How To Take The Ultimate Vacation In Clearwater Beach, Florida

Get A Split is your final guide to the fantastic trips to recharge, rediscover you and your interactions, and reengage with the planet. We’ll cover searching stops, good bars, dining establishments value your money, photo chances, memorable drives and ordeals, and other important aspects you require before you e-book.

Underneath, we chat with Lindsay Holmes, senior wellness and vacation editor at HuffPost, about why you’ll want to put Clearwater Seashore, Florida, on your bucket checklist.

I grew up nearby, so I invested a ton of time at Clearwater Beach. In large college, our classes would conclude all over 1 p.m. and we’d all beeline straight for the beach front. It felt like a getaway in my own backyard. The sand is powdery comfortable, the Gulf of Mexico is a sight to behold, and there are tons of excellent dining places and functions close by ― every time we’d go for an afternoon or on the weekends, I never required to leave.

April and May alongside with September or even early October are great. The heat and humidity is brutal in the summer time, specially in July and August, so I’d propose staying away from that time of 12 months. You also run the hazard of encountering afternoon thunderstorms ― specially at the beach ― through the summertime months.

If you are from a state that really has seasons, I highly advise going when you are about the chilly or not very all set to endure chillier temperatures. The wintertime months can be heat, but you also run the possibility of it receiving into the 50s. (I know, tragic.) If you’re truly seeking for beach front climate, late spring or early drop are usually your greatest bets.

Clearwater/St. Petersburg has a modest airport, but Tampa International Airport will probably have the most options if you are traveling. From there, you are only about a 40-moment drive absent from the primary seaside place. You can guide a transportation like Super Shuttle or can simply get Ubers or Lyfts. Receiving all of your transportation established up beforehand will make every thing as seamless as doable.

If you are driving, be geared up to offer with bridges and website traffic ― especially in the much more common journey months. There is basically 1 road that goes into the beach and it’ll get packed promptly. There is also a significant roundabout that quite a few drivers get flustered by, particularly when there are a great deal of cars. Patience is critical when navigating Clearwater Beach front in a auto.

There are so several motels proper alongside the seashore that are worthy of examining out, specially if you want direct obtain to the drinking water or a pool. Some of the most popular ones include the Sandpearl Resort, the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach and the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Seaside.

Moreover, there are lovable boutique motels, like Resort Cabana. Airbnbs are also an solution, and you can usually come across some great ones in a short walk or Uber or Lyft journey.

Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill is a ought to-pay a visit to if you are at any time in Clearwater Seaside. It is a rite of passage I really do not make the rules. It’s positioned correct on the water, with a large patio that empties out onto the sand. It’s the fantastic spot immediately after a very long working day in the sunshine. Get the grouper sandwich and the crab fries and I guarantee you will by no means be the similar. My mother also enjoys their she-crab soup.

If you’re seeking for anything a minimal a lot more “upscale” one particular night time, the Beachcomber and the Island Way Grill are sound possibilities that have been about for several years. There’s also the Palm Pavilion or Crabby’s Bar and Grill if you’re searching for a little something minimal-critical with a seaside bar atmosphere. And for all you chicken wing fans, the city of Clearwater is also house to the original Hooters. (There’s also a spot on Clearwater Seashore.)

I also have to plug a halt at the grocery retail outlet Publix. There is definitely nothing like eating a Pub Sub on the beach front. It’s one particular of life’s greatest pleasures.

Frenchy’s and the Palm Pavilion are very good places if you want to grab a drink on the seashore. They have fantastic, economical frozen cocktails (if you are from a big metropolis, your mouth will drop at the costs). My beloved are the piña coladas, which I know is extremely basic. But right after a scorching working day of swimming and sunbathing, it really hits the spot. They also have rum runners, key lime coladas (another favorite), coconut margaritas and far more.

A lot of dining establishments, including Frenchy’s and Palm Pavilion, often have are living new music. I advise going in the course of sunset if you can get a desk. Entertainment, a refreshing consume and pristine scenery. What a lot more could you ask for?

There are tons of nearby memento stores together the beach front, which are wonderful for window purchasing or finding a trinket to commemorate your vacation.

The complete seaside is ripe for pictures! If you walk north together the seaside ― over and above all of the inns ― you’ll undoubtedly get very good photographs devoid of a bunch of persons in the track record or pushing together with you. Pier 60 is also a terrific area for pics if you want sweeping sights of the Gulf (you may possibly also get a glimpse of some dolphins if you’re fortunate).

I’d individually say skip the pirate-themed boats that go out in the drinking water and decide for a dolphin sightseeing boat, or even go parasailing. Some people appreciate the pirate cruises, but most locals say they are not seriously worthy of the cost. If you are a h2o sport lover, quite a few folks genuinely rave about the jet ski rentals as properly.

I come to feel so at ease when I’m on a stroll or sitting on the north aspect of the seaside. We’d usually park there for the working day when we had been in large faculty. I have fond memories of lounging in the sun with my mates, gossiping about what took place in class or who was dating who at the time.

Each time I go back again, I make absolutely sure to wander up that way, which finishes up remaining about a mile or so away from Pier 60. It immediately can make me really feel like a teen once again. It is also awesome due to the fact it is more away from the touristy spots, so you get a level of silent that you’re not definitely afforded in the far more crowded areas.

For some very good folks watching, I unquestionably advocate going for walks alongside the pier or in some of the additional populated places. There are also other gorgeous shorelines nearby if you want to change it up for the day. Check out checking out Sand Vital Beach or Caladesi Island Condition Park, which supply yet another very little slice of heaven of the Gulf.

There are a number of: Initially, hope to be exposed to UV rays and prepare appropriately. The solar will get you if you’re not watchful. Dress in sunscreen ― even if it would seem cloudy in the course of the summer.

You really should also be expecting afternoon thunderstorms if you’re heading in the warmer months. (I personally love them, but they can be aggravating on a getaway.) Storms usually roll in all around 3 p.m. and can past anyplace from 20 minutes to more than an hour, relying on the forecast. It is useful to strategy any seaside days or excursions about it ― you will possible get greater weather conditions the previously you go out.

Lastly, familiarize on your own with the stingray shuffle. If you pay a visit to whenever between April and Oct, which is ordinarily stingray time. Shuffle your ft in the water so they know you’re coming. (For what it is truly worth, I’ve by no means experienced a difficulty with them in my lifetime of likely to Clearwater Beach front. Just be mindful, don’t tension!)

To point out the obvious, a bathing go well with and sunscreen. Some folks like bringing drinking water sneakers for stingray season and seaside shirts simply because, as stated, the sun can be extremely powerful.

Do. Not. Feed. The. Seagulls. They are everywhere, and they want your foods. Feeding them just will make them additional needy (and it could be unsafe for them) ― not to point out you are going to annoy all the other beachgoers all over you. Continue to keep your snacks, subs and something else to oneself. Trust me.