Unique Things to do in Clearwater (From a Local)
Are you looking for something unique to do in Clearwater, Florida?
While Clearwater is known as a touristy area, especially around spring break, there are still some off-the-beaten-path areas to explore.
Of course, go to Clearwater Beach and enjoy the beautiful sand and sparkling warm water. Eat grouper sandwiches and watch the sunset. However, when you are looking for something unique to do in Clearwater, read this list for a few ideas.
I was born and raised in Clearwater, Florida. After leaving for college and then for New York City, I eventually moved back to raise my own family. While I no longer live in Clearwater, I do go back to visit my family and friends.
Clearwater Beach remains my favorite spot, specifically enjoying a meal outside at the Sand Pearl Hotel. Though that is not a unique restaurant, it remains less crowded than the nearby Frenchy’s Surfside and Palm Pavillion (but I still use the parking lot in between those two restaurants almost every time I visit).
Keep reading to find some of the most unique things to do in Clearwater, from a local.
Arrive by Water Ferry
Instead of driving over the causeway, which can get extremely backed up during the busiest times in Clearwater, take the water ferry from Coachman Park to the Clearwater Beach Marina.
It is easy to walk from the marina to the center of Clearwater Beach. The marina is across the street from Pier 60. There are restaurants at the marina as well as in both directions after leaving the marina.
Not only will the water ferry save you time that you won’t be stuck in traffic, but you also won’t have to circle to find a parking spot.
You can also take the water ferry to and from Dunedin.
Is Clearwater Beach worth visiting?
Caladesi Island State Park
Did you know that you can walk to Caladesi Island State Park from the north end of Clearwater Beach?
Another way to get there is to take a ferry from Honeymoon Island which is in nearby Dunedin.
In addition to walking trails, Caladesi Island has restrooms, picnic pavilions, and a concession stand as well as a beach.
The beach at Caladesi Island State Park is stunning, and the beach is a lot less crowded than Clearwater Beach, Honeymoon Island, and other beaches nearby.
The Caladesi Discovery Center, a 3-story wooden viewing platform, is now open and a great place to go to check out the view.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is not your typical aquarium. It is a rescue and rehabilitation center for sea life.
The sea life at Clearwater Marine Aquarium varies as the hope is the animals can be released back into the ocean, though some of their animals are lifelong guests.
On one of our visits, we were able to see turtles getting X-rays in the hospital. What a unique experience at an aquarium!
Kids 7+ can participate in the animal experiences at Clearwater Marine Aquarium including going behind-the-scenes on a tour of the aquarium.
Read more about what you can expect at Clearwater Marine Aquarium and prepurchase your tickets.
Pirate Cruise
You can find all kinds of boat rides that leave Clearwater Beach Marina and other marinas nearby, but the boat ride you aren’t likely to find in other areas of the world is Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise.
Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise has been sailing from Clearwater Beach for more than 40 years. I grew up seeing the pirate ship cruise through the Gulf of Mexico, but never rode on it until I was an adult (even though it is geared toward kids).
I have now ridden on Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise twice and highly recommend it to families.
Not only do you get to go on a boat ride, but there are plenty of activities for kids on board.
Find out more about Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise.
Sit by the Bonfire
On the beach outside the Sandpearl Resort is a fire pit where a fire is lit nightly.
You can sit on a chair and enjoy the fire right outside Tates Island Grill. There are also hammocks located nearby.
Find the Painted Dolphins
You can find a painted dolphin at just about every type of location in Clearwater. They are in front of restaurants, at the mall, in the baseball stadium, and in front of the library.
See how many painted dolphins you can find.
Ride in a Sea-Through Kayak
You can see the fish underneath you during the day in a see-through kayak ride, or you can go on an LED-illuminated fish-feeding night tour.
Note that the nighttime tour takes place in nearby Indian Rocks Beach.
Both kayaking tours include all equipment and a guide.
See the Sandcastles
Each year in April, the Sugar Sand Festival arrives at Clearwater Beach. The main event of the Sugar Sand Festival is a tent filled with giant sand carvings that fit a specific theme.
