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Our Florida Beaches are Still Oil Free
There is no oil affecting Florida Beaches at this time. Currently the oil from the Deepwater Horizon accident is no closer than 50 miles south of Pensacola and the forecast is that winds will continue to push it away from Panhandle beaches according to NOAA.
The main concern is that the oil has or will soon enter the Loop Current and take it to the Florida Keys. The Loop Current is the beginning of the Gulf Stream, oil in the Gulf Stream could affect beaches anywhere along the Atlantic coast.
Another concern is with large oil plumes suspended 1500 feet off the ocean floor. These plumes are estimated to be 15-20 miles and long 4-5 miles wide.
Dining in Rosemary Beach
When you plan your vacation to Rosemary Beach, try these restaurants that are highly recommended by other vacationers who have spent time enjoying the relaxing community of Rosemary Beach.
Summer Kitchen Café
74 Barrett Square
ph: 850 -231-6264
Two uniquely different dining experiences under one roof! By day, a casual breakfast & lunch hangout with an eclectic menu of roll-ups, salads, sandwiches, desserts and daily specials. Nighttime brings a metamorphous into gourmet dining, serving fresh Gulf seafood at its finest. http://www.theskcafe.com/
Onano Neighborhood Café
78 Main Street
ph: 850-231-2436
Onano is a fine-dining restaurant located on the ground floor of the Pensione, a European
style B&B in heart of the commercial district of Rosemary Beach. Onano specializes in
Northern Italian cuisine and features fresh local seafood, choice beef and creative dishes, featuring indoor & outdoor dining and intimate bar. http://www.onanocafe.com/
Paradis
82 South Barrett Square
Ph: 850- 534-0400
Paradis is a fine dining restaurant that evokes a warm, neighborhood feel and understated, wine country elegance. Open nightly starting mid March, Paradis is committed to serving fresh, seasonal ingredients which celebrate the abundance of Gulf seafood along with prime steaks and fine wine. The inviting, full-service lounge is the perfect place to relax with friends or meet new ones! http://www.restaurantparadis.com
Courtyard Wine & Cheese
66 Main Street
850-231-1219
A wine bar featuring low production wines by the glass, bottle or for retail with the only temperature controlled cellar in the area. The tasting room opens to an open- air courtyard and an old world artisan cheese shop featuring cheeses, cured meats, oils, vinegars, cheese plates, and fondue. Tastings and live music regularly, call for details. WIFI compatable. www.courtyardwineandcheese.com
Cowgirl Kitchen
54 Main St
850-303-0708
Located in the heart of Rosemary Beach, The Cowgirl Kitchen has a casual and fun atmosphere for breakfast, healthy sandwiches, salads and soups made fresh daily.
Going to the beach for sunset? Grab your picnic basket here first!! Cold beer, tasty frozen daiquiris and a wide selection of dips, spreads, crackers and chips. Not in the mood to cook? We make it easy for you to enjoy time with friends & family with delicious homemade meals and salads big enough to feed the entire gang! Having a special get together? Call us for a scrumptious and affordable spread of appetizers for your next gathering. Cowgirl Kitchen — Where Beach meets West! We bring Texas-style hospitality and our love of food to the most beautiful beaches in the world!! Gitchya some soon!
Monday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm, Tuesday thru Sunday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm (kitchen is open ’til 10:00 pm on weekends and bar until midnight). www.cowgirlkitchen.net
The Sugar Shak
5 Main St. Suite 2A
850-231-3655
A sweet shop for the young and the young at heart! Come visit us in our new home on Main Street and enjoy ice cream with waffle cones that are made daily, soft-serve yogurt plus lots and lots of CANDY! www.sugarshak.com
Dog Man Du
Hot dogs just taste better at the beach and nobody serves them up hotter or juicer than DogManDu! In season, beach-goers and sun lovers can pick up a tasty meal from the mobile hot dog cart while still soaking up the rays and salt air. On special event nights, like Moonlight & Movies and Kids’ Rock The Block parties, enjoy dinner or snacks without missing a minute of the fun!
