Clearwater, Florida wears its three miles of sugar-white sand like a badge of honor, and it’s easy to see why families keep coming back. The Gulf is warm, the sunsets stop conversations, and the calendar works just as well for a couples weekend as a family reunion. Endless Stays has the vacation rentals to make it feel like home.
Beyond the beach, Pinellas County packs rescue sanctuaries, pirate cruises, dolphin kayaking, and the Tampa Bay area’s best grouper sandwiches into an easy, walkable footprint.
Below are ten things to do in Clearwater that locals recommend and visitors rave about.
Beach and Waterfront Attractions
The shoreline is the obvious starting point, and these are the spots that earn the highest marks from real Clearwater visitors.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Half attraction, half working hospital, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is the rescue and rehabilitation facility that put the city on Hollywood’s map after the Dolphin Tale films. The campus is home to dolphins, sea turtles, otters, sharks, and stingrays, and the staff lean heavily into education. Plan two to three hours, more if you book a behind-the-scenes encounter.
- Rating: 4.2 stars (19,800+ Google reviews)
- Address: 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL 33767
- Hours: Daily, 10 AM to 5 PM
- Phone: (727) 441-1790
- Website: cmaquarium.org
- What guests love: “Every single staff member we encountered was educational, kind, and genuinely eager to share their knowledge.”
- Don’t miss: The otter habitat, the stingray touch tank, and the rooftop view of the working dolphin pools.
- View on Google Maps
Pier 60
The 1,000-foot-plus Pier 60 jutting off Clearwater Beach is the social heart of the waterfront. Walk out to fish, snap a sunset photo, or stick around for the nightly Sunsets at Pier 60 festival, where local musicians, jugglers, fire dancers, and craft vendors set up shop two hours before sundown. Half the pier is free to walk and the prime fishing deck runs about a dollar.
- Rating: 4.7 stars (5,700+ Google reviews)
- Address: 1 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33767
- Best time: Arrive 90 minutes before sunset for the festival
- Cost: Free to walk, $1 for full pier access, fishing rod rentals available on site
- What guests love: The covered playground and inflatable activities make it one of the most family-friendly stretches of the beach.
- View on Google Maps
Boat Cruises and On-the-Water Experiences
Clearwater sits on the Intracoastal Waterway, which means dolphins, sea turtles, and tiki bars are all within paddling distance. Two on-the-water experiences stand out from the pack.
Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise
A two-hour adventure aboard a replica pirate ship that hits the sweet spot between kid magic and adult relaxation. The crew runs treasure hunts and water-cannon battles for the little pirates while pouring complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks for the grown-ups. Most cruises spot a dolphin escort on the way out of the marina.
- Rating: 4.7 stars (1,500+ Google reviews)
- Address: 25 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
- Hours: Daily, 10 AM to 5 PM (multiple departures)
- Phone: (727) 446-2587
- Website: captainmemo.com
- Best for: Families with kids ages 2 to 12, multi-generation groups
- What guests love: “The crew was amazing. They all remembered our daughter’s name and made her part of our pirate adventure. As a bonus, we had a dolphin escort out to sea.”
- View on Google Maps
Cruisin’ Tikis Clearwater
If a private floating tiki bar sounds like your speed, this is the booking to make. Each Cruisin’ Tikis charter holds up to six guests and lets you bring your own cooler and Bluetooth playlist while a USCG-licensed captain handles the navigation. Two-hour sunset trips are the runaway favorite.
- Rating: 4.9 stars (670+ Google reviews)
- Address: 25 Causeway Blvd Slip 30, Clearwater, FL 33767
- Hours: Daily, 10 AM to 11 PM
- Phone: (727) 477-8454
- Website: cruisintikisclearwater.com
- Best for: Couples, friend groups, sunset toasts
- What guests love: “Brian was our captain, and he was incredibly informative, knowledgeable, and made safety a top priority the entire trip. We saw sea turtles, dolphins and a beautiful sunset.”
- View on Google Maps
State Parks and Quieter Beaches
Clearwater Beach is the icon, but if you have a rental car, three nearby parks deliver the cleaner sand, calmer water, and shell-hunting glory that most visitors come to Florida for in the first place.
