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PAGES 42 & 48
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WATER PAGE 36
800.282.1116 | LOEWSHOTELS.coM
PRET TIER IN PINK.
ANNAPOLIS • ATLANTA • BOSTON • CHICAGO • HOLLYWOOD • MIAMI • MINNEAPOLIS • MONTREAL • NASHVILLE • NEW ORLEANS NEW YORK • ORLANDO • PHILADELPHIA • SAN DIEGO • SANTA MONICA • ST. PETE BEACH • TUcsON • WASHINGTON D.C.
A champagne welcome and the perfect day on the perfect beach.
WHATwill you REMEMBER?
It’s the little things that you remember most. Like our sunset bell that rings each evening—and our white sand beach, world-class spa, beachfront dining and a staff dedicated to anticipating your every need. The Sandpearl on Clearwater Beach. Because details make the difference.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR SPECIAL OFFERS AND PACKAGES 500 Mandalay Avenue, Clearwater Beach, FL | 877.726.3111 | sandpearl.com
There’s golf, and then there’s legendary golf. THE GRAND GOLF RESORTS OF FLORIDA
Our Tampa golf resort is home to four outstanding layouts – all designed by the innovative and imaginative architect Lawrence Packard – including the top-rated Copperhead course, which welcomes the world’s finest players each March when the PGA TOUR visits Innisbrook for the Valspar Championship.
888.794.8627 VisitInnisbrook.com
VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
5
What’s Inside our towns 54
Clearwater has a world-famous beach, and downtown St. Pete is a cultural capital, but the area is alive with amazing small towns, each of them a giant in their own right.
beaches 18
Whether you’re seeking seclusion, family fun, or a party-all-day atmosphere, we’ve got a beach for you. Sink your toes into our 35 miles of sugar sand perfection.
nightlife Action cranks up when the sun goes down. Urban chic meets laid-back beach vibe at even the most exclusive night clubs the area has to offer.
eats
Food Finder: Be it family friendly, seafood lover or tables with a view, find your ultimate dining experience. Plus, our all-new pull-out guide to the area’s top restaurants, as determined by one of Florida’s leading food critics.
11 12 14 32 40 46
6
welcome by the numbers getting around the best list shopping beach bars
AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
48 50 72 75 76 80
36
26
63
82
42
breweries winter the dolphin music pets romance lgbt
water
86 90 92 96 97 99
golf events itineraries day trips history social
From parasailing in Clearwater Beach to kayaking mangrove islands and diving shipwrecks on the reefs, explore the many ways to enjoy the warm welcoming waters of St. Petersburg/Clearwater.
arts
Big names like Dalí and Chihuly – and yet to be known names creating arts, crafts and murals locally – make the area a haven for artists and art lovers of every stripe.
sports Great weather year-round and an abundance of world class facilities keep the action going for athletes and spectators alike.
This magazine doesn’t end with what you’re holding in your hands. Download the Layar app by scanning the QR code to the left and continue the experience with virtual tours of beaches, nightlife, communities, breweries and more.
Just look for the Layar icon throughout these pages – including this one – to make the content on the page come to life.
sheratonsandkey.com | 800.456.7263 | 727.595.1611 1160 Gulf Boulevard, Clearwater, FL
GULF TO BAY Home of America's Best Beaches. Call us at 727.464.7200 or toll-free 877.352.3224 VisitStPeteClearwater.com This issue of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater destination magazine is published by Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater in partnership with the Tampa Bay Times.
OFFICES OF VISIT ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER North American Office 8200 Bryan Dairy Road, Suite 200, Largo, FL 33777 USA 727.464.7200 or 877.352.3224 Central European Office Postfach 1806, D-61288 Bad Homburg, Germany +49 (0) 6172-38 80 94 80 or info@VisitSPC.de United Kingdom Office Link House, 140 The Broadway, Tolworth, Surrey KT67JE, England 020 8339 6121
TAMPA BAY TIMES
490 First Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 USA 800.333.7505
MARKETING MANAGER: Chris Galbraith ART DIRECTORS: Nikki Life, Samantha Puckett ADDITIONAL DESIGN: Marcus Oania PHOTO EDITOR: Steve Widoff PHOTOGRAPHY: Steve Widoff, Chris Zuppa, Terry Rishel, Justin Ward, Pedro Castellano, Carol Gallagher, Dominic Romer, Wayne Cathel, Mike Legg, Carlos Monzon, Dirk Shadd, Ashlee Hamon, Devine Light, Ken Kinzie
CHIHULY COLLECTION
MAPS: Teresanne Cossetta Russell WRITERS: Marcia Biggs, Jay Cridlin, Jennifer DeCamp, Taylor Gaudens, Laura Hohl, Brent Puckett, Samantha Puckett, Janet Shelton, Terry Tomalin
View breathtaking installations by world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly, that have thrilled audiences around the globe! PAGE 32
400 BEACH DRIVE NE, ST. PETERSBURG, FL 727.896.4527 MOREANARTSCENTER.ORG
PAGES 42 & 48
Dale Chihuly Florida Rose Crystal Tower (detail) 2010 Photo by Al Hurley
PAGE 18
WATER PAGE 36
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8
AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
ON THE COVER: With 35 miles of beautiful white sandy beaches fronted by brilliant emerald surf, there’s always something spectacular to experience in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area. Want to see more? Scan this page for a slideshow of more amazing images of our paradise.
THIS MAGAZINE OFFERS YOU GREAT DIGITAL EXPERIENCES USING THE LAYAR APP DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP, FIND THIS SYMBOL AND SCAN THE PAGE
Escape the ordinary. Discover Hyatt Regency Clearwater. Steps away from the powder white sands of Clearwater Beach, our beachfront resort is bringing world-class style and amenities to the west coast of Florida. Book your next reservation and take advantage of our Special Promotional Rate by receiving 20% off daily rates. All guestrooms are suites with fully equipped kitchens featuring granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, private balconies and Gulf of Mexico views. The hotel also offers Sandava Spa, SHOR American Seafood Grill, Camp Hyatt, Hyatt StayFit™ Gym, 20 air-conditioned pool cabanas and indoor & outdoor meeting space perfect for any business gathering or special event. For reservations, call 727 373 1234 or visit clearwaterbeach.hyatt.com and reference offer code TVL2FL. Hyatt. You’re More Than Welcome.
HYATT REGENCY CLEARWATER BEACH RESORT & SPA 301 South Gulfview Blvd. Clearwater, Florida 33767
Offer valid through 02/28/2016 at Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa. All hotel reservations are subject to availability and must be made in advance using offer code TVL2FL. Offer is not valid with groups/conventions and may not be combined with other promotional offers. Rate is based on double occupancy and standard room accommodations. Room tax and resort fee not included. Additional guests may be subject to additional hotel charges. Additional charges apply to room type upgrades. Promotional blackout periods may apply due to seasonal periods or special events, and normal arrival/departure restrictions apply. Hyatt reserves the right to alter or withdraw this program at any time without notice. The trademarks Hyatt Hotels & Resorts® and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. ©2013 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.
36671-1
WELCOME TO OUR WORLD
10
AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
STEP INTO THE POSTCARD Every morning you walk along a white-sand beach picking up shells. Every evening you toast the colors of a glorious sunset. When you visit the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area, it’s easy to fill days with natural beauty and pure fun. We can provide a perfect postcard holiday. Maybe yours has you stretched out on a blanket, surrounded by powdery white sand as the kids chase seagulls along the shore. Perhaps the photo has you navigating a paddleboard, dining waterside or dancing the night away. Or maybe it's one of those priceless shots of little ones mesmerized by the sight of a sponge diver in traditional gear. Looks like you’re going to need more than one card. And there’s so much more. Thrill seekers can capture their expressions as they sky surf or parasail hundreds of feet over the Gulf of Mexico. Art lovers will want something from their trip to the Dalí Museum, Chihuly Collection, Museum of Fine Arts or other art galleries in the area. For sports fans, the possibilities include professional baseball, hockey, soccer and football. A shot of you snagging a home run ball at a Rays game would be cool. Oh, and don’t forget the music, with indoor and outdoor concerts year-round. For outdoor types, no trip to our area would be complete without images of them reeling in fish or views from a bike or nature trail. And don’t forget to include snapshots of dolphins, manatees and other wildlife met while paddling a kayak through our Intracoastal wetlands. Of course, you’ll want to get selfies of you and your new friends, too. We are a welcoming place and many of our residents around the world started as visitors just like you. You’ll find people from your home state and perhaps even your hometown. We love our life here and love sharing it with others. Ready to make the postcard? The only thing left is the ending: Having a wonderful time. Wish you were here.
Accessible only by boat, serene Anclote Key Preserve State Park sits three miles off Tarpon Springs.
VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
11
MILES OF WHITE-SAND BEACHES
BY THE
AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE
numbers SALTWATER FISHING PIERS
GOLF COURSES
SPECIES OF BIRDS SPOTTED AT FORT DE SOTO PARK
TENNIS COURTS
AVERAGE NUMBER OF SUNNY DAYS PER YEAR
MAJOR MOVIE STARS AT CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM
FEET YOU CAN FLY ABOVE THE WATER WITH A JETLEV
SPECIES OF PALM TREES AT GIZELLA KOPSICK PALM ARBORETUM
NUMBER OF YEARS SPRING TRAINING HAS BEEN PLAYED IN THE AREA
HEIGHT (IN FEET) OF THE SUNSHINE SKYWAY BRIDGE
REGIONAL CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce: (727) 584.2321, centralchamber.biz Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce: (727) 447.7600, beachchamber.com Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce: (727) 461.0011, clearwaterflorida.org Dunedin Chamber of Commerce: (727) 733.3197, dunedin-fl.com Greater Palm Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce: (727) 784.4287, palmharborcc.org Gulfport Area Chamber of Commerce: (727) 344.3711, gulfportareachamberofcommerce.org Pinellas Park/Gateway Chamber of Commerce: (727) 544.4777, pinellasparkgatewaychamber.com
12
AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce: (727) 726.2890, safetyharborchamber.com Seminole Chamber of Commerce: (727) 392.3245, seminolechamber.net St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce: (727) 821.4069, stpete.com Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce: (727) 360.6957, tampabaybeaches.com Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce: (727) 937.6109, tarponspringschamber.com Treasure Island Chamber of Commerce: (727) 360.4121, treasureislandchamber.org Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce: (813) 855.4233, utbchamber.com
IMMERSE YOURSELF
JUST LET GO TIME
UNIQUE DINING
DISCOVERIES
��� THINGS TO DO You’ve needed this vacation for a long time. So dive in. Fly over the water with a jet pack. 3OXQJH GRZQ D VWRU\ ZDWHU VOLGH 6ZLP ZLWK WKH ȴVK LQ D PDVVLYH DTXDULXP 'LQH 6KRS Sip tropical drinks in a beachside hammock. It’s not just a vacation. At TradeWinds, it’s a totally immersive experience. J USTLETGO.COM/FLBCH 877.300.5527 67 3(7( %($&+ )/25Ζ'$
OUR FISH TANK
TRADEWINDS ISLAND GRAND | GUY HARVEY OUTPOST | RUMFISH GRILL S M
GETTING HERE, GETTING AROUND WEATHER
BY AIR
They say all you need to bring is a swimsuit. But no matter what time of year you travel to the area, do pack sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective sunglasses. Remember to always drink plenty of water.
The area is served by two international airports — St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport and Tampa International Airport — and two general aviation airports, making flying in and out simple and convenient. With more than 30 airlines to accommodate your schedule, competitive rates and efficient facilities packed with amenities, our airports are worthy gatekeepers to paradise.
In late spring and summer, light, casual clothes work best. Fall and winter temperatures vary from mild to cool, so determine in advance of your visit whether shorts and sandals are still in season or if it’s time to pack a light jacket and pants.
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) Flying through here offers low fares and small crowds, and puts you minutes from the beaches. 14700 Terminal Blvd., Clearwater 33762 fly2pie.com or 727-453-7800
We hold a Guinness world record title for the longest run of sunshine (768 days from February 1967 to March 1969), but temperatures can range from the low 50s to the high 90s.
AVERAGE AIR TEMPS
Winter (Dec-Feb) HIGH 70F 21C
LOW 55F 13C
Spring (Mar-May) HIGH 80F 27C
LOW 65F 18C
St. Pete Beach
VisitStPeteClearwater.com Check out our website for hotel rates and availability, maps, events, videos and tons of ideas for things to do on your next trip to St. Petersburg/Clearwater. All the planning information you need is just a few clicks away. The “deals” link helps you find ways to save money, and our email newsletter helps you stay current on news and events. Our videos will give you a preview of the fun in store, and our search and book direct features make planning, comparing and booking easy. Find local info on the go at VisitStPeteClearwater.com, from hot deals to listings for restaurants, hotels, attractions, things to do and more.
INTERNATIONAL VISITORS
Find helpful resources on the following specialized websites:
Summer (June-Aug) HIGH 90F 32C
LOW 76F 24C
Habla español? Para narraciones y sugerencias de viaje en español, incluyendo información sobre restaurantes, vida nocturna y recreacion al aire libre, vaya a VisitStPeteClearwater.com Allí también encontrará relatos sobre playas, paseos en kayaks y actividades culturales en el área. Sprechen Sie Deutsch? Deutsch sprechende Besucher haben ihre eigene Website mit ausgewählten attraktiven Aktivitäten. Information uber die Strände, Wanderungen und Naturlehrpfade, sowie Artikel über Kunst und Kultur der Gegend sind bei VisitStPeteClearwater.com
Fall (Sept-Nov) HIGH 83F 28C
LOW 70F 21C
SOCIAL TOOLS FACEBOOK: Facebook.com/VisitStPeteClearwater — Be inspired to travel with photos of America’s Best Beaches, brilliant sunsets and the area’s biggest events. TWITTER: Twitter.com/VSPC — Follow @VSPC to stay in the loop on the area’s latest happenings with fun and friendly news, photos and videos.
AVERAGE WATER TEMPS
YOUTUBE: YouTube.com/StPeteCVB — If you’re not watching, you’re missing out. Regular updates featuring sunset timelapses, off-limits tours and behind-the-scenes on must-dos.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) Just 30-45 minutes from beachfront accommodations, Tampa International Airport provides numerous airlines and flights to choose from, as well as convenient shuttles from the gates to the terminal. 4100 George J. Bean Parkway, Tampa 33607 tampaairport.com or 813-870-8700 Rental cars: There are several major rental car companies serving the area, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Jolley Trolley (clearwaterjolleytrolley.com) The Trolley operates daily on Clearwater Beach. The Coastal Route runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between Clearwater Beach and downtown Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs. Daily, weekly and monthly passes are available for purchase. Looper (loopertrolley.com) The St. Petersburg Trolley Downtown Looper route connects visitors to all major destinations within the city, including the Chamber Visitor Center and the major museums for a small fee. Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (psta.net) The PSTA is the public transit provider in Pinellas County, serving the St. Petersburg and Clearwater area, with 191 buses serving more than 5,000 bus stops throughout the county, including two express routes that travel to Tampa. Suncoast Beach Trolley (psta.net/beachtrolley) The Suncoast Beach Trolley allows visitors to explore the beach communities along Gulf Boulevard, including John’s Pass Village, Corey Avenue, Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach. Exact fare is required.
BY BOAT
Winter 63F • 17C
Summer 85F • 29C
PINTEREST: Pinterest.com/VSPC — Browse categories ranging from top hotels to best sunsets to images from movies filmed in the area — and pin your favorites to your own board.
Come with your own boat or rent one to tour the miles and miles of shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico and Intracoastal Waterway. For a map and boating ramps, go to VisitSPC.com/Boating
Spring 74F • 23C
Fall 77F • 25C
INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/VSPC — Explore St. Pete/Clearwater one photo at a time. Best part? Our most popular filter is no filter.
For more information planning your visit, go to VisitSPC.com/Planning
14
AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
Fred Howard Park
TARPON AVE.
Sponge Docks
NE
AS AV PINELL
N
RD.
Brooker Creek Preserve
E RD.
A.L. Anderson Park
E.
St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral
STO
Tarpon Springs Cultural Center
EAST LAK
Sunset Beach Park
KEY
DODECANESE BLVD.
TARPON SPRINGS
Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center
KLOSTERMAN RD.
Leepa Rattner Museum of Art
Wall Springs Park
Lake Tarpon
ALT
19
19
611
ALDERMAN RD.
HONEYMOON ISLAND
CRYSTAL BEACH
John Chesnut Sr. Park
PALM HARBOR
0
0.9
1.8
NEBRASKA AVE.
1 inch = approx. 1.8 miles
OZONA
Canal Park Sports Complex
C S W Y.
CURLEW RD.
CALADESI ISLAND
19 1 Dunedin Historic Museum
Clearwater Harbor
ALT
RD
F
LAN
DB
RID
GE
TAMPA
• Busch Gardens • The Florida Aquarium • International Plaza • Lowry Park Zoo • The Museum of Science & Industry • Port of Tampa • Raymond James Stadium DY B
RIDG
E
LVD
.
92
MLK JR. ST. (9TH ST.)
Holocaust Museum
CENTRAL AVE.
LF B LVD
CO
RE
Y
.
Dolphin Racer
Gulfport Historical Museum
GU LF B LVD
Dolphin Landings
.
AY
)
19
Morean Arts Center
Lake Maggiore 54TH AVE. S
Carter-Woodson African-American History Museum
Tampa Bay
19
679
TIERRA VERDE S L) LA OL EL Y (T PINWA Y
Fort De Soto
LAKEVIEW AVE.
Boyd Hill Nature Trail
17
Albert Whitted Municipal Airport
62ND AVE. S
BA
FORT DE SOTO PARK
W BAY
LL (TO
5TH AVE. S
TANGERINE AVE.
Gulfport Casino Gulfport Art Village
Gulf Beaches Historical Museum
SHELL KEY
18TH AVE. S 22ND AVE. S
AS
St. Petersburg Museum of History
Al Lang Stadium Mahaffey Theater The Dali Museum
22 Tropicana Field
GULFPORT
ELL
Museum of Fine Arts/Straub Park
1ST AVE. S
15TH AVE. S
StarLite Sapphire
Chihuly Collection
BAYS
1ST AVE. N
5TH AVE. S
Corey Ave.
23B
E
Coliseum
9TH AVE. N 5TH AVE. N
TREASURE ISLAND CSWY
Sunken Gardens/ Great Explorations
DR. NE
19
SOUTH PASADENA
ST. PETERSBURG
22ND AVE. N
DR. N
28TH ST. N
34TH ST. N
Tyrone Square Mall
BEACH
.
40TH AVE.
HORE
VD
Weedon Island Preserve
62ND AVE. N
Sunshine Skyway Bridge Fishing Pier & Park
SUNSHINE SKYWAY (TOLL)
M CS STU W A Y. RT
YB
38TH AVE. N
BL
PASS-A-GRILLE BEACH
EGMONT KEY
ND
.
NE
KENNETH CITY
PIN
Miami
Derby Lane Greyhound Track
RD
RO
DRIVING TIMES
Ft. Lauderdale
WA
K RAN
D.
54TH AVE. N
GU
Tampa
LV
Sawgrass Lake Park
The Shoppes at Park Place
ALT
ST. PETE BEACH
Orlando
TB
ES
Boca Ciega Bay
Sunset Beach
TAMPA - 24 mi/39 km Area Approx. 30 mins. of detail ORLANDO - 107 mi/172 km Approx. 90 mins. Ft. Myers FORT MYERS - 118 mi/190 km Approx. 1 hr., 50 mins. FORT LAUDERDALE - 249 mi/401 km Approx. 3 hr., 45 mins. MIAMI - 269 mi/433 km Approx. 4 hr., 10 mins.
EL
IN
War Veterans Memorial Park
TREASURE ISLAND
St. Petersburg/ Clearwater
19
1
TY
ss Pa n’s h o J
39
GAN
28 GA
Lake SEMINOLE Seminole
John’s Pass Village • Hubbard’s Marina • Pirate Ship at John’s Pass
FLORIDA
PINELLAS PARK
PARK BLVD.
Seminole Mall
Tampa International Airport
693
Lake Seminole Park
49TH ST.
PARK BLVD.
MADEIRA BEACH
Pinellas Trail
EV
1ST ST.
CLEARWATER LARGO RD.
102ND AVE. N
EWAY
31B
OS
4TH ST.
N RO INDIA
Walsingham Park
REDINGTON BEACH
Other Roads
RO
HA
Principal Highways
Largo Mall 118TH AVE. N
Boca Ciega Millennium Park
NORTH REDINGTON BEACH
Divided Highways
E.
HO
688
BRYAN DAIRY RD.
Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary
AV
32
66TH ST.
REDINGTON SHORES
Controlled Access Divided Highways
H
St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport
Armed Forces Museum
Y.
Exit Number
ULMERTON RD.
TO
00
686
W
INDIAN SHORES
Airport
19
CS
Points of Interest
UG
Old Tampa Bay
EAST BAY DR.
PARK ST.
Indian Rocks Historical Society
State Highway
Ridgecrest Park
MPBELL CAUS
4TH ST. 3RD ST
.
WALSINGHAM RD.
Clearwater Mall
PARK ST.
U.S. Highway
19
WEST BAY DR.
113TH RD. N
INDIAN ROCKS BEACH
COURTNEY CA
Eagle Lake Park
595
LARGO
OAK HURST RD.
Interstate
RO
60
BELLEAIR RD.
ALT
John Taylor Park
D.
KEY
CLEARWATER LAKEVIEW RD.
CKS RD
GULF BLV
Pinewood Cultural Center • Botanical Gardens • Heritage Village 699 • County Extension
BO
E
BELLEAIR CSWY.
Bright House Field
GULF TO BAY BLVD.
COURT ST.
BR I D G
Belleair Bluffs
BELLEAIR SHORE
Ruth Eckerd Hall
AN
S ID E
BELLEAIR BEACH
HM
BAY
Winter’s Dolphin Tale Adventure
AC
6TH ST.
Coachman Park
Sand Key Park
N
DREW ST. CLEVELAND ST.
O EC
9TH ST.
.
Clearwater Air Park
BELCHER RD.
VD
LS
590
589
KEENE RD.
BL
HIL
580
STARKEY RD.
W
MYRTLE AVE.
VIE
SAND KEY
MISSOURI AVE.
LF
The Capitol Theatre
ME M CS ORIA WY L . FORT HARRISON AVE.
GU
Philippe Park
SAFETY HARBOR
SUNSET POINT RD. HIGHLAND AVE.
Pier 60 Park Beach Walk
Clearwater Marina • StarLite Majesty • Captain Memo’s • Sea Screamer • Calypso Queen • The Tropics Boat Tours
Westfield Countryside
UNION ST.
SEMINOLE RD.
CLEARWATER BEACH
MANDALAY AVE.
19 Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Safety Harbor
580
DUNEDIN
Florida Auto Exchange Stadium
BELCHER RD.
Caladesi State Park
Tampa Bay Downs
OLDSMAR
49TH ST. N
Gulf of Mexico
Dunedin Fine Art Center
RACE TRACK RD.
DIN
MCMULLEN-BOOTH RD.
DU NE
Honeymoon Island Park
Sunshine Skyway Channel TO SARASOTA
1 inch = approx. 1.8 miles
For detailed and interactive maps, go to:
VisitSPC.com/Maps
Your Tampa Bay Beaches Airport!
