Fort Lauderdale
With endless stretches of beach, holidays to Clearwater give you Florida at its sandiest.
Clearwater's located in the Tampa Bay area on the USA's Gulf of Mexico, just a 90-minute drive from legendary Florida must-sees, Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. With all that the city and its belter of a beach has to offer, as well as the rollercoasters nearby – you'll need a bit of time to make the most of this American sweet spot.
Let your hair down at Pier 60 – Clearwater's recreational pier and park. From street jugglers to live bands, the action revs up around here. The city stays busy after the sun goes down, too. Head to the centre for late-night shopping – or for your post-bar fix of burgers, waffles and boozy milkshakes.
A Florida holiday would be nothing without a palm-lined beach. And Clearwater's got one of the best in the business. It's a super-white stretch, tickled by turqouise waters. But the whole Gulf Coast is flush with top belts of bucket-and-spade-worthy sand. Treasure Island and St Pete Beach are just half an hour's drive south, or there's Tarpon Springs to the north.
If you want to burn off last night's steak and chips, take a stroll around the local nature parks. Moccasin Lake Nature Park's got heaps of wildlife and greenery, while Hammock Park's ideal for a biking tour – even better, they're both only 20 minutes from Clearwater in the car.
This little Florida nugget's famed for its soft sands and balmy waters – a sunbather's haven. The Guinness Book of World Records even clocked up the longest-running number of blue-sky days in this neighourhood, so if you're all about the beach, you'll be nicely set up here.
Clearwater Beach is well worth rolling out of bed early for – you'll want to beat the crowds to the best sunlounger. You'll find thrilling watersports like parasailing along the shore, while younger visitors can bop around the bouncy castle at Pier 60.
When kicking back and chilling out is the order of the day, pitch up on Caladesi Island State Park, just a 20-minute drive from Clearwater. Slightly off the beaten track, it's a truly laidback spot. Trek around the nature trails and you might be able to snap pics of the resident turtles and armadillos as you go.
Sprouts Farmers' Market in Clearwater itself attracts quite the crowd with its vegan goodies, homemade hot sauces and organic produce – all at reasonable prices. In the neighbourhoods around the city, stocking up on American candy and getting scoops of the best ice-cream around won't break the bank, either.
If your getaway revolves around hitting the waves, pick up well-made watersports gear at local surf shops. Wander in and out of the other stores around to pick up unique handmade treasures for your mantelpiece back home.
Westfield Countryside Mall's where you'll spend the most dosh, as there are plenty of upmarket labels like Pandora and Victoria's Secret here. After your spree, you can watch a film, have an ice-skate or chow down on some tasty tacos.
For a relaxed evening, head to the Pier 60 docks for a cocktail or two while the sun goes down. Walk along the strip to choose a bar with your entertainment of choice – there's often live music or acts by local magicians.
Whether you're down for hula or want to bust out your breakdancing moves, Clearwater's got plenty of world-class party venues. Check out a sports bar where you can catch an American football game and a slice of pizza, before rocking the dancefloor at a nightclub.
Try out an all-American menu at a typical family diner – from chicken wings drenched in homemade habanero sauce to peppered cheesesteaks. Finish off with key lime pie to make the visit even sweeter.
You'll want to make room for a generous American brunch with scrumptious bacon, fried eggs and syrupy pancakes. Or, have a classic burger smothered in melted cheese, fried onions and a dollop of mayo with a side of fries.
When in the USA, it's basically a rite of passage to eat buffalo chicken wings. Lots of Clearwater eateries serve up a mean basket of the crispy, saucy goodies – dunk them in blue cheese to do as the Americans do.
Pizza's always a favourite that you can order up any way you like, but you can't go wrong with a classic pepperoni. Portions are super generous, so they're great for sharing – or not.
Steak and baked potatoes are an American tradition – and after a hard day of relaxing, the aromas alone will lure you to a chophouse. Whether you're a rib-eye or rump lover, the meat's sizzled to perfection. Grab some fried calamari before the main event.
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All the flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Some of the flights on this website are also financially protected by the ATOL scheme, but ATOL protection does not apply to all flights. This website will provide you with information on the protection that applies in the case of each flight before you make your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.caa.co.uk. ATOL protection does not apply to the other holiday and travel services listed on this website..