In addition to viewing the amazing sand sculptures, there are plenty of other things to experience at the Sugar Sand Festival including:
- free sand sculpting classes
- live music
- fireworks
- Ferris wheel
- inflatable rides
- food stalls
Try Surfing Indoors (Permanently Closed)
Clearwater Beach is not known for its surfing. The waves just aren’t big enough to surf on. That is what helps make Clearwater so family-friendly and relaxing. You do not have to worry about the waves.
Even still, you can surf on Clearwater Beach. The only difference is that it is indoors.
Surf Style, one of the largest shops on Clearwater Beach, has indoor surfing sessions available from morning until late at night. You can even come in early on weekdays for a free 10-minute session.
If you plan to surf inside at Surf Style often, you can purchase a membership that will drop the hourly fee by 50%.
While there are no age restrictions to ride the Flow Rider, you do need to be at least 42″ to participate.
Maybe it is raining in Clearwater, late at night, or you are just looking for something fun and unique to do, check out the Flow Rider indoor surf waves at Surf Style on Clearwater Beach.
Find more fun things to do on a rainy day in Clearwater.
Watch a Show by the Waterfront
A new concert venue has opened in Clearwater. The Sound holds outdoor concerts right on the waterfront.
Clearwater has a few places to see music and theatre, including The Capitol Theatre and Ruth Eckerd Hall.
Things to do on Clearwater Beach at Night
Go to a Theatre run by Volunteers
If you can believe it, Francis Wilson Theatre has been around for nearly 100 years!
Run by volunteers, the performances at Francis Wilson are entirely done by volunteer actors. Most of the shows performed at Francis Wilson are well-known plays and musicals. They sometimes have Broadway-themed concerts as well.
Moccasin Lake Nature Park
Clearwater is not just the beach.
If you are looking for something unique to do in Clearwater, head to Moccasin Lake Nature Park. This park is more than 50 acres and includes:
- walking trails and boardwalks
- ponds and creeks
- playground
- picnic tables and pavilions
- open play area
- wildlife, including injured birds of prey
- science workshops
If you are visiting Mocassin Lake Park with kids, don’t forget to pick up a Clearwater Junior Park Ranger Activity Book and Journal.
Other Clearwater parks to visit as a Junior Park Ranger include:
- Crest Lake Park
- Kapok Park
- Cliff Stephens Park
- Bayview Park
- Lake Chautauqua Park
Watch a Baseball Game from the Berm or the Bar
During Spring Training, the Philadelphia Phillies play at Baycare Ballpark in Clearwater. After that, the Clearwater Threshers, a single-A minor-league team, plays baseball at Baycare Ballpark.
Spectrum Field is a great place to watch a baseball game. Whether you are at a Spring Training game or a minor league game, there are plenty of fun things to do in addition to watching the game.
Seats are available in the stands, but the outfield is filled with grass. Berm seats are sold at a discounted price, but it is a great place to sit and have a picnic and let the kids run around.
By 3rd base, there is a bar with plenty of seats.
The kids can play at the playground during the game. That’s right, there is a playground located in the stadium.
Another unique thing about this stadium is that almost everyone can get into a box seat. On Sunday games, they serve a brunch that includes access to the box seats. The brunch is delicious, and it is nice being able to watch the baseball game from an air-conditioned room during a Florida summer.
A fireworks display takes place after select games. There are many theme nights at Threshers games, and often there are giveaways upon entry into the stadium. If you stay after the game, some nights there are concerts. Be sure to check out the schedule to see what is on.
Happy Hour at the Ball Park
Even when it is not baseball season, you can still enjoy a drink at Frency’s Tiki Bar in Baycare Ballpark.
On select Wednesdays, the Tiki Bar is open for happy hour from 5 pm until 9 pm. Guests need to be 21+ to participate.
Admission is free, parking is free, and they even have complimentary food in addition to live music, disc golf, and drink specials.
