Clearwater Attractions
Attracting over one million visitors every year, Clearwater has many reasons to be considered an ideal travel and vacation destination. Apart from the sun and fun at Clearwater beach, there is an impressive list of attractions in the area.
The ambience and setting of Clearwater city and its beach are the principal reasons why the city remains a popular choice with new and returning visitors. Rated among the best beaches in the country, Clearwater beach offers sparkling waters, soft white sand, and diverse activities and settings that for active adults, teens and families. Beyond the beach there is so much to entertain visitors from parks, aquariums, gardens, sports fields, swimming, sailing, fishing, boating, cruise tours, parasailing, golfing, shopping, festivals and special events.
Pier 60 - No visitor to Clearwater should miss a stroll at Pier 60. Pier 60 is one of the finer spots on the Clearwater beach to enjoy the coastal and beach ambience and especially the scenic sunsets.
Clearwater Pier 60
Pier 60 is located where the Causeway and the Gulf Boulevard intersect. Open around the clock on all days, the Pier has a beach concession and a bait shop, and there are nearby shops and restaurants. Sunset watching is a festive ritual spanning well before and after the sunset. The Pier is often accented with performances and entertainment by local artists, musicians, jugglers, magicians, and crafters. An enjoyable atmosphere brings repeat visitors and locals.
Attractions
Clearwater Marine Aquarium - Located near Clearwater Beach, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is dedicated to animal rescue and rehabilitation, research and public education. The non-profit organization has resident animals and exhibits that include dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays, otters and more. Read about the amazing story of Winter the Dolphin.
249 Windward Passage Clearwater, Florida. Telephone: (727) 441-1790.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Lowry Park Zoo - Located in Tampa, Lowry Park Zoo offers a great combination of nature and education. The park has more that 1,800 animals in natural outdoor exhibits. In addition to the animal exhibits, there are a number of animal shows and fun rides. 1101 West Sligh Avenue Tampa, Florida. (813) 935-8552.
Lowry Park Zoo attraction
Florida Aquarium - Among the top aquariums in the country, the Florida Aquarium has over 10,000 aquatic plants and animals. The facility occupies 200,000 square feet. See sharks, rays, alligators, octopuses, otters, eels, urchins and many other fascinating animals. 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, Florida 33602. (813) 273-4000.
Theme Parks
Tiger at Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens - A world class theme park with thrilling rides, six heart-pounding roller coasters, shows and wild animal attractions. Its Serengeti Plain is home to hundreds of exotic, African animals roaming freely across a 65-acre natural habitat. A full day of of entertainment for all ages. McKinley Drive and Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33674. 888-800-5447.
Adventure Island - Take a cooling break in the Florida sun at Adventure Island with 30 acres of water rides, pools, high-speed slides, water falls and a wave pool. Enjoy picnic and beach areas. Dining facilities are also available on premise. 10001 Malcolm McKinley Drive, Tampa, Florida (near Busch Gardens). 813-987-5660.
Clearwater Beach Marina
The Clearwater Beach Marina offer many day act ivies including party boat and charter fishing, sailing, Dolphin watching, parasailing, speed boat rides, and dinner cruises.
Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise - For those who have a bit of Pirate in their heart, Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise is just the ticket! Sail aboard this 70 foot pirate ship with other buccaneers and seafaring seadogs. Enjoy soft drinks, beer, wine, or champagne, while searching for the bountiful dolphins and engaging pirate fun and variety of games. This cruise is always a favorite with kids and adults.
Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise
Dolphin Watching Cruises - For a guided tour of the Clearwater harbor and the Gulf of Mexico, Little Toot is a good option with the 40-foot authentic tugboat filled with Dolphin watching adventures, sea breeze and warming sun.
Also, the 125 passenger double deck Clearwater Express is another good way to watch for Dolphins moving about in their natural habitats, sight seeing tours and scenic view of the Gulf beaches. In addition to these two, Kai Lani Catamaran offers a variety of themes like Dolphin watching, sun sail, sunset cruise, Wine-on-the-Water Sunset Cruise, Moonlight Cruise, and star gazing cruise. Kai Lani also offers pre-booked private charters for anniversaries, parties and weddings.
Starlite Cruises - Rated among some of the best dinner cruise lines, Starlite cruises offer one of the best sea bound entertainments at Clearwater. The activities on the ship includes a unique dining experience at sail with a tantalizing menu besides large picture windows, an incomparable sight seeing experience, and parties and fun onboard.
The cruise starting from Clearwater is called StarLite Majesty. With a capacity of 158 and 120 in two of its decks respectively, StarLite provides one of the best dining experience amidst entertainment, dancing, unique waterfront views, dazzling sunsets and twinkling starlit evenings. Lunch at StarLite comes in a variety of packages with a range of rates and delicacies. Luncheon Sightseeing Cruise offers two-hour trips with a guided tour narrating the history of the area and its contemporary importance. Luncheon Dance Cruise can offer two and a half to three hours of hearing and dancing to favorite live music performances by artists onboard.
Calypso Queen Cruise - A triple decked boat of sixty-five feet specially designed for harbor cruises on the Beaches of Clearwater. It offers sightseeing, luncheon and dinner cruises. Decks one and two are comfortably air conditioned, with the third, top deck open for observation providing a scenic view of the beautiful waterfront.
The cruise has a full service galley and bar, amazing sound system, decorated and furnished interiors and restrooms on both the decks. Apart from individual sight seeing packages, the cruise also provides diverse themes to host corporate events, parties, group events, weddings, and travel groups. With 65 feet length and a capacity to carry 150 passengers,
Parasailing - Awesome parasailing experiences at the Clearwater beach. Visitors can take off from the parasail vessel and climb to heights ranging from 400 to 800 feet! The aerial views are spectacular. Refreshing dips in the turquoise waters of the gulf add to the experience as you sink from the heights and then accelerated soar back into the sky.
Arts
Ruth Eckerd Hall - Performing arts center located in Clearwater. One of the top concert halls in the US, which comfortably seats 2,180. A variety of performances are offered throughout the year including music and orchestral concerts of all genres, Broadway plays, dance and children's shows. 1111 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, Florida. 727-791-7400 or 800-875-8682.
Mahaffey Theater - At the Progress Energy Center, the 2030-seat theater is a cultural oasis along the bay front in St. Petersburg with grand ballroom space, spectacular waterfront views, and European box-style seating. The Mahaffey hosts many performances including Broadway, family shows, ballet, jazz, symphonic and popular music. 400 First Street South, St. Petersburg, Florida. 727-892-5767.
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center - A major performing arts center of 290,000 square feet located on a picturesque nine-acre site in Tampa. More than 600 performances and events are offered each year including concerts, opera, Broadway shows, dance and more in the five theaters. 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa, Florida. 813-229-7827 or 800-955-1045.
