Clearwater Florida, around the turn of the twentieth century, was only home to around 400 people, and what's more, its name wasn't Clearwater. Clear Water Harbor became Clearwater in 1906, and in 1915, a bridge was built to connect mainland Clearwater with the barrier island community of Clearwater Beach. This bridge helped to put Clearwater Florida on the map, as it allowed residents and visitors alike to easily access the city's long beach. The history of Clearwater is interesting, and you can learn more about it on your Clearwater vacation by visiting an area museum or booking a guided tour. History isn't the only interesting thing that you can get into when you travel to Clearwater Florida. The beaches are the main draw, and since there's water everywhere, boating and fishing are also top pursuits.

If you're planning a Clearwater trip, you will be happy to know that there is really never a bad time to visit. Deciding when to go will likely depend on a few things however, such as the weather and what you have in mind in terms of things to do. A spring, summer, or fall Clearwater vacation is most ideal if you want to hit the beach, especially if you want to go swimming. Winter days can be relatively warm down here, so while the water might be too cold for swimming in the middle of January, you can still enjoy relaxing walks on the beach. One of the great things about a Clearwater Florida visit is the fact that you won't have to go far to get something good to eat when hanging out on the beach. In fact, you won't have to go far to find something good to eat wherever you find yourself in the general area. The Tampa-St Petersburg-Clearwater area is one of the most heavily developed parts of the country, and lots of great restaurants figure among the area businesses.

When you travel to Clearwater Florida, you're bound to end up on a boat at some point, especially if you fancy a side trip to such area islands as Caladesi Island and Shell Key. If you don't have your own boat, boat tours of all kinds are easy to arrange on a Clearwater vacation, and ferry service is available to get you to some of the island destinations. If you want to get to Shell Key, for example, you can board the boat in St Pete Beach to get there. In addition to boat tours, those who are visiting Clearwater Florida can also enjoy lunch and dinner cruises, which are recommended. A sunset cruise is always a treat as well, especially if you are planning a romantic Clearwater vacation.

Clearwater Map

Regardless of which kind of vacation you have in mind, Clearwater Florida likely has you covered. In fact, about the only thing that you can't do here is snow ski. This city of around 100,000 people is ideal for beach vacations, and it's also ideal for family, golf, spa, and fishing getaways. Water sports of all kinds are yours to enjoy when you travel to Clearwater Florida, and you can even book scuba diving excursions if you want to explore the underwater realms. You can also go snorkeling if you aren't certified for open water dives. You don't have to get in the water to see some fascinating marine creatures on your Clearwater vacation, however. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is one of the top attractions in the city, is home to an array of sea animals that you can get a close look at.

One of the great things about a Clearwater vacation is the fact that the hotels here come in all shapes and sizes. In addition to staying at a resort, visitors can stay at a smaller hotel, book a stay at a more affordable motel, or even look to secure a room in a bed and breakfast. There aren't a lot of luxury hotels in Clearwater, but there are some upscale options, and you can always rent a vacation property. Plenty of good hotels can be found in nearby cities and towns if you want to add to your list of places to stay, and you can always rent a car if you want to get around and don't already have wheels. When you travel to Clearwater Florida, having a car at your disposal will make it easy to get around to all the great area beaches, golf courses, and other attractions.