La Crema Tapas & Chocolate
38 Main Street
404- 542-2822
The concept is borrowed from the incredibly popular tapas and chocolate shops of Madrid and Barcelona as discovered on a recent trip to Spain. Rosemary Beach and Barcelona share a similar climate and strategic location next to the sea for fresh food so we see a tapas and chocolate shop as a natural fit for our hometown. Having lived in Rosemary Beach for two years we have notice the void of an in-expensive place to linger with friends while snacking and enjoying great flavors. We want to provide such a dynamic experience to each visitor that they can’t help but revere Rosemary with the same passionate feelings we have for Barcelona. Dining can be a fun experience that’s casual, tasty, and unique and doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. http://www.lacrematapas.com/
About Rosemary Beach Florida Vacations
In 1995, Rosemary Beach was born from a plan created by The Rosemary Beach Land Company and founded on the principles of New Urbanism and Traditional Neighborhood Development and inspired by other classic beach towns. The 107-acre, gulf-front town of Rosemary Beach was designed to bring back the notions of community, neighborhood and convenience. Rosemary Beach is a neo-traditional town located on northwest Florida’s gulf coast, between Panama City and Destin, at the eastern end of Scenic Route 30A. Easily accessible by air or by car, the town is a 30-minute drive from the Panama City-Bay County International Airport and a one-hour drive from the Fort Walton Beach Okaloosa Airport. Rosemary Beach has mild year-round temperatures, yet still has a change of seasons. The beaches are free from crowds, pristine, long stretches of beach made up of the brightest of white sands. The natural beauty of Rosemary Beach is emphasized by the location on a scenic road, aesthetically pleasing architecture, and award-winning, expertly-designed layout. The convenient and quaint town center offers amenities such as tennis courts, pools, dune walkovers to the beach and lots of green areas in which to relax. To establish and preserve the unique vision and character of Rosemary Beach, the town planners and architects provided guidelines for the placement, design and construction of all homes and buildings in Rosemary Beach. The resulting town plan is an intricate patchwork of different house types, and custom homes built to suit a wide range of individual tastes. There are 12 basic building types which establish the character of each neighborhood and ensure the integrity of the Town Plan. Every home in Rosemary Beach is architecturally unique and is custom designed and built to reflect each owner’s tastes, needs and lifestyle. Yet, every house is an inextricable part of the fabric of the town, reinforcing its coastal character. With a strict urban code, Rosemary Beach ensures harmony and architectural integrity throughout the town. The use of authentic and time-tested construction materials and techniques relates perfectly to the beach-side environment. Homes, which face pedestrian boardwalks, are finished with wood siding, cedar shingle or stucco (true masonry) with metal or shingle shake roofing. A rich palette of colors in subtle, natural tones distinguishes the houses. The shapes and silhouettes at Rosemary Beach call to mind St. Augustine, the West Indies, New Orleans and Charleston. Deep eaves provide shade from the afternoon sun. High ceilings draw breezes through houses. Gardens, fountain-filled courtyards and porches become outdoor rooms. Secret pathways lead to the town square, tennis courts, swimming pools and the beach. Parking is restricted to alleyways located behind homes, and the town’s pedestrian scale ensures that everything is within no more than a five minute walk. The natural topography of Rosemary Beach was not disturbed during development. Instead, roadways were laid to conform to the natural contours of the land. You can find accommodations in Rosemary Beach that will provide you the finest beach vacation available. This area is quiet, peaceful, beautiful, and perfect for relaxing and enjoying the Gulf of Mexico.
