Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach is renowned for being one of the best beaches in the world and it’s easy to see why. The beach provides a long stretch of perfect white sand and calm sea waters for a dip. Pier 60 has plenty of activities for families, as well as frequent live street performances. If you’re peckish or in need of some refreshment, Frenchy’s has four restaurants on the beach area. Order the signature cocktail at all four and win a t-shirt! Our favourite place to head to is Palm Pavilion, a little to the north. Nothing beats sitting right by the beach with a refreshing beverage and a basket of grouper cheeks.
The beach is also home to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment and enlargement. Here you can see dolphins rescued from the wild along with a host of other beautiful sea creatures.
St Petersburg
St Petersburg (aka St Pete) is an up and coming city in Florida. Go downtown and you will see a great deal of construction on new homes for the people flocking to the city. St Pete is officially the sunniest city in the US, with an average of 361 days of sunshine per year, and the record for the longest streak of consecutive sunny days (768). Downtown attractions include The James Museum and The Chihuly Collection.
In the evening, you will be spoilt for choice with restaurants and bars galore. Room for dessert? Check out Beans and Barlour for delicious and unique ice creams, cakes, and more. For some live music and a drink, you can’t beat the atmosphere of Ruby’s Elixir. If you fancy a rooftop terrace, head to The Canopy, from which you can see St Pete Pier and the ocean.
St Pete Pier is also worth the walk along, with attractions along its length including a monumental sculpture called the Bending Arc, and bars at the very end.
Tampa Bay
The Tampa Bay area offers plenty of activities. Try out a food tour to sample the local cuisine and get a feel for the city.
In Pinellas Park, the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum has an impressive collection of fully road legal rare vehicles, including a replica of a steam powered vehicle from the 18th century. The Tampa Museum of Art occupies a commanding position on the riverfront and is absolutely worth a visit. Also check out the American Victory Ship for a fascinating insight into the city’s naval heritage.
If you’re looking for outdoor activities, head over to Weedon Island Preserve, which offers kayak rentals.
Other Florida Attractions
Florida is famous for its alligators. If you want to learn more about these amazing reptiles, check out Gatorland near Orlando. If you’re feeling brave enough, you can get your picture taken holding a baby Gator!
There are plenty of beautiful parks and reserves to explore too, and I loved visiting Ravine Gardens State Park and taking a boat trip on St John’s River.
South Florida is a popular holiday spot, with the famous art-deco buildings and party atmosphere of Miami Beach attracting millions of visitors per year.
The Kennedy Space Center is an absolute must-see if you’re interested in space and space exploration. You can see the retired space shuttle Atlantis up close.