Feel carefree in Clearwater
Sugar-soft sand, vibrant blue waters and endless sunshine are what you’ll find in this little slice of heaven
Tucked on the east coast of Florida and surrounded by St. Petersburg, Tampa and the Gulf of Mexico is the beautiful city of Clearwater, where the sun shines 361 days a year. Boasting 35 miles of whitesand beaches, 31 fascinating museums and plenty of unique outdoor activities, this affordable oasis makes for the perfect Independence Day getaway.
Start your day by basking in the sun at Clearwater Beach, a spot teeming with entertainment, water sports and beachside fun. “Best thing to do is rent a surrey,” says Sam H on TripAdvisor.com. “You can take in the view and enjoy the fresh air while cycling around the beach. My family enjoyed the time together, and as a break we stopped by the ice cream shop for some hand-dipped ice cream!”
To admire the natural beauty above and below the water’s surface at the same time, rent a clear-bottom kayak.
Book a tour with Fin’s Jet Ski, Kayak and Boat Rentals ($30 per person) and see creatures pass right under you as you paddle. Raves a reviewer from Nevada, “Much to our surprise, we saw dolphins, manatees and baby sharks!”
After toweling off, kick back and relax with a visit to Spectrum Field to watch minor league baseball team the Clearwater Threshers play a game (tickets start at $8 per person). “What a wonderful ballpark!” raves Baxter703 on TripAdvisor.com. “We go often and feel like we get our ‘bang for the buck,’ especially on nights with fireworks following the game. Not to be missed are various themed events and the all-youcan-eat buffet in the Big Shark Café upstairs—delicious!”
End your day with a stroll along the boardwalk at Pier 60 to shop at local vendors, enjoy performances, eat fresh seafood and watch the colorful sunset.
Great day trip: Caladesi Island Park
Take a drive to Honeymoon State Park in Dunedin, where you can then hop on a ferry ($14 per adult, $7 per child) for a quick cruise to Caladesi Island State Park. Once there, you can hike through the three-mile nature trail to see local wildlife, paddle through the mangroves and bay, sunbathe on the white sand or sit down to enjoy a picnic on the beach.
Don’t miss: July 4th fireworks
Head to Clearwater’s Coachman Park to celebrate Independence Day with free family-friendly festivities. Starting at 4 pm, enjoy live music, tasty food and drinks and kids’ activities before the dazzling display of fireworks at day’s end.