Rosemary Beach Attractions
Rosemary Beach has many wonderful attractions that will inspire you to return year after year. The city was built to display various types of interesting architecture with calming natural finishes instead of paint. Every house in Rosemary Beach is unique. To get a good look at the architecture, take the Town Hall tour. The tour goes over the architectural styles, which is based on, either the British West Indies, St. Augustine or New Orleans. Rosemary Beach developers and residents created rules to keep things somewhat uniform, (like the plants need to be native), but the amazing aspect of the town is that in spite of all of these homes, there are so many open places. Little greens and plazas are everywhere. No private lawns are allowed. The idea is to plant native species such as palmetto, sand live oak, and the community’s namesake, wild rosemary. Public spaces feature 100-percent native species. Every garden, every walkway, looks like a professionally manicured, botanical garden. In addition, rosemary is everywhere. The smell and the look of the herb permeate every feature. There are walking paths and walkways between the houses so basically, you can walk throughout parts of the town without seeing a car. Even though this is a development, instead of just rushing to build the houses, they’ve created these policies in place, to think of everything. They have policies like maintaining a certain minimum distance between each house, and not confusing the turtles. It seems that Loggerhead and Green Turtles are native to the area and certain lights can look like the full moon and confuse the poor things during mating seasons. If you’re lucky enough to have a house right on the beach, you need to have certain types of windows and lights, which don’t upset the turtles.
Rosemary Beach offers a fantastic butterfly garden where Monarch butterflies visit. In the Northwest corner of Rosemary Beach at West Kingston Road is an elaborate butterfly garden. This garden was conceived as a display garden that would emphasize the significance of the native landscape. A wooden walkway weaves through colorful plantings that lure butterflies.
In Rosemary Beach, there are always activities for the family. Every Thursday night (8:15) from May-August, family movies are played on a big screen on the “green” by the beach – what a background! It also seems like every Sunday evening there is a bluegrass band that plays outside the town auditorium. It’s wonderful time to walk around the town square, watching kids play and listening to live music.
There are nine beach access points, created to preserve the natural dunes and beach habitat. They function as a natural boarder between the town and the beach, and protection for the town from storms. If you prefer to swim in a pool, Rosemary Beach has four swimming pools. The Cabana Pool (with cabana-style dressing rooms) attracts families thanks to its separate children’s pool and playground park. The open-all-year-round Sky Pool has a metal roof with motorized panels. It can be opened or closed depending on the weather. Coquina Pool, which has a “negative edge.” When you’re in the pool there’s no outer wall rising above the water. The water just rolls over the wall, which gives the illusion of never ending .The Barbados Pool looks like it belongs in Barbados and offers BBQ lunches near the pool.
Rosemary Beach also has a fitness center, eight tennis courts (six illuminated for nocturnal volleys) and bike paths. The fitness center is full of new state-of-the-art machines, and a pro instructor is available for tennis lessons. 18-mile long South Walton bike path that runs along the coastline; and should biking beckon, you’ll find a wheel friend at Bamboo Beach & Bicycle Co. You can rent bikes for adults and children, baby joggers, scooters, burleys, wagons and bicycles built for two. Since the town is rather compact, you can bike from one end to the other in a few minutes.
Five minutes by car will take you to the Camp Creek Golf Course, a Tom-Fazio designed masterpiece, recently ranked by Golf Week as the 8th best daily fee course in Florida. Additionally, you can find more courses just 20 minutes away in Destin such as San Destin’s 5 courses and Regatta Bay.
Interested in a little self pampering? Escape the everyday and take time to relax your body and mind at Solace Day Spa which offers a wide variety of relaxing spa treatments, including massage therapy, luxurious facials, nails services, and refreshing body treatments, all in a unique tropical setting. Shopping therapy can also be accommodated at Flavours of France, an antique shop and interior design studio, which features an eclectic blend of French antiques and accessories, primarily from the 17th century to mid-20th century. Or try The Gourd Garden Courtyard Shop, an upscale sibling of The Gourd Garden down highway 30-A, carries pottery, glass, textile and wood as well as personal care products and unique vintage home décor items.
Natural attractions in the area include Deer Lake State Park which features massive dunes, a beach and lake, and Eden State Gardens and Mansion, an elegant Greek Revival house and grounds overlooking the Choctawhatchee River. Huge live oak trees shelter camellias and roses and the park has its own butterfly garden.
