Clearwater, Florida
"On a Clearwater Beach day, you can play forever " is the slogan of Clearwater, Florida. Clearwater is the area's second-largest city covering much of the northern half of the Pinellas Peninsula including the barrier islands that make up Clearwater Beach. It is known for its miles of white sand beaches, accommodations, shopping, casual beach restaurants, and breathtaking sunsets. With mild temperatures year round, this city is paradise for anyone who enjoys the out of doors. The city has an average temperature of 73 degrees, and the water in the Gulf of Mexico is always warm (as high as 85 degrees in the summer). Any time of year is the perfect time to enjoy one of the many beautiful beaches along Florida's Sun Coast.
The Clearwater Municipal Marina has the largest fishing fleet on the west coast of Florida with more than 50 commercial boats for leisure activities including sailing, diving, fishing, parasailing, sightseeing, casino gaming, dolphin watching and more. If you love sunshine, a warm breeze, a great beach, and palm trees, Clearwater Beach is the place to be: close to everything; yet not overcrowded. Clearwater lies on a beautiful peninsula on Florida's west coast.
The "season", beginning in mid-November and usually lasting through April, is the busiest time, as many visitors from colder climates arrive to enjoy the abundant sunshine, fine dining, and leisure activities. Spring and fall are popular with those who prefer a slower pace. A peaceful stroll on the beach is an option in any season. Summer is a great time for families, as there are many wonderful and exciting activities for children and parents. No matter what the time of year, visitors are welcomed and can expect balmy breezes, glorious sunshine, and a profusion of colorful tropical vegetation as a backdrop.
Offering just about every water and beach activity imaginable, Clearwater Beach has been named the top city beach in the Gulf region by the nation's foremost beach expert, Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, Clearwater Beach features public parking and a host of facilities at Pier 60 Park. Pier 60 Park features a family recreation complex on Clearwater's expansive beach with covered playgrounds, fishing, concessions, and family entertainment. The nightly "Sunsets at Pier 60 Festival" celebrates each beautiful Gulf of Mexico sunset throughout the year. This "street festival" features artists, craftsmen, and musical performances on Clearwater's famous fishing pier.
Nearby Pinellas County attractions are Heritage Village in Largo and Fort DeSoto at St. Petersburg Beach. On the grounds of Heritage Village is the Pinellas County Historical Museum. The Museum's exhibits trace the history of Pinellas County from the Indian-Spanish period to contemporary times. The natural pine and palmetto landscape of Heritage Village includes a school, church, railroad depot, and store as well as a variety of historic homes. Among the homes are the McMullen-Coachman Log Cabin, the oldest existing structure in the County, and the magnificent Victorian-era House of Seven Gables.
Fort DeSoto is located just south of St. Petersburg at the entrance to Tampa Bay. Built during the Spanish-American War, the fort hosts Here, re-enactors present dramatic skits portraying the action of the war which caused Fort De Soto to be built in 1898. One of the historic figures appearing in the production is Teddy Roosevelt. Authentic camp equipment, including medical and dental instruments, and detailed meal preparation are also displayed. Tours of the fort and museum are followed by period music and dances, including the Virginia reel.
Within a short drive are some of the country's most popular attractions. In nearby Tampa, visitors can experience the thrill of plunging down a variety of roller coasters at Busch Gardens or take a refreshing plunge down a slide at Adventure Island Water Park. Orlando is within a two hour drive for those wishing to visit world famous Disney World, Sea World or Universal Studios.
Clearwater is proud to host the Philadelphia Phillies' spring training. The Phillies are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional sports and have been in Clearwater since 1947.
Whatever brings you to this part of Florida, try to arrange to stay in Clearwater. The beaches, the museums, the shopping, the sports, and, of course, the weather are the best! Clearwater is just waiting to show its many diverse attributes, from virtually perfect weather to activities for all ages. Clearwater has the welcome mat out for you. Just bring the sunscreen!
