Plan for Family Fun in Clearwater

Clearwater Beach was named the #1 Beach in the U.S. for the past two years by TripAdvisor

Photo by Boone Clemmons

A FAMILY AFFAIR

Although many other Florida cities receive a lot of praise as family destinations, do not overlook Clearwater. Located on the state’s Gulf Coast 22 miles from Tampa, Clearwater overflows with family-friendly activities, attractions, accommodations, shopping and dining. In fact, there’s so much to see, do and experience, Clearwater may become your family’s new vacation getaway tradition.

BEACH LIFE

Not surprisingly, Clearwater’s sugar-white sand gulf coast beaches are the city’s largest family draw. From building sand castles to splashing in the surf, there’s no shortage of fun in the sun. But visitors also can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Beach Walk promenade or the nightly Sunsets at Pier 60, which includes a variety of local artisans, live music and street performers. In addition, every weekend families can enjoy a night under the stars with free movies at the Sunset Cinema. Bring your blanket and snacks, and get ready to enjoy a family-friendly movie together.

Photo by Boone Clemmons

HIT THE WATER

While splashing around on Clearwater Beach is one of Clearwater’s top attractions, it’s by far not the only one. Fans of “Dolphin Tale” and “Dolphin Tale 2” may be familiar with the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which serves as the home of Winter and Hope, the dolphins featured in the movies. But this aquarium has much more to offer than just a chance to meet these famous water residents. It also rescues marine life, nursing sick or injured animals, and, if possible to rehabilitate, returning those animals back into their natural habitats. Throughout the aquarium, visitors can learn about the aquarium’s work, see their current residents, and find out how they, too, can help support the aquarium and its mission. For more encounters with the area’s marine life, consider taking a dolphin-watching tour around Clearwater. There are numerous providers, including The Tropics Boat Tours and Little Toot Dolphin Watching Tour, that take guests out in Clearwater Bay and into the Gulf of Mexico, where they search for dolphins. Many times, the dolphins will play alongside the boat as they love jumping in the vessel’s wake. After all, who doesn’t love playing in the waves?

GET FESTIVE

A family beach vacation is not complete without a good party, and Clearwater delivers, thanks to a calendar filled with festivals and special events. Of course, there’s the nightly Sunsets at Pier 60 Daily Festival, but another event not to be missed is the annual Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival. Held each April, this event brings together some of the top sand sculptors from around the globe to create unique designs based on that year’s festival theme. In addition to seeing the sand sculptures, visitors also can enjoy beach concerts, sand-sculpting classes, fireworks and more.

Another popular annual event, the Clearwater Jazz Holiday brings together some of the world’s top jazz musicians for a four-day festival each October at Coachman Park. Football fans coming into town in December for the annual Outback Bowl (and even those who won’t be attending the game) will love Clearwater Beach Day, which celebrates the participating college football teams with their marching bands, live music, games and more right on Clearwater Beach.

Written by: Karon Warren, Contributor to USA Today and Family Vacation Critic