ST. PETE-CLEARWATER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (PIE) Tampa Bay’s most convenient gateway to Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and America’s award-winning beaches, with destinations throughout the U.S. and Canada. The airport offers affordable parking with short walking distances and an easy-to-navigate terminal. PIE continues to grow and improve its service to the Tampa Bay area. PIE set passenger records in 2014 with the largest May, June, October, November and December in their history, while adding 7 new destinations. PIE just took the lead with Allegiant Air offering the most non-stop destinations in the Tampa Bay area announcing another 5 new destinations to begin in February/March, 2015. With these additional new cities, PIE will have non-stop service to a record 45 destinations! We welcome you to enjoy all of the wonderful things that our destination has to offer. Making Air Travel Easy as PIE!
16
AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
ted Top ra
front gulf−
beach
140 Bea chsid
Worldclass
e Suites
Sunsets
Reserve your front row seat on the Gulf of Mexico…today! The Alden Suites is fun for all ages and begins with basking in the sun, floating in the warm tranquil Gulf of Mexico and exploring our powdery white beaches. In the middle of St. Pete Beach, you’ll be surrounded by restaurants, shops, and sightseeing activities.
5900 Gulf Boulevard
•
St. Pete Beach, FL 33706
•
727-360-7081
•
www.AldenBeachResort.com
VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
17
OUR BEACHES
A BEACH FOR EVERY
MOOD
The true beauty of 35 miles of sun-drenched shoreline lies in the many choices for spreading a beach towel. Like picking a flavor of ice cream, choosing a beach is a matter of personal preference.
You might feel plain vanilla one day, but rainbow sherbet the next. Need some time to relax and unwind? Find your own slice of solitude along a quiet stretch of sand at Fort De Soto Park. Ready to let loose on the weekend? Set your sights on Clearwater Beach for some lively beach bars. Fly a kite. Bang a drum. Cast a line. Look for dolphins. Watch the clouds go by. There’s a perfect beach just waiting for you.
18
BEGIN YOUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH OUR PRISTINE BEACHES NOW. Envision the gentle rush of bath-water-warm surf from the Gulf of Mexico circling your ankles as you walk down these white, soft, sandy shores. Download the free Layar app and scan this page. And then picture yourself here, in our universe of beaches.
AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
1
HONEYMOON ISLAND
2
3
CALADESI ISLAND
CLEARWATER BEACH
4
5
6
SAND KEY
BELLEAIR BEACH & BELLEAIR SHORE
INDIAN ROCKS BEACH & INDIAN SHORES
7
THE REDINGTONS
8
MADEIRA BEACH
9
TREASURE ISLAND
10 11
ST. PETE BEACH PASS-A-GRILLE BEACH
12 13
SHELL KEY FORT DE SOTO
Clearwater Beach VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
19
1
HONEYMOON ISLAND One of the best places around for getting back to nature, this barrier island off Dunedin in Florida’s most popular state park, has 4 miles of sandy beaches with restrooms, snack facilities, picnic areas and trails. A nature center offers ongoing ranger programs and displays on the island’s flora, fauna and history — yes, this actually was a “honeymoon island” in the 1940s, complete with thatched huts. The quiet north beach is a great place to contemplate your navel. VIBE: Family-friendly weekends; quiet midweek. COME HERE IF: You want to take a walk on the wild side. DON’T MISS: Osprey Trail, where osprey nests can be spotted in the tall slash pines. In spring, an eagle’s nest is often occupied; look for the sign.
2
CALADESI ISLAND Considered one of the top shelling and birding locations in the area, Caladesi Island’s sugar-sand shoreline is consistently ranked among the nation’s top beaches (it was listed 11th on TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 Beaches” for 2014). Accessible by ferry from Honeymoon Island or via private boat, this is where you go to get away from it all. There are several trails and a small marina with a food concession, so come prepared. VIBE: Serene and pristine. COME HERE IF: You need a place to daydream. DON’T MISS: The northern tip of the island for shelling, particularly after a storm.
20
AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
3
CLEARWATER BEACH Vibrant Clearwater Beach attracts a mix of sun-and-fun seekers who come to play on this wide, sandy playground dubbed the “Best Beach Town in Florida” by a 2013 readers survey by USA Today. Beachgoers can indulge in a variety of watersports; blade, bike or stroll the half-mile Beach Walk; check out the surf shops; or sail away on one of the many boat tours that depart from Clearwater Marina. When the sun goes down, the nightlife kicks into high gear at a wide array of cafes and bars. This beach has a little of something for everyone, from high-end luxury resorts to mom-and-pop motels. VIBE: Social and active. COME HERE IF: You’re on a first date, with a group or need someplace to take relatives from up North. DON’T MISS: Sunsets at Pier 60. The nightly event features crafters, buskers, live music — and a killer sunset, of course.
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INDIAN ROCKS BEACH & INDIAN SHORES The main Indian Rocks Beach access with parking lot and restrooms will satisfy parents who want to bring the family to enjoy a day at the beach. Others may want to seek out one of nearly 20 beach access points along Gulf Boulevard, where you can set up an umbrella and kick back for a quiet siesta. Lots of small hotels, seaside cabins and family restaurants on several miles of wide, powder-sugar beach will make you feel like hanging your hat here for a few days. VIBE: Restful, calm and soothing. COME HERE IF: You need a quiet weekend getaway with a taste of Florida beach nostalgia. DON’T MISS: A stop for soft-shell blue crabs at the original Crabby Bill’s restaurant.
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SAND KEY Hidden off the beaten track is Sand Key Park, composed of two distinct areas — a white, sandy beach with spectacular Gulf views next to a nature park. A pristine, peaceful paradise just minutes from the hustle and bustle of Clearwater Beach, this 95-acre county park offers picnic pavilions, a playground, a concession, kayak rentals and nature trails. VIBE: Private yet family-friendly. COME HERE IF: You are looking for a quiet getaway with civilization just minutes away. DON’T MISS: The blue heron, roseate spoonbill, anhinga and other shorebirds that frequent the salt marsh.
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BELLEAIR BEACH & BELLEAIR SHORE Park at the beach access points of this Gulf-front community and you will find 4,500 feet of a very secluded white-sand shoreline surrounded by some of the most impressive waterfront homes on the west coast of Florida. It’s a favorite spot for local residents who like to stroll, swim or sun in solitude. VIBE: Waves and gulls. COME HERE IF: You have a lounge chair and a good book. DON’T MISS: Pastel watercolor sunsets that will melt away the stresses of your day. VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
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THE REDINGTONS Sharing one long stretch of pristine coastline are the three communities of Redington Shores, North Redington Beach and Redington Beach. No worries, mon. These barrier-island communities are great places to hang like a local. The main attraction here is the 1,000-foot-long fishing pier, where anglers come looking to hook tarpon and snook. No rod, no problem — rentals and bait are available. VIBE: Fishing and hanging loose. COME HERE IF: You want to toss a line off the pier and chill. DON’T MISS: Both the sunrise over Intracoastal Waterways and the sunset over the Gulf on the same day.
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TREASURE ISLAND One of the widest expanses of powdery, white sand on the Gulf beaches can be found behind the nostalgic Thunderbird and Bilmar beach resorts. There’s no problem finding your own space on this vast stretch of sand where laid-back beach bars provide the main entertainment. On weekends, local kite-fliers show up to take advantage of the Gulf breezes. VIBE: Jimmy Buffett with a touch of classic rock. COME HERE IF: You want a romantic beach getaway with your honey — don’t forget the kite. DON’T MISS: The popular Sunday sunset drumming circle that draws an eclectic crowd of bongo and bucket drummers, Hula Hoopers and children dancing on the sand. BYOB (bring your own bucket) if the mood strikes you.
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
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MADEIRA BEACH Action-packed Mad Beach, as the locals call it, is home to John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk, with more than 100 shops and restaurants in an Old Florida-style atmosphere. The waterfront buzzes with activity daily, from personal watercraft rentals to deep-sea fishing charters and sunset dolphin-watching cruises. Shop for classic Florida souvenirs, enjoy seafood and casual fare al fresco and enjoy the people-watching. Across the pass, the late-night party crowd dances till the wee hours at Gators. VIBE: Fun times on land and on sea. COME HERE IF: You want to snap out of your beach coma. DON’T MISS: Dolphin-watching from one of the boat tours.
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ST. PETE BEACH Urban yet quaint, St. Pete Beach has all the resorts and restaurants you want wrapped in small-town charm. Voted TripAdvisor’s “No. 1 Beach Destination” in the United States in 2012, this is the spot for those who desire a classic Florida Gulf beach with a wide variety of lodging, dining, shopping and sightseeing options. A number of lively beach bars are all within walking distance, as is a fine selection of restaurants. VIBE: Fun in the sun. COME HERE IF: You find quiet beaches a bore. DON’T MISS: The historic 1928 “Pink Palace,” the Loews Don CeSar Hotel, where you can snoop for celebrities at the lobby bar.
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FORT DE SOTO Miles of soft, sandy beaches, shady picnic areas, 7 miles of paved trails, kayak and bike rentals, a historic fort, a fishing pier and a waterfront campground make this a hands-down favorite for residents and visitors alike (USA Today named it “Best Family Beach” for 2014). Despite its popularity, this 1,136-acre L-shaped county park never seems crowded. Choose a narrow trail through beach sunflowers to stake your claim on a plot of sand. VIBE: Family-friendly, relaxing and fun. COME HERE IF: You want an authentic Florida Gulf beach with some activities. DON’T MISS: Catch the ferry to Egmont Key for a real getaway.
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PASS-A-GRILLE BEACH Subtle sea breezes tickle this low-key town on the southern tip of the Gulf beaches. Mostly residential with Old Florida charm, Pass-a-Grille’s uncrowded beach snuggles next to dunes covered in sea oats. The town’s famous restaurant, the Hurricane, is legendary for its grouper sandwiches and sunset views from the rooftop deck. A smattering of rental homes and beach cottages are within strolling distance of shops along the Eighth Avenue Historic District. VIBE: Private, quiet and romantic. COME HERE IF: You like seaside solitude. DON’T MISS: Taking the ferry to Shell Key, just a 10-minute trip, to explore a small barrier island that is both a bird refuge and great shelling spot.
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SHELL KEY Expansive sea grass beds dot the landscape of Shell Key Preserve, a 1,800-acre island found just off the shores of Fort De Soto Park. Accessible only by boat, it’s one of the area’s largest underdeveloped barrier islands and home to many sensitive marine habitats. Boating, camping, hiking and beach activities are permitted, but beware — there are no restrooms on this remote destination. VIBE: Quiet, serene and absolutely beautiful. COME HERE IF: You are seeking a beach surrounded by undisturbed nature. DON’T MISS: Bird watching.
To learn more about our local beaches, go to VisitSPC.com/Beaches VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
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Looking to the future, just beyond the horizon. It’s a new day in Tampa Bay as Tampa International Airport embarks on a Master Plan that will ensure TPA is loved for generations to come. Already considered one of the world’s most beloved airports, we offer service to nearly 17 million passengers each year, providing connections to 76 domestic and international destinations and bringing visitors from around the globe to come enjoy Florida’s top beaches, restaurants, museums and attractions. With a meticulous focus on excellent customer service and easy-to-use facilities, it’s no wonder TPA was recently named the No. 2 airport in the U.S. in a Condé Nast Traveler magazine reader’s poll and was also named a top 5 airport in the world for customer satisfaction by Airports Council International. But we’re not stopping there. 24
AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
New destinations
New restaurants and shops
Tampa International Airport already offers air service through
Local flavor has landed
a number of major airlines including Southwest Airlines, Copa
at Tampa International
Airlines, Delta Airlines, US Airways, JetBlue Airways, United
Airport, with the
Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cayman Airways, Air
Green Iguana, First
Canada, Edelweiss Air, Lufthansa and many more. With the goal
Flight/Wine Bar by
of providing more connections to our more than 7 million people
Mise en Place, Cigar
living in the Tampa Bay area, as well as bringing more visitors and
City Brewing and the
business to our beautiful region, TPA plans to expand its network of
Columbia Restaurant
international and domestic nonstop flights in coming years.
Café joining its menu of restaurant options. Other restaurants and retail options include Shula’s Bar & Grill, Swarovski, Radio Road, LEGOLAND tickets and merchandise from such local attractions as Busch Gardens and Lowry Park Zoo, and mojito bars and fresh fruit stands at airsides. We recently launched a concessions redevelopment program and by the end of 2017, visitors at TPA will enjoy even more dining and shopping options that reflect a sense of the Tampa Bay area.
New look We’ve already seen an increase in activity with the recently announced
Eye-catching artwork in the restrooms, high definition video walls
nonstop service to Frankfurt, Germany, continuing nonstop flights
and sleekly designed Visitor Information Centers are among the
to Panama City, Panama, increased frequency to Zurich, Switzerland
completed components of airport’s Main Terminal upgrades. A
and multiple flights to Havana and Santa Clara, Cuba each week. The
$30 million improvement to the Transfer level includes functional
recent $27 million renovation at Airside F, the airport’s international
furniture with plenty of outlets and work surfaces. The walls
terminal, has resulted in improved flow of passengers through security
surrounding the escalators have been replaced with a clear glass giving
checkpoints and customs to accommodate Tampa International
a brighter and more open feel to the building. Most notable, the
Airport’s growing number of international flights. In addition to
walls around the elevators
improving passenger flow, the space has a sleek modern design with
throughout the main
an updated international lounge, rich wood finishes, a video wall
terminal are now a vibrant,
promoting the Tampa Bay region, visitor information center, tile
colored-glass, covering
floors, murals and a skylight. New baggage belts installed alongside
the original brick that has
screening checkpoints and Global Entry kiosks are all designed to
been in the place since the
ensure efficient processing through customs.
terminal was built.
We’re looking to improve all the time, in every possible way, so you can expect big things from TPA in coming years. Join us as we set out on this journey, and we’d love for you to share yours on Tw itter and Facebook. #TPAjourney
The Premier Gateway to the West Coast of Florida. Get up to the minute information at www.TampaAirport.com. Like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us on Twitter @FlyTPA. VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
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0064MKT-0115
OUR CULTURE
artful embrace It’s easy to spend your entire
vacation outdoors when visiting paradise, but doing so would mean missing out on some world-renown culture and an incredibly vibrant art scene. Witness painted clocks dripping in ethereal landscapes and brilliant-colored glass orbs floating in inky darkness. Eclectic galleries line the streets and local artists welcome you into their studios where you can watch art being made right before your eyes. St. Petersburg’s museums and galleries are no longer a secret as the New York Times named the city among the world’s “52 Places to Go in 2014.” With no two alike, the 1,062 glass triangles make up the “enigma” at the Dalí Museum and offer a spectacular view of the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront.
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
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The Chihuly Collection, located on St. Pete’s Beach Drive, is a stunning, permanent collection of world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly’s glass sculptures, some of which reach more than 6-feet tall. The Hallucinogenic Toreador is one of many works of art on permanent display at the Dalí Museum.
SURREAL LIFE Enter the world of legendary Spanish artist Salvador Dalí at the Dalí Museum in downtown St. Petersburg. The internationally acclaimed museum holds one of the most comprehensive collections of Dalí art in the world, including icon-inspired masterworks such as The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus and Gala Contemplating the Mediterranean Sea, Which at Twenty Meters Becomes a Portrait of Abraham Lincoln. The collection, which includes nearly 100 oil paintings as well as many original drawings, prints and other art, is displayed in a stunning building that reflects the artist through its architecture. Outside, a prominent feature is the glass “enigma,” composed of 1,062 glass triangles, with no two alike. Inside, a 60-foot helical staircase reflects Dalí’s obsession with spirals. The gift shop alone is worth a visit, where you can find Dalí-esque souvenirs from bizarre T-shirts to whimsical home décor, eyeball jewelry and mustache toys. Just blocks away, the stately Museum of Fine Arts presents permanent collections ranging from Monet and Renoir to ancient Egyptian and Asian art. Look for traveling national exhibits throughout the year and special events such as lectures and socials. The Florida Holocaust Museum downtown features traveling and permanent exhibits honoring the memory of those who
suffered during the atrocities of World War II. Nearby on the waterfront, the St. Petersburg Museum of History offers an up-close look at local lore and legend through artifacts, documents and photographs. Scoring a home run for fans of baseball memorabilia is Schrader’s Little Cooperstown exhibit, the largest private collection of autographed baseballs in the world. Stories and artifacts of baseball legends like Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and Joe DiMaggio take visitors on a journey through more than 100 years of Tampa Bay’s history as a spring training destination. Dale Chihuly, considered one of the foremost glass artists in the United States, chose the downtown waterfront to open his first permanent exhibition gallery. The 10,000-square-foot Chihuly Collection was designed specifically to house the artist’s dramatic installations — each with hundreds of pieces of blown glass. Look for Chihuly’s ruby-colored 20-foot glass sculpture at the entrance on Beach Drive. Minutes away, the Central Arts District is home to a variety of artist studios, museums and galleries. The Morean Arts Center galleries feature contemporary art exhibits by local and regional artists. Next door, the Glass Studio & Hot Shop is well worth a visit to watch glass art being created in lively demonstrations. You can even try your hand in a workshop or class. Another stop worth making is at the Florida CraftArt, where work by the
A resident glass artist at the Morean Arts Center.
state’s top-notch artisans is displayed. St. Petersburg is quickly becoming the primary glass arts destination on the East Coast. The Warehouse Arts District is an important cultural destination, where art is crafted as well as exhibited in studios and galleries. The Duncan McClellan Gallery, housed in a converted packing warehouse, is a favorite of locals who gather here during the popular Second Saturday ArtWalks. McClellan is usually on hand along with his signature etched glass urns and changing exhibits by regional and national glass artisans.
FOR ALL AGES Families will want to consider the Great Explorations Children’s Museum, with its interactive exhibits that encourage kids to touch, move, pretend, create and learn. Or, children and parents can roam more than two dozen historic structures at Heritage Village in Largo. This 21-acre living history museum provides a glimpse of Old Florida, from the 1852 McMullen-Coachman Log Cabin to a turn-of-the-century schoolhouse, railroad depot and general store. Take another trip back in time at the Armed Forces History Museum in Largo, where you can see artifacts and memorabilia from conflicts dating back to World War I. On display are military uniforms, posters, weapons, communications equipment and even a Sherman tank and 1942 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Lovingly restored vintage cars and vehicles from around the world are on display at the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum, a privately owned collection in Pinellas Park. This gleaming array of mostly 1920s-1930s vehicles features rarities from France, Germany, England, Ireland and the U.S. in 12,000 square feet of air-conditioned space.
Discover 4,500 years of civilization in thousands of objects from antiquity to modern day at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Pete.
TAKE THE MURAL TOUR The public’s admiration of art continues with the growing popularity of outdoor murals — and many examples can be found throughout the St. Pete/Clearwater area; specifically in the Central Arts District of downtown St. Petersburg as well as in Clearwater and Dunedin. But if you don’t have the time to take a walking tour of these murals, you can do so from the comfort of your own home. Download the free Layar app and scan this page. Then watch the murals come to life on your smartphone or tablet.
CULTURAL COMMUNITY Culturally rich Tarpon Springs is well known for its historic Greek roots as a sponge diving center. History buffs will enjoy a visit to the Heritage Museum in Craig Park on beautiful Spring Bayou. Here, you can learn about the history of Tarpon Springs and its Greek community, and see large-scale murals by Tarpon Springs artist Christopher Still. The Tarpon Springs Cultural Center often hosts exhibits by visual artists in addition to VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
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For more than 40 years, the Dunedin Fine Art Center has hosted international, national and regional exhibitions and focused on educational workshops for adults and children.
Winter & Hope EXPERIENCE THE AMAZING REAL-LIFE STORY FROM
AT OUR WORKING MARINE LIFE HOSPITAL ANIMAL INTERACTIONS
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BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOURS
TOUCH TANKS
MARINE LIFE MOVIES
INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
performing arts. Located just a few miles from the sponge docks, the respected Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art on the campus of St. Petersburg College offers a 6,000-piece permanent collection that includes works by important 20th and 21st-century artists. Check out the Made in Florida and Gulf Coast galleries, featuring mixed-media works by artists from Florida and the Southeast. In pedestrian-friendly Dunedin, take a walk along Main Street to explore the art galleries and murals that dot this colorful, artsy town. Wander over to the Institute for Creative Arts, where Arc Angels creates metal sculptures that are out of this world. The Dunedin Fine Art Center presents year-round exhibitions in four galleries featuring national, regional and local artists and fine traveling exhibits. The center is home to the David L. Mason Children’s Art Museum, with interactive exhibits for little ones. You may never want to leave fun and eclectic Gulfport, a small beach community that is home to offbeat artists who offer up quirky, fun and serious work. Look for Gulfport’s signature gecko art in shops and restaurants. It pays affectionate homage to the common little lizard who is feted every summer in a raucous GeckoFest. Try to visit during an art walk to get a real taste of this fun-loving town.
ART WALKS & FESTIVALS Hop a trolley, meet artists and studio owners, sip a glass of wine and listen to some live music. There is no better way to get a feel for St. Pete/Clearwater than gallery hopping during an art walk. With so many cities hosting regular walks, you’ll find one happening most weekends. Start with the granddaddy of local art walks, St. Petersburg’s Second Saturday ArtWalk, held on the second Saturday of every month. For two decades, St. Pete has attracted regulars and visitors who head downtown to explore nearly 40 galleries and studios in five arts districts. It’s a mapped self-guided tour, and you can park your car at the Craftsman House Gallery and hop aboard a free Warehouse Arts
District trolley that connects to a Central Avenue trolley. You’ll be able to visit established galleries like Florida CraftArt, Morean Arts Center and Duncan McClellan, as well as lesser-known ones like MGA Sculpture Studios and the Artlofts. If you appreciate street art, join a Mural Art Tour for a guided walk to check out more than 20 murals in the Central Arts District. Offered through the Florida CraftArt, the tours are held every Saturday. Just west of St. Pete is the eclectic beachside city of Gulfport and its Art Village, featuring some 15 galleries, studios, boutiques and restaurants, all within walking distance. On the first Friday and third Saturday of each month, the town’s many galleries and studios open their doors to visitors during the Gulfport Art Walk. Stroll down Beach Boulevard to discover an array of quirky galleries, street vendors, arts and crafts, and live music. A festive vibe is sure to follow you to the Industrial Arts Center, where you can watch glass-blowing demonstrations. Seek out the back-alley warehouse studio of award-winning glass artist Owen Pach, whose dazzling pieces have earned him a nationwide following. Explore Dunedin’s charming Main Street, with its boutiques, cafes and galleries, during the Second Friday Wine and Art Walk. Purchase a wristband for a map and discover this pedestrian-friendly historic district. Be sure to swing by the Stirling Art Studios, where working artists welcome you into their spaces. At the Painted Fish Gallery you’re likely to find owner/artist Bill Renc on hand, along with his colorful sealife paintings. When the weather cools down, festival season kicks in. A number of fine arts and crafts juried shows worth looking out for include the Mainsail Art Festival in April, which brings 200 exhibiting artists to the downtown St. Pete waterfront. In the fall, Dunedin’s time-honored Art Harvest in the Park fills Highlander Park with national and regional artists, and Art on the Bayou in Tarpon Springs each March is set on the picturesque Craig Bayou, just minutes from the sponge docks. Read more about St. Petersburg/ Clearwater’s cultural offerings at VisitSPC.com/Arts
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Our beautiful beachfront resort is centrally located between Clearwater and St. Pete Beach, directly on the Gulf of Mexico. Experience our tropical sun, gentle breezes, powder white sand and sparkling blue-green waters where you can snorkel, fish, windsurf, jet ski and more! Dine in casual elegance in Mangos Restaurant or outside on the Verandah for a true Florida experience. Enjoy cool drinks and island music at our beachside Tiki Bar each evening. For reservations, visit www.DoubleTreeBeachResort.com or call: 1-800-592-5907 17120 Gulf Boulevard • North Redington Beach, FL 33708 36195-1
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THE BEST Beach
Bars
1 » PALM PAVILION: This Clearwater Beach landmark serves casual fare with live music on its wooden deck daily. 2 » Shephard’s Tiki Beach Bar: This hot spot on Clearwater Beach is known for live music, dancing and fun-loving crowds. 3 » Caddy’s on the Beach: With a full menu and three bars on site, this Sunset Beach destination is a longtime favorite. 4 » Paradise Grille: Located right on Pass-a-Grille Beach, this spot is open all day, breakfast through dinner. 5 » Woody’s Waterfront: Situated on Blind Pass, this local favorite offers some of the best dolphin spotting on the beach.
