When one thinks of Florida — what immediately comes to mind? Beaches. White, sandy shoreline. Endless expanses of ocean. Sunsets off into the horizon. Locals who love their town and their state. A frozen drink or two, perhaps. Waterfront dining and fresh seafood galore. These are just a few things that may pop into one’s head when they picture Florida. Which is why this one town may just be the most Florida town you’ve come across, and boy, is it dreamy.

When you picture Anna Maria Island in Florida, images of the most quintessential beach town should come to mind.

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We’re talking about vast expanses of white sandy shores, turquoise, crystal clear blue water which stretches for miles and miles…

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…sunsets that could blow any other sunsets you’ve seen out of the water, no pun intended.

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But there is so much more to Anna Maria Island than being the most Florida town around.

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Locals in Anna Maria Island appreciate the quaint feel of the area and take care of their beaches and neighbors with pride.

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It won’t be hard to travel up this 7-mile strip and see residents and visitors having the best of times.

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There is a lot to do on this barrier island, despite everyone taking it at their own pace.

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You’ll see a lot of bicyclists taking to the roads to get from Point A to Point B, enjoying the slow speed and nearly always-perfect weather.

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You won’t see any high rise condos in the area, or a bevy of commercial stores as Anna Maria Island favors mom and pop shops and locally owned businesses instead.

Flickr Rick Schwartz

Visit Beach House Restaurant for a true taste of beachfront dining.

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Make sure to score yourself a table smack dab in the sand, which really brings the idea of waterfront dining to a whole new level.

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Or head on over to Waterfront Restaurant instead, off Bay Boulevard.

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The steak and seafood options will leave you satisfied and smiling every time.

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Another favorite for locals is the Rod & Reel Pier, right there at the end of the dock.

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If you don’t get the fried Grouper sandwich, then you are truly missing out.

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Great seafood, perfect weather, surrounded by some of the prettiest beaches on earth — what’s not to love about this classic Florida town?

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Have you ever been to Anna Maria Island? Share with us your favorite experiences! Otherwise, if you’re hankering for other beautiful parts of Florida to explore, take a look at This Beautiful Park Tucked Away In Florida Has An Intriguing History.

Flickr Rick Schwartz

Flickr Mark Vance

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Flickr Aaron Frutman

Flickr Andy Montgomery

Flickr David Schroeder

Flickr Travis Issacs

Flickr Nick Ledford

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TripAdvisor Corey Allen Jones

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