Tell me about Clearwater for main holiday

[anna68]

Wondering if there is enough to do in/around Clearwater for a 10 day stay on the coast?

[scooby99]

I'm assuming you will have a car?
It depends what you want to do but we visit in April/May for 2 weeks, again in September for 3 weeks and again at Christmas/New Year for 2 weeks and stay approx 15 minutes south of Clearwater at Indian Shores.

A list of activities off the top of my head is as follows:
Lots of the usual beach activities at Clearwater plus just relaxing on the beach/in the water: beach movies sunset celebrations at Pier 60 with stalls and 'street' entertainers.
Sea screamer or Little Toot for dolphin viewing boat trips
Clearwater Aquarium

An easy car ride away:
Shopping! Clearwater countryside Mall, Tyrone Mall, Tampa premium outlets, Ellenton outlets, International Plaza etc

St Johns Pass village
Busch Gardens
Tampa Lowry Park zoo
Dali museum St Petersburg
Suncoast bird sanctuary at Indian Shores
Children's museum in St Petersburg
Ringling museum at Sarasota

There are lots of others; a google search of things to do in Clearwater area brings up tons of ideas.

[anna68]

Thanks! Yes we'd have a car.

[webby3]

As above we have done 2 week holidays just down the road at Indian Shores, both as a couple and then with our young kids. Fantastic relaxed holiday.

All of the above plus:

Florida Aquarium in Tampa
MOSI in Tampa
Clearwater Aquarium
Baseball at Tropicana Field
Other sports include NFL, NHL and college sports over in Tampa
Fantastic Kids playground in Largo park which my two year old and six year old would have spent a whole week in if we'd let them.
And some of the best beaches around, especially Fort de Soto.

We love the coast more than Disney, but for now Orlando is a necessary evil ;-)

[anna68]

Where did you both stay? Why choose Indian shores over Clearwater

[Lucky's Mum]

We stay in a condo just over the bridge in Sand Key. Clearwater has lots going on and pretty good restaurants. It has a great holiday vibe and we really chill out.
Agree with the lists already given although shopping wise prefer Ellenton to Tampa (unless they have built more shops at Tampa Outlet since we were last there in 2016! ).
Going again mid April for 3 weeks -the place keeps drawing us back!

[scooby99]

Originally Posted by anna68

Where did you both stay? Why choose Indian shores over Clearwater

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Clearwater is more commercialised with more restaurants, attractions etc within sight of the hotels & a literal stroll from these.

For us, Indian Shores is more laid-back with condos rather than hotels & the beach is quieter.
It caters a lot to long term renters & residents whereas Clearwater is primarily those on shorter vacations.
We go so often & so regularly now that we know some of the regulars; staff in some of the places we visit remember us etc.


Both great choices; just depends whether you prefer everything literally outside your door or whether you prefer a more sedate pace of life at the beach.

[tiggerdigger]

Originally Posted by scooby99

Clearwater is more commercialised with more restaurants, attractions etc within sight of the hotels & a literal stroll from these.

For us, Indian Shores is more laid-back with condos rather than hotels & the beach is quieter.
It caters a lot to long term renters & residents whereas Clearwater is primarily those on shorter vacations.
We go so often & so regularly now that we know some of the regulars; staff in some of the places we visit remember us etc.

Both great choices; just depends whether you prefer everything literally outside your door or whether you prefer a more sedate pace of life at the beach.

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Interested in this thread as we are staying 6 nights in Indian Shores at the end of June before 2 weeks in Orlando. Looks really nice and neighbours of ours have been the last 2 years.

Do you have any recommendations for good family style restaurants?

[swiper]

We are regulars in Clearwater. If we stay for for more than four days we get a condo, if less we now stay in Opal Sands.
We find loads to do.
Tarpon springs is a nice town to visit, plus Dunedin. The boat trips from the marina are numerous with something for everyone.
Loads of places to eat and drink all along the beach walk way.
The beach goes on for miles.
If you stay up in north beach that’s very low key and the beach up that end tends to be extremely quiet.
Loads of dolphins, manatees and bird life to sit back and watch.
The beach is wide and very long, you can just keep walking!
As other posters have said plenty to do during the day and lots of activities in late afternoon near pier 60. Movie night at the pier ( weekends only plus bring a chair/ blanket)
There is something here for everybody... especially relaxing and a re change of the battery’s.
You set your own pace!
What ever you choose being in and around that area you will have an amazing time.
Our choice for eating in Clearwater ...
Shanty cafe ( next to Hilton ) for breakfast.
Bait house for lunch ( bottom of marina )
Gondalier for tea ( Greek/Italian family style )
Also Ckear sky.
But lots to choose from and caters for all budgets!