Clearwater Beach, anyone?

[GlennandAnn]

Hi CBers,

My family and I are planning a 2 day side trip to Clearwater Beach during our WDW vacation in June. We will be staying at the Sheraton Sand Key resort. Can anyone give us some information on good restaurants near there, fun things to do, etc? It would be DH and I and 2 DSs ages 4 and 8. We are already planning to do Captain Memo's pirate cruise, and DH read something about a "jolly trolley". Any and all tips would be appreciated.

Ann

 

[CathrynRose]

I'd go to a different beach - too many Scientologists!!!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162494&goto=lastpost

I cant help you....when I lived in Tampa, I didnt go to Clearwater.

 

[Amity 3]

Hi CBers,

My family and I are planning a 2 day side trip to Clearwater Beach during our WDW vacation in June. We will be staying at the Sheraton Sand Key resort. Can anyone give us some information on good restaurants near there, fun things to do, etc? It would be DH and I and 2 DSs ages 4 and 8. We are already planning to do Captain Memo's pirate cruise, and DH read something about a "jolly trolley". Any and all tips would be appreciated.

Ann

what type of restaurants are interested in? the Sheraton Sand Key is very nice. Honeymoon Island and Sand Key State parks are close to the resort.

the jolly trolley is a way to travel between north and south clearwater beach.

 

[Amity 3]

there's some other REAL info up here :

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1376986

 

[GlennandAnn]

Amity,
We would be interested in seafood restaurants, somewhere where I can get my lobster/crab fix!! Really, we aren't picky, so anywhere will do. I would just rather have some recommendations of what's good since we have not been to Clearwater Beach before. Thanks for any hepl!

Ann

 

[Amity 3]

Amity,
We would be interested in seafood restaurants, somewhere where I can get my lobster/crab fix!! Really, we aren't picky, so anywhere will do. I would just rather have some recommendations of what's good since we have not been to Clearwater Beach before. Thanks for any hepl!

Ann

we're Gulf coast, so the only native lobsters/crabs are spiney lobsters and blue crabs. if you're visiting in season, stone crab claws are as sweet as Maine lobster and a Florida treat.

our major shrimp haul are brown shrimp. the big seafood treat here are fresh grouper right from the docks.

 

[lillygator]

I'd go to a different beach - too many Scientologists!!!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162494&goto=lastpost

I cant help you....when I lived in Tampa, I didnt go to Clearwater.

wow - was this really necessary?

The Columbia - is Fantastic!!!
http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/

http://www.cooters.com/

http://www.shephards.com/restaurant.asp

http://www.frenchysonline.com/

and - there is always the original Hooters!!

I used to recall a restaurant across the street from the beach called Julie's? They had great food...

ETA: and all the seafood restaurants will offer lobster, shrimp etc...they are just flown in and not local catches.

 

[GlennandAnn]

Lillygator, I kind of wondered that myself.

Ann

 

[Pig Pen]

I grew up in Clearwater. A lot has changed over the years but it still has a fabulous beach. During our last visit we stopped at Shells for lunch. It was located right on the water...and Hulk Hogan & his family were dining outside! We didn't know it until we saw them leaving. My DH was mad because he had wanted to sit outside but I said it was too hot.

If I remember correctly the food was pretty good and it was reasonably priced. It was definitely not "fancy" but it was better than most chain restaurants.

http://www.shellsseafood.com/process.cfm?pageID=4&ss=1&showDescription=52

 

[kdudley3]

About 10-15 min. south is www.saltrockgrill.com . 1 1/4 lb. lobster tail....yum!!!!!!! The best restaurant I've ever been to. I can't believe I'm sharing my secret.

 

[Amity 3]

wow - was this really necessary?

don't waste your time on her comments.

islandway grill is nice for for an upscale meal... fresh seafood with an Asian influence. http://www.islandwaygrill.com/

so is the salt rock grill. if you want to drive across the causeway, there's a Fleming's, Ruth's Chris on the Tampa side. there's a Bahama Breeze on Rocky Point and the Rusty Pelican. Oystercatcher's and Armani's at the Grand Hyatt.

for beer and fresh Gulf seafood, go to Frenchy's Rockaway. they have their own fishing boats and it's literally right on the sand.

 

[Amity 3]

I used to recall a restaurant across the street from the beach called Julie's? They had great food...

http://www.brittslagunagrill.com/

 

[FSUGrad97]

Great choice on the hotel! We love the Sheraton Sand Key!!

We always go to Frenchy's (Rockaway Grill) and Shells. Both are great for kids - our 3 year old daughter loved the aquarium at Shells, and the food is great at both places.

We had a so-so experience at The Columbia - our server was not the best and I felt it was a tad overhyped. When we go back this summer, we may try it out again to see if it was just an off night.

 

[floridafam]

We were married at the Sheraton.

We love the baked ham and cheese at the Island Grill in the hotel but really don't like the fancier restaurant for dinner.

We've had mixed experiences at Columbia, too. Dh has been to Shells and he really liked it.

We usually try and stop at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium when we go over to Sand Key. It's small but fun.

We spend a lot of time on the beach whenever we go. I have to admit that we always loved the Sheraton because we were married there but have switched over to the Marriott across the street.

Have fun. I wish we were there right now.

 

[FSUGrad97]

We love the baked ham and cheese at the Island Grill in the hotel but really don't like the fancier restaurant for dinner.

I don't know how I could have forgotten about the ham and cheese at Island Grill since I ate a TON of them last summer! I had conference meetings in the morning, and then on my way back to the room, I would pick one up for lunch - I was in pregnant chick heaven!!

 

[GlennandAnn]

Thanks everyone for the great replies, and the links to the recommended restaurants. It's kind of hard to pick a resort from the internet and hope that it's a good one. I feel confident that we've picked a great place to stay. Can anyone give me some information on the places in the resort to eat? Is the Island Grill like a take out lunch-y sandwich-y type place? Is there anything near the beach? And, perhaps most importantly, can you get drinks on the beach?? Do you have to go get them, or do they have waitstaff for that? Thanks again for all of the great info!

Ann

 

[FSUGrad97]

Thanks everyone for the great replies, and the links to the recommended restaurants. It's kind of hard to pick a resort from the internet and hope that it's a good one. I feel confident that we've picked a great place to stay. Can anyone give me some information on the places in the resort to eat? Is the Island Grill like a take out lunch-y sandwich-y type place? Is there anything near the beach? And, perhaps most importantly, can you get drinks on the beach?? Do you have to go get them, or do they have waitstaff for that? Thanks again for all of the great info!

Ann

The Island Grill is very casual - they have waitstaff, but you can get to go orders also.

Here's a site about the Sheraton:
http://sheratonsandkey.com/Index.shtml

Have fun!