Clearwater, FL

Travel Guide

Clearwater Beach showing a beach and a coastal town
Clearwater Beach which includes a beach and a coastal town
Clearwater
Clearwater Marine Aquarium featuring a marina and general coastal views
Clearwater showing a park

See the cradle of Scientology, visit the famous bottlenose dolphins from Dolphin Tale and try water sports at the stunning beaches.

Clearwater is a delightful beach town with all types of water sports activities and an entertaining pier area. It is also known across the globe as the headquarters of the mysterious and controversial Church of Scientology. Sunbathe on the gorgeous beaches and learn about the notorious religion of Tom Cruise and John Travolta in this intriguing town.

Among the town’s highlights is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is known for rescuing injured sea creatures. See the famous bottlenose dolphins Winter and Hope from the Dolphin Tale movie. Winter has a prosthetic replacement for her tail, which was caught in a crab trap line.

Get around the town center via the Suncoast Beach Trolley. Visit the majestic building of the Church of Scientology, which the religion considers a 21st-century cathedral. Drop in at the Church of Scientology Information Center to learn more about this enigmatic belief system.

Enjoy the picturesque scenery in the region while you practice your swing at Cove Cay Golf Course. Enjoy a meal at its grill restaurant against a picturesque backdrop of the lake and the bay. Bring your kids to Congo River Golf – Clearwater for a course of miniature golf that leads through waterfalls, caves and tropical rainforests.

Take advantage of the year-round warm weather with a trip to Pier 60. Note that August is particularly wet, with afternoon storms. Watch the lightning during tempests and the sunset on a clear day. At Clearwater Beach rent Jet Skis and kayaks to take out on the water.

The town is located on the western outskirts of Tampa in the western section of central Florida. Fly to the Saint Petersburg Clearwater International Airport or the Tampa International Airport, a 30-minute drive east across Old Tampa Bay from the town. See some of Florida’s other famous nearby towns, such as Largo, St. Petersburg and Palm Harbor.

Clearwater is a haven for golfers, beachgoers and Scientologists.

Where to stay in Clearwater

Clearwater featuring cafe scenes

Downtown Clearwater

While visiting Downtown Clearwater, you might make a stop by sights like Church of Scientology and Coachman Park.

Downtown Clearwater
Clearwater showing a park and signage

North Greenwood

While North Greenwood might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Jack Russell Stadium and Coachman Park.

North Greenwood
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Feather Sound

3.5/5(156 area reviews)

Beaches, restaurants, and shopping are just a few things travelers enjoy about Feather Sound. Check out Tampa Bay or Feather Sound Country Club while you're exploring the area.

Feather Sound
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On Top of The World

Though On Top of The World might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Celebration Station and Westfield Countryside Mall.

On Top of The World
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Highpoint

While Highpoint isn't home to many top sights, Tampa Bay Grand Prix and Cove Cay Golf Club are some notable places to visit nearby.

Highpoint
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Cove Cay

While visiting Cove Cay, you might make a stop by sights like Tampa Bay and Cove Cay Golf Club.

Cove Cay
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Clearwater Central
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Clearwater Central
3 out of 5
Clearwater
$104 nightly
The price is $118 total per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
$118 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,633 reviews)
"Pictures are deceiving. It’s not a nice as it looks in the picture and ir is right off the highway in a somewhat shady area. Great location to ballpark. Breakfast was good. Some fellow hotel occupants clearly live there."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Clearwater Central
Hampton Inn & Suites Clearwater/St. Petersburg-Ulmerton Road, FL
Hampton Inn & Suites Clearwater/St. Petersburg-Ulmerton Road, FL
2.5 out of 5
4050 Ulmerton Rd, Clearwater, FL
$110 nightly
The price is $124 total per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
$124 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"Great hotel with convenient location. Breakfast is in high quality. Easy to access the beach and all dining option."

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

Hampton Inn & Suites Clearwater/St. Petersburg-Ulmerton Road, FL
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Clearwater
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Clearwater
2.5 out of 5
3070 Gulf To Bay Blvd, Clearwater, FL
$101 nightly
The price is $114 total per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
$114 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,016 reviews)
"The hotel was decent, and breakfast had good options. The hotel has free parking and is 15 mins from Clearwater Beach, depending on traffic. We got a queen bed with a sofa bed. The sofa bed mattress was very uncomfortable for the first night, and I woke up with a sore back, so we ended up switching ..."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Clearwater
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Tiny Home Paradise
Tiny Home Paradise
Clearwater
Stay at this mobile home in Clearwater. Enjoy an in-room coffeemaker and air conditioning. Popular attractions Clearwater Beach and Florida Auto Exchange Stadium ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (15 reviews)
"The tiny home RV was thoughtfully set up and had such a cute, cozy vibe. Everything felt intentional and welcoming, making it a really relaxing and enjoyable stay. Would absolutely come back!"

Reviewed on Jun 15, 2025

Tiny Home Paradise
Paradise Lake
Paradise Lake
Clearwater
Stay at this vacation home in Clearwater. Enjoy a fitness center, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Ruth Eckerd Hall and Moccasin Lake Nature ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Relaxing and Quiet
"The house was beautiful and immaculate! We enjoyed the quiet and peaceful surroundings of the lake. My children had a wonderful time in the pool. Our host was quick to answer our questions."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Paradise Lake
InTown Suites Extended Stay Clearwater FL
InTown Suites Extended Stay Clearwater FL
2.5 out of 5
2833 ROOSEVELT BLVD, Clearwater, FL
Stay at this aparthotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Cove Cay Golf Club and Tampa Bay Grand Prix ...
6.2/10 (30 reviews)
Bare bones, but worth the rate.
"The low rate attracted us, but you get what you pay for. This was very bare bones living. No dishes, pots or pans are provided. You only get 1 towel and wash cloth a piece and 1 roll off toilet paper. Bed linens are replaced once a week. Office hours are 11-6, closed Sundays. You are expected to ..."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

InTown Suites Extended Stay Clearwater FL
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Clearwater

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
687
5 - Excellent 44%
4 - Good
637
4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
191
3 - Okay 12%
2 - Disappointing
30
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
28
1 - Terrible 2%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Very nice vacation

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Clearwater was ok. We changed hotels to Clearwater beach and had a much better experience

4/5 - Good

Ed

We went for the beach it was nice, clean but very crowded.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

It was My first time To Clearwater Beach It was Excellent Clean the Water was Beautiful I will be Going back in the Future. Very Friendly Staff And Helpful. Lots of Activity to do while your there I could not get them all in.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Great and calm beaches, nice for the walk and the food

Cities near Clearwater