As you weigh options for your next family vacation, don't forget to list Clearwater on Florida's Gulf Coast as a possible destination. This Tampa Bay area town is home to beautiful blue waters and sandy beaches, a vibrant downtown scene, plenty of shops and restaurants, and more. Visitors from near and far will find that Clearwater has all sorts of activities not to be missed.
Take a look at some of the top things to do in Clearwater, then decide for yourself if this Florida destination is worth visiting.
6 Things To Do When in Clearwater, Florida
The activities done, events attended, and sights seen at your destination can make a vacation go from "just OK" to "the best trip ever." After all, you didn't come all that way to sit in your hotel room, did you?
Fortunately, there is no shortage of fun and entertainment to be found in this Florida town. As you figure out what things to do in Clearwater, Fla., keep the following suggestions in mind.
1) Spend Some Fun in the Sun at Clearwater Beach
Carving out some time to spend on Clearwater Beach is a must for anyone looking for fun things to do in Clearwater, and for a good reason. This clean, beautiful beach is a must-visit destination for beachgoers from near and far, thanks to its white sand, clear waters, and warm sunshine.
Spend an afternoon relaxing, soaking up rays and catching a tan, or reading a book under one of the large umbrellas. If you want to lean into your athletic side, head down to one of the beach volleyball courts and strike up a friendly game or two. Or head over to one of the fishing piers with a rod and some bait and cast a line to see what's biting.
Clearwater is one of the Sunshine State's most popular beaches, so you'll have no trouble finding hotels, restaurants, and activities close to the waves and sugar-colored sand.
2) Escape the Heat at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
The beautiful marine animals living at Clearwater Marine Aquarium — dolphins, sharks, eels, rays, sea turtles and more — will put a smile on all vacationers' faces, no matter their ages.
The facility was also home to a celebrity: a bottlenose dolphin named Winter, rescued after having her tail caught in a crab trap in 2005. Winter starred in Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2, both of which were filmed partially on location at the aquarium. Unfortunately, Winter, a beloved aquarium attraction, passed away in 2021, but there are still plenty of other fascinating creatures for visitors to see on a trip to the aquarium.
Don't forget to stop at the gift shop before you leave to pick up a trinket to commemorate your visit. One hundred percent of the net proceeds from your purchase contribute to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine animals back to their natural habitat.
3) Wind Down at Aspirations Winery
Clearwater visitors age 21 and older may fancy spending an afternoon or evening sampling a selection of Florida's best wines at Aspirations Winery.
This establishment received the 2018 Clearwater Small Business of the Year award and is the only Certified Florida Farm Winery in Clearwater. For more than a decade, Aspirations Winery has hand-crafted more than 30 low sulfite wines annually, including dry reds, whites, and dessert wines.
Even those who aren't fans of wine can enjoy a day trip to the winery, as Aspirations also boasts a collection of spiked seltzers, ciders, and beer.
4) Catch a Game at Bright House Field During the Spring Training Season
One of the top things to do in Clearwater, Fla., is to head over to Bright House Field for an afternoon of family-friendly fun.
Bright House Field is the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team's spring training facility and home to the Phillies farm team, the Threshers. If you time your visit just right and find yourself in Clearwater during MLB preseason, there's a good chance you'll be able to score tickets to a Phillies spring training game.
If you aren't able to catch a game but still want to get in on the baseball fun, check the Phillies practice schedule and pop into Bright House Field while the team trains. Practices are free and open to the public, so wander around the facility and see what's happening on all four fields. And who knows? You might be able to get an autograph or two between batting practice and sliding drills.
5) Have Some Family Fun on the Bumper Boats
Celebrate good times at Clearwater's Celebration Station and load your family into a couple of the amusement park's Bumper Boats. But be warned: you're going to get wet!
When you finish splashing around on the Bumper Boats, take advantage of some of Celebration Station's other activities. The mini amusement park has plenty to do, like driving go-karts, playing laser tag or a round of miniature golf, knocking a few out of the park at the batting cage, or gaming in the two-story arcade. When your family is exhausted from hours of play, grab a hamburger, slice of pizza, or chicken wings from the park's restaurant.
6) Enjoy Mouth-Watering Seafood from One of the Many Restaurants
As you'd probably expect from any beach destination, Clearwater is home to quite a few seafood restaurants, and fortunately, most of them aren't too far from the beach.
Stop by Frenchy's Rockaway Grill, Rumba Island Bar & Grill, or The Salty Crab to refuel with a delicious meal after a long day of family fun.
Plan and Save During Your Next Trip to Clearwater
One of the easiest ways to make the most of your time in the Tampa Bay area without breaking the bank is to invest in a Tampa Bay CityPASS® ticket bundle.
This package includes admission to five attractions, including the Clearwater Marine Aquarium highlighted above, and saves you up to on admission.
Your tickets are valid beginning the day you purchased them, but if your trip to Clearwater is still a few months away, you can use them anytime within a year from the purchase date.
Take in all Clearwater has to offer and pick up some CityPASS® tickets to make planning your trip an easy, hassle-free experience.
Nearby Lodging
To get the most out of your stay in Tampa Bay, we recommend finding lodging near Tampa Bay's top attractions. Use this map to find the right lodging for you:
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