Honeymoon Island State Park
Connected to Dunedin by a free causeway about 20 minutes north of Clearwater Beach, Honeymoon Island is the rare state park where you can spread out on miles of soft, white sand without ever feeling crowded. Dolphin sightings from the shore are common, the shelling is some of the best in Pinellas County, and the on-site cafe has cold drinks for when the sun gets serious.
- Rating: 4.7 stars (24,100+ Google reviews)
- Address: 1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698
- Cost: $8 per vehicle (cash or card at the gate)
- Phone: (727) 241-6106
- Website: floridastateparks.org/honeymoonisland
- Insider tip: Arrive before 10 AM on weekends, the parking lot fills fast and they close it once it’s full.
- What guests love: “We saw a couple of dolphins right away and we found a lot of cool shells. We even found a small shark’s tooth.”
- View on Google Maps
Sand Key Park
A short causeway bridge south of Clearwater Beach drops you onto Sand Key, the local pick when downtown gets busy. The sand is just as fine, the parking is cheaper at six dollars for the day, and the swimming is calmer thanks to a more sheltered shoreline. Pack the shelling bag, mother-of-pearl and whole conch shells are common finds.
- Rating: 4.7 stars (10,200+ Google reviews)
- Address: 1060 Gulf Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33767
- Phone: (727) 582-2100
- Cost: $6 daily parking
- Best for: Travelers who want Clearwater Beach quality without the crowds
- What guests love: “Compared to Clearwater Beach, this beach is much less crowded. Stunningly gorgeous and tons of shells. We found several whole conch shells in the shallow water.”
- View on Google Maps
Coachman Park
Right at the base of the Memorial Causeway in downtown Clearwater, the recently rebuilt Coachman Park is a 19-acre playground with a splash pad, the Sound at Coachman Park amphitheater, an elevated walking path with skyline views, and one of the best free playgrounds in Pinellas County. It’s also the launch point for most downtown festivals and the seasonal duck floats that the locals show up for.
- Rating: 4.7 stars (3,300+ Google reviews)
- Address: 300 Cleveland St, Clearwater, FL 33756
- Hours: Daily, 5 AM to midnight
- Phone: (727) 562-4800
- Website: coachmanpark.com
- What guests love: “Excellent playground with shaded lounging areas, a splash pad ideal for hot days, and free public parking very close to the action.”
- View on Google Maps
Nature, Wildlife, and Local Gems
Beyond the sand, Clearwater hides a handful of wildlife sanctuaries and shaded nature parks that make the perfect rainy-day or escape-the-heat backup plan.
Moccasin Lake Nature Park
A 51-acre nature preserve hiding in plain sight a few miles inland, Moccasin Lake is the city’s quiet secret weapon. Wide, easy boardwalks loop past a butterfly garden, a freshwater lake, and a small rescued raptor habitat where rehab birds (including a blind falcon and a pair of barn owls) can be seen up close. Best of all, admission is free.
- Rating: 4.7 stars (1,300+ Google reviews)
- Address: 2750 Park Trail Ln, Clearwater, FL 33759
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM (closed Mondays)
- Phone: (727) 562-4315
- Cost: Free
- What guests love: “Beautifully maintained trails, a small butterfly garden, and rescued birds of prey are the highlight. We watched them feed the owls and it was fascinating.”
- View on Google Maps
Seaside Seabird Sanctuary
A short drive south on Gulf Boulevard puts you in Indian Shores, home to the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary. This nonprofit rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured Florida shorebirds (pelicans, ospreys, herons, and the occasional bald eagle). The sanctuary is open daily and free to visit (donations strongly encouraged), and the 100-plus permanent residents are right at eye level.
- Rating: 4.8 stars (2,100+ Google reviews)
- Address: 18328 Gulf Blvd, Indian Shores, FL 33785
- Hours: Daily, 8 AM to 4 PM
- Phone: (727) 391-6211
- Website: seasideseabirdsanctuary.org
- Cost: Free, donations support the rescue program
- What guests love: “What a special place. The volunteers are so nice and knowledgeable. Beautiful birds everywhere, so nice to have a sanctuary for the ones that can’t rejoin their natural habitat.”
- View on Google Maps
Where to Eat: The One Sandwich You Cannot Skip
Frenchy’s Original Cafe
It would be malpractice to write a Clearwater guide without sending you to Frenchy’s. The original 1981 location on Baymont Street is small, salty, and packed for a reason: the grouper sandwich is the gold standard in the Tampa Bay area, served on a soft roll with lettuce, tomato, and tartar. Pair it with a Key Lime Coolata and you’ll understand why locals build entire vacation days around lunch here.
