Is Clearwater Beach a nice place to vacation with your family?
If you’re thinking about taking your family on a beach vacation, then look no further then Clearwater Beach in Florida. Located on the west cost of Florida, just north of St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach is one of the nicest and most popular beaches in all of Florida. Whenever I visit my family in New Port Richey, we always like to plan a day trip down to Clearwater Beach. In this article, I’m going to explain why Clearwater Beach is a nice place to vacation with your family.
Beautiful and Clean Beach
The first thing you’ll notice is how stunning the beach is. The sand is soft and powdery white, and the water is super clear and calm—great for little ones to play in safely. It’s also one of the cleanest beaches I’ve been to, which made it feel even more relaxing.
There’s plenty of space to set up for the day, and beach chair and umbrella rentals are easy to find if you don’t want to bring your own. Whether you’re building sandcastles, swimming, or just relaxing, it’s a great way to spend the day.
They do a great job maintaining and keeping the beach clean and in pristine condition.
Family-Friendly Activities
There were tons of activities in the area for people of all ages and especially for families. We visited the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine life. The kids there loved being able to pet the stingrays, get up close and personal to the dolphins, sea otters, birders and other sea life.
It’s not near as crowded as most aquariums are which is awesome as you get to spend more time and learn more about the different animals. This place is a must when visiting Clearwater.
We also took a dolphin-watching boat tour, which ended up being a highlight of the trip. The crew was super friendly and knew just where to go to spot dolphins jumping through the water.
For a little more adventure and thrill, I definitely recommend renting a jet ski. Nothing makes you feel more free and alive than riding a jet ski in the Gulf with the Florida waves and sun beaming down on your. Absolutely one of the best experiences I’ve had, since I’m from New York and don’t get to ride jet skis often. Definitely do this.
As we all know the beach is excellent, spending a few hours there will be tons of fun. there are many different restaurants along the strip and checking out the hotels as well is also tons of fun. For a full in-depth Clearwater Beach Guide, check out that article here.
In the evenings, Pier 60 comes to life with street performers, musicians, and craft vendors. They even have a nightly Sunset Celebration, which is fun for all ages and makes for great photos.
Easy to Get Around
Clearwater Beach is really walkable, which is a big plus when you’re traveling with kids. Most of the shops, restaurants, and attractions are close together so walking is perfect and you don’t have to fight a ton of traffic.
There is even a trolley called “The Jolley Trolley” that runs through Clearwater and even into the nearby coastal towns that provides all day transportation. They have buses that just drive around Clearwater Beach and then they have several others that go north along the coast up to Tarpon Springs. So even if you don’t have a car, you can still get a very cheap ride down there! Super convenient and fun
Parking can get a little crowded during peak times, but once you’re settled, you really don’t need to drive much at all.
Tons of Food Options & Ice Cream
There are tons of awesome places with fun and lively beach atmospheres in Clearwater to go eat. If you’ve read my other articles you will know that Frenchy’s is one of my favorite places to go. The atmosphere is so fun, the decor is awesome. You can walk there right from the beach and even eat right on the beach. They have great food and drinks and it’s a good time there.
The Sandbar is another fun place right on the beach. It has tiki torches, fresh sea food, options for the kids, and a cocktails for the adults.
Cabanas Coastal & Beachside Grill is another place on the beach with outdoor seating, tons of different options and great vibes.
Really wherever you decide to eat here, you can’t go wrong, and at the end of the night grab yourself a sweet treat from “The Mint Fox Cookies & Ice Cream“
So is Clearwater Beach a nice place to vacation with your family?
Clearwater Beach is definitely a great place to vacation with your family. It’s safe, clean, and full of things to do, whether you want a laid-back beach day or a full schedule of fun activities. I always love visiting Clearwater Beach, and if you’re worried that it’s a loud, obnoxious beach with tons of parties going on, then don’t worry, because it is not like that whatsoever.
If you’re looking for your next family vacation spot, I’d definitely recommend giving Clearwater Beach a try. It really is a beautiful spot to vacation with your family as you will make tons of memories there.
If you want the complete guide for Clearwater Beach, Florida and places to stay, check out the article on that here