For more information on area rentals and activities:
Bamboo Bicycle Company
Make your vacation even more memorable with a leisurely bike ride through our quaint community. We have rental bikes for all ages from toddlers to grandparents. Other rental items include tandems, kids’ trailers, wagons, baby joggers and tag-a-longs. It’s the best way to enjoy the beach and the scenic 30-A trail. New Trek bicycles and bicycle accessories are available or we can order the perfect bike for you. www.rosemarybeach.com
Phone: (850) 231-0770
Rosemary Beach Racquet Club
Rosemary Beach is a tennis lover’s paradise! The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and always ready to assist you. We maintain our eight clay courts in top condition; six are lighted for evening play. A complete tennis pro shop is located on the premises, featuring state-of-the-art equipment and the latest in men, women and children’s tennis wear. The pro shop also has a rooftop viewing deck overlooking the courts. www.rosemarybeach.com
Phone: (850) 278-2061
Rosemary Beach Fitness Center
The Fitness Center is located on East Water Street, adjacent to the Sky Pool. A 1620 square-foot exercise room with rubber sports flooring features Bodymasters selectorized equipment, FreeMotion selectorized equipment, rubberized dumbbells and barbell free weights. Aerobic equipment includes True treadmills, recumbent and upright bikes, Precor elipticals and Stairmaster steppers. Enercise cardio-theaters with 15” LCD screens are placed at each aerobic station. A 1320 square-foot classroom and outdoor grassy courtyard are used for Pilates and Hatha yoga classes. A performance evaluation room for personal fitness assessments, a massage treatment room, men’s and ladies’ locker rooms with showers round out the Fitness Center offerings. www.rosemarybeach.com
Hours
Monday-Friday: 6:00 am-8:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am-4:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am -4:00 pm
To schedule a training session or massage please call: (850) 278-2200.
Sea Oats Beach Service
Located on the beach in front of the Eastern Green walkover, Sea Oats Beach Service rents sun umbrellas, beach chairs, sea kayaks, sailboats and hammocks. Kids eight and up can learn to surf, skim, snorkel, sail and kayak in the summertime Sea School. Open seven days a week, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, March 1 – Thanksgiving weekend. www.seaoatsbeachservice.com
Phone: (850) 951-3632
Amalfi Coast Helpful Travel Facts
When you have decided on an Amalfi Coast Vacation Villa, you are going to need some additional information to assist you in getting everything out of your trip that you can. This article has some great ideas, tips an facts for you to start planning your vacation.
The Amalfi Coast is one of the most enchanting coastlines in Europe, for the spectacular landscape and historic heritage of the place. The vegetable patches and gardens, are all contained in terraces, where the products, like lemons, are cultivated from centuries.
Along the 50km of the wonderful Amalfi Coast there are small villages, like Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Atrani, Scala, all located near little beaches, where deep high valleys run down to the sea, confirming the traditional interplay between sea land, trade and agriculture, so peculiar to the history of Amalfi.
The nature of the Amalfi coastline has made very difficult and interesting the construction of the main road (named Statale 163) that connects all the villages of the coast. This incredible road was built around 1840 and completed in 1852, and it winds around the mountains, on cliffs varying from 50ft to 400ft above the sea, offering breathtaking sea views.
The Amalfi Coast makes a convenient base for visiting other famous attractions: Pompei, Capri, Napoli, Paestum and Sorrento Coast.
Amalfi Coast Seasons
The temperature rarely falls below 10°C in winter, or climbs above 35°C in summer.
Southern Italy can be very hot in the height of summer although refreshing coastal breezes tend to moderate the temperatures in resorts. On the coast, temperatures are even more moderate thanks to the refreshing breezes.
Spring and autumn are seasons that allow vacationers to enjoy the most of the Amalfi Coast: spring for the infinity of wild flowers in the countryside, autumn for the color of trees in the hills. Milder temperatures and fewer crowds make for much more enjoyable touring. From December to March you can enjoy the peace and quiet and reasonable temperatures anywhere close to the coasts, though it will probably be too cold for swimming.
