Sitting on Florida’s Gulf Coast, just 20 miles northwest of Tampa, Clearwater is a blend of small beachside town and metropolitan hotspot. Here you can bask in the sun on the sugar-white sand beaches while boats bob in the Clearwater Harbor Marina. Along the Beach Walk promenade flagged by mangrove trees, five-star restaurants bump elbows with casual beachside seafood eateries, featuring local specialties like freshly caught stone crab or grouper sandwiches. In the evening Pier 60 holds a nightly sunset festival, where vendors set up stalls and street performers show off their music, magic, and more.

Caladesi Island State Park, which can be reached by ferry, offers miles of hiking or biking trails and the chance to kayak over the crystal clear waters of the gulf. This pristine island is home to several natural habitats that are crucial to the survival of native plant and animal species.

With Clearwater’s location on the Gulf Coast, the city experiences mild weather all year round. Summer brings high heat and humidity, and the start of hurricane season means this is Clearwater’s slow season. In October, temperatures start to cool off but there are fewer visitors than in the peak winter and spring season, so this may be an ideal time to book your Clearwater vacation rental if you’re looking for a quiet getaway. Snowbirds and spring breakers come to the area in the winter and early spring to enjoy the warm weather and beautiful beaches, making this the busiest time of the year.

Clearwater hosts a music and arts festival every May, and each June the streets transform into a living gallery during the Art Walk. Foodies looking to indulge in the region’s cuisine may want to visit in late October when the Stone Crab Festival celebrates the local delicacy.

Sand Key Bridge

The views from this concrete bridge connecting Clearwater with the more secluded Sand Key Park make Sand Key Bridge worth visiting. On one side of the walking path is the beautiful Clearwater skyline, with shimmering glass skyscrapers reflecting the waters of the Gulf. Opposite that are the swaying mangrove trees, salt marshes, and white sand beaches of Sand Key Park, where you can take a quiet stroll through the park’s trails.

Clearwater Dolphins Trail

During your visit to Clearwater, keep a lookout for colorful life-sized dolphin statues. This collaborative art project sponsored by the city comprises more than 120 dolphins designed and created by local artists. The dolphins are made of glass, ceramic, and fiber art, and they are hidden all throughout the city.

Moccasin Lake State Park

This 51-acre nature preserve is an exhibition of the plant and wildlife native to Clearwater Beach, like peacocks, gopher turtles, and birds of prey. Explore miles of trails and boardwalks that pass over gentle streams in the shade of massive oak trees. The preserve is also a rehabilitation center for birds of prey, like the iconic Bald Eagle.