Swim in an Olympic-Sized Pool Indoors
There are plenty of places to swim in Clearwater, including the beach, hotel pools, and public pools, but there is only one Olympic-sized swimming pool, and it is located inside The Long Center.
The Long Center has both an Olympic-sized pool and a smaller heated pool. They also have a gym, a playground, and host many classes and workshops. You can purchase a day pass to use their amenities.
Eat at Lenny’s
Eating at Lenny’s Restaurant is not unique for locals; it is definitely a local favorite for Clearwater residents.
Lenny’s has a New York diner feel to it, and most meals are served with a pastry basket. Make sure that you get a pastry basket! Anything you do not eat, they will bag up for you to take with you.
While the restaurant is only open for breakfast and lunch, I can not recall a time in my life when I was at Lenny’s for lunch. There are just too many amazing breakfast options!
Lenny’s has typical diner meals as well as Jewish favorites like matzah ball soup, knishes, potato pancakes, matzah brei, blintzes, and bagels.
They even have an alligator omelet on the menu.
Enjoy More Unique Clearwater Restaurants
Some of our other favorite restaurants that are not the standard beach spots include:
- Mana Mana, a Middle Eastern restaurant in Downtown Clearwater
- Sofia’s Greek Grill
- Christino’s Coal Oven Pizza
- Don Pancho Villa, a delicious Mexican cafe inside a grocery store
- Green Mint, Vietnamese Fusion in a strip mall
If you aren’t from Clearwater and want to know where the locals eat, check out Capogna’s Dugout.
Take Your Boat to Dinner
The boat slips are first-come, first-served at Island Way Grill. Yes, you can arrive by boat!
Island Way Grill is located in Island Estates near Clearwater Beach. They are open daily for dinner as well as for lunch on Saturdays and brunch on Sundays.
As expected, the menu features a lot of seafood options, though there is something for everyone.
Sunday brunch is served as a buffet with a sushi section, carving station, shellfish station, omelet station, and a lot more. A complimentary mimosa or champagne is included with tea or coffee.
Though we did not arrive by boat, Island Way Grill is where we hosted our wedding dinner after a ceremony on Clearwater Beach.
Join the Clearwater Citizens Academy
Even though I grew up in Clearwater, it wasn’t until a few years ago that I found out about one of the most unique activities that is offered in the area.
The Clearwater Citizens Academy is a 10-session program where participants go behind the scenes, tour facilities, and participate in hands-on learning in various parts of the Clearwater government.
The program is free, and each class includes a meal. Participants must attend at least 8 of the 10 sessions to graduate.
Sample Fruit Wine
Florida is not known for its wineries, though there happen to be a few in the area.
Aspirations Winery is located in a shopping center in Clearwater, but do not let the location fool you. They make nice wine!
For their grape wines, grapes are shipped in from wineries in California, but the rest of the wine-making process is completed right there in their factory.
You can tour the facilities and enjoy a sampling of wines from Aspirations Winery. Or you can just stop by their tasting room and try flights, wine samples, or a glass of wine.
Some of the unique wine options at Aspirations include Swamp Juice, Orange Cream Sangria, Pink Parrot, and Peachy Weather.
Other drink options at Aspirations include beer, cider, sangria, and spiked seltzer. Food options include building charcuterie boards.
More fun things you can do at Aspirations Winery include bingo, karaoke, dancing, stand-up comedy, and art workshops.
If you are looking for a unique gift, you can get custom labels printed and put on a bottle of wine at Aspirations. They even have a designer to help make your label perfect.
I was gifted a tour and tasting at Aspirations Winery, and it is definitely a unique experience for Clearwater locals. I could not believe delicious wine was being made in a shopping center.
Unique Things to Do in Clearwater Wrap-Up
Clearwater is a well-known tourist destination, but that does not mean you have to stick to the popular spots. There are plenty of unique places to visit in Clearwater.
Hopefully, you found at least one cool new place to check out in Clearwater, whether you live there or are just visiting.
Did you think of a unique place to go in Clearwater that I missed? Let me know!
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