Best Things to Do in Clearwater Beach with Kids

When planning a holiday to Florida, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the magic of Orlando’s theme parks. Don’t get me wrong, we love a holiday to Disney or Universal Orlando just as much as the next parent, but there’s so much more to see and do in central Florida away from the roller coasters and fireworks, which we discovered on our most recent trip.

Enter Clearwater—a slice of Gulf Coast paradise just a two-hour drive from Orlando and where we spent 3 days during our last trip. Known for its award-winning beaches and incredible breathtaking Gulf Coast sunsets, Clearwater offers the perfect escape to relax and unwind from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks of Orlando.

If you’re planning your next Florida holiday, here’s why Clearwater should be on your itinerary—and how to make the most of your visit.

Best Things to Do in Clearwater with Kids: A Family Guide for when you visit Florida

  1. Relax at Clearwater Beach

It’s not a trip to Florida without some beach time, and the star of the show in Clearwater is undoubtedly its powder sand beach, consistently ranked among the best in the world! The iconic 2.5 mile Clearwater Beach is a must visit for families, with crystal clear waters, soft white powdery sand and plenty of amenities nearby, so it’s really family friendly!  This part of Florida is also well known for its Pelicans and seeing them on the beach was so entertaining to watch.

There are beach chairs and cabanas to rent on the beach and if you need beach toys, then call into the huge SurfStyle store on the main promenade which will have everything you need. The beach at Clearwater is the perfect place to change the pace of your holiday and unwind after busy Orlando theme park days.

However, whilst we loved the beach here, there are plenty of other activities in Clearwater that make it ideal for families.

  1. Meet Marine Animals at Clearwater Marine Aquarium

No trip to Clearwater is complete without visiting the Clearwater Marine Aquarium – Florida’s largest rescue centre dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of sick marine life. Here you will be able to see dolphins, sea turtles, white pelicans and stingrays whilst learning about the conservation taking place while getting up close with wildlife. Don’t miss the story of Winter the dolphin, the tailless dolphin who had a prosthetic tail fitted at the centre and star of the 2011 movie Dolphin Tale!

  1. Watch a magnificent sunset at Pier 60

Every evening, Pier 60 comes alive with its famous Sunset Festival, which starts two hours before sunset. It’s such a brilliant place to experience, where you can enjoy colourful street performers, local crafts, and live music. It’s a free and fun way to end the day—and don’t miss the sunset here, it really is something else – so good in fact that there is even a countdown clock to it across the street!

  1. Embark on Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise

There are lots of boat tours to experience in Clearwater, but this is a pirate-themed cruise which has been operating for over 40 years.  On a two-hour Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise, expect treasure hunts, water gun battles, face painting and pirate stories for the kids and parents can enjoy the stunning Gulf views and a complimentary drink.

  1. Go wild dolphin spotting

Another boat tour if you want to see dolphins is the Dolphin Encounter Excursion.  Starting at the Clearwater Beach marina, the Little Toot and Little Toot II tugboat cruises through the bay and gulf, offering guests the opportunity to see countless Atlantic bottlenose dolphins on the 60-90 minute tour.

  1. Explore Caladesi Island State Park

Accessible by ferry or boat, Caladesi Island is a pristine escape for families who love nature. The 650-acre island has a 2.5-mile trail that passes the site of the early 1800s Scharrer family homestead, and is a stop on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.  It’s simply a place to enjoy the peace of its secluded beaches. It’s the perfect place to reconnect with Florida’s natural beauty.

  1. Splash out on Water Sports

For adventurous families, Clearwater offers plenty of water sports. Rent paddleboards, kayaks, or jet skis to explore the Gulf’s sparkling waters. Older kids and teens will especially love the thrill of exploring the waters on their own kayak or paddleboard. You might get lucky as we were able to see a manatee who would swim into the bay near our hotel where we hired the paddleboards!

  1. Discover Sand Key Park

Just a short drive across the bridge from Clearwater Beach, Sand Key Park is quieter beach alternative with all the charm.  With natural trails, playground and picnic areas, this is one of the best beaches to search for seashells and relax at whilst in Clearwater and is typically much quieter than the main beach.  On the parks nature trail and salt marsh, you might spot many species of seabirds as well as loggerhead sea turtles nest on the beach from May through October.

