Anna Maria Island is a little piece of western Florida that’s without a doubt paradise. It is less popular and crowded than other Florida islands, but with its calm blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico and white sand beaches, it exudes tranquility. You can easily vacation here for a whole week without having to drive anywhere. Chances are, you will probably want to walk everywhere because the scenery here is second to none. My family and I have been on this island twice and both times we frequented the same beloved spots on this itinerary. Start your day at Ginny’s and Jane E’s, a zany café and souvenir shop. It has delicious breakfast options for kids and adults and a super-funky interior setup. Once you are ready to hit the beach, grab your paddleboard from Beach Bums. Then, head over to the best Anna Maria Island beach, just off of The Sandbar restaurant. You can easily spend hours here swimming, boarding or napping (just don’t forget about your kid). For lunch, walk over to Poppo’s Taqueria for some much-needed post-beach protein. The tacos and burritos here are exceptional. When you are ready to proceed, take the free trolley to Bayfront Park to a playground on the beach. I don’t know which our group of nugget loved most, the playground or the trolley ride there. If at this point you are ready for something sweet, check out The Donut Experiment, which is basically a gallery of colorfully unique and incredibly delectable donuts made to order. Bacon is one of the available toppings. Enough said. After a full-day of activities in the sun and salty water, head back over to the beach to watch the sunset. You won’t want to miss this beautiful experience on your Florida family vacation.

• For whom is this the perfect itinerary? This day is great for…: Nature lovers| Foodies