How To Take The Ultimate Vacation In Clearwater Beach, Florida

Take A Split is your greatest manual to the perfect excursions to recharge, rediscover your self and your interactions, and reengage with the earth. We’ll include shopping stops, fantastic bars, eating places value your cash, photo alternatives, unforgettable drives and encounters, and other essential aspects you need in advance of you book.

Underneath, we chat with Lindsay Holmes, senior wellness and journey editor at HuffPost, about why you will want to place Clearwater Beach, Florida, on your bucket list.

I grew up nearby, so I invested a ton of time at Clearwater Seaside. In higher school, our lessons would finish close to 1 p.m. and we’d all beeline straight for the beach. It felt like a getaway in my have backyard. The sand is powdery delicate, the Gulf of Mexico is a sight to behold, and there are tons of good eating places and pursuits close by ― whenever we’d go for an afternoon or on the weekends, I never ever desired to depart.

April and May together with September or even early October are perfect. The warmth and humidity is brutal in the summer months, especially in July and August, so I’d recommend avoiding that time of calendar year. You also operate the chance of encountering afternoon thunderstorms ― particularly at the beach front ― through the summer months.

If you are from a point out that in fact has seasons, I highly advocate likely when you are in excess of the cold or not really prepared to endure chillier temperatures. The winter season months can be heat, but you also run the possibility of it acquiring into the 50s. (I know, tragic.) If you’re genuinely seeking for seaside temperature, late spring or early fall are generally your finest bets.

Clearwater/St. Petersburg has a compact airport, but Tampa Intercontinental Airport will most likely have the most possibilities if you’re traveling. From there, you are only about a 40-minute travel away from the most important seaside location. You can e-book a transportation like Tremendous Shuttle or can effortlessly take Ubers or Lyfts. Receiving all of your transportation set up beforehand will make everything as seamless as feasible.

If you are driving, be prepared to deal with bridges and visitors ― primarily in the a lot more well known travel months. There is effectively 1 street that goes into the seaside and it’ll get packed promptly. There’s also a large roundabout that quite a few motorists get flustered by, especially when there are a whole lot of cars. Tolerance is important when navigating Clearwater Beach front in a automobile.

There are so quite a few hotels ideal alongside the seaside that are worthy of checking out, particularly if you want immediate entry to the h2o or a pool. Some of the most common types consist of the Sandpearl Resort, the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Seaside and the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach.

Moreover, there are adorable boutique hotels, like Hotel Cabana. Airbnbs are also an choice, and you can typically uncover some good types within a small stroll or Uber or Lyft trip.

Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill is a ought to-take a look at if you’re at any time in Clearwater Seaside. It’s a rite of passage I really do not make the procedures. It is located ideal on the drinking water, with a significant patio that empties out on to the sand. It’s the excellent location soon after a extensive working day in the sun. Purchase the grouper sandwich and the crab fries and I assure you’ll by no means be the identical. My mom also loves their she-crab soup.

If you’re searching for some thing a minimal a lot more “upscale” a single evening, the Beachcomber and the Island Way Grill are reliable choices that have been around for several years. There is also the Palm Pavilion or Crabby’s Bar and Grill if you are looking for one thing small-essential with a seashore bar ambiance. And for all you chicken wing enthusiasts, the town of Clearwater is also household to the authentic Hooters. (There’s also a place on Clearwater Seashore.)

I also have to plug a cease at the grocery retailer Publix. There’s completely nothing like consuming a Pub Sub on the beach. It’s just one of life’s best pleasures.

Frenchy’s and the Palm Pavilion are very good places if you want to get a consume on the seaside. They have wonderful, economical frozen cocktails (if you’re from a major metropolis, your mouth will fall at the rates). My favourite are the piña coladas, which I know is exceptionally basic. But just after a scorching working day of swimming and sunbathing, it seriously hits the location. They also have rum runners, vital lime coladas (a different favorite), coconut margaritas and a lot more.

Numerous eating places, together with Frenchy’s and Palm Pavilion, normally have reside tunes. I advocate heading all through sunset if you can get a desk. Amusement, a refreshing drink and pristine surroundings. What far more could you request for?

There are tons of nearby memento outlets alongside the beach front, which are wonderful for window browsing or obtaining a trinket to commemorate your excursion.

The total beach front is ripe for pictures! If you stroll north together the seaside ― past all of the accommodations ― you’ll certainly get fantastic shots devoid of a bunch of men and women in the track record or pushing along with you. Pier 60 is also a excellent place for photographs if you want sweeping sights of the Gulf (you may well also get a glimpse of some dolphins if you’re lucky).

I’d individually say skip the pirate-themed boats that go out in the h2o and opt for a dolphin sightseeing boat, or even go parasailing. Some folks enjoy the pirate cruises, but most locals say they’re not actually really worth the price tag. If you’re a water sport admirer, a lot of individuals actually rave about the jet ski rentals as well.

I experience so at simplicity when I’m on a wander or sitting down on the north portion of the seashore. We’d usually park there for the day when we were being in substantial faculty. I have fond memories of lounging in the solar with my buddies, gossiping about what happened in course or who was courting who at the time.

Each and every time I go back again, I make absolutely sure to wander up that way, which finishes up being about a mile or so away from Pier 60. It right away can make me come to feel like a teen yet again. It is also great because it’s additional away from the touristy areas, so you get a stage of tranquil that you are not truly afforded in the far more crowded elements.

For some great folks looking at, I certainly propose strolling alongside the pier or in some of the a lot more populated regions. There are also other beautiful seashores close by if you want to change it up for the day. Try out checking out Sand Crucial Beach front or Caladesi Island Point out Park, which provide one more minimal slice of heaven of the Gulf.

There are a handful of: 1st, hope to be exposed to UV rays and strategy appropriately. The sunshine will get you if you are not cautious. Use sunscreen ― even if it seems cloudy during the summer time.

You ought to also be expecting afternoon thunderstorms if you’re likely in the hotter months. (I individually like them, but they can be bothersome on a holiday.) Storms usually roll in all over 3 p.m. and can last everywhere from 20 minutes to more than an hour, depending on the forecast. It’s useful to program any seashore times or excursions all over it ― you’ll very likely get better weather the previously you go out.

Ultimately, familiarize yourself with the stingray shuffle. If you go to at any time concerning April and October, which is usually stingray season. Shuffle your feet in the drinking water so they know you’re coming. (For what it’s really worth, I have never ever had a dilemma with them in my life time of going to Clearwater Seashore. Just be knowledgeable, don’t stress!)

To condition the clear, a bathing accommodate and sunscreen. Some persons like bringing h2o shoes for stingray year and seaside shirts mainly because, as described, the sun can be incredibly solid.

Do. Not. Feed. The. Seagulls. They are all over the place, and they want your food. Feeding them just would make them far more needy (and it could be unsafe for them) ― not to mention you will annoy all the other beachgoers all-around you. Hold your snacks, subs and something else to yourself. Belief me.