Before Southwest Airlines announced its new Sarasota, Florida routes, many who visited Anna Maria Island had to drive almost 2 hours, instead of 30 minutes, from other airports in the area. Now, those wanting to visit the Anna Maria Island area can simply fly into Sarasota! Since Southwest Airlines services over 100 destinations, it’s easy for you to get to where you are going in the continental U.S., including Sarasota, Florida.
About the New Routes
Starting on February 14, 2021, Southwest Airlines will be offering services to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. The first round of flights to and from Sarasota come from Nashville International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Chicago Midway International Airport, and William P. Hobby Airport serving Houston, Texas. Sarasota-Bradenton will now be the 10th airport in the state of Florida to receive service from Southwest.
Upon your arrival to Sarasota, Florida, there are several ways to get Anna Maria Island. You have the option of using our concierge service to reserve a car or schedule a ride on the bus shuttle from the Sarasota airport to our properties on Anna Maria Island. We can arrange your transportation with AMI Taxi, Uber, Lyft, Paradise Car Rental or Tommy Car. The best part about flying into Sarasota is that once you land, you can be on Anna Maria Island in approximately 30 minutes. Any of the abovementioned transportation services will take you to any part of Anna Maria Island, FL!
Why Anna Maria Island?
Even if you’re not initially planning to spend time in Anna Maria Island, based on its proximity to Sarasota, it is also a great day trip for those who are vacationing in Sarasota. Anna Maria is known for its beautiful beaches, smaller numbers of tourists, amazing restaurants, unique shopping, and fun family-friendly atmosphere. If the fact that you can rent a golf cart to get around Anna Maria Island isn’t an indication of how intimate the island is, we don’t know what is!
Come to AMI to explore family-friendly beaches like Manatee Public Beach and Coquina Beach. These are wonderful places to bring your family during a hot summer’s day. You can also rent bikes to ride along the beach, rent paddle boards or a kayak, or just lay around taking in the sun and sand. The northern part of the island is where one of the most visited streets in Anna Maria is located: Pine Avenue. Pine Avenue is where you’ll find a variety of shops, which includes everything from hand crafted specialty jewelry shops to clothing and souvenir shops. Art enthusiasts will love the Artspace Studios and Gallery, while families can explore the Historical Museum to learn more about the history of Anna Maria Island. There is no shortage of beaches to visit while exploring Florida, and many of the best are found right here on Anna Maria Island.
Whether you want fun and excitement or you just want a place to escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, you can find it when visiting Anna Maria Island. Instead of spending all of your time in Sarasota or Tampa, you may want to explore a less-known destination, Anna Maria Island. Chances are that when you visit once, you’ll come back again! Many visitors to Anna Maria Island recommend our services to others, and they also fall in love with our island. We can accommodate the needs of those who are looking for 1- and 2-bedroom accommodations or families that require larger accommodations. Consider our AMI vacation rentals when visiting Anna Maria Island, Florida!
