After living in Florida for 5 years, I finally made it over to the Gulf Coast to find out what to do in Clearwater Fl.
What started off as a family weekend, turned into a girls trip, but not one you might expect!
It was a girls trip of mom bloggers who all met up to see what Clearwater Florida had to offer.
I had no idea what to expect but Clearwater did not disappoint!
The casual beachy vibe and family-friendly service was the perfect mix of relaxed fun.
Here’s what to do in Clearwater Fl for a perfect, fun weekend…
What To Do In Clearwater Florida
- Take Pictures At Sunset
- Dinner At Cooter’s
- Ride The Trolley
- Visit The Aquarium
- Eat Brunch At ClearSky
- Grab A Drink At Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest
- Take A Boat Tour
1. Take Pictures At Sunset
We stayed right on the beach in the gorgeous Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach Hotel.
This hotel is the perfect mix of thoughtful amenities and family-friendly vibe with a casual beach location.
It’s the first time I’ve been offerred a glass of champagne when I checked-in.
After a 4 hour drive during rush hour, this hit the spot!
I spent a few minutes checking out the room, unpacking & enjoying the view.
Sometimes when a hotel says it’s a “beach hotel” that means it’s a short distance from the beach.
Not the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach Hotel.
This hotel is RIGHT ON the beach.
I could actually see the beach from the bed!
How’s that for a room with a view?
And because it’s on the Gulf Coast, you can view the most amazing sunsets.
Sunset is a popular time to run to the beach for great pictures, so I headed straight downstairs.
I didn’t realize how amazing the sand is in Clearwater – it’s a fine, white powder – just like in any tropical beach.
You don’t want to miss the sunsets in Clearwater Beach & the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach Hotel has a perfect view.
Get details about hotel pricing & availability here.
2. Dinner At Cooter’s
If you’re looking for an epic night out, have dinner at Cooter’s.
It’s just set back one street from Clearwater’s main strip, and you’ll be happy you made the detour.
The food is delicious, the drinks are a riot & the service is stellar.
This really is a family owned & operated restaurant – with the owner stopping by to say hello.
I’m a sucker for a good & spicy hot sauce & Cooter’s own-brand did not disappoint!
Then there were the drinks…. oh the drinks!
The souvenir glasses are a nice touch after a memorable night!
You can find Cooter’s food & drinks menu here.
3. Ride The Jolley Trolley
Clearwater’s Jolley Trolley is the most fun & inexpensive way to see Clearwater.
Their trollies are a total throwback – some are open air & others have air conditioning.
With stops all over town, it’s a convenient way to get around for a weekend.
It totally lives up to its name – it really is a JOLLY ride around town.
You can see the trolley route here.
4. Visit The Aquarium
When you visit Clearwater, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a must.
The Jolley Trolley took us right to the aquarium where we spent a beautiful morning visiting the dolphins & watching the show.
Fun fact – the dolphins at this aquarium are FAMOUS.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is home to the famous dolphin Winter, star of the movie Dolphin Tale.
The movie Dolphin Tale, starring Harry Connick Jr. and Morgan Freeman, was actually filmed in the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
5. Eat Brunch At ClearSky
After a morning at the aquarium, we hopped back onto the Jolley Trolley & headed straight for Clear Sky On Cleveland.
This beautiful restaurant is the perfect spot for a Sunday brunch.
And the food is just as gorgeous as the restaurant!
We tried everything sweet and savory & it all tasted amazing.
Their signature corn beef hash is the best in the world – a must-order!
6. Grab A Drink At Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest
So just by accident we ended up at Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest because of it’s perfect location.
This pictures is from the Wyndam Grand Hotel & directly across the street is Pier House 60 with Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest at the very top.
We popped in for a minute & the place was packed.
It’s the perfect place to see it all: the beach, the main drag, and the boats going in & out.
7. Take A Boat Tour
Sitting there watching the parties on this boat tours made me wish I had booked one, but our time in Clearwater was already up!
This is on the top of my list for next time!
Earlier in the day we did try to book a ride, but these boat tours sell out quick – especially the sunset cruises!
If you’re thinking of doing the boat tour, you’ll want to reserve your spot in advance.
They are SUPER popular & look very fun.
What would YOU love to do in Clearwater FL?
Leave a comment below & let me know!
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