  1. Hop on the Clearwater Jolley Trolley

Whilst you can use a rideshare to get around Clearwater, this mode of transport is the most unique and fun! The Jolley Trolley is a charming and convenient way to explore the area, with stops at popular attractions like Clearwater Beach, Downtown Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, and Tarpon Springs. Kids will love the novelty, and parents will appreciate the stress-free transport.

  1. Have lunch or dinner at Crabby’s Dockside

Though the beach has a wide range of dining options available, nothing beats Crabby’s for me – especially if you like seafood!  A great lunch or dinner spot, this is right at the marina so you can also see gargantuan flock of boats (pirate ships and otherwise).  We went for dinner here and the service, menu and experience was excellent!  I would recommend the grooper sandwich (a local favourite) and try and get a table near the windows on the first floor – the views over the beach especially at sunset are incredible.

Another dining recommendation would be Gondoliers Pizza, it doesn’t look much from the outside, but this little Italian is worth a visit. Not only was if good value, the pasta and pizzas here are excellent.

  • Crabbys Address: 37 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33767, United States

  1. Visit Hogan’s Hangout

If you are a wrestling fan, then you need to check out Hogan’s Hangout, a bar owned by the former wrestler Hulk Hogan.  There is plenty of memorabilia and photo ops here and if you are lucky, on their Monday night karaoke you might catch a sight of Hulk, a longtime Clearwater Beach resident.  There is also a restaurant here (there are better looking options on the strip), live music and sports on multiple TVs.

  • Hogan’s Hangout Address: 499 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater, FL 33767, United States
  • For more information, visit the Hogan’s Hangout website. 

  1. Shop

There are lots of fun independent stores here, from beachwear to unique souvenirs.  It’s worth calling into the main SurfStyle store here which is gigantic! It even has its own indoor surfing machine to try out.

A short drive away is the Countryside Mall, the main shopping mall in the area with over 150 stores and restaurants.

13. Rent bikes along the beachfront

A great way to get around and explore Clearwater Beach is to hire a bike.  Not only are you able to squeeze in a little workout on holiday, it’s the perfect way to see Clearwater beach.  Our hotel had complimentary bikes for hotel guests but there are numerous companies operating along the promenade, hiring everything from scooters and bikes to golf cart rentals.

Where to stay

 JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort

For a luxurious yet family-friendly stay, we loved the JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort. Nestled on its own private beach, its beachfront location meant we could stroll straight to the sand from the lobby of the hotel in less than a minute, and the stylish rooftop pool was a huge hit with our teens.  Rooms here are spacious and modern and if you can book a room with a balcony offering panoramic views over the ocean, it makes a stay here even more memorable.

The on-site restaurants catered to both kids and adults, and the staff made sure our stay was as relaxing as it was memorable.

How to Plan Your Clearwater Adventure

Timing

I would recommend spending at least 2-3 days in Clearwater to experience what it has to offer.  Weekends are typically busier so arrive during the week. I know extreme day trips are popular, and you could enjoy a day trip from Orlando here, but you are only getting a small sample of what is on offer.

How to get to Clearwater, Florida from the UK

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly from London to both Orlando International Airport and Tampa International Airport, with flights starting from £370 return in Economy.  Tampa is less than a 1hr drive from Clearwater Beach and Orlando is just under 2 hours.

Renting a car is the easiest way to get from Orlando to Clearwater, which is located just west of Tampa. The drive from Orlando takes just under two hours, and the scenery on road is incredible, especially the huge intercoastal bridges that span the islands here.

Why Clearwater is Worth the Trip

As much as I love the magic of Orlando’s theme parks, there’s something uniquely special about Clearwater’s laid-back charm and did feel like an actual holiday. Whether your family is building sandcastles on the beach or watching the sunset at Pier 60, you’ll create memories that are every bit as magical as those made at the theme parks.

So, next time you’re planning a Florida holiday, it’s well worth considering adding a few days in Clearwater to your itinerary. It’s a refreshing change of pace that your whole family will appreciate—and it just might become one of the highlights of your trip, it was with us!

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