Exploring Anna Maria Island with a baby boomer in tow is an exercise in contradictions. My mother, like her peers, is slowing down physically and not so much interested in windsurfing or partying all night at a beach front tavern. She is, however, not an old lady by any stretch of the imagination. Coming of age in the sixties, she went to Woodstock and wore "sun dresses" that were actually creatively-wrapped flowered tablecloths. We're talking about a woman of sixty-two who still brags that she saw one of the Rolling Stones take his pants off when she worked as an usherette in a local concert venue.

Obviously, she's got special needs and interests when it comes to entertainment. Fortunately for the boomer in Anna Maria, (or the traveler who is accompanying one), this town has plenty to do for older visitors who want an unusual and stimulating experience that's not physically too taxing. Here are some of the top picks on the island that can keep everybody's Mom (or Dad) happy.

Sea Turtles nest on the beaches in the summer, and in the right spots you can find hatchlings. Getting to even just one is a marvel of nature. The Anna Maria Turtle Watch group gives tours, so you can experience the cutie pies up close in a way that is safe for the moms and their brood. If you want an even more hands-on experience, arrange to volunteer with the group and you can be part of the turtle birthing experience -sort of as an amphibian midwife!

In nearby Bradenton from January to March, the world-famous Royal Lipizzan stallions receive their training. At Colonel Hermann's Ranch on Singletary Road, you can watch them being put through their paces on Thursdays through Saturdays. It's free to the public, so you can save the hefty ticket price the shows usually command. What's best, though, is getting the insider's view and seeing something most people don't get a chance to experience.

Shopping is an adventure in Anna Maria. Holmes Beach has shops that stretch a whole seven blocks. While the Holmes Beach shops are somewhat highbrow (think evening wear and oil paintings), there are some unusual vintage shops mixed in. Neat coffee shops can also provide a needed fix. If your Mom's like mine, she might prefer shopping in Bradenton Beach, where the stores are funkier and more artsy-craftsy. Some cool jewelry finds are hiding here, and a lot of the shop owners are longtime locals who are fun to talk to. Head to the Red Barn Flea Market in Bradenton for even more eclectic shopping scores from over 600 vendors.

Boat tours are all over the place, but they're more than just a passive activity. Fishing charters give you a chance to participate, and ecology tours expand your understanding of the area and its wildlife. One of the best options is to take a dolphin-spotting tour, where you'll see myriads of them living it up in the Gulf. You can spot more than a few as they leap into the air. Shelling tours are also popular, and give Mom a chance to pick up free souvenirs to take home to her friends. Reservations can be made online, but if you just head to the piers you can easily arrange a boat trip.

One of the best activities for Moms that I know of is finding a beach-side restaurant that's close to a wedding party. So many small weddings take place on the coastline that you can sometimes spot one. If you have a mother like mine, some of the most fun that can be had is having a drink at an outside table and critiquing the wedding fashions. The more cocktails you have, the funnier the weddings seem. Maybe it's just us, but the beach-side restaurants are worth a stop anyhow.

Be sure and take advantage of the free Island Trolley when your feet get tired. It makes stops every few blocks, so you can save your energy for more active pursuits. Anna Maria Island has tons to do for boomers, but there's no need for them to wear down. The laid back feel of the city makes it possible to have fun and still maintain a casual pace. For the boomers themselves, or their accompanying family members, this is an ideal area.

And if you're wondering: the pantsless Stone my Mom saw was Brian Jones.

This family travel confidential was brought to you by Elizabeth Kelly

We all love our mothers, but we love them even more with plenty of space between us.  Which is why renting an Anna Maria vacation home is the perfect solution for a holiday with the family--separate bedrooms, large kitchens, and plenty of room to putter.  Saving your relationship for another year.