You're on "island time" now. No need to rush. Hop on one of the Anna Maria Island Trolleys and take a tour of our beautiful island. The Trolley travels the 7 mile length of Anna Maria Island, stopping every few blocks giving you the opportunity to get off and on while exploring beaches, shopping and restaurants. Removing the back windows so cool island breezes circulate, the open-air trolleys give visitors a clear view of the beaches and towns along the route. Air conditioned trolleys are also available for your comfort.
Trolley stops are marked with a green trolley logo sign. You can't miss the benches every 2 to 4 blocks running north from Coquina Beach along Gulf Drive, continuing north on Marina and then onto Pine Avenue ending at Anna Maria City Pier parking area. After a short wait, the trolley then makes a return trip west on Pine Avenue, south on Gulf and then around East Bay Drive (near CVS and Publix) and then continuing south along the beaches to Coquina Beach. There are several trolleys running at the same time, so your wait will be around 15 minutes "island time"!!!
Oh, did I mention it's free! You can hop on and off all day fare-free!
Back in 2002, residents and visitors enjoyed the first free trolleys. Since then, the three island cities (Anna Maria City, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach) contribute funds supplementing county tax and revenue from ads on the trolleys.
This year, the county ordered five new trolleys which should arrive on the island by this fall. Ads on the vehicles will continue to be displayed, as a result of Developer David Teitelbaum's efforts to keep the county from charging money for trolley rides. Revenue from the ads will supplement the budget to cover operating expenses. Daily free service runs from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every 15-20 minutes from the Anna Maria City Pier on the north to Coquina Beach on the south, stopping every 2-5 blocks at designated benches.
So, if you are staying at one of Coastal Cottages AMI vacation rentals, check out the free trolley schedule and map that you'll find in your visitors pack. Leave your car in the driveway, find a trolley bench and hop on the Anna Maria Island Trolley.
Take a virtual ride now to prepare for your visit.
Check out this video:
We love the trolley! Last March we visited Anna Maria Island with our three children. There were a couple of chilly days, so we rode the trolley getting on and off at all the stops. Discovered the AMI Historical society, the Pier and even stopped to talk to the parrots! We can't wait to return.
ReplyDeleteThe trolley isn't just for visitors to AMI. We live here and ride it all the time. One of the things we like to do is take a long walk on the beach and then hop on the trolley to get back home.
ReplyDeleteRode the trolley yesterday from the City Pier to Coquina Beach. Lots of visitors on the island and on the trolley. But, everyone was happy and friendly.
ReplyDeleteLove the trolley. It makes shopping very easy. I noticed a lot of locals riding including two boys with fishing poles. I feel like I've stepped back in time!
ReplyDelete