How To Take The Ultimate Vacation In Clearwater Beach, Florida

Consider A Break is your best information to the perfect outings to recharge, rediscover by yourself and your associations, and reengage with the world. We’ll include searching stops, terrific bars, dining places well worth your money, photograph chances, memorable drives and encounters, and other crucial specifics you require ahead of you e book.

Under, we chat with Lindsay Holmes, senior wellness and vacation editor at HuffPost, about why you will want to set Clearwater Seashore, Florida, on your bucket listing.

What drew you to Clearwater Beach front as a location to check out or examine?

I grew up close by, so I expended a ton of time at Clearwater Seashore. In substantial faculty, our lessons would conclusion all over 1 p.m. and we’d all beeline straight for the seaside. It felt like a holiday in my possess backyard. The sand is powdery soft, the Gulf of Mexico is a sight to behold, and there are tons of terrific dining establishments and routines close by ― each time we’d go for an afternoon or on the weekends, I never required to go away.

What are the most effective occasions of 12 months to take a look at?

April and May possibly alongside with September or even early October are excellent. The heat and humidity is brutal in the summertime, especially in July and August, so I’d suggest keeping away from that time of calendar year. You also run the possibility of encountering afternoon thunderstorms ― primarily at the beach front ― all through the summertime months.

If you are from a point out that in fact has seasons, I very suggest going when you’re over the chilly or not very completely ready to endure chillier temperatures. The winter months can be warm, but you also operate the possibility of it receiving into the 50s. (I know, tragic.) If you are genuinely wanting for beach front climate, late spring or early slide are often your greatest bets.

What is your most effective tip for finding there? How can you make the vacation as anxiety-cost-free as achievable?

Clearwater/St. Petersburg has a little airport, but Tampa Worldwide Airport will probably have the most selections if you’re flying. From there, you are only about a 40-minute push away from the key seaside location. You can ebook a transportation like Tremendous Shuttle or can conveniently take Ubers or Lyfts. Getting all of your transportation set up beforehand will make almost everything as seamless as probable.

If you are driving, be prepared to offer with bridges and targeted visitors ― primarily in the extra common travel months. There’s primarily one highway that goes into the beach and it’ll get packed promptly. There is also a huge roundabout that numerous motorists get flustered by, specifically when there are a ton of vehicles. Persistence is important when navigating Clearwater Seaside in a vehicle.

The soft sand and blue water of Clearwater Beach will have you feeling relaxed and refreshed.
The delicate sand and blue water of Clearwater Beach front will have you emotion calm and refreshed.

Where by do you suggest staying when you go?

There are so many motels appropriate along the seaside that are well worth checking out, specifically if you want direct access to the water or a pool. Some of the most popular kinds include the Sandpearl Resort, the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Seashore and the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach front.

Also, there are sweet boutique resorts, like Lodge Cabana. Airbnbs are also an option, and you can usually uncover some great types inside of a brief walk or Uber or Lyft journey.

What are your go-to dining places or foods to consume while you’re there?

Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill is a will have to-go to if you’re at any time in Clearwater Beach front. It’s a rite of passage I never make the principles. It’s situated ideal on the h2o, with a large patio that empties out on to the sand. It is the great place just after a very long day in the sunshine. Get the grouper sandwich and the crab fries and I assure you are going to never ever be the same. My mother also enjoys their she-crab soup.

If you’re on the lookout for a thing a very little more “upscale” a single evening, the Beachcomber and the Island Way Grill are sound possibilities that have been close to for many years. There’s also the Palm Pavilion or Crabby’s Bar and Grill if you’re wanting for some thing very low-essential with a seaside bar ambiance. And for all you rooster wing followers, the city of Clearwater is also home to the unique Hooters. (There is also a spot on Clearwater Beach front.)

I also have to plug a end at the grocery retail outlet Publix. There’s totally almost nothing like ingesting a Pub Sub on the seashore. It is just one of life’s greatest pleasures.

What bars or enjoyment spots do you make confident to strike? What is excellent to consume there or what else ought to individuals know?