BEST Beaches 1 » CLEARWATER BEACH: This hot spot for beach volleyball and water sports ends each day with a waterfront sunset festival at Pier 60. 2 » St. Pete Beach/Pass-a-Grille: These family-friendly, white-sand beaches offer laid-back, Old Florida fun. 3 » Caladesi Island/Honeymoon Island State Park: These pristine barrier islands are renowned for their white sand, abundant wildlife and peaceful natural environment. 4 » Fort De Soto Park: A day at this beach can include biking, fishing, exploring a historic fort and even camping. 5 » Treasure Island: The sunset drum circles on one of the widest beaches in the area are not to be missed.
BEST Breweries 1 » DUNEDIN BREWERY: Florida’s oldest craft brewery offers a full menu and books some of the best local talent, as well as regional and national acts. 2 » 3 Daughters Brewing: This family-friendly brewery near St. Pete’s Grand Central District offers live music, food trucks and tons of table games. 3 » Green Bench Brewing Company: The award-winning brewery boasts an industrial-elegant interior as well as a welcoming beer garden. 4 » 7venth Sun Brewing Company: Dunedin’s second brewery, this cozy spot is known for delicious, fruit-infused beer. 5 » Cycle Brewing: A longtime favorite that was born at Peg’s Cantina in Gulfport has branched out into downtown St. Pete with much success.
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
Best
BEST Brunch 1 » ISLAND WAY GRILL: Blending the flavors of the Pacific Rim with Island cuisine, this Clearwater Beach favorite puts its focus on fresh fish. 2 » Clear Sky: A half-block from the beach, this Clearwater cafe features five flavors of French toast and six types of eggs Benedict. 3 » 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House: This Beach Drive staple offers an omelet station, carving station, dessert room and outdoor seating. 4 » Kelly’s For Just About ... Anything: A longtime Dunedin favorite, Kelly’s is famous for its laid-back atmosphere and spectacular eggs Benedict. 5 » Alma: This Mediterranean-style restaurant in John’s Pass Village on Madeira Beach features one of the area’s best Bloody Mary bars.
BEST Charter
Boats
1 » DOLPHIN LANDINGS: With access to more than 40 boats throughout the area, Dolphin Landings out of St. Pete Beach does everything from weddings to dolphin watching and snorkeling. 2 » StarLite Cruises: Take a sightseeing cruise, dinner cruise, dolphin-watching cruise or an eco-tour out of St. Pete Beach or Clearwater Beach. 3 » Hubbard’s Marina: Based out of Madeira Beach, Hubbard’s offers a wide selection of boat charters, from sunset cruises to overnight fishing trips. 4 » Yacht StarShip: The dining yacht based out of downtown Tampa can accommodate groups as small as two and as big as 600. 5 » Simple Sailing: Charter a sailboat or learn to sail in downtown St. Petersburg, for two hours or up to several days.
BEST Dog
Hangouts
1 » FORT DE SOTO PARK: With a dog beach and two fenced-in areas, this spot has everything your furry friend could want. 2 » Honeymoon Island State Park: Dogs get their own beach on the southern tip of the island and leashed dogs are welcome on the nature trail. 3 » Dunedin: This pet-friendly town isn’t nicknamed “Dogedin” for nothing. 4 » Downtown St. Pete: Walk your dog along a waterfront park, then stop on Beach Drive for a snack. 5 » Sand Key Park: Give your pet some playtime at the park’s Paw Playground, just over the bridge from Clearwater Beach.
LIST
VOTED ON BY THOUSANDS OF LOCALS, VISITORS AND AREA INSIDERS, HERE IS YOUR LIST OF THE BEST OF EVERYTHING IN ST. PETE/CLEARWATER.
BEST Downtowns 1 » ST. PETERSBURG: Walk along Central Avenue and Beach Drive for galleries, shops, museums, bars and restaurants with a view of Tampa Bay. 2 » Dunedin: Quaint Main Street is ideal for a romantic stroll, alfresco dining and shopping for unique gifts. 3 » Clearwater: Head to the waterfront near Coachman Park or walk the Memorial Causeway for amazing views of the beach and mainland. 4 » Tarpon Springs: Walk along Dodecanese Boulevard and take in the Greek culture and cuisine. 5 » Pass-a-Grille: Historic 8th Avenue features eclectic boutiques and a relaxed vibe.
BEST Sporting
Events
BEST Food
Indulgences
1 » MAZZARO’S MARKET: The focaccia, cheese room and deli counter are well worth braving the crowds at this St. Pete favorite. 2 » Saturday Morning Market: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays October-May, locals flock to downtown St. Pete for fresh produce, street food, local artisan booths and live music. 3 » Café Ponte: A special-occasion favorite among locals, don’t skip the signature mushroom bisque at this Clearwater restaurant. 4 » Mykonos: Among several Greek restaurants in Tarpon Springs, this one’s authenticity and service make it a standout. 5 » Z Grille: Headed by James Beard finalist Zack Gross, this downtown St. Pete eatery is known for its Dr Pepper fried ribs and deviled egg of the day.
BEST Grouper
1 » TAMPA BAY RAYS: Watch Major League Baseball in air-conditioned comfort at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. 2 » Spring Training, Clearwater & Dunedin: It’s hard to beat a ball game in the sunshine on a glorious Spring day here in the St. Petersburg/ Clearwater area. 3 » Firestone Grand Prix of St. Pete: Downtown St. Petersburg roars to life every Spring when the Firestone Grand Prix comes to town. 4 » Clearwater Super Boat National Championships: Hundreds of thousands of spectators watch from the water, beach, hotels and restaurants as some of the most powerful boats in the world race along Clearwater Beach. 5 » Outback Bowl: Bowl fever takes over on New Year’s Day when the Outback Bowl comes to Tampa — activities span the whole region in the days leading up to the game.
BEST Festivals 1 » PIER 60 SUGAR SAND FESTIVAL: Tens of thousands of visitors come to Clearwater Beach to see 1,000 tons of sand transformed into works of art during this 10-day festival. 2 » Clearwater Jazz Holiday: This world-class gathering of musicians takes place at Coachman Park on the waterfront over four days and has hosted artists like Dave Brubeck, Dizzy Gillespie, the Avett Brothers and Bonnie Raitt. 3 » John Levique Pirate Days: Celebrate the discovery of John’s Pass on Madeira Beach with a Pirate’s Ball, sea battle and boat parade, family treasure hunt, costume contests, arts and crafts, food and performers. 4 » Oktoberfest: Oldsmar’s version of this German tradition is the largest in West Central Florida, attracting more than 10,000 visitors each year. 5 » St. Pete Pride: The largest Pride celebration in the Southeast, St. Pete Pride is a family-friendly celebration supporting the LGBT community that includes a daylong festival and night parade.
1 » FRENCHY’S ROCKAWAY GRILL: Wash down a gigantic grouper sandwich with an icy rum runner right on Clearwater Beach. 2 » Dockside Dave’s: This local favorite has restaurants in Madeira Beach and St. Pete Beach. 3 » The Hurricane: Scrumptious grouper — did we mention the view? 4 » Friendly Fisherman: Savor the catch of the day while watching dolphins play at John’s Pass Village. 5 » Guppy’s on the Beach: Fresh seafood, friendly service and an intimate atmosphere put this Indian Rocks Beach spot on the map.
BEST
Hotels
1 » LOEWS DON CESAR: Opened in 1928, the Mediterranean-style resort on St. Pete Beach offers a full-service spa, two heated pools and 277 guest rooms. 2 » Sandpearl Resort: This luxury resort on Clearwater Beach boasts a zero-entry pool, beachfront firepit and 25,000 square feet of event space. 3 » Vinoy Renaissance: The 1920s Mediterranean Revival resort in downtown St. Pete includes a private marina, 18-hole golf course and 12-court tennis complex. 4 » Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach: The spacious guest rooms offer breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico. 5 » Hilton Clearwater Beach: The upscale hotel on 10 acres of white sandy beach is within walking distance of Pier 60. VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
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THE BEST Live
Music Venues
1 » RUTH ECKERD HALL: This Clearwater venue hosts top-notch national and international musicians as well as Broadway and theater acts. 2 » Jannus Live: An outdoor concert venue in downtown St. Petersburg, this historic courtyard hosts an eclectic mix of touring talent and DJs. 3 » Mahaffey Theater: This elegant 2,000-seat venue in downtown St. Petersburg offers views of Tampa Bay and hosts top-quality national and international performers. 4 » Shephard’s: The Clearwater Beach hot spot hosts DJs, bands and some of the most high-energy dance parties around. 5 » Palm Pavilion: Enjoy the relaxed vibe at this spot right on Clearwater Beach, where terrific sunsets are accompanied by live music most days.
BEST Local
Celebrities
1 » WINTER THE DOLPHIN: Visit this very special dolphin, and her new friend Hope, at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. 2 » Salvador Dalí’s mustache: Dalí’s flamboyant mustache is world renown, and often considered a work of art itself. 3 » St. Pete Pier: At more than 40 years old, this iconic inverted pyramid will soon be replaced with yet another iconic structure – the fifth in the city’s 139-year history. 4 » Hulk Hogan: More than just a 12-time champion wrestler, this larger-than-life celebrity is a local legend with his Hulkamania personality. 5 » Fiberglass dolphins: Made up of more than 90 dolphins standing 6 feet tall, these creations are the work of local artists and can be found all around St. Pete/Clearwater.
BEST Museums 1 » THE DALÍ MUSEUM: The largest collection of Salvador Dalí’s work outside of Spain is housed in this stunning waterfront museum. 2 » Museum of Fine Arts: This downtown St. Petersburg museum features everything from Monet and O’Keeffe to ancient art. 3 » Chihuly Collection: Admire glass artist Dale Chihuly’s dramatic sculptures in this gallery created just for this collection. 4 » Great Explorations Children’s Museum: With interactive exhibits to engage kids of all ages, this St. Petersburg museum is a must-see. 5 » Dunedin Fine Art Center: The center’s rotating exhibitions and workshops, along with an interactive gallery space for kids, make this a great family destination.
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
Best
BEST Out
There Experiences
1 » PARASAILING: Fly up to 800 feet above the Gulf of Mexico off Clearwater Beach — it’s a thrill like no other. 2 » Diving Artificial Reefs: St. Petersburg/Clearwater is home to more than 40 artificial reef sites, ranging from 38 to 200 miles offshore. 3 » Sky Surfing: An FAA certified flight instructor teaches you how to fly this “trike” over the Gulf of Mexico for 20 to 150 minutes for unbelievable views. 4 » Speed Boat Adventures: This narrated 15-mile tour of St. Petersburg’s waterways takes you by wildlife refuges, Fort De Soto Park and the Sunshine Skyway bridge. 5 » JetLev: Soar up to 30 feet above the Gulf of Mexico with a 200-horsepower engine strapped to your back.
BEST Peaceful
Escapes
1 » HONEYMOON ISLAND STATE PARK: Drive across the Dunedin Causeway to enjoy beaches, mangrove swamps, osprey nests and a virgin slash pine forest. 2 » Fort De Soto Park: With two fishing piers, a 238-site camping area, a 2.25-mile canoe trail and over 7 miles of waterfront on the southern tip of St. Pete/Clearwater, it’s the ultimate getaway. 3 » Weedon Island Preserve: Walk the boardwalk or kayak through the mangrove trail at this preserve in northeast St. Petersburg. 4 » Anclote Key Preserve State Park: Located 3 miles off the coast of Tarpon Springs and accessible only by boat, this park offers swimming, birding and camping. 5 » Brooker Creek Preserve: This natural area in Tarpon Springs consists primarily of forested wetlands and pine flatwoods and offers almost 5 miles of hiking trails.
BEST Rooftop 1 » THE HURRICANE: Sip one of its namesake cocktails while taking in a 360-degree view of Pass-a-Grille. 2 » Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest: Situated atop Clearwater Beach’s Pier House 60 Marina Hotel, it offers spectacular sunset views. 3 » The Canopy: Located on trendy Beach Drive, the rooftop bar at the Birchwood Hotel is a popular happy hour destination. 4 » Swim Bar & Grill: Located on the 8th floor of the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach, this poolside bar offers cocktails, sandwiches and appetizers. 5 » Hotel Zamora: This St. Pete Beach spot features elegant Spanish-Mediterranean decor and the drool-worthy restaurant Castile.
Bars
LIST
For a complete Best list, go to VisitSPC.com/Best
BEST Spas
BEST Sunset
Spots
1 » PIER 60: Every evening at sunset, this Clearwater Beach landmark comes alive with street performers, crafters and artisans. 2 » Sunset Beach: From the rowdy northern end to the LGBT-friendly southern tip, this wide stretch of beach has something for everyone. 3 » Palm Pavilion: Sip a drink and enjoy live music as the sun sets over Clearwater Beach. 4 » The Hurricane: The rooftop bar at this Pass-a-Grille favorite offers an amazing view and colossal margaritas. 5 » Aboard a sunset sail: Get on board for this unforgettable experience.
BEST Wedding
Venues
1 » LOEWS DON CESAR HOTEL, ST. PETE BEACH: The “Pink Palace” is a classic spot for a luxurious beach wedding, either on the sand or in one of its grand ballrooms. 2 » Honeymoon Island, Dunedin: Have the island wedding of your dreams without leaving the continental United States. 3 » Sandpearl Resort, Clearwater Beach: With more than 250 guest rooms overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, your guests will say, “I do,” too. 4 » Vinoy Renaissance, St. Petersburg: The Grand Ballroom at this Roaring Twenties-era resort features a stunning chandelier by glass artist Dale Chihuly. 5 » Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach: The West Indies-style resort offers professional wedding and planning services.
Stay and play. Come stay in one of our spacious guest rooms equipped with microwaves, refrigerators and coffee makers. Amenities include heated pool, guest laundry, free guest parking and free guest Wi-Fi. Meeting and banquet facilities are available with attentive service by our friendly staff. Located on beautiful St. Pete Beach just south of Tampa International Airport.
• Complimentary Guest Wi-Fi • No Resort Fees • Hotel Located on 400 feet of Beach Frontage • Boca Sands Grille Restaurant • Flipper’s Beach Bar • Parasailing and Dolphin Watch Trips • On Trolley Route • Located across the boulevard from Dolphin Shopping Center.
4900 Gulf Blvd. • St. Pete Beach 727-360-7011 • 800-237-8916
For reservations, visit dolphinbeach.com or call 727-360-7011 VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
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1 » (tie) SAFETY HARBOR RESORT & SPA: This landmark, founded in 1925, is Florida’s only natural mineral springs resort spa. 1 » SANDPEARL SPA, SANDPEARL RESORT ON CLEARWATER BEACH: The 12,000-square-foot spa features seven private treatment rooms, including two couples suites. 2 » Spa Oceana, Loews Don CeSar on St. Pete Beach: Try the signature Grape Stem Cell Renewal Facial or a massage in a rooftop cabana. 3 » Sandava Spa, Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach: Enjoy a sun-warmed shell massage, a Florida orange full-body scrub or a hydrating tropical facial. 4 » Antonio’s Salon & Day Spa, Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key: Therapeutic massage, aromatherapy, salt scrubs and post-sun treatments are just a few of the offerings here. 5 » Seven Springs Spa, Peninsula Inn & Spa in Gulfport: Inspired by the fabled healing springs of Boca Ciega Bay, this spa encourages guests to arrive early and stay late to savor every moment.
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OUR WATERS There’s plenty to do in, on and above the waters of St. Petersburg/Clearwater, from snorkeling to parasailing and everything in between.
DIVE IN
The waters at Fort De Soto Park are popular with kayakers and kitesurfers, and are also ideal if you just feel like splashing around with a friend.
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While in Madeira or St. Pete Beach, experience one of the most exhilarating watersports rides of your life as you are propelled nearly 30 feet into the air with JetLev.
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
ulf Coasters are a little spoiled when it comes to white, sugar-sand beaches. Folks from all over the United States come to the St. Pete/Clearwater area to get a taste of paradise, but when locals get time off, they hit the water. The St. Petersburg/Clearwater area is blessed with barrier islands from Tarpon Springs to Tierra Verde. These treasures lie just waiting to be discovered. You can find them by boat, kayak, paddleboard or passenger ferry. Take your pick – just remember to pack the sunscreen. Sitting on the beach at Anclote Key in the morning as the sun filters through the pines, it’s easy to picture yourself in another era, a time when conquistadores and Indians ruled this stretch of coast. It takes about an hour to paddle out from Fred Howard Park, but the reward is well worth the effort. Heading south along the coast, the next stop is Honeymoon Island. The causeway leading out to this state park is a great place to rent kayaks, paddleboards and catamarans. Surfers will find the sandbars of
this barrier island well suited to their sport and the park holds one of Florida’s largest paddling festivals, featuring everything from outrigger canoes to surf skis. Caladesi Island, another state park located on the south side of Hurricane Pass, is one of the most popular boating spots on the Gulf Coast. It has a first-class, 108-slip marina and one of the best beaches in the nation. Explore the mangrove tunnels by kayak or hop aboard a ferry that departs from Honeymoon Island and spend a day looking for sand dollars on one of the world’s best beaches. Clearwater Beach has a fleet of fishing boats that will take you to the nearby artificial reefs, or if you are feeling adventurous, you can rent some scuba tanks and head out to the D.T. Sheridan, one of the best wreck dives on the west coast. The marinas and hotels rent boats and personal watercraft, or if you are looking for a bird’s-eye view, go parasailing. John’s Pass, located about midpoint along the St. Petersburg/Clearwater coast, has several outfitters that will help you get on
Scream across the waters of North Clearwater Beach on a 1-, 2- or 3-person jet ski. Rentals are available up and down the Gulf Coast beaches.
Sightseeing tours and sailboat charters are an ideal way to slow down and leisurely explore the Gulf of Mexico.
From Clearwater Beach, John’s Pass in Madeira Beach and St. Pete Beach, fly hundreds of feet in the air while parasailing and take in fantastic views of the Gulf and Intracoastal Waterway.
The Clearwater Community Sailing Center on Sand Key and Fort De Soto Park are two popular spots for stand-up paddleboarding. VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
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For some kayakers the calm waters of the Intracoastal are ideal. The more adventurous head for the Gulf.
the water. Deep-sea fishing, dolphin tours, sunset cruises and, of course, several companies that rent personal watercraft can be found along the boardwalk. If you’re feeling adventurous, hook yourself up to a JetLev and fly up to 30 feet above the water. Madeira Beach, a fishing town at heart, is grouper central, so be sure to save time for a fish sandwich. Fort De Soto Park, located at the mouth of Tampa Bay, is a good place to try standup paddleboarding. The park is also a popular destination for kayakers, board sailors and kitesurfers, who also venture out along the approaches to the Sunshine Skyway bridge. Egmont Key, a state park rich in history, can be visited by private boat or a public ferry that leaves from Fort De Soto. During the Seminole Wars, the U.S. Army held prisoners here. It also served as a Union naval base during the Civil War. Years later, during the Spanish-American War, huge guns were positioned here to guard the mouth of Tampa Bay. The ruins of old battlements are a good place to snorkel, as are the shallow grass beds located on the leeward side of the island. Follow the coast up along the bay, past downtown St. Petersburg, and you’ll end up at Weedon Island, another favorite haunt of locals. A well-marked canoe trail starts near the fishing pier and snakes through some of the best fishing areas on the west side of Tampa Bay.
Explore the shady mangrove tunnels at Caladesi Island in Dunedin and Weedon Island off the coast of St. Petersburg.
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
For a video and map of diving destinations, go to VisitSPC.com/Dive And for more water activity ideas, go to VisitSPC.com/Water
Challenge yourself to windsurf (above) or kiteboard (below); lessons and rentals available on most beaches.
The Clearwater Community Sailing Center on Sand Key (above) has a fleet of over 75 boats for rent, including these catamarans. Or if you prefer to go below the surface, diving trips are an ideal way to explore artificial reefs and shipwrecks that are a haven for marine life.
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CUFF BRACELET $1,250: Evander Preston is an iconoclast and local legend, known for his flowing white beard and inspired jewelry. Every piece is handcrafted and singular, a treasure to be admired and a reminder of your time on the beautiful Gulf Coast beaches. His Pass-a-Grille gallery is a sight to behold — half jewelry showroom, half private art collection — that you simply have to see to believe.
WOOL SPONGE AND T-SHIRT $16, $24.99: Nobody leaves Tarpon Springs without a sponge — at least no one should. Natural sponges grow slowly in the water here, which makes them durable and resistant to bacteria (so they won’t get moldy or smelly in the shower or kitchen sink). You can pick one up for just a few dollars, but the soft wool sponges cost a little more and are well worth it. While you’re strolling the docks, pick up a supersoft T-shirt from Sponge Diver Supply. They’re locally designed and screen-printed and oh so comfy.
LOCAL ART $1,250: St. Pete/Clearwater’s thriving arts scene attracts tons of talent, and our locals have plenty of outlets for their work. Get your art fix at St. Petersburg’s Morean Arts Center and Morean Center for Clay, whether you’re looking to create or just admire. See something that speaks to you? The center will ship it safely home so you can travel worry-free. moreanartscenter.org
SHOPPING TRIP Once you visit St. Pete/Clearwater, you may never want to leave. May we suggest taking part of it home with you? Shopping local is huge, and fortunately for us, our little piece of paradise is home to some serious talent. From a $1.75 piece of artisan chocolate to a $500,000 powerboat, here are just a few of the amazing things that are made right here.
