Itineraries for Your Trip to Clearwater
3 Days in Clearwater for First Timers
Clearwater has one of the best beaches in the United States—and that’s saying something, especially in Florida. The Sunshine State has thousands of miles of amazing coastline, but Clearwater Beach is always a frontrunner in the minds of locals and tourists alike. Located on the Gulf of Mexico shores just west of Tampa, Clearwater is a slice of paradise worthy of a getaway.
The soft white sand may convince you to spend all of your time on the beach, but there are other adventures away from the water. Great cuisine, Greek-American culture, family-friendly activities, and fun nightlife all abound in Clearwater.
The breeze off the Gulf of Mexico offers welcome relief from the heat and humidity in summer.
If you only have time for one thing, make it watching the sunset over Clearwater Beach.
Welcome to Clearwater—now waste no time in getting in the water. Grab your camera and get to know the friendly locals swimming just offshore during a dolphin-watching tour. If you’re feeling hungry when you disembark, stop by one of the many seafood shacks along the beach for a snack.
You may want to spend every evening watching the sun dip below the ocean’s horizon, so make your first viewing memorable with a sunset cruise. After waving goodbye to the sun, spend the rest of the night on shore enjoying live music at a beachside resort bar.
It’s easy to explore Clearwater via the Central Avenue Trolley and Downtown Looper bus route. Break out of the city and see a new side of the region in nearby Tarpon Springs, a short cab ride away. The area offers opportunities to get back onto the water, this time with a fishing rod in-hand on Lake Tarpon.
After you come in from the lake, sniff out some loukoumades—a treat of fried dough—and darkly brewed “mud coffee,” nods to the area’s Greek heritage. Then, learn about the local fishing and sponging industry with a stroll along the aptly named Sponge Docks.
When you wake up on your final day in Clearwater, check your to-do list and the weather report. If skies are clear, take a final tour of the area from above with a helicopter tour.
Of course, there’s no better way to stumble onto an off-the-radar wine bar, tranquil park, or live music event than by wandering around the city. Let a local guide you on a Segway tour before finding the perfect place to admire one last sunset over the blue waters of Clearwater.