Clearwater Beach Getaway
Clearwater Beach
By Kelly Ashby, USF
Need a getaway from all responsibilities for a weekend? Clearwater Beach offers multiple leisure activities leaving various enjoyable memories. Lounging on this large beach with a Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill’s refreshing “Mango Slide” or playing a game of beach volleyball with good company in 75 degree weather, you just can’t seem to go wrong.
Clearwater Beach is open to the public and offers ample room on the beach for relaxation, volleyball nets for plentiful action in the sand and occasional films played on the outdoor blow up movie screen. Although the beach is the main attraction, the sunset celebrations, numerous hotels, boat tours and established restaurants in the area also bring in the majority of the families and tourists.
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill is one of the largest restaurants on the beach in Clearwater offering two bars. This venue offers indoor seating as well as outdoor seating with a cool breeze. A variety of live music is played daily by local artists in the area. Many approachable individuals enjoy the various fresh seafood dishes like the grouper sandwich.
Another established restaurant on the beach is Palm Pavilion Beachside Bar and Grill. This casual restaurant has picnic tables sitting on the breezy deck and offers great food, delicious signature beverages and an up-beat atmosphere. The two restaurants are fairly close to one another, so if there is a wait for one, just walk right over to the other.
Right down the street is a dock with several boat ride offerings, pirate ship encounters and parasailing opportunities. Souvenirs are sold at little vendors along the dock for affordable prices. Many focus on selling the minimalistic items such as vibrant colored bracelets, magnets, bottle openers, necklaces and stickers.
Along with this dock in Clearwater, Pier 60 is another well-known boardwalk offering a sunset celebration every day of the year. Many local musicians, crafters and fishers stand on this pier two hours before the sunset, and two hours after. The Pier 60 bait house sells bait, a complete line of fishing tackle, shirts, beverages and a unforgettable fishing experience on this 1,080 foot fishing pier.
Another popular attraction is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium where the famous Winter the bottlenose dolphin lives. Winter the dolphin starred in two “Dolphin Tale” movies, which is why she is the favorable underwater actress at the aquarium. There are also multiple exhibits featuring a variety of animals such as otters, pelicans, turtles, fish and even sharks.
There are many historic, luxurious hotels to stay at while visiting Clearwater Beach. Some of these hotels include the Sandpearl Resort, the Vinoy Renaissance Resort and the Loews Don CeSar. Each of these resorts provides a pampering, relaxing experience. The Sandpearl in particular is less than a quarter-mile away from Pier 60, offers a sensational spa and tremendous dining opportunities and wine tastings.
On the beach, a water sports hut sits in the white, soft sand. This set up offers jet skiing, banana boating and also parasailing for children and adults with plenty safety gear.
This beach is family friendly, tourist ready and actively bringing the community together through several pleasurable activities.