Amalfi Coast Historic Places
CATHEDRAL – Duomo of St Andrew (Amalfi)
The Cathedral (Duomo of St Andrew) is an impressive complex structure located in the main square of Amalfi. It has ancient origins and has been renovated a few times through the centuries. The original structure dates back to the ninth century, but the church was completely rebuilt in 1203 in Arab – Norman style. The cathedral’s front is rich with many golden mosaics and the facade and the atrium were rebuilt in 1889-91 after the collapse of the older structures.
The central Mosaic is by Domenico Morelli. The bronze doors of the Duomo were casted in Costantinopoli in 1066, at the time, the Amalfi’s town was a powerful sea-republic. The doors are decorated with figures of Christ, Mother Mary and the Saint of Andrea.
The crypt, built in 1253, is really worth a visit and it is accessible only through the Cloister of Paradise.
The Bell Tower, located to the left of the cathedral, maintains its original style and structure, in spite of many renovations. The tower is a mixture of Norman and Arabic style, with its double and triple light windows and its majolica domes. It was built between 1180 and 1276 and it was also used as a defensive tower against Angioini in 1389.
Amalfi Coast Beaches
The Amalfi Coast Beaches in this area are small patches of coarse gray sand, or just few rocks below the precipices, most of them reachable only by foothpath, stairs or by boat. As well as taking in the local sights, some of you will want to return home with a lovely Mediterranean suntan; it is important therefore, that especially on the first week of your holiday to be careful and avoid sunburn.
Amalfi Coast Walking
The Amalfi Coast and the Sorrentine Peninsula have always been known for their breathtaking scenery and famous sites such as Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, Sorrento, the island of Capri and Ischia, Positano, Ravello, Amalfi and so on, but there is a lot more to be enjoyed. The Amalfi Coast area is made up of soaring limestone cliffs on the edge of the central mountain chain, which form the southern arm of the Bay of Naples. The spine of the peninsula is made up of the Lattari Mountains which rise to a height of nearly 1440 meters and are comprised of high cliffs and deep gorges. Before cars cart paths and footpaths were the only way via land to get around the Amalfi Coast. There still exist several small paths and stairways connecting the coastal towns with mountainside villages, allowing you to enjoy views that cannot even be imagined by tourists on wheels.
Most of the trails are quite well marked and free maps are available in Tourist offices. One famous walking path is in Valle delle Ferriere ( Amalfi’s Village). The park takes its name (ferro means iron in Italian) from the ships that used to be built here. Another trail is God’s path (sentiero degli Dei) which, starts from Agerola and runs to Positano. Along the way you can see the Bay of Naples and Salerno Gulf as well as the sinuous shape of the Sorrentine peninsula with Capri in the background. Far below, the cars on the Amalfi Coastal road look like toys.
High windswept routes above the ravines and dramatic rock faces take explorers into some less traveled areas, treating hikers to a beautiful display of rare wild flowers and birds of prey. The area has specialized micro-climates which support a wide variety of wild flowers, some of them also found in Africa and South America. The southern slopes are warmed by the Mediterranean breezes and the steepness of the valley sides, all help to produce tropical conditions.
Amalfi Coast Food & Drink
Food
One of the true pleasures of an Italian holiday is trying the local cuisine. Some local restaurants do not have a printed menu and simply tell you what is available. This does not mean that you will be charged excessively but does usually indicate that freshly prepared dishes are provided to satisfy the predominantly local clientele.
Among the many excellent “primi piatti” or first courses are: Cannelloni, Spaghetti al Pomodoro with fresh tomato sauce or Spaghetti alle Vongole with clams, Gnocchi, small potato dumplings in a tasty tomato sauce.
Fish is a specialty of the area. Try Alici, fresh anchovies marinated in wine vinegar as an antipasto (hors d’oeuvres) or mixed Frutti di Mare, shell fish including Cozze (mussels), Vongole (clams), Cannolicchi (razor shells).
