Clearwater, FL Road Trips

Clearwater used to be the home of the Tocobaga American Indian people. Around 1835, the United States Army began construction of Fort Harrison as an outpost during the Seminole Wars. The fort was located on a bluff overlooking Clearwater Harbor, which later became part of an early 20th-century residential development called Harbor Oaks. The name "Clear Water" is thought to have come from a fresh water spring flowing from near where the City Hall building is located today. There were many other freshwater springs that dotted the bluff, many in the bay or harbor. During the American Civil War, Union gunboats repeatedly raided the community's supplies, as most of the able-bodied men were away fighting for the Confederate Army. The town began developing in the late nineteenth century, prompted by the completion of the first passenger railroad line into the city in 1888. The area's popularity as a vacation destination grew after railroad magnate Henry B. Plant built a sprawling Victorian resort hotel named Belleview Biltmore just south of Clearwater in 1897. During World War II, Clearwater became a major training base for US troops destined for Europe and the Pacific. Virtually every hotel in the area, including the Belleview Biltmore and the Fort Harrison Hotel, was used as a barracks for new recruits. The remote and isolated Dan's Island, now the highrise-dominated Sand Key, was used as a target by U.S. Army Air Corps fighter-bombers for strafing and bombing practice.

1 Clearwater Beach, 1 Causeway Blvd. Clearwater Beach is one of the top-rated beaches in Florida. Besides lying in the white sand and swimming in the clear water there are also many activities offered such as fishing, sail boat, kayak, and jet ski rentals, dolphin and sunset tours, parasailing and more. Alongside the beach there are also many restaurants and shops. It is a great family environment. There are always lifeguards and specially colored flags that mean certain alerts such as any rip currents of marine life such as stingrays present. Beach chairs, tents, strollers, and wheelchair rentals are also available.

After spending a long, hot day at the beach, why not head on down to Pier 60 for the nightly 'Sunsets at Pier 60' event. Every night, lots of vendors and entertainers set up shop at Pier 60. It starts two hours before sunset, and ends two hours after the sun goes down. And then, for a few hours, lots and lots of people, tourists and locals, go on down and hang out at the Pier. Souvenirs, from candles to jewelry, are for sale. Sometimes there is a booth where you can get henna tattoos. There are also crazy entertainers putting on shows nightly. Every night, there are live concerts held. All of this is free to attend, and very family friendly. And if you get tired of the crowds, head down the water for a little relaxation. Ice skating is a popular activity in Clearwater, and a perfect way to escape the summer heat. Two well-known rinks are in the city: Clearwater Ice Arena and the rink in Westfield Countryside Mall. 1 Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage,, ☏ +1 727 441-1790. M-TH 9am-5pm, F and Sat 9am-7pm, Sun. 10am-5pm. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium has many exhibits featuring marine animals such as stingrays, nurse sharks, river otters, sea turtles and of course dolphins. Many of these animals are rescued animals that cannot be returned back in the wild and are housed and cared for by the staff and serve as a way to teach visitors about marine life. There are presentations at different times throughout the day for each animal exhibit.

Frenchie's. Great grouper. Codys for great ribs. Several locations in the area. One is on 19 just south of Tarpon Springs Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar, 10 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater Beach, ☏ +1 727 446-2642. This restaurant serves a wide variety of food including flatbreads, salads, wraps, burgers, steaks, and seafood. They also serve many drinks and have live music every night. It has a great view of the Gulf of Mexico and offers indoor and outdoor seating.

Clearwater Brewing Company, 1700 N Ft Harrison Ave, ☏ +1 844-737-1700, [email protected]. Microbrewery and taproom with a short food menu including beef sliders, tacos, nachos, and chicken wings. (updated Jan 2022)

Belleair Beach Club, 3200 N. Gulf Blvd, toll-free: +1-888-828-6745. Double from $185. Comfort Suites Dunedin, 1941 Edgewater Dr (south of Downtown Dunedin), ☏ +1 727 489-5000. Fairfield Inn & Suites Clearwater Bayside, 3070 Gulf to Bay Boulevard, ☏ +1 727 724-6223, fax: +1 727 724-3413. 1 Hampton Inn & Suites Clearwater - Ulmerton Road, 4050 Ulmerton Road, ☏ +1 727 572-7456. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Guest rooms and suites. Close to Clearwater/St.Petersburg Airport Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort, 400 Mandalay Avenue, ☏ +1 727 461-3222, toll-free: +1-877-461-3222. 33767, The resort is located next to Pier 60 and across from the marina. Sandpearl Resort, 500 Mandalay Avenue, ☏ +1 727 411-2425. Has spa, food, & on the beach. Sheraton Sand Key Resort, 1160 Gulf Boulevard, ☏ +1 727 595-1611, toll-free: +1-800-456-7263, fax: +1 727 596-8488.

1 St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE IATA). A joint civil-military airport and home to the largest and busiest U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in the United States. It has limited international services. The bulk of the domestic services are provided by Allegiant Air serving destinations in the eastern half of the country and now a route to Arizona. Air Canada; Air Transat; Allegiant Airlines; American Airlines; Delta Air Lines; Frontier Airlines, (operated by Republic Airlines); JetBlue Airlines; Locair; SeaCoast Airlines; Spirit Airlines; Southwest Airlines; SunWing Airlines; and Vision Airlines. Tampa International Airport (TPA IATA), is about 30 minutes away by road. Bus services are available. The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority's (PSTA) services include two express routes that travel to Tampa. Nearby Tampa is served by Amtrak via its daily Silver Star train between New York City and Miami. A Thruway connecting bus is available and arrives at an 2 Amtrak bus stop, located midway between Clearwater and St. Petersburg at 5251 110th Ave N.

Suncoast Beach Trolley: Explore the unique beach communities from Clearwater Beach to Pass-A-Grille. Trolley does not stop in Kenneth City, Belleair Beach and Belleair Shore. The Suncoast Beach Trolley runs every 20 - 30 minutes daily from 5:05AM to 10:10PM, including holidays, with service until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Look for special trolley bus stop signs located frequently along the route. In addition to the route along the beaches, connector routes run between the coast and downtown Saint Petersburg. All trolleys are wheelchair accessible, and they have bike racks. A special permit may be required to use the bike rack. The bus and trolley fare is $2.25 per ride (2017), or ride all day with a $5 Unlimited Daily GO Card. GO Cards are available onboard the trolleys, buses, or at various locations countywide. The fare boxes are equipped to handle $1, $5 and $10 bills but do not give change.