SEA SALT AND SPICE BLENDS $5: Tucked away among the bars and souvenir shops of John’s Pass in Madeira Beach is a tiny culinary haven called the Spice & Tea Exchange. The walls are lined with flavored sea salts, peppers, spice blends and loose teas — many of them mixed right there in the shop. Since you’ll no doubt be leaving St. Pete/Clearwater with a grouper obsession, we suggest picking up the Grilled Fish Blend. spiceandtea.com
WEARABLE SCULPTURE PURSES AND BOW TIES $65 - $800: St. Petersburg’s Scott Durfee and George Medeiros combine fashion, art and upcycling with their unique Spathose brand. A finalist in Martha Stewart’s 2014 American Made contest, Spathose creates gorgeous, wearable art from sustainable, organic material — namely the palm spathe — with an industrial edge. Each piece is handmade in their St. Petersburg studio and is one of a kind. Their work is available at the Museum of Fine Arts or through the pair’s website. spathose.com
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
BACON FLIGHT $10: Okay, maybe we’re cheating a little bit here. You can’t actually take the bacon flight home with you, but it’s an experience you can’t go home without. This appetizer — three styles of American bacon with (trust us) maple syrup for dipping— from Rococo Steak in St. Petersburg is positively decadent. If you could smell this, you’d be there right now. rococosteak.com
STATEMENT POWERBOAT $275,000 - $500,000: So your Gulf Coast vacation has come to an end, but now you have a taste for the salt life? Cancel your plane tickets and take the long way home on a custom powerboat. Whether you’re in the market for a high-performance catamaran (up to 190 mph) or a luxury center console (up to 75 mph) is more your speed, Statement Marine will manufacture your dream boat in their St. Petersburg factory. The company is only 7 years old, but it has already made quite a name for itself: One of its 42-foot Ultimate v-bottoms was featured in the 2013 blockbuster movie Pain and Gain. statementmarine.com
SCOTTISH TARTAN SCARVES $30: Dunedin gets its name from Dun Eideann, the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, capital of Scotland, and the town proudly celebrates its ancestry. At the Celtic Shop of Dunedin, they’ll take your measurements and create a custom kilt from material woven in Scotland. But if you don’t have 8-10 weeks to wait for it to be made, you can walk out of the shop with an authentic Scottish tartan scarf — more practical and more affordable. celticshopdunedin.com
WILLIAM DEAN CHOCOLATE $1.75: You might think these little beauties are too pretty to eat, but you’d be missing out. William Dean Chocolates are as pleasing to the palate as they are to the eye, with intriguing flavors like Rosemary Caramel, Lemongrass and Apple Pie. The treats are painstakingly handcrafted, but they were ready for their close-up when they were featured in the Hunger Games movies. Visit the shop in Belleair Bluffs and try not to be overwhelmed by the selection — no one says you can’t taste them all. williamdeanchocolates.com
DOLPHIN UMBRELLA $12.95: Don’t forget something for the kids! Clearwater Marine Aquarium has all manner of Dolphin Tale paraphernalia: shirts, jewelry — plush dolphin toys with detachable tails! — but this sweet Winter umbrella is perfect for a rainy day. Net proceeds from every purchase go directly to the CMA’s mission to restore and preserve the local marine environment. seewinter.com
CUSTOM E-BIKE $4,000+: Cruise the coast in style on a custom bike from Rob's Radical Rides in St. Petersburg. The e-choppers go up to 20 mph and run on a lithium battery that will take you up to 15 miles without pedaling (20 with a little effort) on a 4.5-hour charge. They can also convert a bike you already own starting at $1,350. Looking to spend a little less? Rent one and tour downtown St. Petersburg for $20-$55 per person. robsradicalrides.com
TIARA TOPPER $35 - $45: While you're browsing the Grand Central District in St. Petersburg, be sure to stop at Janet's Antiques. (You'll know you're there when you see the tailless dolphin ride out front with a sign that says "Not for sale!") Inside you'll meet Janet (once a professional tennis player) who has combined her love of sports and whimsy to create the Tiara Topper. Pick up one in the colors of your favorite team, or buy just the tiara to pin to your favorite winter hat. Instant princess!
CRAFT BEER $1.99 - $14.99: Our award-winning craft breweries are booming, and among them you’re guaranteed to find something to suit your taste. Luckily, many are now bottled for sale in shops both locally and around the country, like Saint Somewhere’s Belgian-style ales (brewed in Tarpon Springs) or St. Pete Brewing’s popular Orange Wheat. You can also walk out of almost any one of our breweries with a growler of something delicious — we recommend the chocolate peanut butter stout from Rapp Brewing in Seminole.
For more information about local shopping, go to VisitSPC.com/Shopping
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Hurricane Seafood Restaurant, Pass-a-Grille
seafood LOVERS FRENCHY’S ROCKAWAY GRILL, CLEARWATER BEACH: Even locals eagerly wait for a table at all of the Frenchy’s locations during the busy tourist season to order fresh-from-the-Gulf grouper in a laid-back, beachy atmosphere. And though the menu lists a large selection of seafood — oysters, shrimp, crab — the grouper sandwich is legendary. Order it fried, grilled, blackened or as a Reuben with an ice-cold beer or Rum Runner. ALSO TRY: Dockside Dave’s in Madeira Beach and Guppy’s in Indian Rocks Beach ISLAND WAY GRILL, CLEARWATER: It’s no secret that the beaches from St. Pete to Clearwater remain a top winter destination for Northern snowbirds, which means restaurants offer up killer early bird menus. Island Way Grill takes the top prize for its waterfront views, tropical dining atmosphere and lighter servings of its creative surf-and-turf menu. Non-seafood lovers will rejoice at the selection of hand-cut steaks. ALSO TRY: Marlin Darlin Key West Grill in Belleair Bluffs and Mystic Fish in Palm Harbor STONE CRAB SEASON: In Fernandina, shrimp is the plentiful fresh catch; in Steinhatchee, it’s scallops; along the St. Pete and Clearwater beaches everyone awaits the start of stone crab season in mid-October. Only one claw can be harvested per crab from the thousands of traps in the gulf waters, and diners can’t wait to crack open their first claw of the season and dip the succulent meat in melted butter. The crabs are served hot or cold, and claws range in size from medium to colossal at Billy’s Stonecrab, Seafood & Steaks in Tierra Verde, the Crab Shack in St. Petersburg or Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill in Tarpon Springs.
Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill, Tarpon Springs
Frenchy's, Clearwater Beach Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, Clearwater Beach
TABLES WITH A
view
BON APPETIT, DUNEDIN: While the hot trend is to open restaurants with chalkboard menus, rustic reclaimed wood interiors and heavy clay plates, there’s something refreshingly classy about Bon Appetit’s old-school white tablecloth dining. Plus, there’s that vista. Large windows provide gorgeous sunset views of St. Joseph Sound and Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands. Watch sailboats tack while you dine on perfectly plated entrees, including weekly seasonal menu items. HURRICANE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, PASS-A-GRILLE: Toast your dining companions with a Colossal Margarita on the rooftop deck, appropriately named the Hurricane Watch. The Hurricane, which sits at the southern tip of the beaches peninsula, features gulf-front dining. Ready for a leisurely meal? Head below to dine on seafood favorites like New England Clam Chowder and 1945 Crab Cake. BEACH DRIVE, ST. PETERSBURG: It’s the place to see and be seen in St. Petersburg. Grab a sidewalk table at 400 Beach Seafood and Tap House, BellaBrava (Italian), The Moon Under Water (British), Parkshore Grille (American), Cassis (French brasserie) or Ceviche (Spanish tapas) after 8 p.m. and watch the show begin. You’ll see families grabbing a before-bedtime ice cream cone, hip 20-somethings in platform sandals, sequins and short skirts ready for a night of barhopping, and dog walkers out for an evening stroll. VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
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family STYLE CAPPY’S PIZZERIA, ST. PETERSBURG: Yes, you’ll have the normal discussion about toppings, but the main debate at Cappy’s is East Coast versus Midwest. The New York-style pie is thin and Taco Bus, St. Petersburg chewy with a sweet tomato sauce. Meanwhile, the Chicago-style deep dish pizza has thick crust dusted with cornmeal and spicier tomato sauce with the loads of mozzarella and toppings layered in the middle. While waiting, parents can school their kids on listening to music before iTunes thanks to the retro-inspired menus that are attached to classic album covers featuring artists like Bruce Springsteen, Styx and the Carpenters. ALSO TRY: Paul’s Chicago Pizza in Clearwater and Gino’s NY Style Pizza & Italian Restaurant in Palm Harbor The Ozona Pig, Palm Harbor
Saturday Morning Market, St. Petersburg
ELI’S BAR-B-QUE, DUNEDIN: Smoked meats? Of course. Try Eli’s, where the ribs are wellsauced, multiple-napkins-required perfection. Picking up this ‘cue can be an effort in patience as the joint (a former ice cream shop, you still just order at the window) is only open on Fridays and Saturdays and is legendary for long lines. Yet, it’s plenty worth the wait and the tantalizing smells coming from the detached smoker out back tease the hungry crowd. Get your meal to go or grab a seat at the communal picnic tables under the dense tree canopy, then explore the sights during a leisurely stroll on the Pinellas Trail. ALSO TRY: Urban Brew and BBQ in St. Petersburg and the Ozona Pig in Palm Harbor SATURDAY MORNING MARKET, ST. PETERSBURG: Honestly, even the pickiest eater should be tempted to indulge at the largest market in the Southeast. Dine on crepes, empanadas, flavored sausages, brick oven pizzas, Cuban sandwiches and more. Then walk off your meal while shopping for handmade souvenirs from the artisans who also set up shop. The market features 200 vendors and is open from early October through late May. ALSO TRY: Downtown Clearwater Farmer’s Market, Corey Fresh Market in St. Pete Beach and Tuesday Morning Fresh Market in Gulfport. TACO BUS, ST. PETERSBURG: The concept is simple. Step one: Choose how you want your food served — tacos, tostada, burrito, quesadilla or torta. Step two: Choose your filling — beef, chicken, seafood or vegetarian. Locals swear by the carne asada, cochinita pibil and the butternut squash. Kids will get a kick out of ordering from and seeing the kitchen staff hard at work in a retired yellow school bus. ALSO TRY: Senor Taco in Pinellas Park and Casa Tina in Dunedin
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
LOCAL
legends
MAZZARO’S ITALIAN MARKET, ST. PETERSBURG: As a culinary destination, Mazzaro’s is a St. Petersburg mecca featured in publications as diverse as Southern Living and the BeerAdvocate. Even locals, who eagerly wax poetic about their favorite purchases, remain unfazed by the wallto-wall people squeezed in front of the prepared-food case. But the journey only begins there. Savvy patrons will pick up made-that-day ravioli, a chunk of Parmesan, fresh-ground sausage, a bottle of artisan olive oil, a pound of house-roasted coffee beans and the tiramisu cake. As they say, dinner is served. ALSO TRY: Harr’s Surf & Turf Market in Palm Harbor HOOTERS, CLEARWATER: Wings, women and winning: That was the vision of the founding fathers of the original Hooters in Clearwater. They set up shop and have steadily refined the concept since the mid ‘80s: Gorgeous women serving traditional bar food, mainly Buffalo chicken wings, to beer-drinking, sports-loving fanatics. The original location in Clearwater stayed mostly true to its roots with a “delightfully tacky, yet unrefined” makeover in 2012 that includes the addition of a museum on the brand’s history. ALSO TRY: Ferg’s in St. Petersburg and Varsity Club in Clearwater Locale Market, St. Petersburg
Hooters, Clearwater
HELLAS RESTAURANT AND BAKERY, TARPON SPRINGS: Think you’ve had a true Greek salad? Maybe not the way that the much-beloved Hellas serves it — complete with a scoop of potato salad amid the traditional accoutrements like tomatoes, olives and feta cheese. Residents of Tarpon Springs flock to the cheeky restaurant with its statues of Zeus and Athena as well as a relief of the Acropolis to fill up on saganaki (flaming cheese), avgolemono (lemon and egg soup), gyros and lamb chops. Then there’s the bakery case that overflows with perfect rows of cannoli, baklava and Greek-inspired flavored cheesecakes. LOCALE MARKET, ST. PETERSBURG: Although newly opened, Locale Market has established itself as an instant legend. Described as a “grocery experience,” the market is a collaboration between celebrity chefs Michael Mina and Don Pintabona. This two-story, 20,000-square-foot dining destination located in downtown St. Pete’s Sundial entertainment center is just steps from the waterfront. Locale is a unique culinary marketplace offering fresh artisanal foods with an emphasis on the region. Dining in? There are 11 different kitchens throughout the market serving seasonal dishes such as mushroom arancini, oak-fired octopus or butternut zucca. Or just shopping? Try the larger-than-life tomahawk prime beef, dry-aged in-house and perfectly-marbled or hardshell clams pulled from local waters.
sweet ENDINGS
Hellas Restaurant and Bakery, Tarpon Springs
LUCKY DILL, PALM HARBOR: Most of the best New York-style delis in Florida exist on the Atlantic coast. Then there’s the Lucky Dill. If you’re dreaming of corned beef piled high on rye and matzo ball soup and black-and-white cookies, then this is your spot. The large menu offers all the best of New York, including the size, with “Skyscraper” sandwiches that require careful thought and a plan of attack to capture all the flavors in a single bite. Those with daintier appetites can order half sandwiches, croissants, flatbreads or salads. There are some curious menu items that are a nod to the South – like fried green tomatoes, the grouper slider and Havana cubana sandwich – but most of the menu is a love letter to all your favorite Big Apple eats. Missing your morning bagel smeared with cream cheese? Relax, it’s on the breakfast menu.
STRACHAN’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM AND DESSERTS, PALM HARBOR AND DUNEDIN: It’s every child’s dream. Multiple flavors! Candy toppings! Fresh-made waffle cones! Ceramic cows at the entrance! Bill and Susan Strachan quit their corporate jobs, converted an old fruit stand into their first ice cream parlor, perfected the flavors of the creamy goodness and then added other treats like carrot cake, berry cobblers and key lime Candy Kitchen, Madeira Beach pie on a stick to their rotating menu. Yes, you’re packing on calories just reading this. ALSO TRY: Candy Kitchen in Madeira Beach, Redington Shores and Indian Rocks Beach, Larry’s Olde Fashioned Ice Cream and Gelato in St. Pete Beach, TropiCool and Paciugo in St. Petersburg SWEET CAROLINE’S BAKERY AND CAFE, PALM HARBOR: Fresh-baked loaves of bread, pastel-colored French macarons, fruit-stuffed pies and chocolate croissants represent a handful of the offerings that make the bakery cases at Sweet Caroline’s a pastry lover’s paradise. Good luck going “eeny, meeny, miny, moe” when trying to make a choice of which gourmet goodie to take home. There’s no way you leave with just one. ALSO TRY: Cassis American Brasserie in St. Petersburg For a complete list of local dining, go to VisitSPC.com/Food VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
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sunQUENCHED
OUR BEACH BARS
From Mad Beach to St. Pete Beach, you can’t toss a conch shell on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico without hitting a laid-back shack serving rum runners, pina coladas and margaritas. But to drink like a local, you’ve gotta know the beach bars that do it the best. Here are 20 of our favorites.
Found along Sunset Beach in Treasure Island, Caddy’s on the Beach touts its ramshackle charm. Live music, drinks on the beach and breathtaking sunsets will keep you coming back for more.
SENSATIONAL AT SUNSET Sipping a hurricane above the Gulf of Mexico while watching the sun set is one of beach life’s great luxuries, especially when you’re doing it at the Hurricane, which for more than 35 years has welcomed visitors with conch fritters and grouper sandwiches. But its rooftop bar is the real star, offering 360-degree views of Pass-a-Grille and a colorful menu of fruity, rummy concoctions. Another must-see rooftop bar is Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest, a compact but modern space high atop Clearwater Beach’s Pier House 60 Marina Hotel. Its sweeping views of Pier 60 and the beach’s white sands are spectacular at sunset. Also on Clearwater Beach is the Palm Pavilion, a happy hour hotspot for cold, flavorful cocktails, including one of Tampa Bay’s best pina coladas. There’s live music every night, which often leads to dancing as the sun goes down. Wherever you go, ask if they serve free rum-drink shots at sunset. A few beach bars do, such as Bongos Beachside Bistro in St. Pete Beach’s Grand Plaza Hotel, and Marker 8 Tiki Bar at Dunedin’s Beso Del Sol Resort.
FRESH LOCAL FLAVOR You’d be hard-pressed to find a beach bar with more character than Mahuffer’s, a four-decade institution in Indian Shores. With swimsuits, dollar bills and beach ephemera dangling from every inch of the walls and ceiling, it looks like a shipwreck come to life.
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
And then there’s Shadrack’s in Pass-a-Grille, a friendly neighborhood institution for when you feel like ducking out of the sunlight for a bit.
LET’S PARTY!
Another local institution is Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, serving fresh Floribbean fare along Clearwater Beach. The huge bar is a perfect place to grab a rum runner while you’re waiting for a table — or for the sun to set. St. Pete Beach’s Harry’s Beach Bar has long been voted one of the locals’ favorite beach bars, and it’s not hard to see why. It serves killer Bahama Mamas and Lava Flows when the sun is high and hot, and there’s an inviting fire pit for when the breeze gets a little chilly. Two of the beach’s newest additions are prime players in Tampa Bay’s growing craft beer craze. Mad Pub, located in Madeira Beach’s John’s Pass Village shopping district, features dozens of local and regional beers on tap and in bottles. Not far away you’ll find Treasure Island’s R Bar, the first and so far only craft brewpub on the beach.
When the sun goes down, the locals come out to play at Shephard’s Beach Resort, which recently underwent a stunning renovation of its pool and lounge areas, including the addition of Salt, a premium tequila bar. Shephard’s, on Clearwater Beach, is party central for spring break and on holiday weekends, when DJs and pop stars like B.o.B., Nelly and Jason Derulo pop in for concerts. Sports fans looking for a place to watch the big game should visit Gator’s Cafe in Treasure Island, across the water from John’s Pass Village. Countless TVs and tons of Florida Gator merchandise line the walls of this multi-tiered compound, and with boaters sidling up to its lengthy waterfront bar, it has long been one of the area’s premier sports bars. Treasure Island is a hot destination for weekend partiers, in part because there’s one stretch of sand where drinking is permitted by the city. It sits near Caddy’s On the Beach, which serves eye-opening Tequila Sunrises as early as 7 a.m.; and Ka’Tiki, a more intimate shack with equally delicious drinks and lots of live music. In St. Pete Beach you’ll find the Undertow, a multi-tiered compound with Gulf breezes blowing across its volleyball courts and outdoor pool table. Famed for the small “river” running through one of its many bartops, it has been fea-
The bar on the beach behind Postcard Inn on St. Pete Beach is one of the oldest bars on the beach.
tured in party scenes from films like Spring Breakers. Also in St. Pete Beach is the Postcard Inn on the Beach, which has drawn international praise for its stylish, Cali-chic decor, as well as its fine food and drink. The waterside PCI Beach Bar is the place to go for punch-packing seaside drinks, while the indoor PCI Bar and Grill has a fine bourbon selection and quality craft cocktails.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Great beach bars are so prevalent throughout the St. Pete/Clearwater area that you can even find them off the Gulf of Mexico. In Gulfport, the open-air O’Maddy’s is a community hub for karaoke; fresh, filling food; and a wide variety of tropical drinks just steps from Boca Ciega Bay. And in St. Petersburg, two huge neighboring waterfront compounds have made the city’s northeastern edge, on Tampa Bay, a hot weekend destination. The Getaway serves retro-style tiki drinks like the Mai Tai and Navy Grog, hosts a rotating fleet of local food trucks and occasionally offers paddleboard lessons. I.C. Sharks Seafood Market Waterfront Cafe and Tiki Bar has for years been a top destination for fresh Florida seafood, but its relatively new tiki bar now keeps the party rolling after dark. Both bars feature boat slips for recreational seafarers and plenty of comfy seating if you just feel like taking in the view.
Find a beautiful spot in the sand to enjoy a cocktail, such as here behind Shephard’s Tiki Beach Bar on Clearwater Beach.
For a complete list of our local beach bars, go to VisitSPC.com/BeachBars
Come by land or sea to The Getaway on Tampa Bay and find tiki bars with a very Florida Keys vibe.
OUR BREWERIES
St. Pete’s Green Bench Brewing Co. boasts the area’s best outdoor beer garden, measuring 6,000 square feet.
SCOTS AND SUDS: DUNEDIN BREWERY
Florida’s oldest craft brewery is a great place to begin a Gulf Coast beer quest. Dunedin Brewery pours delicious IPAs and ales while embracing the Scottish heritage of the quaint but eclectic downtown Dunedin. These small-batch beers are what draw the crowds, but there’s plenty more to keep people coming back. The brewery offers live music and special events throughout the week. If you’re hungry, pair the poutine (fried cheese curds, pulled pork and tater tots — oh, yes) with a crisp Red Ale, but don’t leave without trying their signature Apricot Peach Ale. IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: You can’t leave Dunedin without a trip to the tiny but funky 7venth Sun Brewery. What the place lacks in space it makes up for in attitude. Grab a Graffiti Orange Creamsicle Wheat or a Mangrove Double IPA and settle in.
For centuries, the myth of Ponce de Leon’s fountain of youth brought thirsty, thrill-seeking travelers to Florida. Today, a sudsy elixir is luring tourists to Florida’s Gulf Coast, and there’s proof beneath its growing mythic stature. An influx of high-quality craft breweries has exploded onto the St. Pete/Clearwater landscape. What was once beer-barren territory is now rivaling cities like Portland and Denver when it comes to the production of craft beer. 48
AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
COZY AND CREATIVE: RAPP BREWING
It would be easy to overlook this Gulf Coast gem, but it would be a big mistake. Tucked away in an industrial area between Pinellas Park and Seminole, brewmaster and owner Greg Rapp has built a cult-like following with his award-winning beers. The brewery’s cozy, unassuming atmosphere belies a roster of diverse yet seriously tasty beers that pack a real punch. With 20 choices on tap, one might expect to feel a little overwhelmed. Have no fear. Try a flight of four, six or nine beers to get a real handle on Rapp’s offerings. And don’t leave without trying the Gose, an oldstyle German wheat beer that has received numerous accolades for its tangy, sour goodness. The Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout (over 8 percent abv) may taste like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, but it’s a serious beer — and just one more reason to head over to Rapp. IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Pair O’ Dice Brewing Co. owners Julia and Ken Rosenthal honed their craft-brewing chops in Austin, Texas, before returning to their native Florida. Now they have a loyal following for their balanced brews. Try the smooth Parlay Pale Ale or creamy Little Joe Oatmeal Stout. If you like your beer on the bitter side, order a Hop Bet Red Ale.
THE
craft beer TRAIL
Download the Layar app for a virtual tour of all of our craft breweries. Cheers!
SAINT SOMEWHERE Tarpon Springs
TAMPA BREWERIES
LAGERHAUS BREWERY Palm Harbor
STILT HOUSE BREWERY
Palm Harbor
Dunedin Brewery is Florida’s oldest microbrewery featuring delicious IPAs and ales.
• CIGAR CITY BREWING • TAMPA BAY BREWING CO.
7VENTH SUN BREWERY Dunedin
SEA DOG BREWING Clearwater
DUNEDIN BREWERY Dunedin
BARLEY MOW BREWING Seminole
RAPP BREWING Seminole
BREWERS’ TASTING ROOM
PAIR O’DICE BREWING
St. Petersburg
Clearwater
Enjoy live music while choosing between 20 artisanal beers on tap at Rapp Brewing in Seminole.