Frenchy’s and the Palm Pavilion are great spots if you want to grab a drink on the beach. They have great, inexpensive frozen cocktails (if you’re from a main town, your mouth will fall at the price ranges). My preferred are the piña coladas, which I know is really essential. But after a warm working day of swimming and sunbathing, it really hits the location. They also have rum runners, vital lime coladas (an additional preferred), coconut margaritas and additional.

A lot of dining places, which include Frenchy’s and Palm Pavilion, normally have are living tunes. I suggest heading all through sunset if you can get a table. Enjoyment, a refreshing drink and pristine landscapes. What far more could you check with for?

What are your beloved retailers and what do you appear for when you’re there?

There are tons of local souvenir retailers alongside the beach front, which are good for window searching or getting a trinket to commemorate your vacation.

A piña colada from Frenchy's Rockaway Grill on Clearwater Beach. The perfect treat after a sunny beach day.
A piña colada from Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill on Clearwater Seaside. The best deal with just after a sunny beach front working day.

What’s your solitary preferred spot to go for photos and why?

The full beach is ripe for photos! If you walk north along the seashore ― outside of all of the inns ― you’ll surely get fantastic photographs with no a bunch of men and women in the history or pushing alongside you. Pier 60 is also a terrific spot for photographs if you want sweeping views of the Gulf (you may well also get a glimpse of some dolphins if you are fortunate).

What tourist attraction must individuals skip and what should really they do rather?

I’d individually say skip the pirate-themed boats that go out in the water and decide for a dolphin sightseeing boat, or even go parasailing. Some folks enjoy the pirate cruises, but most locals say they are not really worthy of the price tag. If you are a h2o activity lover, quite a few people today genuinely rave about the jet ski rentals as effectively.

The place do you come to feel the most comfortable, quiet or joyful?

I really feel so at ease when I’m on a stroll or sitting on the north aspect of the seashore. We’d always park there for the working day when we were being in significant college. I have fond reminiscences of lounging in the solar with my close friends, gossiping about what occurred in class or who was dating who at the time.

Each individual time I go back again, I make confident to stroll up that way, which finishes up staying about a mile or so absent from Pier 60. It right away will make me feel like a teen yet again. It is also good simply because it is more away from the touristy locations, so you get a degree of peaceful that you’re not genuinely afforded in the a lot more crowded elements.

What scenic places do you advise examining out?

For some good people watching, I definitely recommend going for walks together the pier or in some of the much more populated places. There are also other beautiful beach locations nearby if you want to change it up for the working day. Check out checking out Sand Crucial Seaside or Caladesi Island Point out Park, which give another tiny slice of heaven of the Gulf.

The view from the patio at Frenchy's Rockaway Grill. Sunset is a popular time but the wait is worth it.
The look at from the patio at Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill. Sunset is a preferred time but the wait is value it.

What are some particular planning tips to know in advance of you go so you’re not pressured?

There are a couple: Initially, count on to be uncovered to UV rays and system accordingly. The sun will get you if you are not watchful. Use sunscreen ― even if it seems cloudy throughout the summer season.

You need to also be expecting afternoon thunderstorms if you’re going in the warmer months. (I personally enjoy them, but they can be annoying on a family vacation.) Storms typically roll in all-around 3 p.m. and can last wherever from 20 minutes to more than an hour, relying on the forecast. It’s beneficial to approach any beach days or excursions close to it ― you will possible get much better weather the earlier you go out.

At last, familiarize yourself with the stingray shuffle. If you visit at any time involving April and October, that’s commonly stingray year. Shuffle your ft in the h2o so they know you’re coming. (For what it’s well worth, I’ve never had a issue with them in my lifetime of likely to Clearwater Seaside. Just be conscious, don’t worry!)

What’s 1 factor you make absolutely sure to pack if you’re likely and why?

To point out the noticeable, a bathing accommodate and sunscreen. Some people today favor bringing water shoes for stingray period and seaside shirts because, as talked about, the sunshine can be really solid.

Nearly anything else readers should know?

Do. Not. Feed. The. Seagulls. They’re just about everywhere, and they want your foodstuff. Feeding them just would make them more needy (and it could be dangerous for them) ― not to point out you are going to annoy all the other beachgoers about you. Retain your snacks, subs and everything else to on your own. Have faith in me.

This post initially appeared on Huffington Write-up Journey News