Clearwater Tourist Attractions
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Clearwater is a resort and retirement community located 22 miles west of Tampa. Close to 100, 000 people live here, drawn to the wide, white sand beach connected to the city by a two mile long causeway. Clearwater is home to a major fishing fleet and many companies here offer deep sea charter boat trips. More than 300 species of fish live in its waters.
Caladesi Island State Park
Caladesi Island State Park is a 600-acre island is a State-operated park accessible by ferry, canoe or walking along the sand bar from North Clearwater Beach. There is a 3 mile beach for swimming, strolling, fishing or shelling and nature trails for wildlife watching. The area's inaccessible location has saved it from development and the flora and fauna remain undisturbed.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
A non-profit research facility dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of marine animals, including dolphins, turtles, and otters. There is also an example of a mangrove ecosystem and several tanks with sharks and rays. The organization also sponsors public education programs and conducts informational workshops. Two examples are "Day with a Dolphin" and "Trainer for a Day".
Sand Key
Sand Key Park that features local vegetation, walking trails and a half mile stretch of wide sandy beach. The park has an artificial reef program and an area where sea turtles annually lay eggs. Sand Key Park is ideal for bird watching - heron, roseate spoonbill, great horned owl, anhinga, and common moorhen nest and feed in the salt marsh.
Moccasin Lake Nature Park
Moccasin Lake Nature Park has an environmental and energy education center within a 51 acre nature preserve. Wildlife, plant and alternative energy exhibits are found at the interpretative center. The grounds of Moccasin Lake Nature Park include a 5 acre lake, picnic areas, water fountains, and walking trails.
Show Queen
Sightseeing cruises, with historical narration by the captain, are offered by Show Queen Cruises along Clearwater Harbor and intercoastal waterways. Seabirds and marine life can be viewed from the open top deck.
Sunset Celebration
The Sunset Celebration at Clearwater Beach is a nightly event on the pier where crowds gather to watch the sun set and be entertained by jugglers, musicians, vendors and other street performers.
Ruth Eckerd Hall
Ruth Eckerd Hall is a center for the performing arts featuring musical concerts, Broadway shows, opera, ballet, theatrical productions and children's plays.
Starlite Majesty
Sightseeing tours of Clearwater Harbor are offered aboard the Starlite Majesty. Dinner and dance cruises are also available.
Surroundings
There are attractions located in every direction from Clearwater including Largo, eight miles to the south and Tarpon Springs, 14 miles to the north.
Pinellas Trail
The Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail, created along an abandoned railroad corridor, is currently 37-miles and a multi-use trail everyone can enjoy. The Pinellas Trail is a linear park and recreation trail that runs from the downtown waterfront of St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs.The trail is used for walking, jogging, skating, and biking. There are a number of shops, restaurants, and cafes along the route.
Tarpon Springs
Formerly the center of a thriving sponge fishing industry, Tarpon Springs is primarily a Greek community and well known tourist destination. There are still sponge boats at the dock and others offering deep-sea fishing trips. The Mediterranean heritage is represented in the town's numerous restaurants and bakeries, cultural festivals and in the Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Modeled on the 6th century St Sophia Church in Constantinople, St. Nicholas Cathedral was built here in 1943 by the town's Greek Orthodox community. It is the site of an annual Epiphany ritual and home to the icon of St. Nicholas, patron saint of sailors, the poor and children. Many of the furnishings found in the cathedral are imported from Europe.
Konger Coral Sea Aquarium
Konger Coral Sea Aquarium is a 120,000 gallon tank with a simulated coral reef, native plants and tropical fish to illustrate life under the sea. Visitors can watch a moray eel feeding exhibit, view a tidal pool complete with sea creatures and participate in feeding small sharks and stingrays.
Brass Rubbing Centre
In the old craft of brass rubbing, artisans transfer designs from brass engravings onto paper. The Medieval Brass Rubbing Centre museum has a collection of over 300 templates with a variety of designs from Europe and the Middle East.
George Inness Jr. Pictures
Religious paintings by George Inness Jr. are located at the Unitarian Universalist Church. The paintings are prime examples of his treatment of light and use of the green tones that were named after him.
St Nicholas Boat Line
St Nicholas Boat Line offers narrated cruises through the historic sponge docks of Tarpon Springs. A diver in traditional diving gear provides a demonstration of sponge harvesting.
Tarpon Springs Aquarium
Tarpon Springs Aquarium has observation and holding tanks that recreate marine environments. There is a miniature coral reef, a predator tank, a tidal pool display and a touch tank with baby sand sharks and stingrays.
Spongeorama Exhibit Center
The Museum of Sponge Diving History and a 30 minute film of sponge diving are found within the center.
Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area
Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area is a 365-acre State park featuring nature trails, a rocky beach, hundreds of species of indigenous plants including a rare stand of virgin slash pine trees, and swimming, shelling and birding opportunities. The name refers to its former status as a 1940's destination for newlyweds.
