Possible Clearwater trip......who has been?

[Debs Hill]

Hi guys
so, last time we went to Orlando we bolted on a week on Anna Maria Island. This time we are considering Clearwater and wanted some opinions from those who have been!
Where to stay/avoid? How busy is the beach?? Restaurants and things to do?
Would you recommend it...or somewhere else?
Debx

 

[JulieSharp]

We have been to Clearwater Beach several times, but some years ago. We used to go just for the day.

I remember the most beautiful beach and I loved the 'powder feel' sand and walking into the warm turquiose sea. It's a memory I have never forgot. We must go again on our next trip.

Only remember a McDonald's. It's probably changed a little since we were there.

I've heard there is now a shopping mall at Clearwater.

 

[Princess Leia]

We stayed at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort a few years ago. It had a beach front location. It is located at a quieter end beside a nature reserve. MY DH used the tennis court and had some lessons. We loved having the extra week to relax after the theme parks. There are also some good shopping malls a short drive away. St Pete also has a good beach. I believe the Tradewinds Island Grand Resort has alot of activities. We also used our park tickets so that we were able to fit in the visit to Busch gardens within this third week.

 

[Debs Hill]

thanks so much for your help. How far is Busch Gardens from Clearwater? Is the main beach very busy?
Any recommendations for great places to shop and eat or excursions?
Debsx

 

[cliveywolves]

thanks so much for your help. How far is Busch Gardens from Clearwater? Is the main beach very busy?
Any recommendations for great places to shop and eat or excursions?
Debsx

Hi..

We stayed at Clearwater for 4 days last August.. it is amazing place so peaceful compared to Orlando and a nice chill out after a mad few weeks.. Not a great amount to do in actual Clearwater apart from beach, marina and of course to www.seewinter.com that was a great place...

The beach is fairly busy but not to crazy, we stayed right on a beach front hotel , Coconut Cove Suites amazing value for money we paid !! Eating in the day plenty of cafes and bars for snacks on an evening we had about 20 mins drive in different directions and found plenty of great places...

Oh yeah Busch Gardens we also went there too had a trip there took about 45 mins from memory but did go a weekend...

HAVE FUN...

 

[Princess Leia]

It was just under an hour drive to Busch Gardens. The beach wasn't overly busy. It got a bit busier if you went further along. We were there mid to end of July. It was busier at the weekend. It was much quieter than European beaches we have been to. There are 2 shopping malls 20 min drive.

Largo Mall and Westfield Countryside Shopping Mall are both within a half hour drive. There are dolphin watching boats, pirate ship cruises, an aquarium. There are also loads of different restauraunts. We used the bistro in the hotel a few nights. My parents have been much more than I have in recent years. They don't do the theme parks now but just go straight to the coast.

 

[Magic Megadegs]

Hi there, we took a road trip to Ckearwater from Orlando last week in particular to go to Clearwater Marine Aquarium. We really wanted to see Winter the Dolphin but were slightly disappointed x The trip took 1 hour 20 mins from Orlando.

Lego Land and Legoland waterpark were great ( around 40 mins away from Clearwater and Orlando (in between the two). We had bought a two day combo pass and they upgraded it to annual for free which meant our parking costs were refunded ($14 per day).

We had googled Diners, Drive Ins and Dives locations around Clearwater (not sure if you're familiar with this series on the Food Network, they specialise in non chain restaurants). There was one called Keegan's seafood Grille in Indian Rocks Beach. It doesn't look like much from the outside but the inside and food are fabulous. I had the baked octopus as a starter which was AMAZING!!! I had a blacked grouper Reuben sandwich and my dh had scallops x Highly recommended. It isn't a chain so no real vouchers to be had buy 3 courses for two adults and two children was around $90.

 

[arieliwish]

Great thread - we're thinking of visiting the beach as we have tickets for a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on 29th Aug and plan to head over after breakfast in wdw. The game isn't until 7.30pm so could kill a few hours at Clearwater. Any tips on parking or which part to aim for. It looks as though Buccs stadium is the other side of the causeway across the bay.

 

[WiganTony]

Last August we visited for the day. Started off at Big Cat Rescue, north-west of Tampa Airport. Then drove over the causeway to Clearwater Beach where we sailed on Little Toot and had dolphins swimming along with us, dinner at the Clearsky Beach Café (hope this is correct!!) which is just along from the Sandpearl, and watched the sunset from the pier