Cortez, Florida
The last real working fishing village
⭐ The one thing: One of Florida's oldest continuously working fishing villages — the real thing, not a re-creation.
Things to do
Watch commercial fishing boats unload, tour the maritime museum, and catch the February fishing festival — one of the most authentic events on the coast.
Food & drink
As fresh as Gulf seafood gets — the catch is served dockside, feet from the boats that landed it.
Tonight
None to speak of — it's a working waterfront, quiet after the boats come in.
Beaches & outdoors
No beach — it's a bayfront fishing village — but Anna Maria's sand is a 5-minute bridge away.
Shopping
Fresh seafood markets and a couple of salty gift shops — this is a place to buy grouper, not souvenirs.
Where to stay
Barely any — you stay on nearby Anna Maria Island and come to Cortez to eat.
Ranked lists for Cortez: Things to do · Restaurants · Beaches · Nightlife
Nearby: Parrish · Bradenton · Palmetto · Ellenton · Lakewood Ranch · Anna Maria Island · Longboat Key · Siesta Key · Venice · Sarasota & the Cultural Coast