Wander Here: Our Top 10 Stops in Clearwater, Florida (part II)

Apr 6

Wander Here: Clearwater, Florida, USA

I’ve always pictured Clearwater, Florida as a busy tourist destination, and let’s be honest - Clearwater Beach pretty much is! But the area around Clearwater from Dunedin all the way down to Anna Maria Island (as far as we went this time), has so much to explore and so many different types of things to experience. If you’re looking for things to do beyond Pier 60 and Clearwater Beach, read on for part II because there are a plethora of beautiful spots to hit! If you missed part I, check it out here.

Learn, explore and “meet” a famous dolphin at Clearwater Marine Aquarium

I debated for several days about whether to invest in going here or not…the reviews online were very mixed and we usually try to focus on free activities. But something in my gut told me it would be worth it, and I’ve learned to listen when it speaks haha!

I’m so happy we had this experience - we learned so much and it’s one that has stuck with us over time. It is not just a typical aquarium - it’s a rescue, rehabilitation and release facility that seeks to not only care for ocean animals but also to educate the public on how to care for them better. Also, Winter, the famous dolphin from the Dolphin Tale movies, lived here after she was rescued because of an injured tail. The folks at CMA found a way to give her a prosthetic tail and cared for her until she died in 2021. A more detailed post about CMA coming soon!

kids at clearwater marine aquarium florida dolphins

Spend a day enjoying books, bikes and coffee in St. Petersburg

We almost stayed in St. Petersberg, but it came down to just finding the right airbnb in Clearwater instead. We knew we wanted to spend time there though, so we made a couple of day trips over and it was just as great as we thought. We visited Tombolo Books one afternoon and then spent some time reading and hanging out at Black Crow Coffee, which is connected next door and shares an outdoor space. There was definitely a moment outside Black Crow where I felt like I could have been in Costa Rica - so dreamy! Definitely a must-stop if you’re in the St. Petersburg area.

I also have to give a huge shoutout to ABC Bicycles, where the owner, Rick (read his inspiring story!), helped us pick up three Trek bikes and an electric bike. We knew we wanted to buy bikes once we got on the road, and we got super lucky with the selection and customer service we received at ABC. Rick actually stayed over an hour late to make sure we had everything we needed and it was all perfect + ready to go. An amazing guy and amazing shop - if you have any bike needs in the area - it’s your place, trust me.

kids at Tombolo books saint petersbergy florida

Kayak to the pristine + uninhabited Caladesi Island

Kayak to Caladesi Island State Park. Okay, so this was an experience haha. It was a beautiful idea, but the weather was not super cooperative on the day we went. It was freezing cold and windy, but we were determined. We put our boards in at the Dunedin Causeway and paddled across to Caladesi Island. It’s an uninhabited island + a state park with a really fascinating history! And of course it’s insanely beautiful. We got out on the beach, explored the white sand and all the unique shells a bit before making the freezing paddle trip back across. I would definitely recommend this adventure, especially if you have sunny, warm weather haha!

Hike, swim, bike and discover nature’s surprises at Honeymoon Island State Park

Honeymoon Island State Park was one of our top favorites near Clearwater! There is so much to do here - we could have spent at least a couple of days exploring. The nature center is very extensive, sharing all the deep history of this island and Caladesi Island. We learned so much about the flora and fauna, and they even have a fun scavenger hunt with prizes for the kids.

We had planned to hike one of the short trails, but ended up skipping it because the mosquitos were quite aggressive, and we had forgotten our bug spray (#momfail). So instead, we headed over to the sand spit to do a sunset walk (no mosquitos by the water!), and it ended up being the most breathtaking experience. Not far down the beach, we spotted small clams scattered on the beach, and the further we went the bigger and more dense they became.

Having lived in land-locked Oklahoma our whole lives, we’d never seen clams in the wild before, and we walked around in awe, tossing as many of them as we could back into the water. According to some locals, a storm had come through and washed them all up…something that never really happens there normally. We are so grateful to have experienced it!

Serve alongside the community with Salty Soul Foundation

One of our goals in each place we stay is to give back/serve the community in some way. When I started researching service opportunities in the area, I found Salty Soul Foundation, which hosts beach clean-ups every week. We showed up on a Sunday, were given gloves and buckets and spent a few hours picking up trash in the water and on the sand. We had the privilege of visiting with the founder for a bit and learning more about the area and his story, which was super insightful and inspiring. He also wrote this book, which the kids are still enjoying! You can support the cause by giving online or stop by for a beach clean-up if you’re in the area!

Discover all the charm, good eats and coffee in coastal Dunedin

I had to add this to the list, even though we didn’t spend a ton of time there! I had never even heard of Dunedin before and definitely got corrected on the pronunciation (it’s pronounced Dun-eden), but it is such a cute little coastal town that sits right by Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island State Park. We enjoyed driving around looking at all the cute houses one afternoon and grabbed a delicious coffee and worked for a bit at Tukro Coffee. I wish we could have spent more time there!