10 Best Things To Do In Clearwater Beach, Florida!

 Things To Do In Clearwater Beach

1. Relax At The Beaches

It will come as no surprise that powdery white sand and warm gulf waters are Clearwater’s main attractions.

But it’s one thing to read about the miles of sugar sand and quite another to walk barefoot along the shore with water lapping at your ankles.

Don’t miss the experience!

Some of the best things to do on Clearwater’s beautiful beaches include swimming, snorkeling, shelling, sunbathing, and enjoying water sports like kayaking, paddle boarding, and parasailing.

For tons of beach activities, convenient access, and a lively scene, head to the beach south of Pier 60.

But if you’re looking for a more tranquil vibe, head north to the quieter, pet-friendly beaches of northern Clearwater.

You also can’t go wrong with a trip to Sand Key Park for a day of unparalleled beauty, shell-collecting, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, and relaxation.

Nearby Caladesi Island State Park and Honeymoon Island State Park (Florida’s most-visited state parks) are perfect day trips for more white sand beaches. 

Tip: A fun and easy way to travel to area destinations and beaches is on the Jolley Trolley. See the Jolley Trolley routes.

2. Delight In The Waterfront Dining

What pairs perfectly with sugar-white sand and gorgeous sunsets? Waterfront dining!

Delight your palate with mouth-watering dishes fresh from the sea, crisp salads, and nacho flavor explosions.

Here are a few of the best places to eat along the waterfront in Clearwater Beach:

Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill is a local favorite in close proximity to Clearwater’s best beaches. It even has its own fishing fleet. You can’t find fresher seafood than that!

The Palm Pavilion offers amazing views, delicious food, large portions, and live music that’s a treat to the ears. Young’uns can order off the kid’s menu.

Don’t miss the Sandbar for fabulous pork nachos, fish tacos, and tiki cocktails. While you eat, you might spot dolphins swimming and birds dive-bombing fish. 

Jimmy’s on the Edge is a prime spot for sunset views and chilled drinks. It’s the largest rooftop bar in Clearwater Beach, with stunning vistas of the Gulf of Mexico.

Treat yourself to Mexican food on an outdoor patio at the Marina Cantina. Its defining features are excellent service, tasty food, and big portions.

Crabby’s Dockside is a casual restaurant with outdoor seating, serving mean fried alligator and mind-blowing key lime pie.

3. Catch The Sunset At Pier 60

Clearwater Beaches’s top must-visit destination is Pier 60—specifically, the Pier 60 Sunset Celebration.

This nightly extravaganza is one of the most fun things to do in Clearwater.

Head to this 1,080-foot-pier two hours before sunset for the best time gift shopping, admiring street performers, and watching the sun descend into the Gulf, trailing fiery pink clouds in its wake.

See painters, glass artisans, dancers, musicians, and fire breathers in action.

The pier is great during the day as well, with plenty of family fun, such as the hippo slide, swimming, fishing, and boutique shopping. 

4. Explore John’s Pass

Travel a mere 30 minutes south of Clearwater Beach, and you’re in for a treat.

John’s Pass Village is home to over 100 unique retail shops, jet skiing adventures, boat rentals, parasailing tours, and a pirate history that adds extra color. 

It’s a great place to spend a day, whether you feed and kiss an Alligator at the Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center, relax on the beach, or buy a color-changing t-shirt.

5. See Marine Life At Clearwater Marine Aquarium

One of the top things to do in Clearwater is visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

It’s a short drive from the beach along State Road 60, near the Island Way Grill, and offers educational entertainment for adults and kids of all ages.

Dip your figurative toes into marine biology, learn about conservation efforts, and hear inspiring stories about each rescued animal (including Winter of “Dolphin Tale”- a former dolphin resident with a prosthetic tail) and numerous sea turtles. 

This Florida aquarium is a popular spot for visitors and locals alike.

To make the visit even more interesting, you can add a new experience, such as a dolphin encounter or a shark feeding, to your general admission.

6. Check Out The Bars And Breweries

Numerous bars and breweries dot Clearwater Beach, offering great beverages, conversational bartenders, beach views, and kid-friendly spaces.

Here’s a roundup of our favorites:

3 Daughters Brewing

Friendly bartenders, beautiful panoramas, and a bright and inviting atmosphere define 3 Daughters Brewing.

Try their craft beer and menu options. This spot is kid-friendly, with plenty of outdoor seating, live music on weekends, and reasonable prices.

Southern Lights Brewing Company

Great beers, smoked porter, food trucks, plenty of inside and outside space, plus room for dogs, kids, and pinball. What could be better?

Try their slow-pour Belgium beers, the Saison, or New Zealand Hop IPA.

