What could be better than spending a nice relaxing day at the beach, getting your tan
on while sipping on one of those fancy, fruity cocktails topped with one of those little
paper umbrellas?
Well, not much really.
But if you're planning on taking a vacation to Clearwater Beach, Florida, in the upcoming
months, there are quite a few things you can see and do to supplement your blissful beach
time.
Whether you fancy yourself a history buff and love visiting museums in your travels
or prefer sampling the local flavor at world-renowned restaurants, Clearwater Beach has got you
covered.
There are more than enough attractions in Clearwater Beach to fill your itinerary.
A trip here is sure to be one that you're entire family will be buzzing about for years,
as there are numerous kid-friendly attractions such as the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and
Pier 60 to keep you and your little ones entertained.
Clearwater's natural attractions are also worth exploring.
From the virgin beaches and well-maintained trails of Honeymoon Island State Park to the
picnic-worthy gazebos of Caladesi Island State Park, there is no shortage of natural serenity
that awaits you at this world-famous Florida vacation destination.
Whether you're planning to create memories that will stick with you for a lifetime or
are simply hoping to catch a few rays while reclining on your favorite beach towel, Clearwater
Beach is a destination that you should seriously consider when making your Spring and Summer
plans for the upcoming year.
In this video, we'll be covering some of the best attractions that Clearwater Beach has
to offer.
And while we'll cover all of the obvious territory, from beaches to oceanside restaurants, we'll
also touch on a few unexpectedly splendid attractions that you probably didn't anticipate.
Catch A Sunset At Clearwater Beach And Pier 60
With its white sand, emerald-tinted water, and close proximity to downtown hotels, resorts,
dining options, and other attractions, Clearwater Beach is one of the region's most popular
beaches – which makes a lot of sense considering that the town is named after it.
Typical beachside staples such as volleyball courts, showers, and pedestrian walkways can
be found here, but Clearwater beach also has optimal conditions for all of your favorite
water sports, including jet-skiing, parasailing, and snorkeling.
One of the beach's most visited attractions, Pier 60, lures in tourists and locals alike
with its phenomenal fiery sunset views.
A visit here is the perfect way to end your day.
Plus, the pier also holds a nightly sunset celebration where performers such as poi spinners,
fire breathers, acrobats, and escape artists put on a show that will leave you breathless.
Beyond that, local vendors also set up shops selling their handmade crafts and souvenirs.
Try The Grouper Sandwich At Frenchy's!
It probably doesn't need to be said, but Floridians sure know how to do seafood right.
One of the dishes that the region is best known for is grouper.
And one of the best places in town to try out this local favorite is over at Frenchy's
Rockaway Grill.
Frenchy's serves up fresh-caught grouper and other locally sourced oceanic delicacies daily.
Their incredibly tender and juicy Grouper sandwich is what they are perhaps best known
for.
Grab one of their mouthwatering sandwiches to go and enjoy on the beach, or dine in for
an experience that you won't regret.
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And stay put, because we've still got 8 must-visit Clearwater Beach attractions to cover.
Take A Romantic Stroll At Honeymoon Island State Park
This beautiful locale is so named for its selection by Life Magazine in the early 1900s
as being the best honeymoon destination in the nation.
Over a century later, Honeymoon Island State Park remains one of the most popular romantic
getaway destinations thanks to its pristine white sandy beaches.
Just a 15-minute drive north out of downtown Clearwater Beach, this picturesque park boasts
more than 4 miles of immaculate beaches in addition to a highly recommended scenic 3-mile
long nature trail.
To learn a little bit about the local flora and fauna, be sure to check out the park's
educational nature center.
If you prefer to see the natural barrier island via bike or kayak, rentals are available as
well.
Expect to see wildlife such as dolphins, bald eagles, and manatees while visiting the park.
You might also catch a glimpse of an osprey, heron, great horned owl, or egret.
So, be sure to bring your binoculars if you enjoy bird-watching.
Feel One With Nature At Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Clearwater Beach is a town that takes pride in preserving nature and protecting its marine
life.
So, it makes perfect sense that you would find an aquarium here that's dedicated to
these noble causes.
The highly-trained and professional staff and volunteers at this top-tier aquarium work
tirelessly to provide care to injured and endangered sea creatures before they release
back into the wild.
Animals that you and your family can expect to see while visiting include sharks, stingrays,
sea turtles, dolphins, and otters.
You'll also learn all about their life cycles and behavior.