Things To Do
Moccasin Lake Nature Park
2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater
727-462-6024
Admission Charged
Hours: Monday: Closed, unless legal holiday; Tuesday-Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm; Saturday-Sunday: 10:00am-6:00pm
Holidays: Open: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, President's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day. Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day (and the day after), Christmas Day Moccasin Lake Nature Park is an Environmental and Energy Education Center providing visitors to beautiful Clearwater with a natural retreat from the concrete and asphalt setting of the urban environment and offering a change of scene from the famous white sandy beaches. This is a place where you can enjoy a small piece of Florida's natural history. Come walk the nature trails where you might visually encounter egrets, ospreys, butterflies, turtles or the occasional alligator. Visit the gift shop and other live wildlife exhibits of non-venomous snakes, tortoises, freshwater fish, amphibians and many birds of prey such as the Bald Eagle.
Sunsets At Pier 60 Daily Festival
P.O. Box 3595, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
727-449-1036
Admission Free
Started in 1995 and patterned after the highly successful Sunsets at Mallory Square Festival in Key West, FL. this event is responsible for a marked increased in visitors to Clearwater Beach during the evening and off season periods. Sunsets at Pier 60 Daily Festival is the only form of free family oriented entertainment available on Clearwater Beach. A nightly "street" festival on Clearwater's famous fishing pier celebrating the setting of the sun and featuring artists, craftsman and performers with musical entertainment.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage
727-441-1790
Admission Charged
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm; Saturday, 9am-4pm; Sunday, 11am-
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a, working Aquarium dedicated to public education, marine research, animal assisted therapy and the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured or sick whales, dolphins, otters and sea turtles. As your "Window to the Sea" we provide visitors and residents with a better understanding and appreciation for the marine environment. As a working Aquarium it is our mission to educate and foster preservation and conservation of the marine animals and habitats.
Tanks A Lot
Clearwater, Florida
United States
800-335-3483, 727-531-9101
Activities scuba diving
Take an adventure trip aboard a 33-foot vessel for an exciting day of scuba diving.
Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise
25 Causeway Blvd.
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767-2064
727-446-2587
Join the fun aboard the family attraction, the Pirate's Ransom. Frequent sightings of playful dolphins. Pirate fun and games.
Original Dolphin Encounter Cruise
25 Causeway Blvd., Slip #5
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767-2000
See these marine mammals in their natural habitat while relaxing aboard the double-deck 125-passenger Clearwater Express. This sightseeing tour provides a scenic view of Gulf beaches.
727-442-7433
Ruth Eckerd Hall
111 McMullen Booth Rd.
800 2nd Ave NE
Clearwater, FL 34619
727-791-7060
727-791-7400
This performance arts center was e stablished in 1988 as a professional theater. Audiences are drawn from areas far beyond the local community by the imaginative adaptations of classic children's literature, fine music, and original works.
Heritage Village
11909 125 Street North,
Largo, FL
727-582-2123
Admission Free
A 21-acre, open-air historical village and museum located in the heart of Pinellas County. The natural pine and palmetto landscape is home to some of Pinellas County's most historic buildings.
The Village includes 28 structures, some dating back to the mid-to late- 19th century. The Village includes a school, church, railroad depot, and store as well as a variety of historic homes. The homes range from the McMullen-Coachman Log Cabin, the oldest existing structure in the County, to the magnificent Victorian-era House of Seven Gables. Also on the grounds of Heritage Village is the Pinellas County Historical Museum. The Museum's exhibits trace the history of Pinellas County from the Indian-Spanish period to contemporary times. The Museum also has a 3,500-volume library and archives containing historic photographs, maps, special collections and other materials relating to the history of Pinellas County. Heritage Village is also the site of the Daniel McMullen Home for the Fiber Arts. Weaving, quilting, and other crafts are demonstrated at Heritage Village as part of its "hands-on" approach to history. A Country Jubilee is held annually in October; other events are scheduled throughout the year.
Area Attractions
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens
Tampa, FL 33674
888-800-5447
Admission Charged
Hours vary by day and season, call for details
Just a short 30 minute drive from Clearwater Beach, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is the ultimate family adventure park offering an array of fascinating attractions based on exotic encounters with the African continent. A unique blend of thrilling rides, one of the country's premier zoos featuring more than 2,700 animals, live shows, restaurants, shops and games, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay provides unrivaled "real" excitement for guests of every age.