Hogan’s Hangout

Get cocktails and pub fare at a casual eatery with Hulk Hogan vibes and an inviting atmosphere.

Poke nachos and King of the Sea Pasta are two menu items you won’t regret.

Bar Tiki

This fun hidden gem features a rooftop patio, great views, and incredibly fresh ingredients. Creative cocktails for the win.

Coco’s Crush Bar

Coco’s Crush is another great tiki bar with yummy fish sandwiches, live music, games, and frozen drinks.

The Shipwreck

This fun watering hole has a nautical theme, great bartenders, DJ music, and happy hour.

7. Enjoy Downtown Dunedin

Parks, murals, restaurants, breweries, and nature trails are only a few of the reasons to add a trip to Dunedin to your docket.

Dunedin (pronounced Done-ee-din) is a perfect place to go for a stroll, eat homemade ice cream, enjoy artisan beer, or bike, walk, or ride the miles of trails.

If you plan to visit Florida with your dog, Dunedin is the most dog-friendly town you’ll encounter.

Between the dog parks and the dog-friendly restaurants, pubs, and breweries, traveling with your canine companion couldn’t be easier.

The best way to enjoy this town is to walk down Main Street, admiring the murals, picking up Florida souvenirs, and stopping in at local watering holes.

Don’t miss the Clay and Paper Gallery of Art, the Pinellas Trail, and Strachan’s Ice Cream.

8. Visit Indian Rocks Beach

If you’re in the mood to explore further afield, Indian Rocks Beach is only a 20-minute drive from downtown Clearwater.

It offers gorgeous stretches of white sand and myriad restaurants within walking distance.

There are many perfect ways to enjoy Indian Rocks, from shelling and swimming to visiting the mangrove boardwalk at Indian Rocks Beach Nature Preserve or the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary. 

This is one of the best spots to snorkel, so if you have gear, pop on your mask and spend an afternoon discovering life beneath the waves.

Stay for the sunset, then grab a tasty snack at the Kooky Coconut.

But if waterslides are more your style, Splash Harbour Water Park is an excellent choice.

Water activities and food and drink options will keep the whole family entertained, fed, and watered.

9. Shop And Eat At Pelican Walk Plaza

If you need a break from sunshine and saltwater, consider shopping at Pelican Walk Plaza.

This little plaza is home to various restaurants, cafes, a cigar lounge, a surf shop, and an ice cream parlor.

But its most notable store is Hulk Hogan’s Wrestling Shop, which is crammed with Hulk Hogan merchandise, much of it signed by the man himself.

There’s also a Hulk Hogan eatery in the same plaza, which could prove fun even for those ambivalent toward the wrestling icon. 

Other shops you can find at the Pelican Walk:

• The Mint Fox Cookies and Ice Cream

• Captain’s Pizza

• Fusion Cigar Lounge

• Blessed Cup

• Kaia Bowls

• Frenchy’s Original Café

• Maui Nix Surf Cup

10. Go On An Encounters With Dolphins Tour 

Dolphin cruises are another great thing to do in Clearwater Beach.

Step aboard a 40-foot Encounters With Dolphins tour boat and spend three hours zooming over turquoise waves, sighting dolphins, pelicans, and manatees in their natural habitat.

During the narrated tour, you’ll learn about dolphins and marine animals, some history of the Clearwater area, and even a few facts about celebrity homes.

Some tours include a stop at Compass Island, where you can snorkel, collect seashells, and spot dolphins from the beach.

When the conch horn blows, it’s time to head back to the boat for the return journey to the Clearwater Beach Marina.

Things To Do In Clearwater Beach With Kids

Clearwater Beach is a paradise for adults and kids alike. In fact, nine of the ten things mentioned so far in the post have the potential to be great fun for children, too.

The beaches are amazing spots to build sandcastles, play in the gentle waves, and find shells.

Many of the restaurants have kid menus (gator bites, anyone?), and Pier 60s Sunset Celebrations offers family-friendly fun.

The Clearwater Aquarium is also a great place for kids. Be sure to hook them up with the audio tour (there’s a special version for kids).

Children are bound to love the encounter with dolphins, the snorkeling and water park at Indian Rocks, and the Hulk Hogan store in the Pelican Plaza.

Here are a couple of bonus activities:

Moccasin Lake Nature Park

Shady walking paths, bald eagles, rescued birds of prey, a playground, a butterfly garden, and a tiny reptile museum await at Moccasin Lake Nature Park. Best of all, this activity is free.

Your kids might enjoy the chance to become junior rangers.

Watch Minor League Baseball

If you and your kids are baseball fans, catch a Clearwater Threshers game while you’re in the area.

Be sure to check the website for coupons, such as Dollar Tuesdays.