Reasons to Travel and Leave Your Phone in Your Resort Room

You’ve planned your vacation to Anna Maria Island and you’re looking forward to getting away with the ones you love most. Maybe you’re looking forward to snapping some pictures of the white sand beaches, researching the historic sites, or leaving a 5-star review on Yelp for a local restaurant. As fun as these things may be, you’ll experience them more fully if you leave your phone in your room.

While it might sound terrifying to go on a vacation without your cell phone, we promise there are plenty of reasons to ditch your phone in your Anna Maria Island accommodations.

Why You Don’t Need Your Phone on AMI

While you might need your cell phone in bigger destinations like Orlando or Miami, you simply don’t need it on Anna Maria Island. The island is only seven miles long, so you can easily get back and forth between the resort on the beach and any attraction you’re looking forward to. You won’t have to look up how to get anywhere; just ask the locals! Or, you can hop on the free island trolley and just let it take you around. Since the island is so small, it will be easy and fast to reach your accommodations if you really do need to get back to your cell phone.

Anna Maria Island is known for having incredibly welcoming locals, so if you ever have a question or need to be pointed in the right direction, you can ask just about anyone. Simply pop into a restaurant or boutique to chat with the owners and staff, who will be more than happy to guide you where you need to go. You might even make some new friends in the process!

Reasons to Leave Your Phone in Your Room

At this point, you might be wondering, “I know I can leave my phone in my room, but why should I?” Leaving your phone behind, if only for a couple of hours, allows you to revisit those magical days when people weren’t distracted by constant notifications or funny videos online. You’ll be able to connect more deeply with the ones you’re vacationing with, and you can truly disconnect from work or any other worries back home.

You might think that you have to be on call even when you’re on vacation. It’s so tempting to just check your work email or call home to see how everything is going. Newsflash: You don’t have to! The world will keep spinning and people will figure out their problems without you. You should be spending your vacation relaxing to the fullest, not worrying about problems that can be handled without you or can wait until you get back home.

At the end of the day, we’ve all become so dependent on our cell phones that we think we can’t live without them. Taking a vacation without your phone, or simply leaving your phone in your room while you’re out and about, gives you the opportunity to prove that you can live without your phone. You’ll find that you have a clearer mind, can focus more easily, and can truly be in the moment and enjoy the attractions of the area.

Many people come up with tons of reasons to bring their phones on vacation, but there are simple solutions to your concerns. Want to take pictures of your family or the unique sites you see? Bring your digital camera with you or pick up an old-fashioned film camera from a souvenir shop. Need some tunes for the drive to the island? Pack some CDs in your car or simply listen to the radio. Worried about navigating between destinations? Old fashioned paper maps are cheap and can be found at just about any souvenir shop or local grocery store. Think you might be needed back home? Simply let your friends and co-workers know that you’ll be without a phone for a few days, or at the very least, that you won’t be answering as quickly as you normally would.

How to Enjoy the “Old Florida” Vibes

So, you’ve decided to leave your phone behind and head out on Anna Maria Island on your own. What can you do with your newfound freedom? One of the best ways to explore Anna Maria Island is by renting a bike or a golf cart to get around. Rentals can be found all throughout the island and are relatively cheap, and both of these methods are eco-friendly and easy-to-navigate all around the island. Imagine getting to see the gorgeous nature and fascinating historical sites while breathing in the fresh ocean air!

If you’re vacationing with kids, make sure they stay off their phones, too! Be sure to get your kids involved in the activities so that they will stay too occupied to ask for a screen. Bring your little ones down to the shore to hunt for a unique seashell, or head to Rod and Reel Pier for a family-friendly meal right on the water. The whole family will love getting competitive with mini-golf, or you can head to Bayfront Park to let the kids run around and get out some energy. Browse the shopping opportunities at Bridge Street or Pine Avenue, then let your kids make their own donut creation at The Donut Experiment! Even though Anna Maria Island is small, it’s easy to pack your itinerary full of things that will keep for the whole family’s attention.

You’re probably wondering how you’re going to get around the island without the handy GPS on your cell phone. Why not stop by a local shop and pick up an old-fashioned paper map? Anna Maria Island is truly one of the best places to use a paper map since it’s so small and easy to navigate. In fact, this could be a great learning opportunity for your kids! Pick a destination that the kids are especially excited about visiting, then show them how to guide the family there using a paper map. This is a fun way to get your kids involved and teach them a valuable life lesson at the same time!

Have Questions or Need Help?

Even after all of this, we know the idea of traveling without a cell phone can still be a little scary. If you have any questions or concerns during your stay, there’s always someone available at our front desk ready to assist you. They can point you toward any attraction you may want to visit, give you a dinner recommendation, or answer any question about your room. Any time of the day or night, we’re there for you! We will make sure you have everything you need to make the most of your vacation.