If looking to escape everyday life and enjoy a little peace and quiet, Clearwater/St. Petersburg beaches are the perfect place to unwind. Located on Florida’s west coast, the beaches of Clearwater and St. Petersburg sit on a picturesque peninsula and surround the Gulf of Mexico and the Tampa Bay. Travelers can take pleasure in a multitude of exhilarating and restful activities. Spend a day enjoying 35 miles of beautiful beaches, or take a short 30-minute drive and spend time at Busch Gardens Tampa. Other Florida attractions such as Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World are 90 minutes from the peninsula.

	Top rated hotels
	1. La Quinta Inn Tampa Bay Clearwater Airport 3301 Ulmerton Rd. 4. Fairfield Inn St. Petersburg Clearwater 3211 Executive Drive 2. Courtyard St. Petersburg Clearwater 3131 Executive Drive 5. La Quinta Inn Clearwater Central 21338 US Highway 19 North 3. Sleep Inn Clearwater 3939 Ulmerton Rd 6. Best Western St. Petersburg/Clearwater Int'l Airport Hotel 3655 Hospitality Ln View more Clearwater hotel info »«

	Top rated attractions
	In Clearwater 1. Croatian Naïve Art Gallery Downtown St. Petersburg features several art galleries. Popular galleries feature original art pieces by Monet, and other fine artists. However, vacationers might enjoy spending a day at an independent or smaller gallery. Croatian Naïve Art Gallery displays the largest collection of Croatian oil paintings, glass paintings, and artwork in the Western Hemisphere. The majority of the art pieces are the works of Croatian peasants. Located adjacent to the Museum of Fine Art, travelers can journey into the gallery and take pleasure in cultural art pieces.  « hide 2. Visit Great Explorations! The Children's Museum If looking for a great kid's attraction, spend a day at Great Explorations! The Children's Museum. Many tourists say that Great Explorations is one of the best attractions for children. Located next to Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg, children can participate in hands-on crafts. Exciting activities include racing a car, launching a ball hundreds of feet in the air, or designing a computer animation show.  « hide 3. Visit Sunken Gardens Sunken Gardens is a lovely place to relax and absorb the quiet serenity. St. Petersburg is an active city with an abundance of fast-paced activities. From time to time, vacationers look for a peaceful hideaway to rest. Sunken Gardens offers beautiful paths filled with more than 50,000 tropical plants and flowers. Walk through the garden and take pleasure in the waterfall and vast assortment of butterflies.  « hide 4. Visit Dolphin Encounter Take a boat tour out into the Gulf of Mexico and observe dolphins in their natural habitat. The 125-passenger boat offers unlimited beverages (soda, beer, wine), and a snack bar. Departing from Clearwater Beach, vacationers will catch a beautiful glimpse of the shoreline beaches. In addition, the Dolphin Encounter includes bird feeding, and offers a wonderful opportunity to view other marine mammals such as whales and sea otters.  « hide

	Top rated restaurants
	1. Mahal Indian Cuisine Mahal Indian Cuisine, Clearwater/St. Petersburg, features several mouth-watering International cuisines. Some say Mahal Indian Cuisine dishes up the best Indian food on Florida’s west coast. This is a great place to come with a large group, and the restaurant is located near several hotels and resorts.  « hide 2. Catch 23 Seafood Restaurant Catch 23 Seafood Restaurant, Clearwater/St. Petersburg, has a savory selection of Latin and Caribbean seasoned dishes. This upscale restaurant features a tropical setting, and patrons can choose to dine inside the restaurant or outside on the deck. Favorite dishes consist of fresh seafood, beef, and ribs. Travelers can come on weekends and enjoy live Reggae entertainment.  « hide 3. Alfano Restaurant, Clearwater Alfano Restaurant, Clearwater/St. Petersburg, offers a fusion of flavorsome Italian entrees, which includes much loved dishes such as spaghetti and lasagna. Voted as one of the top 250 restaurants in Florida, Alfano Restaurant features an enormous selection of appetizers and large dinner servings.  « hide

	Clearwater Insider tips
	1. Heavily Populated Clearwater Beaches Because the Clearwater beach area is heavily populated, vacationers might think about traveling to the region during the "professed" off seasons. Florida is a popular tourist spot, and vacationers from around the globe gather to the beaches. Florida rarely experiences an off season. Even so, the best time to schedule a trip to St. Petersburg/Clearwater beaches is from September – November and January – March. Tourism drops throughout these months and increases during the holidays, Spring Break, and summer vacations.  « hide 2. Watch Out for Pickpockets St. Petersburg and Clearwater are favorite tourist destinations. Nonetheless, vacationers should be alert to potential dangers. Professional pickpockets target travelers and look for opportunities to steal a wallet or purse. Vacationers can protect themselves by being prepared and staying on guard at all times. Pickpockets distract vacationers with an item for sale or a question, while their accomplice swipes the wallet or other valuable belonging. Common pickpocket locations include bus stops, local attractions, and flea markets.  « hide

	Clearwater nightlife
	In Clearwater 1. Georgie's Alibi This popular night spot features a mix crowd, which includes gay, lesbian, and straight clientele. Gerogie's Alibi is a great place for 20 – 30 year olds. Patrons can dance to Top 40 music hits, play pool, video games, and enjoy live performances and talent competitions. The atmosphere is very high-energy, and some say Georgi's Alibi is the best place to experience St. Petersburg's nightlife.  « hide 2. Gasoline Alley Café This nightclub is the perfect place for high-energy alternative vacationers looking for plenty of entertainment and good food. Come inside and listen to a live rock band. Gasoline Alley Café is also a good place to play pool, watch a game, or have dinner. Karaoke is available on certain nights, and the nightclub's restaurant features a tasty menu selection that include burgers, chicken, and appetizers.  « hide