How To Take The Ultimate Vacation In Clearwater Beach, Florida

Take A Split is your ultimate guideline to the ideal trips to recharge, rediscover on your own and your associations, and reengage with the world. We’ll protect searching stops, great bars, restaurants well worth your dollars, picture possibilities, memorable drives and encounters, and other essential details you require ahead of you reserve.

Below, we chat with Lindsay Holmes, senior wellness and journey editor at HuffPost, about why you’ll want to place Clearwater Beach front, Florida, on your bucket record.

I grew up nearby, so I spent a ton of time at Clearwater Beach. In higher faculty, our courses would finish about 1 p.m. and we’d all beeline straight for the seaside. It felt like a holiday vacation in my possess backyard. The sand is powdery soft, the Gulf of Mexico is a sight to behold, and there are tons of fantastic restaurants and things to do close by ― when we’d go for an afternoon or on the weekends, I under no circumstances required to leave.

April and Might alongside with September or even early Oct are excellent. The heat and humidity is brutal in the summer time, specifically in July and August, so I’d suggest steering clear of that time of 12 months. You also operate the hazard of encountering afternoon thunderstorms ― especially at the beach ― all through the summer months.

If you are from a state that actually has seasons, I really recommend likely when you are above the chilly or not very ready to endure chillier temperatures. The winter months can be warm, but you also operate the danger of it acquiring into the 50s. (I know, tragic.) If you’re genuinely hunting for beach front weather, late spring or early drop are usually your most effective bets.

Clearwater/St. Petersburg has a tiny airport, but Tampa Global Airport will likely have the most alternatives if you’re flying. From there, you’re only about a 40-minute drive absent from the most important beach area. You can book a transportation like Super Shuttle or can easily get Ubers or Lyfts. Getting all of your transportation established up beforehand will make almost everything as seamless as achievable.

If you’re driving, be prepared to offer with bridges and targeted visitors ― especially in the additional popular journey months. There’s in essence 1 road that goes into the beach and it’ll get packed quickly. There is also a huge roundabout that many drivers get flustered by, in particular when there are a whole lot of cars. Tolerance is important when navigating Clearwater Beach front in a auto.

There are so a lot of accommodations appropriate alongside the beach front that are value checking out, especially if you want direct access to the h2o or a pool. Some of the most common kinds consist of the Sandpearl Vacation resort, the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Seashore and the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Seashore.

On top of that, there are cute boutique lodges, like Resort Cabana. Airbnbs are also an solution, and you can generally come across some terrific ones inside a brief walk or Uber or Lyft journey.

Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill is a need to-visit if you are at any time in Clearwater Beach front. It’s a rite of passage I don’t make the regulations. It is situated ideal on the drinking water, with a substantial patio that empties out on to the sand. It is the perfect location immediately after a prolonged day in the solar. Purchase the grouper sandwich and the crab fries and I assure you will by no means be the similar. My mother also enjoys their she-crab soup.

If you are seeking for one thing a minimal more “upscale” a person night time, the Beachcomber and the Island Way Grill are solid options that have been all-around for decades. There’s also the Palm Pavilion or Crabby’s Bar and Grill if you’re wanting for something low-crucial with a seashore bar ambiance. And for all you rooster wing lovers, the metropolis of Clearwater is also household to the unique Hooters. (There is also a site on Clearwater Beach.)

I also have to plug a cease at the grocery retailer Publix. There is unquestionably very little like having a Pub Sub on the seashore. It’s just one of life’s greatest pleasures.

Frenchy’s and the Palm Pavilion are superior places if you want to grab a drink on the seaside. They have wonderful, very affordable frozen cocktails (if you’re from a key city, your mouth will drop at the costs). My favorite are the piña coladas, which I know is very simple. But just after a scorching working day of swimming and sunbathing, it genuinely hits the spot. They also have rum runners, essential lime coladas (one more preferred), coconut margaritas and a lot more.

Numerous restaurants, such as Frenchy’s and Palm Pavilion, generally have live new music. I advise heading throughout sunset if you can get a table. Amusement, a refreshing consume and pristine landscapes. What extra could you ask for?

There are tons of area souvenir suppliers together the seashore, which are fantastic for window browsing or acquiring a trinket to commemorate your vacation.

The complete seaside is ripe for photos! If you walk north together the beach front ― outside of all of the motels ― you’ll undoubtedly get very good shots with out a bunch of people today in the qualifications or pushing along with you. Pier 60 is also a wonderful locale for photographs if you want sweeping views of the Gulf (you could possibly also get a glimpse of some dolphins if you’re blessed).

I’d individually say skip the pirate-themed boats that go out in the water and decide for a dolphin sightseeing boat, or even go parasailing. Some men and women enjoy the pirate cruises, but most locals say they’re not really worthy of the cost. If you’re a drinking water sport enthusiast, numerous folks actually rave about the jet ski rentals as nicely.

I truly feel so at simplicity when I’m on a stroll or sitting down on the north component of the beach front. We’d generally park there for the working day when we were in significant faculty. I have fond recollections of lounging in the sunlight with my buddies, gossiping about what occurred in course or who was relationship who at the time.

Just about every time I go again, I make sure to wander up that way, which ends up staying about a mile or so away from Pier 60. It promptly helps make me truly feel like a teen yet again. It’s also awesome simply because it is further away from the touristy parts, so you get a level of tranquil that you’re not actually afforded in the extra crowded sections.

For some superior persons viewing, I absolutely propose strolling together the pier or in some of the more populated areas. There are also other lovely beaches close by if you want to switch it up for the working day. Try examining out Sand Vital Beach or Caladesi Island State Park, which present an additional very little slice of heaven of the Gulf.

There are a few: To start with, hope to be uncovered to UV rays and program appropriately. The sunlight will get you if you’re not cautious. Don sunscreen ― even if it would seem cloudy during the summer time.

You should also assume afternoon thunderstorms if you’re going in the hotter months. (I personally like them, but they can be frustrating on a holiday.) Storms normally roll in around 3 p.m. and can very last any where from 20 minutes to more than an hour, depending on the forecast. It is valuable to plan any beach front days or excursions close to it ― you’ll likely get greater temperature the previously you go out.

Finally, familiarize you with the stingray shuffle. If you check out at any time among April and Oct, that is generally stingray year. Shuffle your feet in the water so they know you’re coming. (For what it’s value, I’ve by no means experienced a problem with them in my life time of heading to Clearwater Beach. Just be informed, really do not worry!)

To point out the apparent, a bathing go well with and sunscreen. Some persons favor bringing drinking water sneakers for stingray time and beach front shirts for the reason that, as talked about, the sunlight can be pretty robust.

Do. Not. Feed. The. Seagulls. They are everywhere, and they want your foodstuff. Feeding them just will make them far more needy (and it could be hazardous for them) ― not to mention you are going to annoy all the other beachgoers all around you. Hold your snacks, subs and something else to on your own. Believe in me.