Clearwater Beach/Tampa

[suei]

We (4 of us-2 boys 13 and 10) will be spending a few days at Clearwater Beach in August.
Can anyone recommend things to do in this area (other than to relax on the beach, and go on a dolphin cruise, which are already planned!)? Also, places to eat, etc?
We're moving on to Tampa after this to go to Busch Gardens and the Florida Aquarium.
Has anyone been on the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Sealife Safari, or the Florida Aquarium Dolphin Quest. Are they as good as they sound? Is one better than the other?
Lots of questions, but many thanks for any info.

 

[dahess]

We are also going to Clearwater We would love to know this information also

 

[Steve P]

The Pirate Cruise -right in clearwater marina is great for the family. It really looks like a pirate sailing ship, fun stuff on board
during the voyage. Since I live in the area, we are actually getting a group of coworkers t go on the evening adult version, $32 a head and that includes all the beer and wine libation you
wish to partake in. For more xtreme thrills, try parasailing or there is a high speed race/tourng boat ride as well. Party boat fishing all over there too. Other than the beach and some shopping, most other activities are boating related.

 

[jtopicz1]

My family runs/owns charter fishing boats at the Clearwater Marina so I'll see if I can come up with some suggestions.

There is a fairly good mini-golf course/arcade on the south end of the beach. Not sure of the name but it's right across from Shepards Hotel and Tiki Bar.

The Sea Screamer is the "speed" boat. It's actually kind of a trick. You're not really going that fast (20-25 mph I believe is the number I've heard). The speed is basically simulated; combine loud engine noise, a sea breeze, and splashing water and it seems like you're really cruising. Even so, it's still a lot of fun.

I've never heard any complaints on Capt. Nemos Pirate Cruise as the other poster said. It's a great ride through Clearwater Harbor and out along the beach. If you do this, skip the Dolphin cruise as you'll see the same things.

If you're going to the FLorida Aquarium, skip the Clearwater Marine Science Center. FL Aquarium is essentially the same, only nicer.

There is live music every night near the center of the beach at Pier 60. Some of the bands are great and it's free. Mostly cover bands. They also have food vendors and a craft / beach art show. Sunsets at Pier 60 is the name I believe.

For food, any of the Frenchy's restaraunts are great and reasonably priced. They own Frenchy's, Saltwater Cafe, and Rockaway Grill. The Beachcomber is also good, but an entirely different setting and quite a bit more expensive.

Jim

 

[suei]

Thanks for the info-will check out some of the ideas.
Does anyone have any eating recommendations in Tampa area?

 

[floridafam]

We just returned from a week at the Sheraton Sand Key in Clearwater Beach.

We tooke our kids over to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. They really enjoy it. We did not go on the special cruise that they have but we did pet the sting rays and saw the sea otters.

They have 2 dolphins that our kids loved.

It's somewhat small but we love the CMA. It was very close to our hotel.

All we normally do is play on the beach and in the hotel pool. We didn't do much else. We did drive over to Busch Gardens but the drive was long and we really wish we had just stayed at the hotel.