- Rating: 4.5 stars (2,900+ Google reviews)
- Address: 41 Baymont St, Clearwater, FL 33767
- Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11 AM to 9 PM. Friday and Saturday, 11 AM to 10 PM.
- Phone: (727) 446-3607
- Website: frenchysonline.com
- What to order: The Original Grouper Sandwich, smoked fish spread, and the Key Lime Coolata
- What guests love: “Really enjoyed our time here. The grouper sandwich was the star of the show. Will definitely be back for it. Also ask the bartender for a Key Lime Coolata.”
- View on Google Maps
A Sample Three-Day Clearwater Itinerary
If you only have a long weekend, this is the order locals would put it in.
Day 1: Beach and beachfront classics
- Morning beach time at Clearwater Beach (free public access along the boardwalk)
- Lunch at Frenchy’s Original Cafe
- Afternoon at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- Sunsets at Pier 60 festival starting two hours before sundown
Day 2: On-the-water adventure
- Morning Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise with the kids, or save it for the late slot if your group skews adult
- Lunch and pool time back at the rental
- Late-afternoon Cruisin’ Tikis sunset charter for couples and friend groups
Day 3: Quieter beaches and wildlife
- Drive 20 minutes north to Honeymoon Island State Park for shelling and dolphin spotting
- Lunch in downtown Dunedin (10 minutes back inland)
- Afternoon at Moccasin Lake Nature Park or south to the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, depending on the heat
If you have a fourth or fifth day, add Sand Key Park, Coachman Park festivals, and a day trip to Fort De Soto Park in Tierra Verde.
Plan Your Clearwater Escape
Clearwater rewards travelers who slow down. The beaches will always be there, but it is the sunset festival on Pier 60, the dolphin escort behind a pirate ship, the rescued owl at Moccasin Lake, and the first bite of a Frenchy’s grouper sandwich that turn a vacation into a story you tell for years.
When you are ready to lock in the trip, browse Endless Stays vacation rentals in Clearwater and pick a home with the pool, space, and location that fits your group. Every Endless Stays property is professionally designed with resort-level amenities, so the hardest decision will be when to leave the house.
See you on the Gulf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there anything fun to do in Clearwater, Florida besides the beach?
Yes. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise, Coachman Park, and Moccasin Lake Nature Park are all popular non-beach activities, and the Sunsets at Pier 60 festival runs nightly with live performers and craft vendors. Most visitors split their trip between beach mornings and indoor or shaded afternoons, especially in summer.
How can I spend a day in Clearwater, Florida?
A classic full day looks like this: morning at Clearwater Beach (or Sand Key Park if you want quieter sand), lunch at Frenchy’s Original Cafe for the grouper sandwich, an afternoon at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and dinner followed by the Sunsets at Pier 60 festival. If you have a car, swap one beach stop for Honeymoon Island State Park.
What is Clearwater, Florida famous for?
Clearwater is best known for its three miles of white-sand Gulf Coast beaches, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (home of Winter the dolphin from the Dolphin Tale films), and the nightly sunset festival on Pier 60. The city has been ranked among the top white-sand beaches in the United States by Travel + Leisure and TripAdvisor.
Are there free things to do in Clearwater, Florida?
Plenty. Clearwater Beach itself is free, the Sunsets at Pier 60 festival is free, Moccasin Lake Nature Park is free, the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary in Indian Shores is donation-based, and Coachman Park downtown is free with free public parking. Many of the city’s best experiences cost nothing beyond the gas to get there.
What is the best time of year to visit Clearwater?
March through May offers the sweet spot: warm Gulf water (low to mid 70s and climbing), comfortable air temperatures in the 70s and 80s, low humidity, and fewer crowds than summer. November and early December are also excellent if you want quieter beaches. June through September is the warmest and busiest, with afternoon thunderstorms common.
How far is Clearwater from Tampa and St. Petersburg?
Clearwater Beach is about a 30 to 45 minute drive from downtown Tampa and 20 to 30 minutes from downtown St. Petersburg, depending on traffic and which causeway you take. That makes it easy to combine a Clearwater stay with a day trip to the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Pete or a Tampa Bay Lightning game.
