pier is just blocks away. You can learn all about the pier’s 100+ year history, watch anglers try to reel in a catch, or just sit on a bench and watch the people walk past.

There are also plenty of activities to be found along Pine Avenue. You can pick up any beach equipment you might have forgotten or find the ultimate one-of-a-kind souvenir in one of the local boutiques, or find a restaurant to grab a bite to eat. Pine Avenue also has several beach equipment rental shops if you want to check out a kayak or paddleboard to use for a few hours. 

fishing pole on pier

The angler in your group will love spending time at Bayfront Park, since it’s right near the Anna Maria Fishing Pier. You can stroll down the pier and watch the water or cast your line and try to catch a fish for yourself! At the end of the day, Bayfront Park is an excellent place to watch the sun go down, as you’ll have an unmatched view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge that stretches across Tampa Bay.

Speaking of sunset, Bayfront Park is right near Bean Point, which is an excellent place to watch the sun go down. It’s a bit off the beaten path, but that just means that you won’t have to fight any crowds! This is an incredible spot for a romantic moment with your sweetheart, so you could even bring a blanket and pack your dinner into a picnic basket for a whole romantic evening here!

Amenities

We’ve already mentioned one major amenity at Bayfront Park: the playground! This playground is fun for every kid and is ADA approved to make sure everyone can join in, regardless of ability. The park is also full of other amenities that the entire family will appreciate.

While you’re at Bayfront Park, you can take advantage of the convenient restrooms and showers, which are especially handy if you’ve taken a trip down to the beach and now want to change out of your wet swimsuit.

When you get hungry, you’re welcome to bring your own picnic basket, use the park’s grills to cook your food, or get takeout from a local restaurant, then use the covered picnic tables to get some shade and enjoy your meal! Once you’re done, help to keep the park clean by utilizing the trash receptacles and recycling containers. If you’re in town for a big event and need a place to hold your party, Bayfront Park also has a pavilion that can be reserved by contacting the parks department ahead of time.

Plan Your Next Visit

Each of our rentals is uniquely designed and is stocked full of all the amenities you’d expect from your vacation property, like high-speed wireless internet, convenient parking, fully equipped kitchens, and more. Our properties are also centrally located while still remaining residential to give you your privacy. What more could you ask for? Contact us today to book your Anna Maria Island rental today!

Hours & Directions

Bayfront Park is located at 316 North Bay Boulevard. They are open daily from sunrise to 10 p.m.

To get to Bayfront Park, you’ll need to head to the north end of the island. Make your way to Gulf Drive, then turn right onto Pine Avenue. You’ll follow Pine Avenue for just 0.2 miles, then turn left onto Crescent Drive. From there, travel 0.4 miles until you can turn left onto North Bay Boulevard, and Bayfront Park will be on your right!

Bayfront Park does have a convenient parking lot where you can park for free. But if you don’t want to worry about driving here or trying to find a parking lot during the busy season, you can ride the free Anna Maria Island trolley! The trolley runs daily and is free to get on and off, and it will take you right to the park so you don’t have to load up the whole car. 

While Bayfront Park is one of the most fun things to do on Anna Maria Island, it’s certainly not the only thing to explore! After all, we’ve only talked about experiences in the City of Anna Maria, but there’s more to be found in Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, and even onto the mainland. No matter what you choose to do, you’re in for an incredible time, and Bayfront Park is just one piece of your ultimate vacation experience. 

When you’re planning your vacation to Anna Maria Island, having the right vacation rental can make or break your stay. At Lizzie Lu’s, we take pride in offering Anna Maria Island vacation rentals that are comfortable, safe, luxurious, and affordable. We’re always available to help you find the perfect rental, no matter how many people you’re traveling with or how long you’d like to stay with us.