Clearwater, Tampa and Sarasota

[fabfive]

It has been a while since I have been on here. Heading to Florida on Saturday. My now high schoolers are marching at MK on Monday. So if any of you are at MK on Monday night, wave at my DD, Emma, she is the little drum major and my other DD, Maggie, is the color guard captain. Having said that, some of us parents are flying into Tampa and staying in Clearwater and driving over to MK for the day. We have never been in Clearwater and need some advise on resturants and things to do. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Rainy day or sunny day suggestions.

 

[krayzmelmel]

Besides the beach, you can go to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.... they filmed the movie Dolphin Tale and the star of the show Winter is still there last time we went, we booked the boat tour... saw interesting creatures and went ti an island that is totally made of shells!

 

[CarolineB]

check out Caladesi Island State Park if time permits. I didn't make it to Caladesi Island but Honeymoon Island park beach was very nice.

copied from go florida . about website:

While Caladesi Island's four miles of pristine beaches are ranked among the best in America, people also come for the outdoor recreational opportunities  swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking, birding, picnicking and shelling. If you love the outdoors, you're certain to love Caladesi Island.

One drawback is that Caladesi Island State Park is one of the few parks in Florida's state park system that is only accessible by boat. In fact, the only way you'll stay on the island overnight is to bring your own boat. While this makes the island a bit exclusive, a ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park makes access available to anyone staying in the area.


I liked the Salvador Dali museum when I visited the St. Pete / Tampa area.
It's located in St. Petersburg.
http://thedali.org/home.php

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, In Sarasota,Siesta Key Beach is a must see,just gorgeous!! The sand is 99% quartz,very fine,very white and stays cool to the touch. Also Siesta Key Village,shops and restaurants. And St. Armands Circle a great destination. If you want to venture a little further down the west coast head to Venice and Sharkey's on the pier. Great restaurant right on the beach,beautiful sunsets!! Venice is the Shark tooth capital of the world!! Also Venice has a wonderful town area to enjoy. Joan

 

[fabfive]

These are great ideas I had never heard of till now.

 

[LovesTimone]

Clearwater is really busy, if you want a bit more relaxing enviroment, drive thru clearwater, over the bridge to sand key park, really great spot, lots of picnic tables, bath house, and great beach.

Check out Gators on the Pass - at John's Pass, family freindly, great grouper sandwich.

Rain day, head into tampa, lots of stuff to do, the Aquarium, lots of museum's,MOSI, Great shopping, Westshore mall has a movie theater.

Lowery Park Zoo

 

[kiki02]

Love Love the Tampa aquarium. Enjoy!

Also ---love LOVE the Tampa Zoo. Really impressive.

 

[Elleshoodat]

It has been a while since I have been on here. Heading to Florida on Saturday. My now high schoolers are marching at MK on Monday. So if any of you are at MK on Monday night, wave at my DD, Emma, she is the little drum major and my other DD, Maggie, is the color guard captain. Having said that, some of us parents are flying into Tampa and staying in Clearwater and driving over to MK for the day. We have never been in Clearwater and need some advise on resturants and things to do. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Rainy day or sunny day suggestions.

You've gotten some great suggestions: Lowry Park, the Florida Aquarium, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, the Dali Museum.

Sarasota is about an hour's drive from Tampa/Clearwater. Siesta Key is lovely, but so is Anna Maria Island, which is about 20 minutes north of SK. It's a bit more quiet and quaint, in my opinion, and the beach is nicer.

Enjoy your trip!