Enjoy Clearwater at vacation home rentals
Skirting the Gulf of Mexico west of Tampa, Clearwater offers the perfect mix of culture and relaxation. Visitors flock here year round to enjoy the pristine sands of Clearwater Beach, but they stay for the dining, entertainment, and festivals that seem to be a constant fixture on the local calendar. A centrally located Clearwater vacation rental will put you in the heart of everything the area has to offer, from the relaxing beaches, to the top-notch museums, so the nightlife of the revitalized downtown area. Pack your sunscreen and prepare to enjoy the warm Florida weather!
Tourist attractions near Clearwater vacation rentals
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is one of the city's biggest draws, thanks in large part to two rescued bottlenose dolphins named Hope and Winter, stars of the "Dolphin Tale" movies. Downtown, the revitalized Cleveland Street District offers plenty of shopping, dining, and nightlife to satisfy everyone in your travel crew. Baseball fans will want to pay a visit to Spectrum Field for some spring training or minor league action. Art buffs should head to nearby St. Petersburg to visit the Museum of Fine Arts and the Salvador Dali Museum, featuring the largest collection of the artist's work outside of Europe.
Things to do near Clearwater vacation homes
There's more than just beaches in Clearwater, though you'll definitely want to spend some time on the sand while you're enjoying your Clearwater vacation rental. Clearwater Beach is a great place to work on your tan and catch some amazing sunsets. If it involves a boat, you can do it here, from speedboating, to fishing charters, to dolphin-spotting cruises. There are also several annual festivals, plus a constant outdoor concert schedule to choose from, including the nightly Sunsets at Pier 60 festival featuring live music and street performers. Of course, it wouldn't be a Florida trip without a few rounds of golf.
Local weather for your stay in Clearwater vacation rentals
You can expect to see temperatures ranging from warm to hot all year long at your Clearwater vacation rental. Average highs are in the low 70s to low 90s year round, peaking in the hottest summer months of June to September. Overnight lows are still comfortably in the 50s even in the coldest months of December to February. It's generally sunny and dry from November through April. May through October is the rainy season, with hurricanes not uncommon in September and October, so check the forecast before you come.
The waters really are clear in Clearwater
The city of Clearwater butts up against Florida's Intracoastal Waterway, home to an abundance of marine life. On the opposite side is the narrow barrier island where you'll find the white sands of Clearwater Beach stretching out along the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Dolphins are some of the most prominent creatures in the area, and there's a good chance you'll see them off the shore. For more wildlife encounters, you can head to Moccasin Lake Nature Park, a 51-acre nature preserve that's home to plenty of reptiles, amphibians, and birds of prey. Just watch out for the gators.
Traveling to and around Clearwater
The nearest airport is in Tampa Intl. Airport (TPA), located 16.2 mi (26.1 km) from the city center. If you're unable to find a flight that fits your schedule, you can also fly into St. Petersburg-Clearwater Intl. Airport (PIE), which is 7.8 mi (12.6 km) away.
Romantic vacation homes in Clearwater
Clearwater is the ideal vacation spot for couples. Vacation rentals are available near romantic places like Honeymoon Island State Park, a popular swimming beach with soft sand for shelling, and Caladesi Island, a tranquil island with sandy beaches and calm, clear waters. You'll also like the Florida Botanical Gardens, a cultivated garden with local and tropical flora in natural habitats.