Clearwater, Florida, Is the Gulf Coast's Can't-Miss Beach Town

Clearwater is a valuable pearl among beach towns since it offers something for everyone. Located on the west coast of Florida, close to Tampa, the area enjoys an average of 361 glorious sunny days every year. Moreover, it has the world record of 768 consecutive sunny days, which is more than two years.

Clearwater's crystal blue water is a major draw for tourists (particularly winter migrators) from all over the world. Two major airports, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport and Tampa International Airport, are conveniently located nearby, and the year-round balmy climate (low 70s in the winter and low 90s in the summer) makes this a no-brainer for a holiday destination.

Many low-cost and family-friendly waterside activities may be found here, as can a lively events calendar, a wide range of accommodation options to suit any budget, and, of course, miles and miles of breathtakingly beautiful beaches.

Free Things to Do

Clearwater Beach, the most crowded beach, is packed with fun activities for visitors. Take a stroll along the scenic half-mile Beach Walk (seen above), where you may spend the day swimming, surfing, shopping at specialized surf stores, browsing upscale tourist boutiques, and dining at waterfront restaurants.

Don't bother doing anything else during the day, because every day ends with a spectacular party at Pier 60 to welcome the evening. To put it simply: don't miss this free show. Local street performers such as fire-breathers, tightrope-walkers, and musically-inclined jugglers will keep you gasping and awe-struck all night long.

More Great Beaches to Visit

Sand Key Park is a tranquil oasis close to the bustle of nearby Clearwater Beach. The expansive sandy beaches and salt marshes covering 95 acres beg to be explored. Plenty of $5 per-vehicle parking is available.

Honeymoon Island State Park, located just offshore from Clearwater, is the most popular in all of Florida. The roughly 370-acre barrier island features four miles of fully unspoiled beaches, and though it attracts quite the drove of beach-goers on the weekends, if you go on a weekday, you'll have the place all to yourself. The price of admission is $ten for pedestrians and $eight for cars.

You may take a ferry from Honeymoon Island to Caladesi Island State Site (shown above) for $16 per person. Caladesi Island State Park is only accessible by boat and is less busy than its sister park, Honeymoon Island. Plan on spending the day at the beach, as it is the best you'll find anywhere.

Top Family-Friendly Attractions

Meet some of Clearwater Beach's renowned locals and get their autographs. Actors Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, and Harry Connick, Jr. are among the many who have appeared alongside Dolphin Tale actors Winter and Hope in both films. Despite the fact that Winter passed away in 2021, there will be a virtual reality musical performed in her honor. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a rehabilitation center for sick and damaged marine life, remains a beacon of hope for its patients. Aquatic Encounters, Boat Tours, and Daily Presentations make the Aquarium a Learning Center as well. Adults may expect to pay $35.95, while children can expect to pay $26.95 for general admission.

To all salty buccaneers: ahoy! At the Clearwater Beach Marina, you can hop aboard the bright red ship Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise (shown above) for a two-hour adventure that includes a treasure hunt, seeing dolphins, playing water cannon games, having your face painted, and hearing fantastic tales from the captain and his crew. Adult tickets start at $40, and children's tickets start at $33.

The Jolley Trolley is a fantastic mode of transportation that runs regularly along Clearwater Beach. On the weekends, you may take the Coastal Route from Clearwater Beach to the cities of Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, and Tarpon Springs, all of which are within easy walking distance of one another and make for wonderful day trip destinations. There is a $5 daily fee for unlimited access.

Best Local Restaurants Near the Beach

Frenchy's Rockaway Grill, the largest of the four Frenchy's locations in the area, is a Clearwater Beach institution known for its authentic grouper sandwiches. The beachfront location, colorful rum beverages, fresh seafood, and live music at this open-air restaurant make it a must-visit.

In addition to the aforementioned, Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar (shown above) was recently awarded the best beach bar of 2021 by Visit St. Pete Clearwater. You may watch the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico while enjoying a tropical drink, snacking on coconut shrimp, and listening to live music every night.

Clear Sky Beachside Café in Clearwater Beach has the best breakfast in town on the weekends. It's a popular spot in the neighborhood, and the Bloody Marys are especially smooth.

Best Beach Bars and Local Brews

A wide variety of bars are available nearby to satisfy any thirst and fuel any after-hours celebration. Shephard's Tiki Beach Bar is a favorite among the spring break population because of the waterfront music stage where local acts perform.

Jimmy's Crow's Nest (shown above), located on the 10th floor of the Pier House 60 Hotel on Clearwater Beach, is the place to go for breathtaking vistas and refreshing drinks. As the sun goes down, they ring a bell and toast with drinks.

Clearwater Social Brew and Cork is a wine and beer pub that also serves ciders. Enjoy one of the iconic gulf coast sunsets with one of the 24 rotating beers on tap from Florida, the Southeast, and beyond.

Where to Stay

Hotels in Clearwater are plentiful and suit the needs of almost any type of traveler, so we thought we'd highlight a few of our favorites.

The above-pictured Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa is conveniently located near both the weekly sunset celebrations at Pier 60 and the pedestrian-friendly Beach Walk. The hotel's location on a beautiful stretch of beach is matched by the views from most of the rooms, which overlook either the beach or the port.

The Sandpearl Resort is a great place to stay, as it is right on Clearwater Beach and close to everything. The hotel's zero-entry lagoon-style pool, beachside fire pits, kid's club, and Caretta on the Gulf restaurant are all fantastic.

Visit the Sheraton Sand Key Resort, where you can play tennis, beach volleyball, and be close to all the area has to offer. Relax on the hotel's private beach, which spans 13 acres and is accessible only through the hotel.

We also recommend the boutique-style, award-winning Palm Pavilion Inn, the Gulf-front Hyatt Clearwater Beach, and the Opal Sands Resort, which was named one of the world's 500 greatest resorts by readers of Travel & Leisure in 2021.

When to Go

Every night in Clearwater, there's a new reason to celebrate the sunset, and every weekend brings a new cuisine and music festival. The following are some of the most anticipated annual gatherings in the region.

The Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival is a two-week long annual event held in the spring to celebrate the white, powdery sands of Clearwater Beach. Artists create breathtaking sand sculptures and other works of art under enormous white tents on the beach for the Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit. There will also be free activities for children, as well as live performances, sand sculpture lessons and competitions. The Sugar Sand Walk exhibit costs $12 per adult and is free for children under the age of three.

Every autumn, thousands of onlookers flock to the waterfront to catch a sight of the fast boats that compete in the event. Thrill seekers and seafood connoisseurs alike will enjoy the Bright House Clearwater SuperBoat National Championship & Seafood Festival. Watch parties and other events are held at local hotels and restaurants in honor of the speedboat race. Or, for a VIP experience that lasts for six hours and provides up-close access to the boats while out on the sea, you may charter the StarLite Majesty Dining yacht. Starting at $95 per adult and $60 per child, the cruise is a steal.

The above photo was taken at the annual Clearwater Jazz Holiday event held at Coachman Park, Florida, which is considered the "granddaddy" of Florida's jazz festivals. Gladys Knight, or "The Empress of Soul," is only one of the many internationally renowned musicians that have performed at this annual event.

Clearwater Beach is the ideal destination for everyone who enjoys lazing around in the sun, whether they are seasoned beach bums, tropical cocktail experts, or aspiring young pirates.