Clearwater Travel Guide

Clearwater, Florida, in the Tampa Bay area, is a 100-year old beach town located on the banks of the Gulf of Mexico. It’s widely known for -- hold your breath -- clear water, pristine beaches, and some of the best marine life in the entire continental United States. Stingrays, sharks, dolphins, and turtles are as much a part of Clearwater’s community as its human inhabitants. Onshore, Clearwater is known for some vibrant shopping, fine dining, and sports venues. Aside from that, Clearwater is a proud foodie town praised by numerous magazines including Travel and Leisure, and it’s home to a burgeoning microbrew scene. For the more party-inclined the Gulfside town is also home to a handful of New York-style dance clubs that keep the party going until the morning. The town’s name, Clearwater, comes from a direct translation of the Native American term for the area, Pocotopaug.

Things to Do in Clearwater

Head to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where sick and hurt marine life are brought to recover before being released. The aquarium is a great place to learn about the animals’ stories and about marine life in general. Moccasin Lake Nature Park and Cliff Stephens Park are great places to experience the natural beauty of Florida first hand. Philippe Park is also a great option as the oldest park in all of Pinellas County. Take a stroll along the mile-long path for sweeping views of Old Tampa Bay and opportunities for fishing, rock climbing, playing softball, and boating.

At Clearwater Beach, the main beach in the area, you can go for a swim, go dolphin watching, snorkeling, kayaking, and more. And if you’re sticking around overnight, there are tons of Clearwater Beach vacation rentals nearby.

Exercise buffs are not out of place in Clearwater, as they can head over to the Pinellas Trail, which is a 38-mile stretch of lush, shaded trail that winds from Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg, and passing through Clearwater along the way. Rent a bike, roller blades, or even just strap on some running shoes and head out for a stroll.

Once you’ve spent enough time out in the sun, head over to the Ruth Eckerd Hall -- the city’s premier venue for orchestral shows, Broadway pieces, dance recitals, live music, and comedy acts.

Try one of the beers at Sea Dog Brewing Company, which is a historic microbrew chain started up in Maine in 1993. Other great microbreweries in the area include Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest, Pair O’ Dice Brewing Company, and Shephards Tiki Bar where you’ll find a waterfront concert stage hosting anything from indie rock to DJ nights. We also recommend you to watch a Threshers baseball game at Spectrum Field, which is Clearwater’s minor league baseball team. Spectrum field holds only 7,000 fans so it’s a nice intimate experience. In the spring, you might catch the Philadelphia Phillies here gearing up for the season during Spring Training.

Locals in Clearwater are friendly and welcoming, like much of the rest of the state.

Best Time to Visit Clearwater

The best time to plan a trip to Clearwater is October to April to avoid the soaring summer temperatures. During the fall, winter, and spring months, temperatures are cooler, and room rates are fairly cheaper. Keep in mind that most travelers opt for springtime, so consider visiting in fall or winter to dodge the crowds.

A Local's Guide to Clearwater

As far as accommodations go, if you’re looking for a dreamy family-friendly beach vacation in a relaxing corner of Florida, you will find it in Clearwater, Florida. For everything from funky beach bungalows to modern ocean-view penthouses and condo rentals, the rentals in Clearwater Beach are sure to please. Whether you’re on a family vacation or a dream vacation with your significant other, Clearwater has tons to offer. Having a great stay at a house rental is no small feat, but most of these are rentals including enough amenities to leave you more than happy.

Accessibility

Clearwater, Florida, a three-mile-long border island located in Florida’s Tampa Bay, is known for its white sand beaches and beautiful turquoise water. Just a stone's throw from Tampa Bay International Airport and the St. Petersburg International Airport, Clearwater is as convenient as it is charming. With warm sunny days practically 365 days a year, renting a vacation home in clear water is an absolute no-brainer.

See & Do

If you’re renting a vacation home or condo in Clearwater, take a short drive to Sand Key Park where you will find a more secluded natural beach, with gorgeous white sand and crystal-clear water. After the beach, head into town where you can hop on the trolley (known a the jolley trolley) to explore all of Clearwater’s shops and restaurants. Check out the lively Pier 60 for fun, food, and shopping, and the sunsets at Pier 60 are known to be incredible. Also, miniature golf is nothing miniature in Clearwater. Head over to Captain Bligh’s Landing Miniature Golf for 18 holes that duck around waterfalls, trap doors, ponds, and more. Celebration Station Entertainment Complex also has a miniature golf course in addition to its laser tag, go-karts, bumper boats, and batting cages.
Clearwater’s historic Cleveland Street is one of the most walkable areas in the city and a great location to grab a drink once the sun goes down. Sitting atop a 30-foot bluff overlooking the Clearwater Harbor, Cleveland Street has actually become an entire retail and entertainment district chock full of dining, shopping, and entertainment options.

Clearwater is famously home to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where guest can see injured marine life, such as dolphins and sea turtles, being rehabilitated before being returned to the wild. One of the aquarium's best attractions is Winter, a bottlenose dolphin who was rescued in 2005 after having her tail caught in a crab trap. The aquarium took her in and had a specially-designed prosthetic tail made to order. What’s more, they made a movie about her! Disney’s 2011 film Dolphin Tale is based on Winter’s life events, and some of it was filmed onsite right here in Clearwater.

Once you work up an appetite doing all the active things Clearwater has to offer, mosey over to Cafe Ponte, which is one of the best-kept secrets in all of town. Cafe Ponte serves up new American fare in an elegant setting with tons of unexpected fusion flavors and surprises. If you have the time and budget for one nice dinner in Clearwater, this is your go-to. Try the soft rib with Moroccan carrot puré, roasted pearl onions, sesame dates, almond oil emulsion, and cilantro. That one dish should give you a good idea of what to expect. For one other restaurant recommendation, check out Columbia Restaurant. Columbia has been serving authentic Spanish and Cuban fare since 1905 when it first opened.