Main dishes include Gamberoni (giant prawns/crayfish), Aragoste (large crayfish/lobster), Sarago, Mormora, Orata and Dentice (different kinds of bream and bass), Cernia (grouper) and Pesce Spada (sword fish). Seppie, Seppioline and Calamari (cuttlefish and squid) may be fried, grilled, stuffed or cooked in sauce.
For a light snack try Insalata Caprese – fresh, white, very mild Mozzarella Chease with sliced tomato, sprinkled with fresh basil or oregan and oil or Parmigiana di Melanzane, layers of aubergine, tomato sauce and mozzarella, and of course, Pizzas, served with a wide variety of toppings (usually only available in the evenings).
Local Cheese
Provolone: Large round sheep’s milk cheese sometimes smoked (affumicato)
Fior di latte: Mozzarella made with cow’s milk.
Mozzarella di Bufala: The most popular cheese coming from this area and used in many of the regional dishes, made with milk of the water buffalo.
Mozzarella in Carrozza: Mozzarella sandwiched between bread and deep fried. Cacioricotta: Hard, aged ricotta cheese.
Caciocavallo: Classic cheese of the South, usually made from sheep’s milk.
Locally grown Carciofi (artichokes), Finocchio (fennel) and plum tomatoes are among the excellent vegetables and salads.
Local fruit, Nespole (medlar), Ciliegie (cherries), Fragole (strawberries), Fichi (figs), Pesche (peaches), and Uva (grapes) are all superb when in season.
For dessert, try Profiteroles or Pastiera, a sweet crust pie of spiced ricotta cheese. You will be tempted by the many flavors of the world’s famous Italian ice cream, which is truly delicious in this area.
For your tea/coffee break, you will find in most bars some of the pastries that reflect the sweet tooth of the South. Try freshly baked Sfogliatelle, flaky buns filled with sweet ricotta cheese spiced with cinnamon or candied fruits. Cornetti and Cannoli – all very fattening but irresistible!!
Drink
Italians normally drink their coffee small, black and very strong – espresso. Milky coffee is only drunk at breakfast. A caffè latte is a large cup of coffee with hot milk, whilst a cappuccino is strong with foaming (frothy) hot milk and a sprinkling of grated chocolate or cocoa powder.
Caffè doppio is a double measure of espresso. Caffè ristretto is extra strong. Caffè lungo is a weaker black coffee. Caffè macchiato is black coffee with a dash of milk. Latte macchiato is a glass of milk with a splash of coffee. Caffè freddo is cold, unsweetened black coffee. Caffè corretto is coffee with a drop of brandy or grappa.
ITALIAN SPIRIT!
AMARETTO: Sweet almond flavored liqueur, first made at Saronno (near Milan) and this brand is still considered to be the best. The bottle is especially attractive.
STREGA: Bright yellow in color and slightly sweet, this drink is very potent. The name literally means “witch”.
AMARO: There is a large selection of “AMARI”, which Italians drink after a meal to help them digest the many courses. Although the digestive powers are doubtful, an Amaro can be quite pleasant after dinner. They are usually made from selections of herbs and some do taste a bit like medicine!
GRAPPA: The Italian equivalent to Ouzo or Schnapps. Very strong, it is made from the dregs left over after they have made the wine and if you like it there are many types to choose from, some are flavored with other fruits.
LIMONCELLO: Typical local lemon liqueur very strong!!
WINES: Local carafe wines are inexpensive and usually quite acceptable with your meal. Some renowned local wines:
Red: Costa d’Amalfi Furore, Gragnano, Lacrime Christi del Vesuvio (dark and rich), Aglianico del Taburno (full bodied).
White: Fior d’uva (Marisa Cuomo), Costa d’Amalfi Furore, Falanghina (fruity), Greco di Tufo (dry), Solopaca (dry).
Bradenton Beach Attractions
When you have selected one of our fabulous beach vacation rentals in Bradenton you will be interested in learning more about the wonderful history and attractions Bradenton has to offer. Here is a great article to start you on planning your Bradenton Vacation!
