3-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for Clearwater, FL

  • Day 1: Start the day off with a visit to Clearwater Beach, one of the best beaches in the country. Spend the morning playing in the clear blue water and building sandcastles with the kids. For lunch, head to Frenchy's Rockaway Grill, a beachfront restaurant known for its fresh seafood and laid-back atmosphere. In the afternoon, take a dolphin watching cruise with Dolphin Encounter to see the playful creatures up close. End the day with a stroll along Pier 60, the hub of activity on Clearwater Beach where you can catch a stunning sunset and see street performers.
  • Day 2: Start the day off with a visit to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where you'll get to see Winter the Dolphin, star of the movie Dolphin Tale. Spend the morning learning about marine life and watching the dolphins and sea turtles. For lunch, head to Columbia Restaurant, a historic eatery in nearby Sand Key known for its Cuban cuisine. In the afternoon, head to the Salvador Dali Museum in nearby St. Petersburg to see the largest collection of Dali's works outside of Europe. End the day with dinner at Island Way Grill, a seafood restaurant with stunning views of Clearwater Bay.
  • Day 3: Start the day off with a visit to Caladesi Island State Park, a pristine island accessible only by boat or ferry. Spend the morning exploring the island's nature trails and soaking up the sun on the secluded beach. For lunch, head to Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill, a casual eatery on Clearwater Beach known for its seafood and beachy vibe. In the afternoon, head to the Clearwater Ferry Terminal and catch a ferry to Tarpon Springs, a Greek fishing village known for its sponge docks and authentic Greek cuisine. End the day with dinner at Mykonos, a family-friendly Greek restaurant in Tarpon Springs.
Restaurants
  • For breakfast, try The Breakfast Club, a charming diner known for their delicious pancakes and omelettes. Expect to spend about $10-15 per person for a satisfying breakfast.
  • For lunch, head to The Surf Shack, a beachfront eatery offering tasty seafood dishes and refreshing salads. Plan to spend around $15-20 per person for a satisfying lunch.
  • For dinner, don't miss out on The Kalama Grill, a popular spot known for their mouthwatering steaks and seafood. A dinner here will cost you approximately $25-30 per person.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Clearwater Beach - 3 hours, free
  • Frenchy's Rockaway Grill - 1 hour, $20 per person
  • Dolphin Encounter - 2 hours, $30 per adult, $25 per child
  • Pier 60 - 1 hour, free
  • Clearwater Marine Aquarium - 3 hours, $25 per adult, $20 per child
  • Columbia Restaurant - 1.5 hours, $30 per person
  • Salvador Dali Museum - 2 hours, $25 per adult, $18 per child
  • Island Way Grill - 1.5 hours, $40 per person
  • Caladesi Island State Park - 4 hours, $8 per car
  • Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill - 1 hour, $25 per person
  • Tarpon Springs - 2 hours, free
  • Mykonos - 1.5 hours, $30 per person
  • Total Estimated Costs: $318 per adult, $258 per child

Transportation

Since Clearwater and its surrounding areas are spread out, a car or rental car is necessary to get around. There are several car rental companies at the Tampa International Airport, which is about 25 minutes from Clearwater. Uber and Lyft are also available in the area. Parking is available at most attractions, but expect to pay for parking in popular areas like Clearwater Beach and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Links to Key Attractions

Tips

If you have extra time, consider taking a day trip to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, a theme park with roller coasters and animal exhibits. If you have less time, consider skipping Tarpon Springs and spending more time at Clearwater Beach or the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

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Itinerary created by AI-assisted, human-reviewed