Adventure Island Tampa Bay
4500 Bougainvillea Ave.
Tampa, FL 33612
813-987-5600
Admission Charged
Hours vary by day and season, call for details
Adjacent to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Adventure Island's 30 acres of water-drenched fun in the sun features the ultimate combination of high- speed thrills and tropical, tranquil surroundings for guests of all ages. Within a soothing Key West atmosphere awaits an unrivaled blend of slides, corkscrews, water falls, a wave pool, children's water playground and other family attractions such as outdoor cafes, picnic and sunbathing areas, gift shops, arcades and a championship white-sand volleyball complex.
Caladesi Island State Park
# 1 Causeway Boulevard, Dunedin
727-469-5918
Admission Charged
Open year round, 8am-sunset
Note: Caledesi Island is only accessible by water.
By Boat - From channel marker #14, just west of the Dunedin Causeway Bridge, take an approximate 212-degree heading on your compass for approximately 1 mile. Follow the channel markers into the Caladesi Island State Park Marina.
Driving Directions to the Ferry : The driving directions for Caladesi Island State Park are the same as those for Honeymoon Island State Park. The ferry service to Caladesi leaves from Honeymoon Island State Park. hourly beginning at 10 AM.
Caladesi Island is outstanding. It offers 3 miles of hiking trails and a 108 slip marina. Picnic pavilions, bathhouses, and a park concession all make the visit more comfortable. Fishing, shelling, and nature studies are available. Caladesi Island State Park is ranked the sixth finest beach in the United States. For those who like to walk, Caladesi Island is accessible by foot from Clearwater Beach; a three plus mile walk; (there is neither automobile access nor available parking). This unspoiled island offers natural vegetation, abundant bird life and interpretative programs for Florida nature study. Here one can see the threatened gopher tortoise. Fiddler crabs scurry along the beach. The hardwood hammock leads to the original homestead built at the turn of the century.
The Dunedin Fine Art Center
1143 Michigan Boulevard, Dunedin
727-298-3322
Admission Charged
The Dunedin Fine Art Center serves upper Pinellas County for over thirty years and offers a wide variety of studio art classes, educational workshops, gallery exhibitions, lectures, outreach programs and community events for adults, children and the physically challenged. Everyone is invited to participate as a visitor, member, student, patron or volunteer. Includes a unique children's museum in addition to works of many local and Florida artists.
Florida Botanical Gardens
12175 125 Street North, Largo
727-582-2200
Admission Charged
Open daily; Monday-Saturday 8am-5pm; Sunday, noon-5pm
182 acres of nature, art and a unique blend of Florida native plants and beautiful exotic tropicals, displayed in both natural and formal gardens. The natural wonder of this also provides a natural habitat for Florida's fabulous lifestyle
Florida International Museum
100 Second Street North, St. Petersburg
727-822-3693 or 800-777-9882
Admission Charged
A Smithsonian Institute affiliate with the largest private collection of Kennedy family artifacts.
Gulf Coast Art Museum
12211 Walsingham Rd,
Largo, FL
727- 518-6833
Admission Charged
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm; Sunday, noon-4pm; Monday closed
Features contemporary Florida art with a special focus on contemporary craft media objects from the twelve southeastern states.
Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)
800-995-MOSI
MOSI is located in north Tampa at 4801 E. Fowler Ave., across from the USF Sun Dome, and just one mile from Busch Gardens.
Admission Charged
Open year round: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am-7pm
Approximately a 30 minute drive from Clearwater, the Museum of Science and Industry is a great attraction for any age. MOSI is the largest science center in the southeast, featuring more than 450 interactive exhibits in all areas of science, and is the home of Florida's first IMAX Dome Theatre.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
The new "cable-stay" bridge is a beautiful structure which was built at a cost of 245 million dollars. It has a main span of 1200 feet and a vertical clearance of 193 feet. It is equipped with a bridge protection system involving 36 large concrete bumpers called dolphins that are built to withstand an impact from any errant ships in the vicinity of the bridges piers. Unlike most "cable-stay" bridges the new bridge uses a single plane of cables and the deck, made of prestressed concrete segments serves as structure as well as being the roadway surface. At night, strategically placed lights add an additional touch of beauty. The bridge spans Tampa Bay and is the is the means of entry into St. Petersburg from the south on I-275.
