How To Take The Ultimate Vacation In Clearwater Beach, Florida

Just take A Split is your best guidebook to the excellent journeys to recharge, rediscover oneself and your relationships, and reengage with the entire world. We’ll go over purchasing stops, good bars, restaurants well worth your dollars, photograph chances, memorable drives and ordeals, and other significant specifics you want just before you ebook.

Beneath, we chat with Lindsay Holmes, senior wellness and journey editor at HuffPost, about why you’ll want to set Clearwater Beach, Florida, on your bucket listing.

I grew up nearby, so I spent a ton of time at Clearwater Beach. In significant college, our courses would finish close to 1 p.m. and we’d all beeline straight for the beach front. It felt like a trip in my very own yard. The sand is powdery tender, the Gulf of Mexico is a sight to behold, and there are tons of excellent eating places and actions close by ― every time we’d go for an afternoon or on the weekends, I under no circumstances needed to go away.

April and May well together with September or even early October are excellent. The warmth and humidity is brutal in the summertime, especially in July and August, so I’d recommend keeping away from that time of calendar year. You also run the chance of encountering afternoon thunderstorms ― specifically at the seaside ― during the summer months.

If you’re from a condition that truly has seasons, I remarkably recommend likely when you’re above the cold or not rather completely ready to endure chillier temperatures. The winter season months can be heat, but you also run the danger of it obtaining into the 50s. (I know, tragic.) If you are definitely looking for seashore temperature, late spring or early slide are generally your ideal bets.

Clearwater/St. Petersburg has a little airport, but Tampa Worldwide Airport will probable have the most options if you are traveling. From there, you’re only about a 40-minute generate away from the major seaside location. You can ebook a transportation like Super Shuttle or can easily just take Ubers or Lyfts. Acquiring all of your transportation set up beforehand will make almost everything as seamless as attainable.

If you’re driving, be prepared to deal with bridges and visitors ― in particular in the extra well-known journey months. There is effectively 1 street that goes into the seashore and it’ll get packed speedily. There’s also a massive roundabout that a lot of drivers get flustered by, specifically when there are a large amount of cars. Persistence is key when navigating Clearwater Beach in a motor vehicle.

There are so numerous motels ideal together the beach that are well worth checking out, in particular if you want immediate obtain to the water or a pool. Some of the most well-known ones contain the Sandpearl Vacation resort, the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach front and the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Seashore.

Additionally, there are cute boutique inns, like Lodge Cabana. Airbnbs are also an selection, and you can frequently locate some good ones in just a limited walk or Uber or Lyft trip.

Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill is a ought to-visit if you are at any time in Clearwater Seashore. It’s a rite of passage I do not make the procedures. It’s located appropriate on the h2o, with a huge patio that empties out on to the sand. It’s the great place immediately after a prolonged day in the sunshine. Purchase the grouper sandwich and the crab fries and I guarantee you will in no way be the identical. My mom also loves their she-crab soup.

If you’re looking for a little something a very little extra “upscale” a person night time, the Beachcomber and the Island Way Grill are sound selections that have been close to for years. There’s also the Palm Pavilion or Crabby’s Bar and Grill if you’re wanting for anything minimal-essential with a seaside bar ambiance. And for all you chicken wing supporters, the city of Clearwater is also household to the original Hooters. (There’s also a site on Clearwater Seashore.)

I also have to plug a prevent at the grocery retail store Publix. There is completely almost nothing like consuming a Pub Sub on the beach. It’s a person of life’s finest pleasures.

Frenchy’s and the Palm Pavilion are superior spots if you want to get a drink on the seashore. They have good, cost-effective frozen cocktails (if you are from a major city, your mouth will drop at the charges). My most loved are the piña coladas, which I know is incredibly primary. But immediately after a warm day of swimming and sunbathing, it actually hits the place. They also have rum runners, key lime coladas (yet another beloved), coconut margaritas and additional.

Many restaurants, including Frenchy’s and Palm Pavilion, usually have reside music. I propose heading in the course of sunset if you can get a table. Entertainment, a refreshing consume and pristine surroundings. What additional could you question for?

There are tons of neighborhood souvenir shops alongside the beach, which are great for window purchasing or locating a trinket to commemorate your journey.

The total beach is ripe for photos! If you stroll north alongside the beach ― beyond all of the accommodations ― you are going to absolutely get great pictures devoid of a bunch of men and women in the track record or pushing alongside you. Pier 60 is also a wonderful site for photos if you want sweeping sights of the Gulf (you could possibly also get a glimpse of some dolphins if you are lucky).

I’d personally say skip the pirate-themed boats that go out in the drinking water and opt for a dolphin sightseeing boat, or even go parasailing. Some persons enjoy the pirate cruises, but most locals say they are not seriously value the selling price. If you are a drinking water sport supporter, lots of individuals seriously rave about the jet ski rentals as well.

I sense so at ease when I’m on a walk or sitting on the north element of the beach front. We’d constantly park there for the day when we had been in high university. I have fond reminiscences of lounging in the sun with my buddies, gossiping about what transpired in class or who was courting who at the time.

Each time I go back again, I make guaranteed to wander up that way, which finishes up being about a mile or so absent from Pier 60. It immediately makes me come to feel like a teen yet again. It’s also great mainly because it’s further more absent from the touristy spots, so you get a stage of tranquil that you’re not really afforded in the additional crowded parts.

For some excellent people seeing, I surely endorse strolling along the pier or in some of the much more populated locations. There are also other wonderful beach locations nearby if you want to swap it up for the working day. Consider examining out Sand Essential Seaside or Caladesi Island Condition Park, which offer a different minimal slice of heaven of the Gulf.

There are a couple of: Very first, assume to be exposed to UV rays and approach accordingly. The sunlight will get you if you are not watchful. Use sunscreen ― even if it appears to be cloudy through the summertime.

You ought to also expect afternoon thunderstorms if you’re likely in the warmer months. (I individually like them, but they can be frustrating on a trip.) Storms commonly roll in all-around 3 p.m. and can final any where from 20 minutes to over an hour, dependent on the forecast. It’s beneficial to approach any seaside times or excursions all around it ― you’ll probable get superior climate the before you go out.

At last, familiarize by yourself with the stingray shuffle. If you stop by whenever among April and October, that’s commonly stingray year. Shuffle your feet in the h2o so they know you’re coming. (For what it’s value, I have never had a issue with them in my life span of likely to Clearwater Seashore. Just be conscious, don’t pressure!)

To state the obvious, a bathing go well with and sunscreen. Some persons favor bringing h2o shoes for stingray year and beach front shirts since, as outlined, the sunlight can be really powerful.

Do. Not. Feed. The. Seagulls. They are everywhere you go, and they want your food. Feeding them just helps make them additional needy (and it could be hazardous for them) ― not to mention you are going to annoy all the other beachgoers all-around you. Retain your snacks, subs and everything else to on your own. Trust me.