Beaches
St. Pete/Clearwater is home to some of America’s Best Beaches – with St. Pete Beach ranked America’s No.1 Beach by TripAdvisor in 2021, and No.5 Beach in the world. Located in the south west of Pinellas County, St. Pete Beach is known for its white sand beaches and calm warm Gulf waters. Dolphins are frequently spotted cresting the ocean waves.
Clearwater Beach is also ranked as one of the best in America, voted ‘Best Beach in the South’ by USA Today in 2023. Set up your deckchair on the white sand and watch the yachts sail past with dolphins following in tow, then head to Pier 60, which has free nightly sunset celebrations featuring artisans, crafters, and local street performers. A fantastic way to end the day in a truly picturesque location!

Clearwater Beach, voted ‘Best Beach in the South’ by USA Today in 2023
January and February temperatures frequently hit upwards of 22°C, in stark contrast to the UK January average of 5°C. Summer temperatures in Florida average around 32°C, so don’t forget sun cream!
Things To Do
St. Pete/Clearwater has a plethora of attractions to suit all ages. No two days need be the same, with attractions and activities both on and off the water. Of course, no holiday to this colourful destination would be complete without setting foot on the sugar white sands. With miles of coastline and world-famous beaches, St. Pete/Clearwater offers endless days of soaking up the Florida sunshine while enabling you to be as laidback or active as you wish.
Waterfront attractions include the new St. Pete Pier, a pier like no other offering hours of fun for all ages. With a splash pad, playground, walking paths, an open-air market, a nature discovery centre and plenty of dining options, this attraction, recently named the No. 2 new attraction in the country by USA today, is not to be missed.

Kayak tours at Weedon Island Preserve
Away from the beach, the museums in St. Pete/Clearwater are a popular spot to enjoy some respite from the sun, with the Dali Museum boasting a stunning geodesic structure as well as housing an inspiring Dali collection. If you prefer your art to be more interactive, then head to Fairgrounds St. Pete which has an immersive art and technology exhibition.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a marine research facility specialising in rehabilitating marine animals who are sick or injured. Without the incredible work of this centre, the animals which include dolphins, manatees and turtles would not be able to survive in the wild. The non-profit organisation also aims to educate and inspire the public about the important role we play to better protect the world’s oceans and its inhabitants.
Lush gardens and pristine parks can be found around the destination. The Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo is where you will find orchards, roses and fruit trees. Fort De Soto Park is a stunning beachfront treasure with its award-winning North Beach and rare waterfront camping.
Of course, for those that crave more of an adrenaline rush, Busch Gardens is located in neighbouring Tampa, while Orlando with its world-famous theme parks, is only 90 minutes away – perfect for a day trip or perhaps a two-centre holiday with St. Pete/Clearwater. After all, it’s not a ‘holiday’ without a stay at the beach!
The perfect end to any day is to see the sky awash with colour at sunset, and watching the sun slip away across the gulf coast in St. Pete/Clearwater is a memory you certainly won’t forget in a hurry.

St. Pete’s Dalí Museum houses the most comprehensive collection of Salvador Dalí’s paintings outside of Europe.
Culture
There’s nothing like a spot of shopping, souvenir or otherwise, to round off your holiday. You can buy anything you want in Florida, from exclusive products to real bargains. The only thing you’ll have to worry about is having enough room in your suitcase to bring it all home!
Whether you want to live life on the cutting edge of fashion, revive and rehome vintage treasures or window shop until you drop, the Sunshine State’s diverse retail scene is guaranteed to offer the perfect fit.
Food & Drink
With a melting pot of cuisines in an ever-expanding foodie heartland, St. Pete/Clearwater has it all. While the region’s beaches may take the plaudits, a sizzling culinary scene from local seafood to modern Italian and Cuban-influenced, gives visitors even more of an appetite to visit.

St. Pete Pier, voted the #2 attraction in the US by USA Today for the year it opened (2020)
Visit St. Pete/Clearwater has compiled a roundup of the restaurants and bars currently on the tip of everyone’s tongues…
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
At the southern end of the new St. Pete Pier, you’ll find Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille. Recently ranked the No. 1 restaurant in the country on Tripadvisor’s 2023 ‘Everyday Eats’ list, the 10,000-square-foot restaurant and bar is a fantastic place to taste authentic Florida fare and flavours from throughout the Caribbean. Menu highlights include Captiva Crab Cakes, Caribbean Jerk Tostados, and Yucatan Shrimp (their signature dish!)
Maritana
For any foodie travellers in search of fine-dining, a trip to St. Pete/Clearwater wouldn’t be complete without visiting Maritana. The award-winning restaurant specialises in coastal inspired cuisine, sustainably sourced from local farms and fisherman. Located within the Don CeSar Hotel, it offers guests an intimate and glamorous fine-dining experience where you can sit back and enjoy exquisite seafood and an extensive wine list.
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill
If classic American cuisine in an iconic setting is what you’re after, look no further than Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill. The largest of six Frenchy’s restaurants scattered around Clearwater, it boasts a prime location right on the waterfront of Clearwater Beach – perfect for open-air dining! Enjoy fresh seafood straight from the grill such as calamari and grouper sandwiches, then tuck into favourite dishes like Cajun fish tacos and Caribbean jerk chicken. Wash that down with one of Frenchy’s signature cocktails as you listen to live music from local artists.

The Hurricane
One of the area’s most popular seafood restaurants, The Hurricane is a go-to for fresh fish dishes – it’s been serving its famous local grouper for more than 33 years! Standing three stories tall and with five different dining rooms, you’ll be spoilt for choice as to where to enjoy the fabulous food. Don’t miss watching the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico from the open-air twin bar on the rooftop deck – best enjoyed with a signature Colossal Margarita cocktail.
Bodega on Central
Inspired by the islands that pepper the coast of Latin America, Bodega’s laidback atmosphere accompanies their delicious Cuban sandwiches and fresh juices. Nestled in the Edge District, they serve the food they love as a family, street-style, taking inspiration from Cuba, Tobago, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and everywhere in between. Their Cuban roast pork, ham, swiss cheese, pickle and mayo-filled sandwiches take some beating.
The ‘Gulp Coast’
To add to its culinary highlights, St. Pete/Clearwater also plays host to Florida’s oldest craft brewery and has the largest craft beer scene in the state. More than 40 craft breweries now call the area home, dotted along what is locally dubbed as the ‘Gulp Coast’. In 2017, the destination launched its own Beer Passport, enabling visitors to tally up their visits to the breweries and win prizes along the way!
Pier Teaki
Located on St. Pete Pier with envious views over Tampa Bay, rooftop bar Pier Teaki is the hip-and-happening hotspot for sunset drinks. A modern take on the classic tiki bar, take your pick of cocktail staples such as frozen margaritas, strawberry daiquiris and piña coladas, or enjoy a craft beer or refreshing glass of wine. Whatever your tipple of choice, it’s a top spot to sit back and soak up panoramic views.