CHEERS TO FAMILY: 3 DAUGHTERS
On any given evening, you’ll find families alongside hipster 20-somethings and beer-loving baby boomers here. With rotating food trucks, live music, stand-up shuffleboard tables, foosball, giant Jenga and ping pong, there’s fun for the whole family at this St. Pete brewery. And then there’s the beer: From the signature Beach Blonde Ale (light, summery refreshment) to the Summer Storm Stout (dark, toasty and delicious) to the Bimini Twist IPA (a perfect balance of bitter hoppy flavors), you’ll probably want to take home a growler or two. IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: A no-nonsense place for people who love their beer cold and hoppy, Cycle Brewing is a local favorite. With an evolving cast of session beers including mainstays Freewheel and Fixie, Cycle boasts some truly vibrant beers. Make sure you try the Cream and Sugar Please, a sweet porter with sublime coffee and chocolate notes. Green Bench, a nod to St. Pete’s historical roots, boasts the area’s best outdoor beer garden. Grab a chair or sit on the sprawling lawn while the sun sets behind the brewery. With a variety of food trucks and some finely crafted beers, this dog- and kid-friendly brewery constantly packs in the crowds. Brewer Khris Johnson, perhaps the hippest beer geek you’ll meet, is known for turning out well-crafted Belgian-style ales. But the Green Bench IPA, the Maximo Milk Stout and the Temple Mound Brown Ale are excellent standbys. One of the newest additions to the St. Pete craft beer scene, St. Pete Brewing Co. has already made significant inroads in the community with St. Pete Orange Wheat served at Tropicana Field — home of the Tampa Bay Rays. Bask inside the brewery’s cozy, convivial atmosphere or grab a seat at a cafe table outside. But make sure you try Milo’s IPA, a tribute to head brewer and co-owner Jon McCracken’s beloved dog. It hits all the right hoppy notes.
MAD BEACH BREWING Madeira Beach
ST. PETE BREWING CO. St. Petersburg
R BAR
GREEN BENCH BREWING
Treasure Island
St. Petersburg
3 DAUGHTERS BREWING St. Petersburg
CYCLE BREWING
Gulfport & St. Petersburg
For an experiential video tour of our craft breweries, go to VisitSPC.com/CraftBeer
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DOLPHIN
duet
Winter’s amazing story garnered her international stardom in Warner Bros.’ hit 2011 film Dolphin Tale. But the day the production wrapped on that film, the story took an unexpected turn with the rescue and rehab of another special dolphin, Hope. The 2014 sequel, Dolphin Tale 2, tells their story.
T
Some animals remain in the care of the aquarium such as this sea turtle (above), while others are released back into the wild (below).
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
he box office hit Dolphin Tale introduced hundreds of thousands of new visitors to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, as well as the movie’s star, Winter. The film, with its true story about a bottlenose dolphin that learned how to swim with a prosthetic tail, and the boy who befriended her, struck a chord with moviegoers. Its success and Winter’s enduring popularity led to a sequel, which was released in 2014, Dolphin Tale 2. The original cast, including Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson and Morgan Freeman, along with writer-director Charles Martin Smith, returned to the area, and on-location shooting ran from fall 2013 through January 2014. Winter, as most know, is the dolphin that was rescued from a crab trap off the eastern coast of Florida. She was not expected to live, but she thrived at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and became a worldwide inspiration. “People have an emotional experience when they visit,” said aquarium CEO David Yates. “She helps people understand that you can overcome any obstacle.” The aquarium is fundamentally a marine life hospital dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick and injured marine animals found in the wild. In Dolphin Tale 2, which is also based on a true story, Winter finds company in Hope, another dolphin rescued and brought to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
BEHIND THE SCEN ES Go behind
the scenes of the Dolph Tale movies in with recreate d scenes, images and props used in the films at Winter’s Dolphin Ta le Adventur located in do e, wntown Cle arwater’s Harborview Center. The exhibit is a (free) 10 -minute trol ley ride from the Cle arwater Mar ine Aquarium.
You can visit Winter and Hope at the aquarium, where much of the movie production took place. Visitors can also see several other locations used in the films, including the Clearwater Memorial Causeway, Florida Hospital North Pinellas in Tarpon Springs, the Morgan Stanley Tower in downtown St. Petersburg and Fort De Soto Park. minute, With the scenic locations, sunny This kid favorite is a 90ride to t boa ed rrat t-na weather and accommodations, scientis k for the Dolphin Tale 2 team was hapa scenic shell island. Loo er oth and s bird sea ns, py to be back in St. Pete/Clearwadolphi data ter. Nathan Gamble, who played marine life and witness the young lead, Sawyer, said he collection in action. felt that Clearwater Beach became a second home during filming. He named favorite restaurants, including Kiku for sushi, Cooter’s for wings and Clear Sky Café. Thanks to the buzz of these hit films and the continued world wide interest in the aquarium’s Rescue-Rehab-Release mission, plans are in the works to expand the facility to better serve both the growing number of visitors and the many marine animals it saves every year.
SEALIFE SAFARI
Find out more about Winter at VisitSPC.com/Winter
The world’s best flavors in one cafe. Festivo, Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg
FOLLOW THE DOLPHIN TRAIL Dolphin spotting is fun for the whole family, and in St. Pete/Clearwater, is something you can do on the water — and on land! The Dolphin Trail showcases dozens of playful dolphin sculptures sprinkled throughout the area, each one as unique as a Gulf Coast sunset. Each of these colorful ambassadors is painted by a different local artist. Many of the sculptures stand near favorite attractions, beaches and don’t-miss restaurants. They can be found in every corner of the area, so be sure to keep an eye out for them during your explorations. Spotting them is a great way to keep the whole family entertained during your travels and snap a variety of fun photos. Those arriving by car, look for them at the I-75 and I-95 welcome centers as you enter the state. Here are just a few favorites you might want to stop by and see!
ar sands g u s e Just steps away from th rwater Beach. a e l C of
Find a complete Dolphin Trail map at VisitSPC.com/DolphinTrail
Our famous Bloody Mary bar Sat. & Sun. ’til 1 p.m. or later.
Late night menu Chef’s daily specials at 5 p.m. Enjoy nightly live music on our patio Happy hour everyday! Catering
Echo, Loews Don CeSar Hotel, St. Pete Beach
Visit our other restaurant Clear Sky Draught Haus!
Sunset Rush, Palm Pavilion, Clearwater Beach
facebook.com/clearskybeachcafe
32693-1
Sandy, Indian Rocks Beach Welcome Center
490 Mandalay Ave. | Clearwater Beach | 727-442-3684 Picasso, Harborside Studios, Safety Harbor
Winter Inspires, Clearwater Beach Hotel
clearskycafe.com
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ICONIC
INSPIRED
IRRESISTIBLE
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
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OUR COMMUNITIES
WELCOME TO THE
neighborhood Beyond the beaches of Clearwater and the bustling nightlife and museums of St. Petersburg lies a unique and diverse Florida culture. The individual neighborhoods of St. Pete/Clearwater weave together to form a strong community that embraces diversity and welcomes visitors closer to home. For something a little different, enjoy the food, local entertainment, nationally recognized art and the rich threads of Florida history that locals will tell you about. Find out more about what makes this place in the sun so special.
TARPON SPRINGS Greek food and culture permeate Tarpon Springs. A vacation destination for Northern tourists in the late 1800s became home to Greek sponge divers around the turn of the century. Now known as the “sponge capital of the world,” the town’s docks are home to a boat trip that should not be missed. The area is filled with narrow streets with charming whitewashed shops, galleries and cafes.
For more than 40 years, Hellas Restaurant and Bakery has been a cornerstone of the Greek community in Tarpon Springs.
SIGHTS, SHOPPING AND LORE: • See sponge fishermen, who take you back in time with their helmets similar to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. They’ll drop overboard and surface with a “catch of the day” that’s sure to delight kids of any age. In town, you’ll find the bounty of their work — sponges, shells, sand dollars and sea fare — sold in shops. • Take a stroll through Craig Park and visit the Tarpon Springs Historical Museum. The area’s history is detailed in a vintage photography exhibit and a film about the sponge-diving industry. • The 1883 Safford House Museum provides visitors a snapshot of Florida life from yesteryear. • If you want to take a break from the sun, the Tarpon Springs Cultural Center presents movies and live productions. The Cultural Center was the original City Hall, built in 1915, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It has a great gift shop, as well. LOCAL FLAVOR: • No visit to Tarpon Springs is complete without a stop for Greek cuisine. For a sweet indulgence, check out Hellas Restaurant and Bakery for some fresh pastries. • Try Rusty Bellies for a waterfront seafood meal with music, a tiki bar and one of “grandma’s” desserts.
A diver prepares to dive for what many consider the world’s finest sponges (far left). The cross dive is the highlight of the annual Epiphany celebration that takes place every Jan. 6 in Tarpon Springs.
PALM HARBOR History is rich in Palm Harbor, which was settled roughly around 1860. The area’s warm mineral springs and weather gave way to spas and resorts. For a picture of the origins of the area, you can stroll down Florida Avenue in downtown Palm Harbor, where many of the buildings stand just as they have for decades. Early settler James C. Craver, the unofficial “father” of Palm Harbor and the town’s postmaster, paddled his skiff to St. Petersburg or Tampa to retrieve and then deliver the mail. The Hartley House, home of the North Pinellas Historical Museum, is also located in Palm Harbor and takes you through historical journeys like these in the restored home.
Florida Avenue in Palm Harbor maintains an Old Florida feel.
SIGHTS, SHOPPING AND LORE: • Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club has a 620-room hotel, four golf courses, a spa and three restaurants. The club’s Copperhead Course, at more than 7,300 yards, is a challenge for even the longest hitters — and a favorite among PGA veterans. A must-see for golfers visiting the area. • If you are an animal lover, take a look at the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary, a piece of vintage Florida that has been a refuge for more than 70 primates and other animals. LOCAL FLAVOR: • The Palm Harbor House of Beer offers 50 taps of micro brews, including local favorites like Cigar City and Green Bench. It’s a great spot to cap off a day of sightseeing. • Under the guidance of award-winning Italian chef Massimo Patano, Massimo’s blends Italian, French, Mediterranean and Asian cuisines. The décor is casual and elegant — perfect for date night.
OLDSMAR Not too many places can boast they are named for the love of a car, but just east of Palm Harbor, the city of Oldsmar can. This nod to our country’s roots in the automobile industry was founded in 1913, when automobile pioneer Ransom E. Olds (for whom the Oldsmobile and Reo were named) purchased more than 37,000 acres. Originally named R.E. Olds-on-the-Bay, the name was later changed to Oldsmar.
Deer are one of many forms of wildlife found in Brooker Creek Preserve’s 8,700 acres.
SIGHTS, SHOPPING AND LORE: • In a state filled with amusement parks and attractions, Oldsmar offers an Old Florida alternative. It’s near Brooker Creek Preserve, a spectacular 8,700-acre wilderness preserve filled with a wide variety of species, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, otter, gopher tortoise, bobcat or coyote, the endangered Bachman’s sparrows and the tiger swallowtail butterfly. • You’ll find a ton of information about the town’s namesake at the Oldsmar Historical Society, and every spring Oldsmar celebrates its history with Oldsmar Days and Nights, a citywide festival that includes parades, car shows (featuring the Oldsmobile, of course), carnival rides and food. • Oldsmar BMX is one of the best-known facilities of its kind on the East Coast of the United States. Races are held on Thursday and Saturday nights, with racers as young as 3 years old taking to the tracks. LOCAL FLAVOR: • Nothing says fall like Oldsmar’s Oktoberfest, considered by many to be the largest, most authentic Oktoberfest in West Central Florida. • For health-conscious fare, the Green Market Café provides flavorful, fresh wraps, rice bowls and frozen yogurt. The counter-serve outpost offers a healthy snack or meal while you are out for a day of sightseeing or taking a break from the beach.
To get a firsthand view of our amazing collection of towns in the St. Pete/ Clearwater area, download the Layar app and explore them for yourself.
BMX enthusiasts as young as 3 years old flock to Oldsmar to race.
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Majestic shade trees and an Indian mound listed in the National Register of Historical Landmarks await visitors to Philippe Park in Safety Harbor.
SAFETY HARBOR Today Safety Harbor Resort and Spa is a National Historic Landmark, a Florida Heritage Landmark and a Historic Hotel of America, offering a range of services and a place to escape. Local history states that Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto arrived at the springs thinking he had found the Fountain of Youth. This myth gave way to the current oasis, where locals and visitors find relaxation and restoration.
SIGHTS, SHOPPING AND LORE: • More beauty and history awaits in Philippe Park, named for Odet Philippe, a Frenchman who introduced the first successful grapefruit trees to Florida in the 1830s. The park includes an ancient ceremonial mound, built by the Tocobaga Indians. Today, the mound is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. Majestic mossy oaks provide cooling shade in a sprawling park perfect for a relaxing stroll or a family picnic. • There are shops, bars, restaurants, art galleries and clubs filling Main Street. A variety of culture will lead you to the right place no matter your mood. Weekends are filled with live music — from open-mic nights to blues, jazz and more. If you want to indulge in local art, Syd Entel Galleries & Susan Benjamin Glass has some of the best fine art and hand-blown glass in the area. LOCAL FLAVOR: • If you want a casual meal of delightful comfort food, you will find just that at down-home Brady’s Backyard BBQ. With live music, it’s a night of great food and entertainment. • For an upscale evening, Parts of Paris, a French bistro in a renovated cottage, offers a romantic evening. There’s a full bar and a menu with something for everyone wanting a further escape with top-rated dishes.
BELLEAIR BLUFFS Belleair Bluffs, founded in 1963 during a New England-type town meeting, offers shopping and both upscale dining and casual dining of the highest caliber along this waterfront community. SIGHTS, SHOPPING AND LORE: • Province Art, Jewell Antique Mall and Alley Antiques offer something for a serious collector and a casual browser. • A Christmas tree lighting and carol sing have been an annual tradition at the Town Hall since the founding of Belleair Bluffs. It’s a wonderful local celebration that welcomes holiday visitors with a hometown feeling and a picturesque Florida Christmas memory. LOCAL FLAVOR: • Don’t pass up William Dean Chocolates. These decadent treats are as beautiful as they are delicious, and are handmade on site. • If you want delicious breakfast and brunch fare in fun, Florida décor, try Maggie Mae’s on the Bluffs. For a Southern flair, try the signature corned-beef hash. • For a date night with high-end food in a casual atmosphere as part of your visit, try the surfand-turf at Marlin Darlin Key West. Although smaller than one square mile, Belleair Bluffs is home to some very unique shopping boutiques, antique stores and fine dining.
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DUNEDIN Dunedin is proud of its Scottish heritage and welcomes visitors with its Main Street filled with brew pubs, shops and galleries with works by local artisans. Bagpipers play at local festivals and events to remind locals and visitors of the history that makes this town a local favorite. It’s named for Dun Eideann, the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and the town proudly celebrates fall with world-renowned pipers from around the country who gather and play at the Celtic Festival. Each spring the Highland Games are held, featuring artisans, crafts, feats of athletic strength, music and Scottish, Irish and British fare. Another part of Dunedin is serene Honeymoon Island, which will remind you of the reasons you visited Florida in the first place. SIGHTS, SHOPPING AND LORE: • Board the ferry at Honeymoon Island for short ride to Caladesi Island, a pristine beach on the Gulf Coast. There is a 3-mile nature trail through the island’s interior, or if you’d rather explore in the water, paddle the kayak trail through mangroves. The wildlife, water and peacefulness are enchanting. • Creativity will inspire you at the Dunedin Fine Art Center, where you’ll find exhibits and classes for children and adults. • The Pinellas Trail is a 37-mile stretch of former railroad track turned urban greenway that winds its way from Tarpon Springs through the heart of Dunedin to St. Petersburg for walking, jogging or biking. LOCAL FLAVOR: • Eat fresh, healthy Mexican fare at Casa Tina, walk the Downtown Municipal Pier and enjoy al fresco dining at Sea Sea Riders, or order dockside at the upscale Bon Appetit. • For a night of dancing and a nightclub experience at Kelly’s Chic-aBoom Room and Blur — downtown Dunedin is the right place. • Live music and an abundant beer menu can be found at Dunedin Brewery, Florida’s oldest microbrewery. Open Jam on Wednesday attracts some of the area’s best talent. Explore Dunedin with a bike ride on the Pinellas Trail and discover shops, galleries and good eats along the way.
INDIAN ROCKS BEACH & INDIAN SHORES Locals say Indian Rocks Beach is named for a native medicine man who brought his ailing chief to bathe in and drink the water at a local sulfur spring. Like some of the other beach towns, initials are all that’s needed if you want to sound local: Call it IRB.
IRB, as the locals call it, is ideal for fishing from its beaches.
SIGHTS, SHOPPING AND LORE: • If you’re looking to get away from it all, Indian Rocks Beach is the place. Smaller lodgings — villas, bed-and-breakfasts and property rentals — make this town a top choice for slowing the pace and taking it easy. LOCAL FLAVOR: • PJ’s Oyster Bar is a family-friendly place that’s a favorite with locals, or try the hand-breaded and lightly fried conch at Keegan’s Seafood Grille, featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Enjoy a grouper sandwich at The Pub while you watch local boaters tie up and come ashore after a day on the water. • Seafood with elegance is served at Guppy’s on the Beach, where renowned Chef Scott Bebell guides seafood favorites in an upscale and art-filled setting. • Don’t miss the waterfront Salt Rock Grill for sophisticated seafood fare. Make a reservation though — it’s always buzzing. • Head to Mahuffer’s dive bar, where “warm beer and lousy food” are served amid salvaged kitsch for a casual evening after a day at the beach.
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THE REDINGTONS
MADEIRA BEACH
The string of beach towns along the barrier island continues with the Redingtons, three small towns joined by a common name. The towns — Redington Shores, North Redington Beach and Redington Beach — offer public parks and beaches and a wide variety of quaint beach residences, resorts and condo developments of all sizes.
With a pirate’s past, you’ll see a bit of everything that a beach town has to offer in Madeira Beach. According to legend, a pirate named John Levique was the first European to inhabit the area, and his buried treasure still exists somewhere amid the picturesque coastline, surf shops and hotels.
SIGHTS, SHOPPING AND LORE: • For the novice or serious fisherman, the Redington Long Pier is a historic landmark that has served countless visitors and locals as a place to have a successful day. Ranked as one of the best fishing spots on the gulf, the pier is a place where tarpon, snook, redfish, kingfish, flounder, trout, pompano, whiting — and even sharks — are caught. Not a local? No worries — no fishing license is required. • Souvenir shops dot Gulf Boulevard throughout the Redingtons. No matter what beach-themed trinket you are looking for, you’ll find it here. LOCAL FLAVOR: • Breakfast and lunch with a local feel is available at Friendly Tavern or Sweet Sage. • On Gulf Boulevard in Redington Shores, the Lobster Pot Restaurant has been an area tradition for more than 35 years. This mainstay has a loyal following of both locals and out-of-towners.
SIGHTS, SHOPPING AND LORE: • The larger-than-life, sea-themed John’s Pass Village is a scenic waterfront boardwalk offering shops and eateries on the Intracoastal Waterway. It boasts more than 100 shops and a healthy variety of restaurants, local fishing fleets, dolphin-watching tours, shelling tours, boat and personal watercraft rentals, parasailing and more water fun. • The Fishermen Lost at Sea Memorial is located near the main entrance of the village. This poignant memorial honors fishermen of all types who have lost their lives at sea, many from the seaside communities of St. Petersburg/Clearwater. LOCAL FLAVOR: • Browsing and lunch go together perfectly at Scully’s, where seaworthy antiques from around the world, including diving suits, tanks, historic photos and old boats lodged in the rafters, provide a taste of old nautical Florida after a great meal. • When you’re ready for a caffeine fix, head over to Addicted to the Bean, a family-owned coffee house featuring hot and iced coffee, lattes, espressos “The Hand of Fate” memorial honors those fisherman and smoothies. who have lost their lives in the Gulf of Mexico. • Lovers of sugar and nostalgia can’t miss Candy Kitchen, just a few blocks north of John’s Pass Village. This tiny shop, lined wall-to-wall with sweets, is guaranteed to have your favorite childhood treat on hand.
The Redington Long Pier spans farther than 1,200 feet into the Gulf of Mexico and is an exceptional spot for anglers to spend the day.
TOP OF PAGE: Madeira Beach’s quaint turn-of-the-century fishing port is home to John’s Pass Village, a waterside entertainment district offering more than 100 places to shop, dine or play.
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
TREASURE ISLAND Another beach town along Gulf Boulevard is one of the oldest known settlements: Treasure Island. Called TI by locals, it was first settled by the Timucuan Indians around A.D. 300. Its long history includes Treasure Island Beach Trail, a mile-long walkway along the east side of the beach that provides easy access to the motels, restaurants and bars. SIGHTS, SHOPPING AND LORE: • There’s no mistaking the Thunderbird Beach Resort and its giant retro Thunderbird sign. Since 1957, it has been one of the area’s most popular destinations. The family-owned-and-operated historic landmark welcomes visitors to the warm gulf water and soft white sand that provide the perfect beach day in the sun. • For a step back in time with ‘50s kitschy-perfection, stop in at the Florida Shell Shop, where a unique collection of shells and all things you’d want for a beach souvenir fill the mid-century red, white and blue clapboard building that looks like something out of a Mad Men vacation. LOCAL FLAVOR: • The Floridian on Treasure Island Causeway lays claim to serving one of the area’s favorite Cuban sandwiches along with its black bean dishes and soups. • At the very end of Treasure Island, just before gay-friendly Sunset Beach, you’ll find Caddy’s on the Beach. A longtime staple in the area with picnic-table seating, beach volleyball and live music, Caddy’s is the perfect beach joint for snacks, beers and a great view of the gulf. A weekly sunset drum circle takes place each Sunday along the shores of Treasure Island.
ST. PETE BEACH Just south of Treasure Island, St. Pete Beach sits on a barrier island that has been named No. 1 Beach in America by TripAdvisor. With miles of luxurious beaches and accommodations of all kinds, St. Pete Beach offers something for everyone, from upscale world-class resorts to family-friendly restaurants considered hidden gems. St. Pete Beach (which is the official name — often mistakenly called St. Petersburg Beach) is a destination with a rich tradition for families and a tight community of longtime residents. SIGHTS, SHOPPING AND LORE: • The glamorous Loews Don CeSar Hotel, also known as the Pink Palace or just the Don, opened in 1928 and quickly became a playground for the rich and famous — including F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald and modern celebrities. Rich in history as well, during World War II it served as a medical hospital for a time before eventually being turned back into the full-service hotel it is today. • Large resorts are mixed with smaller mom-and-pop hotels, some of which have been here for generations. A larger resort that is a family-favorite is the TradeWinds Resort, Discover historic Corey Avenue and browse the many with its Guy Harvey Outpost. unique shops and wide variety of dining — including • Historic Corey Avenue, just off Jackie’s on Corey Bistro. Gulf Boulevard, offers an artistic mix of galleries, specialty shops and more restaurants. From October through May, enjoy the Sunday morning Fresh Market on Corey Avenue. You’ll enjoy the ArtExpo Gallery of St. Pete Beach, with fine art that includes paintings, sculpture, glass, pottery and jewelry. Forty local professional artists find space at the artist-owned-and-operated Vincent William Gallery. Antique browsing is at its best at Old Florida at Corey Corner Antiques & Collectibles. LOCAL FLAVOR: • For the ultimate in panoramic views stretching far past the city limits, try Spinners. The glassed-in revolving restaurant on the 12th floor of the Grand Plaza Hotel is a fun and delicious experience. • For exceptional gulf grouper, visit Dockside Dave’s, voted by Southern Living magazine the “best grouper in the South.”
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For nearly 40 years, the rooftop of the Hurricane Seafood Restaurant has been the spot to watch beautiful sunsets.
