Just south of Tampa on the west coast of Florida, the small communities of Bradenton and Anna Maria Island still boast the very best elements of Old Florida, with wide, sandy beaches, friendly locals, eclectic shops and quirky restaurants. To get a feel for the area’s place in Florida’s colorful history, stop in at the Anna Maria Historical Society on Pine Avenue, housed in a 1920s-era icehouse. The building — which also served as an automotive garage and sea turtle hatchery — houses archives and exhibitions telling the island’s story from its fishing camp origins to its status as an important winter destination for baseball players from the 1950s-1970s.

Likewise, the South Florida Museum in Bradenton offers a fascinating look into the past, including marine fossils and a collection of prehistoric artifacts from the Montague Tallant collection. While you’re there, you can meet Snooty, the local mascot that’s believed to be the oldest living manatee. Explore the Olive Oil Outpost and other shops along Anna Maria’s Pine Avenue, running through town from the old pier to the Gulf-side beaches; and Bradenton’s Old Main Street, where a host of great cafés offer outdoor terraces perfect for enjoying the Florida sunshine.

Where to stay? A selection of lovely self-catering Anna Maria Guest Houses sit above the small businesses along Pine Avenue, a short stroll from the pier and beach. For island dining with an emphasis on fresh, local seafood and produce, try the Sandbar Restaurant, a local institution with mouthwatering grouper sandwiches; Waterfront with views of Tampa Bay and a menu of locally-grown fare; or breakfast at Ginny’s & Jane E’s Café & Coastal Store, where the menu includes Crème Brulee French Toast, homemade pies and pastries and a selection of tasty smoothies such as the banana and mango bango, a banana-peanut butter-soymilk Monkey Business and a coconut-banana-pineapple South Pacific.