The first permanent settler on the island was George Emerson Bean, who built his 1893 homestead on the northern tip of the island in the area that now bears his name. (Bean Point).
In 1921 – 1922 the first bridge was constructed from the Village of Cortez to Bridge Street on the Island. Before this time visitors got to the island by boat. This made Bridge Street the center of the bustling island community. In 1926 a bridge to Longboat Key was erected. At that time the community was known as Cortez Beach. In the late 20′s the editor of the Bradenton Herald began calling the city Bradenton Beach and the name stuck. The first Bradenton Beach City hall was also built in the 20′s and the current city hall was built in the late 70′s.
The city of Bradenton Beach was incorporated in 1952 and in 1967 the new draw bridge was opened to 5th Street North. The island side of the old wooden bridge was saved and turned into a fishing pier, which still stands today.
Bradenton Beach City Pier has re-opened featuring a 2.2 million dollar renovation. The historic pier suffered structural damage during the Hurricane season of 2004 and has been closed since. A ribbon cutting ceremony on September 21, 2007 officially commemorated the “new” pier. Features include a completely rebuilt restaurant, bathhouse and restrooms, bait and tackle Shop, Harbormaster’s Office and a 300 foot day dock. The Restaurant will be operated by Rotten Ralph’s of Anna Maria. Rotten Ralph’s on the Pier Waterfront Restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Perched at the north end of beautiful Sarasota Bay, the Historic Bradenton Beach City Pier and Cafe is a favorite of residents and tourists alike.
When the original wooden bridge to Anna Maria Island was replaced with a draw bridge, the island side of the bridge was retained to create a fishing pier. The cafe was added later and has become one of Manatee County’s most popular eating spots. The City Pier features tremendous views and good fishing. Live bait, supplies and tackle are available in the bait shop. On the bay end of the pier, the Richard P. Suhre Pavilion offers a shady spot to fish or just enjoy the view. The pavilion is also a popular spot for special events such as weddings.
Bridge Street is the center of the Historic Old Town District. The original wooden bridge from the mainland connected to Bridge Street. This made the street the bustling little center of activity for the young town. When the new bridge was built connecting at 5th Street North, some of the focus was taken from Bridge Street. A rejuvenation project breathed new life into the area and the street is now beautifully landscaped and lined with charming and quaint buildings which house unique shops, restaurants, bars and accommodations.
The Bridge Street Festival is an annual event where Historic Bridge Street is closed to traffic and a pedestrian mall is created where artisans, artists, entertainers and merchants display their wares. The first festival was held in 1991, sponsored by area merchants as means to drive additional business to the street. The festival was originally organized by Sandy Greiner and Richard Leneris, the co-managers of the Bridgetender Inn at that time. The first year featured a dozen or so participants. Since that time the event has grown exponentially with the most recent festival featuring scores of participants and entertainers and enjoyed by thousands of visitors. The festival is now organized and managed by the Historic Bridge Street Merchant’s Association. The HBSMA website can be found at http://www.hbsma.com
Thousands look forward to the Annual Christmas Prelude, generally held in November. All who have attended over the years have spread the word of what an enjoyable night they experienced. Under the stars and moon Christmas music radiates from the Clock Tower on Historic Bridge Street, filling the night and heart of thousands who come bringing their lawn chairs to sit in the street. The City closes the City Pier end of the street for pedestrians only and lifts parking restrictions on side streets to accommodate parking – please just don’t block a driveway. Santa always shows up for the kiddies. Gifts are given to the youngest present, the oldest present, the longest and shortest time married and the person furthest from their home. The first year (1997) saw 1,500 in attendance. 1998 had 3,500 attendees and from 1999 through 2001 attendance was 4000+. This year more than 5000 are expected.
This is an old fashioned, warm, wonderful, casual evening of music and song. There is no admittance charge, no vendors, no alcohol on the street, just Christmas music. During the program, prizes are given out for the Christmas Lighting Contest. This is a celebration of light for the whole month between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
