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 shallow warm Gulf waters. Dolphins are frequently spotted cresting the ocean waves.
Clearwater Beach is also ranked as one of the best in America. 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!
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 laid back or active as you wish.
Waterfront attractions include the new St. Pete Pier, a pier unlike 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 #2 new attraction in the country by USA today, is not to be missed.
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 on 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 two hours 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.
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, to Cuban-influenced, gives visitors even more of an appetite to visit.
Visit St. Pete/Clearwater has compiled a roundup of the restaurants 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. The 10,000-square-foot restaurant/bar serves authentic Florida fare and flavours from throughout the Caribbean. Highlight dishes include Captiva Crab Cakes, Caribbean Jerk Tostados, and Yucatan Shrimp (their signature dish!)
The Mill
For foodie travellers, a St. Pete/Clearwater trip won’t be complete without a sample of The Mill’s rustic splendours. Now with two restaurants in downtown St. Pete and south Tampa, enjoy dishes such as cabernet braised rabbit, seared foie gras, roast beet panzanella and decadent smoked bourbon pecan pie.
Il Ritorno
Living up to its Italian name “The Return”, Il Ritorno marks the homecoming of Owner and Executive Chef, David Benstock. Born in St. Pete, Chef David has been stirring up the food industry from just 13 years old. Working across the States has exposed him to an eclectic mix of cuisines, which have seen him find his true love in the taste of Italy. Locals regard this spot as the closest they have come to Venice and Rome!
Sea Salt
Combining global seasoning with local flavours, Sea Salt is shaking up the local cuisine scene. Featuring an impressive 80-ft. long raw bar and a 20-ft. tall wine tower, Italian-born Fabrizio Aielli’s fine dining restaurant serves some of Florida’s freshest seafood, with 130 different salts from around the world! Diners can expect to sample contemporary seafood cuisine prepared with sustainable ingredients, with menus changing daily to ensure every experience is a memorable one!
Bodega on Central
Inspired by the islands that pepper the coast of Latin America, Bodega’s laid-back atmosphere accompanies their delicious Cuban sandwiches and freshest of 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.
Rococo Steak
Traditional steak lovers be warned: this is not your average American steakhouse! Turning your typical steak on its head, Rococo offers a chic twist on the norm, embracing a lighter, livelier more decadent dining experience.
Seasonal menus showcase the chef’s undying passion for creative cuisine, which promises to take diners on a thrilling gastronomic adventure.
The foodie hub of St. Pete/Clearwater is located on a sun-drenched peninsula on Florida’s west coast, bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west and Tampa Bay to the east.
To add to its culinary highlights, the area 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.