PASS-A-GRILLE BEACH Cuban fishermen known as “grillers” are thought to have given this perfect area its name. The “grillers” camped along the water’s edge and smoked their fish before returning home. The beach bungalows and bed-and-breakfasts sit alongside larger homes on the barrier island just south of St. Pete Beach. Pass-a-Grille is lined with the Intracoastal Waterway on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other.
GULFPORT
Locals and visitors gather to celebrate the day’s end at the laid-back pace Pass-a-Grille is famous for. SIGHTS, SHOPPING AND LORE: • You can find even more interesting history at the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum housed in the first church built on these barrier islands. • At Merry Pier, you can book a trip on the Shell Key Shuttle for an eco-tour of the pristine Shell Key Preserve. One of Florida’s most important areas for shorebird nesting and wintering (and well worth the 10-minute ferry ride), Shell Key also offers shelling, sunbathing, and bird and dolphin watching with boating, camping and beach-going activities allowed only in public-use areas. • Eighth Avenue offers an eclectic row of shops for souvenirs and unusual gifts mixed with restaurants and bars.
Situated just steps from this quirky city’s beaches, the Gulfport Casino Ballroom is a historic landmark that overlooks Boca Ciega Bay.
Gulfport is the “small town with a big heart” and one of the area’s best-kept secrets. This art community is anchored by the historic quonset hut Gulfport Casino that sits right on the beach, making it the perfect venue for nightly dance lessons, weddings, craft shows and parties. The streets are lined with art galleries, shops and eclectic restaurants. 60
AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
LOCAL FLAVOR: • Breakfast at the Seahorse is not to be missed. This local favorite is worth the weekend wait for pancakes, omelets and a wide selection of hearty breakfast items. • Standing three stories tall, the Hurricane Seafood Restaurant is the perfect place to sip and eat while watching the sunset. Since 1977, the Hurricane has been a Pass-a-Grille tradition, with breathtaking views of the gulf, the bay and — of course — the people. The clam chowder and grouper are second to none — and don’t forget to order a Hurricane while visiting its namesake.
SIGHTS, SHOPPING AND LORE: • Beach Boulevard serves as the city’s Main Street. Filled with charming beach-town shops, galleries and restaurants, it is all you’d want from a gulfside town. The Beach Bazaar offers vintage goods and souvenirs of all kinds. • Gulfport Art Walk is held every first Friday and third Saturday, welcoming shoppers and art lovers, with independent artists sharing their work while local street musicians play in the background. Don’t forget to pick up one of the town’s best-selling T-shirts, emblazoned with the local motto, “Keep Gulfport Weird.” • Every Labor Day weekend, Gulfport hosts GeckoFest, a crazy, colorful carnival. Live music, delicious food and drinks, and artisans’ wares are the perfect way to end summer. There is always something happening in Gulfport! • The Victorian-style Peninsula Inn and Spa, complete with a distinctive turreted tower and a wrap-around veranda (and, some say, a resident ghost), offers a charming stay in the city’s oldest building. • The Sea Breeze Manor has a bed-and-breakfast option that is dog-friendly. It sits directly across from Gulfport City Beach on Boca Ciega Bay. This B&B offers private balconies and legendary breakfasts. LOCAL FLAVOR: • La Cote Basque serves authentic French cuisine in a cozy setting — perfect for a romantic evening. • Organic Mexican fare is found at the family-owned Peg’s Cantina and Brew Pub. This converted bungalow was a front-runner in the craft beer revolution in the area. With the Florida foliage backdrop, Peg’s has the honor of being named one of the five top brewpubs in Florida. • A water view is offered at the open-air O’Maddy’s. With pub food, it faces the city’s Williams Pier and is a favorite among locals and visitors. To read more about our communities, go to VisitSPC.com/Communities
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Born to Plunge Set your vacation speeding into motion with a visit to Busch Gardens®. Nowhere else do thrilling rides, captivating shows and animal encounters come together like here. And just a short splash away is Adventure Island®, with all the drenching rides and slides to keep your whole family cool.
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buschgardensgetaways.com AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
© 2015 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.
BOOK YOUR VACATION ONLINE FOR THE BEST DEALS.
OUR NIGHTLIFE
GET DOWN
AFTER DARK
With hip, buzzing bars, elegant dining spots and an
amplified vibe that draws scores of visitors, you won’t find a better nightlife scene than downtown St. Pete’s.
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Along St. Pete’s waterfront, Beach Drive is home to many popular restaurants and bars including The Birchwood (above) and BellaBrava’s new world trattoria (below).
B
each Drive is the place to see and be seen, and the anchor of the trendy stretch is the
Birchwood Hotel — home to the best views in downtown St. Pete. Start your night, tasty martini in hand, in one of the Canopy Rooftop Lounge’s private cabanas. A word of warning: With sultry breezes and stunning views of Tampa Bay, it’ll be hard to pull yourself away from the glitzy rooftop.
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Tryst Gastro Lounge, just steps away from the Birchwood, is a seriously hip gastro pub. With an impressive roster of cocktails and an abundant sampling of beer, you’ll want to make this your home base for watching Beach Drive’s beautiful people come and go. Mingle at the indoor-outdoor counter or sit back on a sidewalk couch. The easy-cool pace of it all will mesmerize you. BellaBrava, with its modern take on Italian cuisine, is a sleek restaurant in the heart of Beach Drive. Customers queue up for one of the sidewalk tables perfect for people-watching, but if you can’t secure a spot, don’t fret. Just take a seat inside at the bar and order a delicious handcrafted pizza washed down with a house beer. Before you leave Beach Drive, check out Hops and Props, just around the corner from the Museum of Fine Arts. St. Pete’s newest craft beer tap house focuses on local brews. Take in views of the Vinoy harbor while choosing from 24 rotating beers. With
Download the Layar app to take a nightlife tour.
For a can’t miss experience, visit historic St. Pete Shuffle. Locals love Friday nights, it’s free and very family friendly.
The concentration of nightlife venues and pedestrian-friendly design makes bar hopping in downtown St. Pete a way of life.
At the heart of Beach Drive, find Cassis — offering continental comfort cuisine in their striking dining room — or people watch while eating outside.
the smoker fired up out back, you won’t leave this place hungry. Still thirsty for high-quality American craft beer? Join the brew-loving celebration at the Ale and the Witch, a dog- and kid-friendly spot that hosts live bands nightly. Take in the laid-back tunes with a cold IPA and a table in the cobblestone courtyard. The grape-loving crowd can join in, too. Across the courtyard from the Witch, the Wine Madonna, a cozy boutique lounge, serves an assortment of wines by the glass. A relative newcomer to downtown St. Pete, the Cask & Ale brings a hip, elegant vibe to the downtown scene. Putting craft cocktails and craft beers under one roof is a real hit with the locals. Though the Cask has impressive takes on classic drinks like the Hendrick’s Cucumber Gimlet, you need to try the bar’s cask-aged cocktails. Aged for at least 5 weeks in charred oak barrels, drinks like The Jam (Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Filthy Food Black Cherry and Cask & Ale housemade beer jam) keep customers coming back for more. If you prefer cocktails served with an intimate vibe, head over to the Mandarin Hide. One of the first spots to bring mixology to St. Pete, the Mandarin’s experienced mixologists will put the perfect drink in your hand. Settle into a plush couch and let waves of cozy ambience wash over you. For a more high-energy experience, bust VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
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The chic Tryst Gastro Lounge on Beach Drive serves a mix of eclectic foods and high-end wine and spirits with indoor or outdoor dining.
At the heart of downtown St. Pete’s swank entertainment district is Central Avenue, offering plenty of drinking, dining and music to keep things fun.
Live music and cheap drinks are the attraction at the Emerald Bar, St. Pete’s favorite dive bar. (And we say that in a good way.)
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a move at Push Ultra Lounge on Friday and Saturday nights. With thumping music, indoor and outdoor table service and a swanky rooftop bar, Push is St. Pete’s hottest nightclub — you might even catch a celebrity at one of the VIP tables (or behind the DJ booth). Be sure to mind the dress code or you won’t get past the velvet rope. Like things a little on the gritty side? Check out the Emerald Bar — downtown’s favorite dive, serving stiff drinks for 50 years. The bartenders at this dark, shotgun-style bar sling cheap drinks with a side of snark.
Home of live music from local punk bands, it’s the perfect spot to cap off a night out. But before you do, head a few blocks west to the edge district and The Bends. The “classy dive bar” has a Brooklyn-hip feel, but the moderately priced cocktails and beers won’t set you back. Find a spot at the bar and check out the local art lining the walls. When you’re ready to take a step back from St. Pete’s vibrant nightlife scene, there’s plenty to do away from the bars and restaurants. Take a quaint tour of downtown
in a horse-drawn carriage. Start your ride on Beach Drive and take in spectacular waterfront views. For a more active (and free) fun Friday night, head down to St. Pete Shuffle. The 90-year-old St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club draws large crowds of hipsters, families and fans of the historic sport. Bring a cooler of cold beverages and get caught up in friendly competition. Find more exciting nightlife ideas at VisitSPC.com/Nightlife
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Frenchy’s Oasis Motel* Retro Boutique 423 East Shore Dr. Clearwater Beach, FL 33767 727-446-6835 FrenchysOasisMotel.com
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Every day ends with a sunset and we were there to capture it. Jean & John,West Yorkshire, England
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Independently owned and operated | Inspected annually by Superior Small Lodging™ | White Glove standards for quality and service
AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
A Superior Small Lodging™ property has you covered. Choose from nearly 40 cottages, villas, inns, flats, small hotels, and bed and breakfasts. Each has its own distinctive flavor noted below, under each name. Among us, you will find those with docks for fishing and boating enthusiasts, those who cater to pets and those known for being ideal romantic getaways or perfect for a Florida wedding. We’ve included a few guest testimonials too. To see more reviews, visit TripAdvisor. Properties marked with an asterisks* are TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence award winners.
Page Terrace Beachfront Hotel* Beachfront Sunsets 10500 Gulf Blvd. Treasure Island, FL 33706 727-367-1997 • PageTerrace.com
Choose from locations throughout the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area www.FloridaSSL.com
Sabal Palms Inn* Authentic Florida 1301 Gulfway Street St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 727-367-1305 PagBeachInns.com
Palm Pavilion Inn* Sandcastles • Sunsets 18 Bay Esplanade Clearwater Beach, FL 33767 727-446-6777 PalmPavilionInn.com
Sarah’s Seaside Gulfside Resorts* Old Florida 810 Gulf Blvd. Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785 800-597-8063 • GulfsideResorts.com
Plaza Beach Hotel - Beachfront Resort* Breathtaking Sunsets 4506 Gulf Blvd. St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 800-257-8998 • PlazaBeachResorts.com
Sea Captain Resort* Historic Charm 40 Devon Dr. Clearwater Beach, FL 33767 727-446-7550 SeaCaptainResort.com
* TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Winners VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
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Bay Palms Waterfront Resort - Hotel & Marina* Charming Resort 4237 Gulf Blvd. St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 800-257-8998 • PlazaBeachResorts.com
Ebb Tide Resort* Authentic Florida 621 Bay Esplanade Clearwater Beach, FL 33767 727-441-4421 EbbTideHotel.com
Camelot Beach Resort* Excellent Value 603 Mandalay Ave. Clearwater Beach, FL 33767 727-467-4310 VisitCamelotResort.com
Parker Manor Resort Friendly • Relaxing 115 Brightwater Dr. Clearwater Beach, FL 33767 727-446-6562 ParkerManor.com
Island Paradise Cottages of Madeira Beach* Florida Charm 13215 2nd St. E. Madeira Beach, FL 33708 727-395-9751 • IslandParadise.com
It’s all about the little things...that’s why we decided to test who had the best key lime pie each night. Melissa & Steve, Charlottesville,VA
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Pet Friendly
Sand Glo Villas* Beachfront Tranquility 19316 Gulf Blvd. Indian Shores, FL 33785 727-320-9720 SandGlo.com
Independently owned and operated | Inspected annually by Superior Small Lodging™ | White Glove standards for quality and service
AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
From a fun-filled schedule from morning to night to do-nothing but laze around the pool or soak up the sun on the beach, each of our Superior Small Lodging™ properties will be here for you. We’ll be happy to suggest places to see, dining experiences worth writing home about, unique shops and activities known only to the locals. We’ll do our part when every minute matters. And along the way, we’ll get to know you by name and you’ll become part of our family.
Choose from locations throughout the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area www.FloridaSSL.com
From Romance to “I do” The Birchwood Intimate • Sophisticated 340 Beach Drive NE St. Petersburg, FL 33701 727-896-1080 TheBirchwood.com
Plaza Beach Hotel - Beachfront Resort* Breathtaking Sunsets 4506 Gulf Blvd. St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 800-257-8998 • PlazaBeachResorts.com
Cay Pointe Villa Coastal Comfort 514 Gulf Blvd. Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785 727-596-2794 CayPointeVilla.com
Sea Breeze Manor Inn Eclectic Charm 5701 Shore Blvd. Gulfport, FL 33707 727-343-4445 SeaBreezeManor.com
Pasa Tiempo Waterfront Resort* Extraordinary • Indulgent 7141 Bay Street St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 727-367-9907 Pasa-Tiempo.com
Shoreline Island Resort* Exclusively Adults 14200 Gulf Blvd. Madeira Beach, FL 33708 727-397-6641 ShorelineIslandResort.com
We felt like we were staying with an old friend...they’d tell us all the best places to go and see. Mary & Art,Valrico, FL
Courtesy: Claire Copeland
Slowing down is a good thing…we were surprised by what we missed traveling in the fast lane. Buffy & Jeremy, Brooklyn, NY
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Clearwater Jazz Holiday
Like the waves on the waterfront, St. Pete/Clearwater’s live music landscape is an ever-evolving phenomenon, always bringing top talent to light through new venues, clubs and festivals. No matter which type of music you love, you’re bound to find it here, every night of the week.
S U R R O U N D
Next Big Thing
MUSIC FOR THE MASSES
GOT THE BLUES?
A pair of Central Florida’s biggest annual music festivals take place near the Gulf shores. Start with the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, which just celebrated its 35th year. Located in placid Coachman Park, the Jazz Holiday has hosted legends like Tito Puente, Tony Bennett and Dizzy Gillespie; eclectic up-and-comers like Trombone Shorty and the Avett Brothers; and Tampa Bay natives turned saxophone superstars David Sanborn and Mindi Abair. If you like your music with a side of pulled pork, check out Ribfest in St. Petersburg’s Vinoy Waterfront Park. Tens of thousands of barbecue lovers turn out each fall for world-class ’cue, classic rock and country music. It’s one of many annual music fests held each year at the incomparable waterfront park, including the Tampa Bay Blues Festival, the Vans Warped Tour and the year-end alt-rock extravaganza, Next Big Thing. As with Ribfest, food and music pair quite nicely at a few of the area’s other signature music festivals. Dunedin Wines the Blues and the Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival combine nationally renowned guitar heroes and top-notch local food and drinks. And in 2014, Taste of Pinellas relaunched in a scenic new spot outside St. Pete’s Dalí Museum with headliners Pat Benatar, Bruce Hornsby and the Blues Brothers.
Start with Ringside Café in St. Pete featuring blues, rock and boogie-woogie bands most nights of the week, all performing in a historic, yet artfully refurbished, setting. Around the corner sits the speakeasy-style cocktail bar Mandarin Hide, which in addition to boasting some of Tampa Bay’s most delectable drinks, features live jazz every Wednesday. And a few doors down, there’s Ruby’s Elixir, a small but stylish space where respected scene veterans ply their trade nearly every night. Elsewhere downtown, Ceviche, a tapas restaurant on Beach Drive, serves award-worthy sangria with a side of live flamenco music and dancing several nights a week in its downstairs lounge. And true audiophiles must visit St. Pete’s Hideaway Café, an intimate wine café and recording studio beloved by singer-songwriters that gets packed for its weekly Wednesday night blues jams. And for something completely different, head to the Bilmar Beach Resort in Treasure Island. Every Wednesday, the Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Society livens up a packed Bazzie’s Beach Bar with a night of Dixieland, polka and ragtime music. The Lobster Pot Bistro on Clearwater Beach offers live jazz most nights – and a wide ranging bistro menu in an elegant setting.
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
OUR MUSIC
S O U N D
Ruby’s Elixir
Jannus Live
Palladium
CRANK UP THE VOLUME
S TAT E LY S E T T I N G S
No other venue in America looks quite like Jannus Live, an outdoor courtyard in the center of one of downtown St. Petersburg’s most historic blocks. The open-air club has hosted some of the world’s biggest acts before they got huge – Pearl Jam, Eminem, Radiohead – and it still plays host to chart-topping pop, rock and hip-hop acts. In recent years, it has become one of the East Coast’s biggest hubs for modern reggae music, and it’s always hopping on St. Pete’s monthly First Fridays. Just up the street sits the 600 block of Central Avenue, a paradise not just for trendy shoppers, but also for rock lovers. The historic State Theatre is known for booking indie, metal and pop acts on the verge of blowing up. Across the street sit the Local 662, a more intimate bar and venue with local art lining the walls, and Fubar, a gritty but welcoming punk club with a robust craft beer selection. Speaking of beer and bands: Dunedin Brewery is Florida’s oldest craft brewery, and is also a hot-spot for eclectic music, particularly jam- and groove-oriented music. And if you’re looking for local talent, look no further than the Ale and the Witch, a beloved craft beer bar in downtown St. Pete that serves up live music, always sans cover charge, in its courtyard nearly every night.
Consistently ranked among the world’s foremost venues of its size, Clearwater’s acoustically exquisite Ruth Eckerd Hall is a magnet for the world’s top touring musical and theatrical acts, including many who normally play much larger venues. Ruth Eckerd Hall also manages downtown Clearwater’s Capitol Theatre, a nearly century-old movie theater that recently underwent a major restoration and expansion — yet its capacity is still about a third the size of Ruth Eckerd’s, creating a uniquely intimate concert environment. In St. Petersburg, the ornate Mahaffey Theater is the home base of the Florida Orchestra, which in 2015 welcomes only its fourth musical director in 50 years, Michael Francis. But its yearround concert calendar is delightfully dynamic, peppered with A-list comics, singers and rock bands. Another historic St. Pete venue, the Palladium, draws devoted crowds for its opera, jazz and blues shows, especially in its intimate Side Door Cabaret. And while the Largo Cultural Center hosts events year-round, it especially heats up in the winter months, with a busy roster of folk, tribute and rock concerts. For even more on local music, go to VisitSPC.com/Music VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
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Everything you need to know about Tampa Bay,
everywhere you are.
For local news, weather, things to do and more, visit tampabay.com – your all-in-one resource for all things Tampa Bay.
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
OUR PETS
FOLLOW STONEWALL around St. Pete/Clearwater @StonewallTheFrenchie on Instagram
Join this 2-year-old puppy as he explores the sandy shores of our beaches, palm tree filled waterfront parks and even some doggy-friendly dining. Stonewall’s local celebrity status has earned him more than 1,500 followers on social media. Why not join him and share in his next adventure?
pet FRIENDLY Y
ou don’t want to leave your dog at home while you’re on vacation, but many of us do. Traveling with them can be a pain, but the St. Pete/Clearwater area has a lot to offer vacationers with furry, four-legged family members. Hotels, parks and even restaurants are accommodating and encouraging people to bring their pets along for the adventure. The family will have more fun taking vacation selfies with pets while out and about exploring the area’s scenic towns. Play fetch and watch your dog run down the beach during sunset — even if he isn’t the chase-afterthrown-objects type. EAT UP: Dining in St. Petersburg is a breeze for dog owners, with pet-friendly restaurants like BellaBrava, Cassis and Parkshore Grill. Take your dog to the Sweet Sage Cafe in North Redington Beach and order one of everything on the doggie menu, which ranges from biscuits and gravy to waffles. In Clearwater Beach, the Clearwater Wine Bar and Bistro welcomes pets on the outdoor patio and hosts Yappy Hour the last Saturday of every month. The Brown Boxer Pub and Grille has two locations (Madeira
Beach and Clearwater) and features Dogs on the Deck on the second Tuesday of every month. PLAY ALL DAY: Throw the Frisbee as far as you can see at these pet-friendly parks: Sand Key in Clearwater, A.L. Anderson Park in Tarpon Springs, John Chesnut Sr. Park in Palm Harbor, Walsingham Park in Largo and Boca Ciega Millennium Park in Seminole. For the water-loving dog, North Shore Park in downtown St. Petersburg, Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin and Fort De Soto Park in Tierra Verde are clean, pet-friendly beachfront parks. SLEEP IN: Bring the doggie bed and sleep well with your pet beside you. Many area hotels welcome furry family members, like the Hilton Bayfront in downtown St. Petersburg, the Sirata Beach Resort, Loews Don CeSar Hotel, TradeWinds Island Resorts and the Postcard Inn on St. Pete Beach and the Innisbrook Salamander Golf and Spa Resort in Palm Harbor. For more information on pet-friendly lodging and travel, go to VisitSPC.com/Pets
KEEP THEM SAFE All this fun can mean dangerous situations. The last thing you want to do on vacation is frantically search for an emergency vet. Here are ways to keep your pets safe when traveling: ID TAGS: Before you leave for vacation, make sure the contact info is up to date in case Fido tries to do some of his own exploring. FOOD AND WATER: This may seem obvious, but Fido’s fancy food might not be available at the nearest grocery store. Make sure to bring bottled water (for road trips) and plenty of food. PET LIFE VEST: This one is crucial if you’ll be boating in the Gulf of Mexico. People have to wear them, and pets should, too. DOGGIE BOOTS: Pets need shoes, too! Protect their feet from hot sand, sharp shells and foreign objects. SUN PROTECTION: Florida is the Sunshine State and the rays are strong yearround. Give your pup some SPF and prevent the dreaded sunburn. COLLAR AND LEASH: Bring two of each and leave a set in the car so when you take your pet to a restaurant or park, you won’t be asked to leash or leave.
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OUR ROMANCE
LO VE
CLEARWATER BEACH Clearwater Beach is famous for its snowy-white sands, but for water-loving couples, it can also be a playground for adventure. The docks of the Clearwater Marina are stocked with options for surveying Clearwater Beach and the Gulf of Mexico from the water: The Calypso Queen or StarLite Majesty Dining Yacht for dinner, drinking and dancing, Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise for swashbuckling entertainment, or the Mega Bite Shark Boat for dolphin-spotting. Feeling brave? Try Chute ‘Em Up Parasailing, which lets you soar up to 800 feet in the air beneath a colorful parasail; there’s even a tandem seat so couples can float off together. Wind down with a sunset stroll to Pier 60, which comes alive each night with vendors, street performers and weekly live music and free, outdoor movies. Or for a more intimate evening, kick off your shoes and head north from the pier, where it’s just you two, the sand and the surf.
