Clearwater Beach questions

[mad_for_mickey]

I have questions for someone who is very familiar with Clearwater Beach. We are staying at the Hilton, but going to see Winter at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. I have read that we can walk from the hotel to the aquarium--is this correct? How long is the walk? Does it involve crossing any busy streets?

Also--are there any good restaurants in the area? Not necessarily fancy (we have 2 kids, 12 and 8) but delicious seafood is a real treat to someone from the midwest, so we usually seek it out when we visit a beach. I'd also love suggestions of where we should have lunch mid-way through our day at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (photo op and tour in the morning, boat ride just after noon, need to grab lunch somewhere quick in between).

Thanks an advance for any advice!

 

[mad_for_mickey]

Anyone?

Anyone?

Bueller?

 

[happy2012]

Is that the dolphin from the movie Dolphin Tale?? Aweee so cute!!!!

 

[BobbyBudnick]

Frenchy's Rockaway Grill has great food.

 

[Fruto76]

I was also going to recommend Frenchy's- it's DH's favorite for grouper sandwiches and my sister loves the she crab soup. I think the Hilton is right on the beach....Is it within walking distance? i suppose, but my guesstimate would be 1/2 mile to a mile maybe (if I'm thinking of the right hotel....directly in front of Pier 60?)

 

[mad_for_mickey]

Thanks for the advice. I just looked at Frenchy's menu, and it looks like my kind of place! And I believe the Hilton is by Pier 60, that is what the website says...so maybe we can walk to CMA. I have read that parking there can be tricky, and I'm all about walking to avoid a parking nightmare.

@happy2012, yes, Winter is the dolphin from the movie. My daughter is super excited to see her in person (and really, I am too!)

 

[JeRmS]

You can definitely walk to CMA from the Hilton, it's maybe a 1/2 mile .. you do have to walk Memorial Causeway but I believe there are sidewalks the whole way so that is not an issue.

Not sure if you have this planned but it's cool for the kiddo's - who doesn't want to be a Pirate!!
http://www.captmemo.com/

and a little further south of Clearwater is Sand Key Park -
http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/15_sand_key.htm

as for food ..

Frenchy's Rockaway Grill - Grouper Sandwich is awesome
http://frenchysonline.com/

Island Way Grill - very close to CMA and great Seafood
http://www.islandwaygrill.com/

and a little further down on Gulf Blvd. in the Sand Key area is

The Columbia - Authentic Cuban food and a must visit in my opinion!!
http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/

Watercolour Steakhouse - great steaks and ambience, a little more upscale
http://www.watercolourgrille.com/

and for Breakfast you HAVE to try Maggie Mae's Sunrise Cafe ... a hole in the wall type place but some of the best breakfast food to be found!! **they used to even have Mickey Pancakes! http://www.maggie-maes.com/

 

[mad_for_mickey]

Thank you so much! I am definitely taking a list of your reccommendations on our trip with us!

 

[doclegler]

We enjoy Frenchy's and Post Corner Pizza (best pizza on the gulf!) Lots to see and do in that area.

 

[Fruto76]

We enjoy Frenchy's and Post Corner Pizza (best pizza on the gulf!) Lots to see and do in that area.

Oh yeah, you have to try Post Corner Pizza! It's delish!

 

[HWY20RIDE4MYSON]

We actuallt flew into Tampa and stayed a few days there b4 WDW, Anna Maria was the best place to see the sunset, and they had a nice restaurant right there that had live music, allthough being a single dad everyone there was 120 lol but it was very nice

 

[jpeppers]

We just went to see Winter on Friday and could not imagine spending a whole day there. We were probably there for about 45 minutes and most of that time was my daughter shopping in the gift shop. The picture thing was ridiculous, they had you pose in certain positions so they could photoshop something in and sell it to you at a ridiculous price. That being said, I loved the aquarium, it was very cool to see Winter but most of what we saw were directed towards the other dolphins. Most of the people didn't even notice Winter at first. I loved the otters and seeing a sea turtle but not much more to see. I had no problem spending some money in the gift shop because I do think they are doing great things but there just wasn't much there (we didn't do the Winter experience at the other location). Parking at the aqarium was no problem but was in a church lot across the street and free. As far as somewhere to eat, there was a place across the street (I believe the boardwalk grill) that was offering 10% off to anyone with a ticket to the aquarium and was kid friendly with kids menu. I think the part I didn't enjoy were the crowds, it was insanely crowded for such a small area. The part I did think was great was Clearwater beach, we had never been to the Gulf side of Florida and it was fantastic. The beach was awesome and the water was like stepping into a heated pool, I just wish we had prepared for a day at the beach. Seeing Winter was very cool (we love dolphins) so it is worth the trip but was a little disappointed in the commercialization of it. Not trying to be a downer, go and have fun just be ready for the crowds.

 

[living20057]

We went last summer, and the Hilton is a perfect location to walk to the restaurants and stores. There is this free shuttle, I can't remember the name, but it was great. It's an electric golf cart. You call them and they come pick you up in about 15 minutes, and you just have to tip. When we checked into the hotel, they gave us their card. We used them to go everywhere. One time in the morning, the cart wasn't charged, they sent a van to take us. It was cheaper than using the trolley. They had seat belts too!

 

[JoeyC]

Although you can walk from to the CMA, I would not want to walk my family that distance and on the busy Memorial Causeway. An option is to pay $4.50 per person, children under 5 are free, for an all day pass on the Jolley Trolley. They have stops all along the beach, one being at the CMA.

 

[Northernlites]

I have been there. I would drive and pay for parking. It may be only a 1/2 mile but it is a loud half a mile, no thanks. I would allow about 1 hour for the aquarium tops. Clearwater beach is very nice to walk and it is a beautiul drive along the gulf to see million dollar plus homes....

 

[doclegler]

Frenchy's is very good as others have mentioned, but also Post Corner Pizza. Best pizza on the gulf!
If you have time to take a drive north, Tarpon Springs has an AMAZING bakery called Hella's...totally worth the drive!

 

[marysia]

Are discounts available for the Clearwater Aquarium? We'll be there the first week of April 2013.

 

[mieuxmew]

Anyone stay at the Hyatt? The rooms at the Hyatt have kitchens and are much larger (600 sq ft) than the rooms at the Hilton. The Hilton is next to Pier 60 and the Hyatt is on the other side of Pier 60. Both are on the beach.

 

[floridaminnie]

Anyone stay at the Hyatt? The rooms at the Hyatt have kitchens and are much larger (600 sq ft) than the rooms at the Hilton. The Hilton is next to Pier 60 and the Hyatt is on the other side of Pier 60. Both are on the beach.

Yes....the Hyatt is a really really nice hotel. It is right across from the beach and within walking distance to a lot of the places mentioned above.