Things to do in Clearwater, FL
Phillies' Spring Training601 Old Coachman Road, Clearwater, 727-441-9941
Baseball fans will love Spectrum Field, the home for the Phillies' Spring Training games as well as the Clearwater Threshers of the Florida State League. The ballpark is located on the west side of U.S. Highway 19, adjacent to Carpenter Field. The Phillies moved their Major and Minor league spring training to Clearwater in 1948 and this means that locals and visitors alike get to see some incredible ball games in the pre-season. The field is really well laid out with the concourse completely wrapping around the stadium and open to the playing field. The berm encompasses most of the outfield and the bullpens are cut into the berm, literally putting fans on top of the relievers. The extremely popular Frenchy's Tiki Pavilion, a full service bar, is between the bullpens and left field foul pole and picnic table seating is available on a terrace. There’s a kids’ area behind it and there's even a small upper deck with club level seating. This ballpark has it all, including an Spanish Mediterranean inspired exterior and a fountain plaza lined with palm trees.
Little Toot Dolphin Adventure25 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater, (727) 446-5503
Clearwater is known for it’s Dolphin encounters and there are several local operators to take you out to see these incredible mammals in their natural habitat. Adults and children of all ages love Little Toot, a beautifully restored tugboat that does a one and a half hour long dolphin tour into the Gulf of Mexico. The power in the engine creates really big wakes that the dolphins love to play in and the fact that the boat is a lot lower to the waters’ edge means you get up close and personal with the animals. Encounter with Dolphins is a 3 and a half hour fun sightseeing tour aboard a 40-foot excursion boat, with awnings for shade and comfortable seats. You will learn about our local wildlife and watch the dolphins in their native environment. The boat will stop for about a half hour at Compass Island. Get off, stretch your legs, collect shells or enjoy a refreshing swim or snorkel. Large families of bottle-nosed dolphins live in the harbor all year round and they are so used to the boats that they come up real close. If you are lucky, you will also see manatees and many birds such as herons, ibises, egrets, spoonbills, cormorants, storks, and pelicans.
Three Rooker Bar198 Seminole St, Clearwater, FL 33755, 727-804-2291
It is difficult to have more fun on the water in less than 4 hours than with Captain Mike Troche and his Dream Catcher Encounters. It all starts with a roughly 40-minute boat ride on the intercoastal waterway until you reach a remote small island known as Three Rooker Bar. As the boat glides through the calm waters, you will be able to observe sea life in their natural habitat. The Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphins love to come so close to the boat you can almost touch them. Before reaching the island, all passengers who want can go for a tubing ride. There’s very few things more fun than being dragged through the water at high speed on a huge tube. Once on the island, head into the turquoise waters with a mask and snorkel to spot spider crabs, minnows, stingrays, and even a manatee if lucky. For those who prefer to stay dry, the beaches are full of shells, pieces of broken coral, sand dollars, and sea sponges. The captain will provide soft drinks but guests should bring their own snacks or alcohol if they wish.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium249 Windward Passage Clearwater, 727-441-1790
Clearwater is known for its incredible aquarium, where all the animals have been rescued and rehabilitated. The aquarium is most well known for its resident dolphin, Winter, who inspired the movie Dolphin Tale featuring Morgan Freeman. At the aquarium you can expect to see an array of marine life such as dolphins, turtles, otters, sharks, and you can even get up close with stingrays. The emphasis is on an interactive experience focused mainly on education and information. So don’t expect a boring narrative walk around the building, here you get to feel things, touch things and even feed the stingrays or pelicans that live at the aquarium. The animals that come through the aquarium doors arrive because they are suffering from an illness or severe injury and most are found by local residents, fishermen, park rangers or even visitors to the area. They normally spend a while in the marine hospital, which is also open to the public. All profits from visitors and tours go to the rehabilitation and ultimate release of the aquatic life here.
Sea Dog Brewing Company26200 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater, FL 33761, Phone: 727-466-4916
After a day of exploring the area, one of the best places to refuel is definitely Sea Dog Brewing Company, a Maine brewer of traditional English-style beers using the highest quality ingredients such as the top-fermenting Ringwood yeast and English two-row malted barley. Their brewery and pub in Clearwater is their first in Florida and they have gained quick popularity with locals and visitors alike. The pub is olde English-club style comfort with lots of leather couches and TVs on the walls, but the beer is pouring from shiny taps and the fans are flocking in. Head brewer Bobby Baker has the freedom to develop recipes on a weekly basis as he oversees a 20-barrel brewing system at the Clearwater location, responsible for the distribution of beer all the way from Key West to Pensacola. He enjoys knowing that his customers can always expect a complex food-driven beverage here at the Tasting room. The extensive menu offers classic pub grub with a few extras such as fajitas with everything, giant burgers, and blackened shrimps on skewers.
Calypso Queen25 Causeway Blvd., Slip #18, Clearwater
For a really awesome end to the day, join the party aboard the Calypso Queen, a three storey fun and festive buffet cruise that showcases the Clearwater coastline. Skip the restaurant reservations and indulge in a range of buffet options topped off with unlimited wine, beer or rum punch from an open bar. Learn interesting facts about the Florida coast with captain’s commentary and end the night dancing under the stars. The two lower level are both enclosed and air-conditioned while the upper lever is open to enjoy the amazing sunsets before the dancing begins. The tropical themed cruise offers an optional, delicious Tropical Island Style Dinner Buffet including mango glazed chicken, beef teriyaki and chilled steamed shrimp. The on-board DJ provides music for dancing and fun interactive entertainment with a Caribbean flair. The vessel is complete with restrooms on both dining levels, two full service bars, full service galley and a state of the art sound system. Each dining level can accommodate up to 75 passengers.