ROMANTIC EXCURSIONS IN OUR LITTLE POCKET OF PARADISE. 76
AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
honeymoon ISLAND
DOWNTOWN ST. PETERSBURG Downtown St. Petersburg is awash in date-night options that range from traditional to quirky to sweepingly grand. Several nights a week, the historic St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club is open for a little old-time action, but never are the courts more electric than on Friday nights. St. Pete Shuffle is the ’Burg’s defining night out for couples young and old, with live music and local vendors frequently contributing to the unique ambience. To make a memory you can take home, stop by the Morean Arts Center for its monthly “Hot Date in the Hot Shop,” wherein couples receive training in glassblowing, which they’ll put to use creating an ornament or paperweight in tandem. Your one-of-a-kind creation can be picked up or shipped out the next day. When the sun goes down, St. Petersburg Carriages offers nightly horse-drawn rides up and down trendy Beach Drive. Look for a stand outside The Moon Under Water, a British Colonial gastropub, or arrange in advance to have the carriage pick you up from your downtown hotel. To make the ultimate romantic gesture, spring to see the city from the air. Tampa Bay Aviation offers helicopter tours leaving from Albert Whitted Airport, just steps from the Salvador Dalí Museum and Mahaffey Theater, all for under $100. Now that’s living amplified.
is also worth a date-night visit, if only for the view at Spinners, the only revolving restaurant in the Tampa Bay area. On a clear night, the panoramic view stretches from sunset over the beach to downtown St. Petersburg. If you feel like getting out, head to Coconuts Comedy Club at MJ’s, near the TradeWinds Island Resort. Because aren’t we all looking for someone with a sense of humor?
DUNEDIN Dunedin is one of the coziest, most walkable cities in all of St. Pete/Clearwater, and it has a character all its own. Explore it hand-in-hand by foot, or — better yet — rent a bike from the Energy Conservatory, which rents single and tandem bikes by the day. The 47-mile Pinellas Trail, which stretches from downtown St. Pete past Tarpon Springs, cuts right through downtown. Dunedin is full of romantic nooks for drinks and dinner, from the French-inspired opulence of the Black Pearl to stylish, casual bistros like Pan y Vino and the Living Room. After dinner, head to Kelly’s Chic-a-Boom Room for its whimsical craft martinis, and its sister club, Blur, for live jazz, drag bingo, karaoke and dancing. And, of course, no romantic getaway in Dunedin would be complete without a trip to — you guessed it — Honeymoon Island. It’s open until sundown every day of the year.
ST. PETE BEACH
TARPON SPRINGS
What’s more romantic than a night beneath the stars, with the beach (almost) all to yourselves? There is a 238-site campground at pristine Fort De Soto Park, but to really do the great outdoors right, pack a tent and ship off from Fort De Soto to Shell Key Preserve. The 1,800-acre preserve, an important seabird conservation island chain, allows primitive camping in designated areas — just you, your beloved and a tent. For something a little more cosmopolitan, pop up to St. Pete Beach, where you’ll find a string of lovely resorts and fine dining destinations. Hotel Zamora, a dazzling new boutique inn, features sleek, sophisticated decor as well as Castile, a Mediterranean-tinged New American bistro with a rooftop lounge. The Grand Plaza Hotel
One of Tampa Bay’s most colorful communities is also one of its most popular day-trip destinations. Visitors come from all over the world to experience the city’s sizable Greek community and culture, and nowhere is it more abundant than the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks. On the first Saturday of each month, the Sponge Docks host “Night In the Islands,” featuring dining under the stars and dancing to live Greek music. The Sponge Docks are home to some of the area’s most unique shops; you can easily spend a night walking arm-in-arm down Dodecanese Boulevard. The Sponge Docks are also home to Spongeorama Cruiselines and Sun Line Cruises, which offer dolphin and sunset cruises as well as excursions to Anclote Key Preserve State Park, a picturesque island 3 miles offshore.
Hog Island just doesn’t have the same ring. Had developers not renamed the island off Dunedin’s west coast the much swoonier “Honeymoon Island” in 1939, maybe it wouldn’t have become Florida’s most popular state park, drawing more than a million visitors in the last fiscal year. It’s hard not to fall in love with the island’s natural beauty, no matter what it’s called. American Indians and Spanish explorers knew of this place centuries ago, and pioneers settled here in the mid-1800s. Back then, it looked very different — Honeymoon and Caladesi islands were conjoined until a massive hurricane split them in 1921. The name change precipitated a boom in tourism, particularly among romantically inclined Northerners seeking a secluded beachfront getaway; you could even stay in a thatched bungalow right on the sand. Hundreds of newly married couples won Honeymoon Island vacations through contests in Life magazine. Honeymoon Island has thrived through decades of development, maintaining its natural beauty even as the Dunedin Causeway, linking it to the mainland, opened in 1964. In 1981, Honeymoon Island became a state park, and while it now features modern conveniences like a restaurant and playground, its most natural elements have changed little since. Photo courtesy of the Dunedin Historical Museum (1940)
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Clearwater|MadeiraBeach
Accepting Reservations for 2015 and beyond!
Phone: 800-321-2211 Marriott.com/TPAMB
601 American Legion Drive Madeira Beach, FL 33708 78
AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
wedding VENUES
Ready to tie the knot? Whether you want all the pomp and circumstance of four-star service or an intimate ceremony for a handful of family members and friends, the beautiful beaches of St. Pete/ Clearwater can make all your wedding dreams come true. For a black-tie affair, book the Sandpearl Resort, one of Clearwater Beach’s premier venues overlooking 700 feet of breathtaking shoreline. Or add historic flavor to your special day at the Loews Don CeSar Hotel on St. Pete Beach, once the playground for celebrities like F. Scott Fitzgerald. If you’re looking for a more casual vibe, check out the Postcard Inn on St. Pete Beach, a groovy throwback resort with surfer chic décor and a romantic, lantern-lit courtyard lawn. For a more private, barefoot-on-the-beach ceremony, Honeymoon Island State Park provides a glorious glimpse of the unspoiled Florida coast. City lovers can walk down the aisle at the iconic Vinoy Renaissance in downtown St. Petersburg, where you can have your first dance under the stunning 750-piece, 9-foot glass chandelier by glass artist Dale Chihuly. For more information on weddings, go to VisitSPC.com/Weddings
ARTS. CULTURE. AND TRUE ROMANCE. Fall in love with an elegant waterfront resort, just steps from museums and St. Petersburg style. World class dining. Championship golf and tennis. Rejuvenating day spa. Two pools. 74-slip marina. And every modern amenity—all yours, at The Vinoy® Renaissance Resort & Golf Club.
For more information and to make your reservations, call 888.303.4430 or visit VinoyRenaissanceResort.com.
501 5th Ave NE, St Petersburg, FL 33701, t: 888.303.4430, vinoyrenaissanceresort.com
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OUR PEOPLE
RELAX
BE YOURSELF
ST. PETE/CLEARWATER’S VIBRANT LGBT COMMUNITY is represented by well-established businesses plus new additions with an ever-growing presence. A variety of gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses welcome visitors to dine, shop, dance and relax. The annual St. Pete Pride parade (above) is an enormous, family-friendly celebration that attracted more than 120,000 people last year. In St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District, an LGBT Welcome Center was recently established in a bungalow near historic Kenwood. It’s one of only a handful of similar centers in the nation. Renovations continue on the house that includes a coffee shop and acts as a meeting place where visitors can get information and services.
Parents and children enjoy the Pride street festival.
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
The center sits alongside antique stores, galleries and cafes in an area that is home each summer to the St. Pete Pride Promenade and Street Festival — the largest Pride celebration in the southeastern United States. The festival includes activities for families as well as Florida’s first nighttime Pride parade. Nearby is the Queens Head Eurobar and Restaurant, offering sophisticated-yet-accessible Euro cuisine, craft beers, wine, a popular Wednesday night trivia contest and frequent live music. Sunday brunch is served with a DJ on the patio and the Florida-infused, British pub décor provides a diverse menu for families and date nights. For nighttime dancing, a longtime favorite is Georgie’s Alibi, which features drag shows that have included big name stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Georgie’s also offers a highly praised cafe menu. Further down Central Avenue is the new club Enigma. With dance music and a full bar, Enigma has events during the week that include pool tournaments and “Throwback Thursdays,” with the sounds of the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s. For a view and some conversation, lesbian-owned A Taste For Wine offers a balcony overlooking Central Avenue and a wide selection of wine and light fare. The Flamingo Resort in south St. Pete features 120 rooms, six themed bars, legendary Sunday pool parties and nonstop events like tea dances, cabaret shows and country and
One of only a few in the country, St. Petersburg is home to an LGBT Welcome Center. western line dancing. Gay-owned bed-and-breakfast inns include Gay St. Pete House, a small six-room B&B featuring a clothing-optional heated pool and hot tub, and the Dickens House Bed and Breakfast, a 1912 arts-and-crafts-style bungalow just outside downtown St. Pete in the Old Northeast neighborhood. Sunset Beach, on the southern tip of Treasure Island, offers
We Never TAP OUT! Beachgoers enjoy LGBT-friendly Sunset Beach, at the southern tip of Treasure Island. LGBT beachgoers a day of relaxing at the shore on the Gulf of Mexico. For a more low-key stop, a former biker bar in northwest St. Pete called the Broken Tusk has drag shows, trivia, bingo and karaoke with inexpensive drinks and a relaxed décor. Largo offers the upscale Quench Lounge, with a wide range of events most nights that include drag shows and karaoke. Downtown Clearwater is home to the Pro Shop Pub, which opened in 1976 and has a rich history. The outdoor patio and daily drink specials offer a chance to unwind for a few hours. In Dunedin, Kelly’s for Just About … Anything offers dining and entertainment in one complex. Open since 1989, Kelly’s has grown and now includes the Blur Nightclub and Showbar and its adjoining cocktail lounge and Kelly’s Chic-a-Boom Room. Blur’s three full bars are local favorites, with nightly events, great music and smart decor plus an array of entertainment, including drag queen shows, drag queen bingo and karaoke. The quaint Meranova Guest Inn, a bed-and-breakfast, is also in Dunedin. With a pool, gourmet breakfast and a variety of amenities such as their surprising orchid garden, Meranova features stylish décor and whimsical folk art. The B&B is also distinctive for allowing its guests plenty of privacy. Each suite has its own entrance, and breakfast can be served in guests’ rooms.
Vot
CChef Inspired Pub Grub LIVE MUSIC
d B e st
Discover more LGBT hot spots at VisitSPC.com/LGBT
Come Watch Your Favorite Team! 35 CRAFT BEERS ON TAP Open For Breakfast Mimosas & Bloody Mary Bar HAPPY HOUR Mon-Fri 3-6:30PM LATE NIGHT HAPPY HOUR Mon-Thu 10PM-12AM • SUN 9PM-12AM Open Daily • Call for Hours Check out our other restaurant Clear Sky Beachside Cafe 36737-1
680 Main St. | Dunedin | 727.286.6266 | ClearSkyDraughthaus.com
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OUR SPORTS
Phillies spring training at Bright House Field in Clearwater
PLAYGROUND Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the downtown waterfront
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
St. Anthony’s Triathlon, downtown St. Pete
Florida’s Gulf Coast is a sports mecca. Catering to fans and participants alike, there are athletic endeavors to please everyone. From spring training baseball to the roar of IndyCar’s Grand Prix, there are plenty of unforgettable moments just waiting to happen. Take a trip to Tropicana Field (lovingly dubbed “the Trop”) in downtown St. Pete to watch MLB action, Tampa Bay Rays style. Beyond the playing field, you’ll find the Ted Williams Museum, a cownose rays touch tank and plenty more baseball-related activities. Before the regular baseball season heats up, get tickets for spring training action. Toronto Blue Jays fans will find their team tuning up at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin, while Philadelphia fanatics can watch their Phillies at Bright House Field in Clearwater. New York Yankees fans won’t be left out. The boys in pinstripes play across the bay at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. During the regular season, fans can visit the spring training homes of the Blue Jays and Phillies to watch minor league ball. In Clearwater, check out the Threshers (Philadelphia’s Single A team) at Bright House Field. With nightly promotions, fireworks on Saturdays and Frenchy’s Tiki Pavilion, you can have a major league experience without breaking the bank. If football or hockey is your sport, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Lightning play in Tampa, about a 30-minute drive away. If soccer is more your speed, head to St. Pete’s historic Al Lang Stadium to root for the local professional team, the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Watch the beautiful game while taking in stunning views of the downtown St. Pete waterfront. Ralph’s Mob, a group of diehard Rowdies supporters, keeps things lively in the stands. You can meet the bunch for a pregame beer at MacDinton’s Irish Pub and join their raucous march to the stadium.
World-class auto racing takes to the streets of downtown St. Pete at the end of March. Watch one of IndyCar’s premier events when the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg revs up. The festival atmosphere lasts nearly a week and puts you face to face with expert drivers. If the high-octane buzzing is too much for you, there are interactive games, live music and beer gardens to enjoy. Leave the asphalt behind and watch a different kind of racing from the powdery sands of Clearwater Beach. In late September, the Super Boat National Championship churns up the Gulf of Mexico with souped-up boats racing at speeds of up to 180 mph. And there’s plenty of excitement surrounding the races. See the boats and drivers up close at Baystar Race Village in nearby Coachman Park, where fireworks and a VIP party take place. Catch former Olympians in action as pro beach volleyball descends on St. Pete’s Spa Beach Park. The AVP St. Petersburg Open kicks up sand in late May/early June, bringing don’t-blink volleyball action and live music. If you want to see the best golfers in the world up close, head to Palm Harbor’s majestic Innisbrook Resort to watch the PGA Valspar Championship in March. For a lively experience, camp out near the green at the 17th hole’s Hooters Owl’s Nest. Innisbrook also caters to average players looking for a real challenge on well-tended fairways with plenty of hazards. In fact, the Gulf Coast is home to a variety of picturesque and challenging golf courses, ranging from par 3s to championship-level links. Hard-core athletes will want to test their mettle when the
AVP beach volleyball, St. Petersburg
Tampa Bay Rays, St. Petersburg
Clearwater Super Boat National Championship
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St. Anthony’s Triathlon arrives at the downtown St. Pete waterfront in late April. Nearly 4,000 triathletes make the trip for the race, which serves as a qualifier for the USAT nationals. Budding racers ages 7-14 and some novice adults get a jump on the event one day early at the Meek & Mighty Triathlon. Plus, throughout the weekend of the race, check out a free sports expo in nearby Straub Park. Certified divers can tap into their inner Jacques Cousteau and choose one of the many diving charters on the Gulf Coast. Swimming alongside diverse marine life like dolphins, sharks and goliath grouper, you can explore one of the state’s largest concentrations of artificial reefs off the shores of St. Pete and Clearwater. You’ll find a vast, watery playground off the sugary sands of Clearwater Beach all the way down to laid-back Pass-aGrille beach. On any given day, you’ll see boarders of every type riding the waves. From stand-up paddleboarders to windsurfers to kiteboarders, outdoors enthusiasts of every skill level bask in the warm temperatures and relatively calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. If you’re into stand-up paddleboarding, or if you’ve always wanted to try it, you’ll find SUP outfitters throughout the area. And if you’re new to the sport, head over to the waters of Tampa Bay for a more tranquil paddle. Or stay closer to land and try your hand at skimboarding. The Gulf Coast is particularly suited for the sport, with gentle waves and forgiving sandy bottoms. For all things sporty, go to VisitSPC.com/Sports
Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium on the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront
Discover The Dalí Downtown Visit the stunning Dalí Museum to get a glimpse of renowned artist Salvador Dalí’s world and an unparalleled collection of his finest works – from infamous melting clocks to imaginative visual illusions and avant-garde symbols. Explore the inspiring architecture, taste authentic Spanish cuisine, shop, wander, play and quench your curiosity for all that is Salvador Dalí and beyond.
“RATED ST. PETERSBURG’S #1 ATTRACTION”
36645-1
Trip Advisor
TheDali.org | 727.823.3767 | One Dalí Blvd. | St. Petersburg, FL
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
6300 6 300 Gulf Blv Blvd Blvd. St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 727.367.2711 | PostCardInn.com 727.367.2 727.367.27 VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
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It’s not an age, it’s an ATTITUDE
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TEE TIME
Belleview Biltmore Golf Club, Belleair
The courses call to Northern golf lovers like a beacon: “Come play! The sun shines; the grass is green.” During the longest days of winter, when the ground in their hometowns is frozen and snow-covered, the Gulf Coast courses are like an oasis where they can forget about 20-degree weather with a 5-degree wind chill. So tee it high and let it fly. And if things don’t go exactly
as planned, remember that practice makes perfect … or perfect practice makes perfect. In other words, take a lesson. The vacation mind — uncluttered by the daily minutiae of work and responsibility — is the perfect state of mind to work on that pesky catch in your back swing.
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LEGENDARY LINKS
TAKE THE KIDS
BELLEVIEW BILTMORE GOLF CLUB, Belleair Travel back to the Roaring ’20s when you stand on the first tee at the Donald Ross-designed Belleview Biltmore. The course, restored exactly to its original 1925 layout, has all the hallmarks of a traditional Ross design: narrow fairways, bunkers and water hazards in pivotal locations and postage-stamp greens with ridiculous undulations that can be a putter’s worst nightmare when the greenskeeper puts the pin on the tip of a ridge. The master architect, best known for Pinehurst No. 2, Oakland Hills and Inverness, also left his mark in the Sunshine State, designing courses from Jacksonville to Melbourne, including the Dunedin Golf Club and the Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club. It’s all in the details: The club came under new ownership in 2013 and upgrades have included new TifEagle Bermuda grass greens, a new fleet of Club Car golf carts and an eClub that sends special savings to subscribers. Golfing 101: The course offers one-on-one lessons with a PGA teaching professional.
TWIN BROOKS AND CYPRESS LINKS in St. Petersburg Not every child is the next Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy, and 18 holes of championship links with bunkers and water and trees can turn a fun family outing into all participants needing a much-needed beachfront sanity break. Instead, check out St. Petersburg’s par-3 courses. Twin Brooks is 18 holes of rolling hills with water in play on only six holes. The average yardage per hole goes from 80 to 150 yards. Meanwhile, Cypress Links is a more challenging nine-hole experience, with the longest hole being 187 yards from the back tees and some water. It’s all in the details: Cypress Links shares the same property as the 18-hole, beloved local hangout Mangrove Bay, a logical next step for anyone who masters the par-3 course. Both facilities have a driving range and practice green. Cypress Links offers riding golf carts. Golfing 101: Both courses have an on-site teaching professional who provides one-onone lessons that last for 30 minutes. Golfers who are in the area for a longer stay can sign up for a series of lessons. If you want to tag team and pair up with a friend or your child, lessons are available in small groups of two to three people.
AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
Vinoy Renaissance Resort & Golf Club, St. Petersburg
WHERE THE PROS PLAY INNISBROOK RESORT & GOLF CLUB, THE COPPERHEAD COURSE, Palm Harbor Golf junkies come from all over the world to test their game on the resort’s famed Copperhead Course. Spanish moss drips from tree branches, blue heron keep watch over their home turf and the monster that is the par-5, double dog leg (yes, double!) tests even the best handicappers. The rolling terrain (there’s actually 80 feet of elevation, unheard of in many Florida courses in the central and southern parts of the state) plus few homes lining the fairways have made this one of the PGA Tour’s top Florida venues during the season. Even Copperhead’s golf course architect, Larry Packard — who worked on at least 600 golf courses — called Innisbrook Resort home until his death at age 101 in 2014. It’s all in the details: Innisbrook Resort has four championship-quality golf courses, all designed by Packard, that are available to guests of the resort. The resort also offers various packages that include extras like unlimited use of the practice facilities, club storage and locker room service, a bonus round and retail credit for the pro shop. Golfing 101: If you have never picked up a club, the resort offers daily lessons for adults at a minimal fee and weekly lessons for children. Be a spectator: Catch your favorite pros in action at the Valspar Championship in March. And if you dare, play the course as the pros played it during the Monday After Challenge. BARDMOOR GOLF & TENNIS CLUB, Seminole Bring an extra sleeve of balls, or maybe two, for your outing at Bardmoor. The semi-private club, which hosted the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour’s JCPenney Classic for 13 years, has water on every hole. If you steer clear of the water, your accuracy is rewarded while winding your way through the course’s 6,500-yard layout, which stretches to 7,000 yards from the Championship tees. After that, there’s just the elevated, steeply sloping greens surrounded by lots of bunkers — just an easy walk in the park, correct? It’s all in the details: The golf course underwent a renovation by Gary Koch in 2003. It has a state-of-the-art practice facility that’s open to the public and includes a 15,000-square-foot TifEagle putting surface, a pitching and chipping green and a practice range with grass that will remind vacationers of bentgrass even though it is actually seashore paspalum turf. Golfing 101: Bardmoor offers a wide range of instructional programs. Book a private lesson with their director of instruction to erase trouble spots from your game or attend one of the course’s weekly clinics that are individually geared to women, adults or junior golfers. Fees are paid per session. Historically speaking: For more than 40 years, pros from the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour competed in teams in this event. Bardmoor hosted it from 1977 through 1989. Some of the famous faces that appeared at the event include Fred Couples, Curtis Strange, Nancy Lopez, Tom Kite, Arnold Palmer, Payne Stewart, Pat Bradley and Juli Inkster.
KICK YOUR BIRDIES
Largo Golf Course
Here's a new way to let loose on the links. A hybrid sport where you play a round of golf with a soccer ball, Foot Golf is surging in popularity at Largo Golf Course. You’ll tee off with just your Nikes, kicking a regulation soccer ball on shortened holes. Your goal is a 21-inch diameter cup, with Foot Golf rules closely following those of the traditional game. Walk the course or use a golf cart; it’s up to you. But break out your newsboy hat and argyle socks and hit the course in style. If you get thirsty, flag down the refreshment lady for a cold beer. Tee times are available 7 days per week from May through October and on weekends the rest of the year.
MORE COURSES Cove Cay Golf Club, Clearwater: A short but challenging course with water and mangroves on several holes. Crescent Oaks Golf Club, Tarpon Springs: Its challenging 18 holes have lots of treelined fairways. Dunedin Golf Club, Dunedin: Home of the PGA of America from 1945 until 1962. Lansbrook Golf Course, Palm Harbor: This traditional Florida course winds its way through cypress trees and wetlands. Mangrove Bay Golf Course, St. Petersburg: Ranked on Golf Digest's Best Places to Play list, it features lots of — you guessed it — mangroves. Vinoy Renaissance Resort & Golf Club, St. Petersburg: With a unique clubhouse designed after a mosque, it offers fine dining and a swimming pool. Seminole Lake Country Club, Seminole: A par-71 with creative holes and lots of water. Find a listing of all St. Petersburg/Clearwater golf courses at VisitSPC.com/Golf
The Copperhead Course, Innisbrook Resort, Palm Harbor VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
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St. Pete/Clearwater Beaches Vacation Rentals
T
he Condo Alliance of the Tampa Bay Beaches provides visitors with numerous vacation rental choices, from full-service condo-hotels to wellappointed resorts. This network of more than 20 resort condominium management companies has come together for the first time to ensure highquality accommodations and consistent standards of excellence among its member properties. Ultimately, the Alliance aims to promote visitor confidence in both the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area and its “condo-cation” possibilities.