The aquarium isn't particularly big, so it likely won't take you that long to see all
that it has to offer, but admission is quite affordable and the personnel are all extremely
knowledgeable and courteous.
One of our favorite exhibits at the aquarium is the shark tank which features a novel and
engaging design.
Guests can gaze right down into a pool where Thelema, the resident shark, lives.
Likewise, the aquarium's resident-dolphin, Winter, can be found at the popular Dolphin
exhibit.
Fun fact.
Winter actually appeared in the 2011 family-friendly film Dolphin Tale.
Take A Bite Out Of History At The Clearwater Historical Society Museum
Housed at the former South Ward school Campus in downtown Clearwater, this museum's mission
is to educate, preserve, collect, and promote the people, culture, and historical events
that have enriched Clearwater's storied past.
The museum features numerous exhibits, artifacts, and archives that give viewers an educational
peek into the history of the town.
The society that lends its name to the museum was founded in 1978 by a group of friends
and neighbors who desired to document and save Clearwater's history.
In 1983, the historical society relocated to the historic Plumb House.
The museum opened at its current location in 2019.
It spans 5 acres and is comprised of six buildings.
Expect to spend 1-2 hours seeing everything that this fantastic attraction has to offer.
Admission is free, although donations are expected.
Enjoy A Romantic Night Out At Sea-Guini
While Frenchy's is a great casual dining restaurant, Sea-Guini offers a more refined culinary experience.
This excellent restaurant can be found inside the equally stunning Opal Sands Resort.
Sea-Guini features ornate, modern décor and serves up some of the best food in town.
Plus, you'll be treated to incredible views of the Gulf.
While the restaurant's aesthetic is admittedly a bit casual, the food is as gourmet as it
gets.
With an extensive Vegan-friendly menu, we particularly enjoyed their baked artichoke
fonduta, but they also offer a full range of surf and turf options suitable for anyone's
palette.
SimCenter Tampa Bay
Located in the heart of downtown, this incredible 4,000 sq ft entertainment complex is sure
to please visitors of all ages.
SimCenter is the perfect attraction to visit on a rainy day, as it's entirely indoors.
Inside you'll discover a wide range of virtual reality experiences and engaging simulators.
Whether you want to experience the thrill of being a Formula 1 racer or fend off a few
waves of virtual zombies alongside your friends, SimCenter is a destination that will leave
you wanting to come back again and again.
Embark On A Dolphin Tour
If visiting Clearwater Beach's Marine Aquarium wasn't enough to satisfy your desire to see
dolphin's up-close-and-personal, hopping aboard a dolphin cruise sure will.
Spend a relaxing day setting sail out on the Gulf while being on the lookout for some of
the friendliest and cutest locals around.
Dolphins will leap and bound in the sea as your vessel cruises along the open waters.
Make sure you have your camera handy because this is one experience that you won't want
to forget.
Escaped The Hustle And Bustle At Caladesi Island State Park
Just north of Clearwater Beach right before you get to Honeymoon Island State Park you'll
find this must-visit gem.
Whether you're in search of a little much-needed peace and quiet or want to see more of the
nature that the area has to offer, this protested section of Caladesi Island is sure to be right
up your alley.
The park's beaches are sparsely populated, which means that if you're in search of a
little R&R without all of the crowds, you'll find exactly what you're looking for.
The park also has many untouched natural areas and offers ample opportunities for hiking,
fishing, and picnicking.
Our favorite trail is the Caladesi Island Trail.
This 3-mile loop will take you through lush mangrove-covered swamps and other habitats
teeming with life.
The park also has a huge marina in case you want to dock for the day or night.
Shop Till You Drop At Clearwater Beach's Cleveland Street District
If you've spent a few days exploring all of the natural wonders in the Clearwater Beach
area and are looking for a more familiar urban experience to shake things up, consider visiting
this lively district downtown.
You'll find many different shops, galleries, and restaurants at this alfresco shopping
and dining district.
There are many tables and benches lining this palm-framed street which hosts a variety of
outdoor events throughout the year.
One of the most popular weekly events is the districts farmers market, where dozens of
local vendors come to sell their wares.
There are numerous bars and pubs here if you're interested in trying a sampling of local craft
beers and wines.
For the younger crowd, ice cream shops and casual cafes are also plentiful here.
So, are you ready to book your tickets yet?
What are you most excited to see and do on your upcoming trip to Clearwater Beach?
And if you've already been, what are some of your favorite attractions in the area that
we didn't cover?
Let us know in the comments.
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And as always, safe travels!