Marco Island or Anna Maria Island?

[The Princess]

Which do you prefer and why? We are trying to plan a vacation with friends of ours and can't decide. Have not been to either place so not sure.....The ages of the "kids" are 22,19,18, and 16 so not young that we need to worry about a "boardwalk feel"

 

[tlmdisney]

I live in Bradenton right next to Anna Marie Island, and I love it there, it is such a peaceful place. I am not sure if there is much of a nightlife for your children. I have never been to Marco Island so I am not sure what there is there to compare. If you do decide on Anna Marie the best restaurant is the Beach House, we have never been disappointed.

 

[karenos]

I've vacationed in both places and I have to agree w PP. AMI - hands down!
We are going there over Easter week. We really like the old Florida feel and the lack of ginormous high rises (Marco has a bunch of these).

karenos

 

[Pembo]

Never been to MI but Anna Maria is very peaceful...not sure with the ages of your "kids" that they would totally enjoy all the quiet?!

 

[MNdisneymom]

Never been to AMI, but been to Marco several times. I really like it-- the beach is lovely--but I'm not sure if there is a whole lot to do for the "kids"--not much if a night life.

 

[deva]

Never been to Marco. Going back to Anna Maria in a few weeks. I have young kids so we love that it is a quiet beach town. Tons of great houses to rent (we get one with our own pool). We rent bikes, pedal to playground, beach, and ice cream shop. If your kids want lots of activities (or lots of kids their ages to meet) this is not the place for you.

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

I'm from Bradenton and I vote AMI.

When ever we go "back home" we dont even stay with family in Bradenton, we always stay at the Tortuga Inn, we love it there.

They have their own beach across the street, you can walk to the Beach House and the Gulf Drive Cafe, it's less than 1/2 mile to Anna Maria Beach,

We love to take a drive down Gulf Drive to Lido Key and go to St. Armands and eat at Columbia.