FLORIDA LIFESTYLE VACATION RENTALS 19713 Gulf Blvd. Indian Shores, FL 33785 800-487-8953 • 727-593-2000 www.ourcondo.com
HOLIDAY VILLAS III 18610 Gulf Boulevard Indian Shores, FL 33785 1-877-444-4833 • 727-517-9404 www.FloridaBest.com 88 AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
PLUMLEE GULF BEACH REALTY 417 1st Street Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785 1-800-914-0926 • 727-595-7586 www.plumleeproperties.com
RESORT RENTALS 8010 Blind Pass Rd. St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 800-293-3979 • 727-363-3336 www.resortrentals.us
CAPRICE VACATION RENTALS 6950 Beach Plaza St. St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 800-542-3648 • 727-360-6199 www.libertemanagement.com
JC RESORTS BEACHFRONT VACATION RENTALS 17200 Gulf Blvd. N. Redington Beach, FL 33708 800-535-7776 •800-421-6663 www.jcresorts.us
HYATT REGENCY CLEARWATER BEACH HARBORVIEW GRANDE BY THREE PALMS RESORT & SPA 309A Gulf Blvd. Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785 301 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach, FL 33767 877-837-2567 • 727-596-0109 727-373-1234 • 727-441-3672 www.3palmspmg.com www.clearwaterbeach.hyatt.com
BAREFOOT BEACH RESORT 19417 Gulf Blvd. Indian Shores, FL 33785 800-996-5303 • 727-593-5303 www.barefootbeachresort.com VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM 89
events jan
Choices, choices. There’s always something fun to do in St. Pete/Clearwater. From high-speed to low-key, here’s a look at some of the most anticipated annual happenings. For even more ideas, go to VisitSPC.com/Events
feb
mar
apr
Valspar Championship, Palm Harbor Tampa Bay Blues Festival, St. Pete Dunedin Largo Art Hop and Taste Fest Highland Games & Festival
Corey Area Craft Festival, St. Pete Beach Downtown Dunedin Art Festival MLK Parade, St. Pete Epiphany Celebration, Tarpon Springs Florida African American Heritage Celebration, Largo
may
Tarpon Springs Fine Art Festival Mainsail Art Festival, St. Pete St. Anthony’s Triathlon, St. Pete Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival
Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
jun
John Levique Pirate Days, Madeira Beach
jul
aug
Warped Tour, St. Pete St. Pete Pride Festival Mad Beach Bike Fest, Madeira Beach
American Stage in the Park, St. Pete
sep
oct
Bright House Clearwater Super Boat National Championship
Clearwater Beach Chalk Art Festival John’s Pass Seafood Festival, Madeira Beach Art Harvest in the Park, Dunedin Oktoberfest, Oldsmar Ribfest, St. Pete
A Taste of Clearwater GeckoFest, Gulfport
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nov Sponge Docks Seafood Festival, Tarpon Springs Dunedin Wines the Blues
dec First Night, St. Pete Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl Outback Bowl Beach Day, Clearwater Beach Holiday Boat Parade
Clearwater Jazz Holiday AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
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W O R L D FA M O U S
JCResorts
Paradise, reputation and reliability since 1981.
Experience the flavor of Greece and the excitement of an authentic working waterfront on the Sponge Docks of Tarpon Springs, Florida. Visit the Sponge Docks for authentic Greek restaurants, bakeries, sponge diving, sightseeing tour boats and unique shops. In the Historic Downtown District you will find restaurants, art, antiques, eclectic boutiques and St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, home of the largest Epiphany celebration in the Western Hemisphere No Passport
Visit our website to select our favorite! WWW.JCRESORTS.US
17200 Gulf Blvd. North Redington Beach, FL 33708 800-535-7776 | 800-421-6663
National Register of Historic Places
Tarpon Springs
Only 20 Minutes from Clearwater Only 45 Minutes from Tampa Only 2 Hours from Orlando
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St. PetersburgClearwater International Airport
St. Petersburg
Visit Greece without leaving Florida www.VisitGreeceInFlorida.com ŠDave Spataro Photography
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BEYOND THE BEACH The St. Pete/Clearwater area is home to America’s Best Beaches — and so much more. When you’re ready to take some time away from the sun and sand, try these itineraries.
RETAIL THERAPY
CONDO SIZE SUITES & RESORT AMENITIES UNDER ONE ROOF! The perfect family beachfront resort! Offering 154 two and three bedroom suites with living/dining rooms, full size kitchen with washer and dryer, private balcony facing the beach, free business and fitness center, free reserved parking, free Wi-fi and newspaper, heated pool and whirlpools, walk to John’s Pass Village, shopping and dining!
DOWNTOWN ST. PETE/GRAND CENTRAL DISTRICT Start at the glittering new Sundial plaza, home to White House Black Market, Lululemon and more. Grab a gourmet lunch at Locale, the sprawling fresh market that anchors the plaza. On Central Avenue, find one-of-a-kind pieces at the Florida CraftArt, then head west toward the thriving Grand Central District for locally made goods and amazing antiques and vintage shopping.
MAIN ST., DUNEDIN With lots of charming locally owned shops and antique stores, there’s something here for everyone. Check out the Celtic Shop of Dunedin for all things Scottish or the Painted Fish Gallery for locally made art. Eat lunch at Casa Tina, where you can wash down some authentic Mexican cuisine with delicious sangria.
• On-site, 24-hour front desk • On-site restaurant and tiki bar • No resort fees • No cleaning fees
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JOHN’S PASS, MADEIRA BEACH
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12000 Gulf Blvd. Treasure Island, FL 33706 866.597.1600, 727.360.1600 www.SunsetVistas.com
AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
Buy luxurious olive oil soap from Lori’s Soap and Sponge Market, tasty citrus wine at the Florida Winery, and some kitschy T-shirts from one of the souvenir shops. If you’re lucky (and early), you can enjoy the day’s fresh catch at the no-frills Walt’z Fish Shak.
INTERNATIONAL PLAZA, TAMPA
You’ll find stores like Coach, Neiman Marcus, Gucci, Crate & Barrel, Michael Kors, Kate Spade and Nordstrom at this high-end shopping destination.
FAMILY FUN
DOLPHIN TOURS The Dolphin Landings Charter Boat Center in St. Pete Beach offers everything from sunset cruises to deep-sea fishing trips. The peaceful boat rides provide relaxation after busy beach or theme-park days. Pods of dolphins, which love to play in a boat’s wake, frequently put on quite a show.
SEA SCREAMER For something a little faster, try the world’s largest speedboat, the Sea Screamer. The 72-foot vessel zips past the beautiful beaches of Clearwater at 35 miles per hour, thrilling riders of all ages. Warning: You’re likely to get wet!
GHOST TOURS These 75- to 90-minute tours tell historically accurate tales of past times in Florida. Don’t let concerns about the creep factor put you off, as the tours are family-friendly. Tours are available in various locations, including downtown St. Petersburg and John’s Pass in Madeira Beach.
BUSCH GARDENS/ADVENTURE ISLAND A short drive from the St. Pete/Clearwater area is the African-themed Busch Gardens. One of the largest zoos in North America with more than 12,000 animals, it also boasts an exciting collection of roller coasters and the tallest freestanding drop tower in the nation. If water parks are more your style, head to Adventure Island just across the street.
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FISHING
Why mess around. If you want to catch the big ones, reserve your VSRW QRZ RQ ERDUG )ORULGD¡V PRVW SURGXFWLYH à HHW WR WKH *XOI RI 0H[LFR Bait, ice, gear & help available every trip. ‡ KU +DOI 'D\ ‡ KU )XOO 'D\ ‡ Private Charters Reservations:
TARPON SPRINGS SPONGE DOCKS AND ANCLOTE KEY LIGHTHOUSE
(727) 393-1947
Natural sponge beds were discovered in Tarpon Springs in the early 1900s. The famous sponge docks are situated on the Anclote River before it flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Learn the history of the area’s sponge diving at Spongeorama, a kitschy theater and museum, then partake in some authentic Greek food. And no trip here is complete without a visit to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Designed in the New Byzantine style, it’s an ornate historic building. A short boat ride away is the Anclote Key Lighthouse, now part of a natural preserve.
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HISTORY
HERITAGE VILLAGE, LARGO
(727) 398-6577
Step back into Floridaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s past at this 21-acre living museum. Walk through the natural pine and palmetto landscape to explore more than 28 historic structures and features, including a school, a church, a railroad depot and store, and a sponge warehouse, as well as a variety of historic homes. Admission is free.
FT. DeSOTO FERRY TO BEAUTIFUL EGMONT KEY OR SHELL KEY 6QRUNHO WKH UXLQV RI KLVWRULF )W 'H6RWR DQG tour a working lighthouse. Walk the streets RI D 6SDQLVK $PHULFDQ IRUW RU JR VKHOOLQJ RQ $PHULFD¡V EHDFK Reservations:
(727) 398-6577
DUNEDIN
Segways, Paddleboards and Kayaks 36211-1
Dunedin was named by Scottish settlers generations ago, and the town is rich with Scottish heritage. Learn about the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique heritage at the Dunedin Historical Museum, housed in a restored railroad station downtown. The Dunedin Highland Games, held in the spring, pay tribute to Scottish culture with oldtime athletics, piping, drumming, dancing and more.
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AMERICAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BEST BEACHES
TAMPA
TampaTrio.org
NATURE LOVERS
3 GREAT ADVENTURES
in Tampa
FLORIDA BOTANICAL GARDENS Open 365 days a year, the Largo attraction boasts 30 spectacular acres of cultivated gardens, including a palm garden, bromeliad garden and rose garden. Give yourself at least two hours to explore this local treasure. During the holidays, the gardens turn into a glittering wonderland with 425,000 environmentally friendly lights.
SUNKEN GARDENS Stroll through the meandering pathways of this 100-year-old garden in the heart of St. Petersburg. The famous botanical paradise has more than 50,000 tropical plants and flowers, as well as flamingos and a butterfly garden.
JOHN CHESNUT SR. PARK Adjacent to beautiful Lake Tarpon, John Chesnut Sr. Park is home to various wildlife, including waterfowl, hawks, turtles, alligators and deer — lots of deer. A canoe trail and three nature trails, each about 3,000 feet long, provide hours of outdoor fun for families. Climb the lookout tower for breathtaking views of Lake Tarpon or launch your boat to tour the waters.
Build your own itinerary: For a complete listing of all the activities in the St. Pete/Clearwater area, go to VisitSPC.com/Activities
These three great attractions will fill your trip to Tampa with fun and adventure. From fascinating views of wildlife to views of outer space, the “Tampa Trio”offers it all. Get inches from amazing at The Florida Aquarium – one of the nation’s top five kid-friendly aquariums and home to fierce Sand Tiger Sharks. Don’t miss over 450 hands-on thrills for the entire family at MOSI, the science center of Tampa Bay. And get set for a wild adventure visiting more than 1,000 animals, including Florida manatees, at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo – named the #1 Zoo in the U.S. for kids.
Visit TampaTrio.org for more information. Funded by Hillsborough County Tourist Development Council and Board of County Commissioners
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DAY TRIPS
5 famous attractions
Busch Gardens® Tampa
49%
TAMPA AND ELLENTON (ABOUT 30 MILES) Adventures await the whole family just across Tampa Bay. Spend a day at Busch Gardens, where thrill seekers will enjoy riding the triple-launch Cheetah Hunt roller coaster and the floorless dive coaster SheiKra. Last summer, the park opened Falcon’s Fury, the tallest freestanding drop tower in North America. Riders fall more than 300 feet – facedown – at speeds reaching 60 mph. The park is also home to animal exhibits, from lions to hippos to meerkats. Lowry Park Zoo, voted the nation’s No. 1 Family-Friendly Zoo by Parents magazine, lets kids get up close and personal with giraffes, camels, llamas and more. And when the kids are ready to cool off, the zoo has two water-play areas — with plenty of nearby seating for pooped parents. Children can indulge their adventurous side at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI). Brave some extreme weather in Disasterville, try the zip line, then relax with a movie in the state’s only IMAX Dome Theatre. The Florida Aquarium offers kids of all ages the chance to come nose-to-nose with aquatic animals from around the state and the world, including otters, penguins and sharks. A 2-acre outdoor splash zone called Explore-a-Shore includes jet sprays and waterslides. Travel south from St. Pete/Clearwater across the scenic Sunshine Skyway bridge and find some great shopping deals at the Ellenton Premium Outlets. This outdoor shopping destination is home to more than 130 outlet stores, including Kenneth Cole, Kate Spade and Nike.
The Florida Aquarium
THEME PARKS OF ORLANDO (ABOUT 110 MILES)
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo
Did you know that Hogwarts, Fantasyland and Antarctica are all just about a two-hour drive from St. Pete/Clearwater? They’re all at Orlando’s famous theme parks. At Walt Disney World, the Magic Kingdom continues to enchant kids and kids at heart, and Animal Kingdom will amaze the nature lover. Typhoon Lagoon is a great spot to keep cool on a hot day, as is SeaWorld, with its newest attraction, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. Take a ride with the Despicable Me minions, visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Universal Studios parks or visit Future World at Epcot. Legoland, which is aimed at children from 2 to 12, offers more than 50 rides and attractions and a water park. Grown-ups will enjoy a day at the Orlando Premium Outlets, with more than 100 stores, and the many restaurants and smaller attractions throughout the area.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Your choice of Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) OR Chihuly Collection presented by the Morean Arts Center
WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS (ABOUT 70 MILES)
Buy at these attractions ONLY
- Good for 9 days - Skip most ticket lines
Ages 3-9
99 $84
$
Connect with CityPASS
(888) 330-5008 or citypass.com
ATLANTA | BOSTON | CHICAGO | HOUSTON | NEW YORK CITY | PHILADELPHIA SAN FRANCISCO | SEATTLE | SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | TAMPA BAY | TORONTO Prices and programs subject to change. 59843-1
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
Locals and tourists alike are drawn to the beautiful springs of Weeki Wachee, but the mermaids are the main attraction. The women swimming and flipping their tails underwater have captivated audiences since the park first opened in 1947. Visitors can also kayak or take a cruise on the river, enjoy a flume ride or watch an educational animal show.
A LITTLE
history
The people of St. Pete/Clearwater hold their history close. Perhaps because our home so often has been a place with visitors passing through, those who live here treasure the often-quirky stories and places that show how our towns grew to be what they are today.
Tony Jannus and passenger, 1913
TAKING FLIGHT, BUILDING BRIDGES
INDIANS & EXPEDITIONS About 2,500 years ago, American Indians made permanent settlements in the area. Ponce de Leon’s arrival in 1513 marked the beginning of Spanish explorers searching for treasure. The brutal Panfilo de Narvaez came 15 years later, claiming the land for Spain and torturing the native people in the hope of securing gold they didn’t possess. Jungle Prada Park in St. Petersburg marks the spot where he landed. The area also is home to the Sacred Land Preserve, where visitors can see shells and artifacts from the Tocobaga people.
Tarpon Springs, 1929
St. Pete Pier
RAILROAD & SPONGES Spain, Great Britain and the United States all claimed Florida before it was granted statehood in 1845. Odet Philippe arrived around 1832 to start a settlement and bring citrus farming to the area. Philippe is buried in the Safety Harbor park that bears his name. Philadelphia manufacturer Hamilton Disston built the area’s first planned town, Tarpon Springs. The city’s Greek influence developed after a large sponge field was discovered off Florida’s west coast and Greek immigrants who specialized in sponge diving settled in the town. Their contributions to the growth and culture can be seen today during a visit to the historic Sponge Docks. Russian immigrant Peter Demens organized the area’s first railroad, placing the terminus in a spot he shortly named after his hometown, St. Petersburg, Russia. That spot is marked today by a St. Petersburg waterfront park, Demens Landing. The railroad brought many visitors, and when the peninsula was declared the healthiest spot on Earth by a doctor at the 1885 American Medical Society Convention, physicians from across the United States sent the sick here to heal. The Belleview Biltmore hotel in Belleair, which opened in 1897, brought the rich and famous from across the United States. Although the hotel is closed, they say some of its guests still haunt the place.
On Jan. 1, 1914, the first scheduled commercial flight from Tampa took place when Tony Jannus flew a passenger and some mail in a single-engine biplane, The Benoist, from the St. Petersburg yacht basin to Tampa. The flight took 23 minutes. By March, 1,200 people had plunked down $5 apiece for the ride. A wooden bridge connecting Clearwater to the beach was built in 1917. The sturdier Clearwater Memorial Causeway, named in tribute to World War I vets, opened 10 years later. The causeway that exists today is not the same bridge, but it remains a major connector to the beaches. Tourists with cars and cash arrived in the 1920s. Ten new hotels were constructed in St. Petersburg, including the elegant Vinoy Park Hotel, along the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront, and the Don CeSar on St. Pete Beach, whose guests included F. Scott Fitzgerald, Clarence Darrow, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.
BASEBALL’S INFLUENCE Throughout Florida, having a major league team in town for spring training was considered essential to drawing winter residents and tourists. In 1914, the St. Louis Browns were the first team to train in St. Petersburg. The Philadelphia Phillies came to Clearwater in 1947. When Babe Ruth was with the Yankees in the mid-1920s, a crowd followed him as he went from bar to bar. On the first day of spring training in 1925, Ruth was sidetracked from hitting balls into right field because of alligators in the outfield. Spring training went on hiatus during much of World War II. Luxury hotels were filled with soldiers who were hospitalized or needed housing. The Army Air Corps used the Pinellas County Airport, known today as the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, as a fighter pilot training facility. Naval aviation cadets trained at Albert Whitted Municipal Airport in St. Petersburg. Clearwater resident Donald Roebling invented and tested the military’s first amphibious vehicle, dubbed the Alligator, on local beaches.
Spring Training, 1938 AGE PHOTOS COURTESY OF HERIT
VILLAGE ARCHIVES & LIBRARY
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Views of Florida sunsets from The Hurricane’s 360-degree degr de gree gr ee rooftop are only part of its historic appeal. Come in for great fresh seafood – including the famous family recipe, Mom’s 1945 Crab Cake Melt – crisp salads, Old Bay peel‘n’eat shrimp, fresh gulf grouper, calamari steak and a full-bar.
“Accuracy is everything when you set the Official Railroad Standard.”
36217-1
Experience unparalleled sunsets, incomparable dining and the unique ique iqu eb beach h hist h history ist of Th The eH Hurricane. ica
Old Northeast Jewelers St. Petersburg & Tampa, FL Orlando Watch Company Winter Park, FL Exquisite Timepieces Naples, FL
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OCEAN FLAME Interactive Dining New Luxury Rooms Seafood buffet with open interactive kitchen Stunning gulf and island views Famous TIKI Beach Bar & Grille Live entertainment day & night
WAVE Nightclub 2 levels & beachside patio
SALT Tequila Bar & Tap Room Specialty tequilas, craft beers & more
SOAK Pool Bar An exclusive & relaxing retreat 619 So. Gulfview Blvd. Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
800.237.8477 www.shephards.com
BE SOCIAL
The joy of living in paradise comes with sharing this vibrant and breathtaking destination. Everyday experiences captured in the moment and shared across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Follow along, enjoy the beauty and add your bits of paradise to Visit St. Pete/Clearwater with #LiveAmplified. FB.com/VisitStPeteClearwater or @VSPC
SEA CRITTERS (CAFÉ) ON ST. PETE BEACH
ARRR! PIRATE CRUISE IN CLEARWATER
CENTRAL YACHT BASIN IN ST. PETE
SUNSET ALONG THE SHORE
PATHWAY TO PARADISE IN REDINGTON SHORES
THE BOARDWALK AT JOHN’S PASS VILLAGE
COLOR STRIATIONS ABOVE DOWNTOWN ST. PETE
SUNDIAL ST. PETE COURTYARD
NAVIGATING FORT DE SOTO’S WATERWAYS
SUNSET ALONG QUAINT INDIAN ROCKS BEACH
KAYAKING HONEYMOON ISLAND
SAFETY HARBOR’S WALKWAY TO TAMPA BAY
RELAXATION ON CLEARWATER BEACH
A SKY-HIGH PALM AT CLEARWATER BEACH
GLORIOUS SUNSETS DAILY AT PIER 60
VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM PRISTINE EGMONT KEY
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StarLite Cruises offers something for everyone.
With a selection of vessels, multiple departure locations, a variety of cruising options and a year-round schedule, StarLite Cruises offers something for everyone. Cruising experiences include: Sightseeing, Eco-Tour, Dolphin Watch, Luncheon and Evening Dinner options.
5300 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach, Florida
Clearwater Beach & St. Pete Beach Area
sirata.com
For Reservations, visit StarLiteCruises.com or call 1-800-444-4814
Shopping, Waterfront Dining, Entertainment, Sightseeing, Deep Sea Fishing & Watersports.
MADEIRA BEACH, FL. 33708 • WWW.JOHNSPASSVILLAGE.NET
(727) 394-0756
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36682-1
36198-1
Treasure Island’s
/gatorscafe
GATORSCAFE.COM | 12754 KINGFISH DR., TREASURE ISLAND, FL 33706
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Newly opened hotel located just blocks from beautiful Downtown St. Petersburg and nearby dining, shopping, art galleries & local craft beer pubs Studio or one-bedroom suites featuring stylish and fully equipped kitchens Complimentary Daily Hot Breakfast Buffet
A TROPICAL OASIS OF PLE ASURE .
Complimentary Evening Social (Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday) featuring a selection of wine, local craft beer, and a light dinner
Perfectly positioned on the area’s best beach and next to famed
Complimentary transportation within a 3-mile radius of the hotel, based upon availability
Pier 60, Hilton Clearwater Beach is one of the area’s few hotels offering
Complimentary Daily Parking
private beachfront walk-out access with food and drinks served directly on the beach. An ideal location offering a fresh, fun atmosphere
Pet friendly
with contemporary décor, our dazzling, stylish guestrooms offer a relaxing Gulf Coast feel with generous balconies. To make a reservation, please call 800 753 3954 or visit hiltonclearwaterbeach.com.
St. Petersburg Downtown
400 Mandalay Avenue, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767 @2015 Hilton Worldwide
O N
T H E
D O W N T O W N
masterpieces, antiquities and contemporary art
W A T E R F R O N T
940 5th Avenue South | St. Petersburg, FL 33705 727-821-0777 | www.staybridgesuites.com/stpetersburgfl
36618-1
Recapturing Old Florida
World wonders to be discovered among the most breathtaking collection in St. Petersburg. The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, Florida has more than 20,000 works of art including Monet, O’Keeffe, Renoir, Cézanne, and Gauguin to name a few. Explore extraordinary traveling exhibitions, gaze at photography from the largest collection in the Southeast and engage in over 200 programs each year. Lunch in our gourmet artisanal café, shop our unique gift store and see why we really do have more.
810 GULFSIDE & SARAH’S SEASIDE
INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, FLORIDA
255 BEACH DRIVE NE, ST. PETERSBURG 727.896.2667 | www.fine-arts.org
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AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
810 Gulf Blvd. • Indian Rocks Beach, FL • 727-596-8063 046782-01
For reservations, visit GulfsideResorts.com or call 800-597-8063
32622-1
GULFSIDE RESORTS
A premier enclave of secluded beach front cottages and suites recapturing “Old Florida’’ in Indian Rocks Beach. Charm and sophistication await with a heated pool, sea kayaks, beach cabanas, butterfly gardens, bicycles and high-speed Internet. Celebrating 25 years of family ownership.
OUR SCENE
Clearwater Beach Clearwater Beach
THE SUN SETS ON YOUR VISIT, BUT THE LOVE AFFAIR HAS JUST BEGUN. The sugar-white sand, the welcoming waters, the friendly locals, the flavorful food, the lively culture â&#x20AC;&#x201D; they will always beckon. See you again soon. VISITSTPETECLEARWATER.COM
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IT’S A
SUNNY, BEACHY, WAVE ROCKIN,
DOLPHIN SPOTTIN, CULTURE LOVIN
#LiveAmplified
KINDA PLACE HERE.
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There’s a vibe in St. Pete/Clearwater that washes right over you. Here, America’s Best Beaches and a nationally recognized arts scene keep every moment supercharged with possibility. No wonder we were named one of the top “Places to Go” by The New York Times. Find your groove at VisitStPeteClearwater.com.