Laid-back Clearwater Beach is known for its namesake stretch of soft, white sand, which draws visitors year-round for jet-skiing, parasailing, and stand-up paddleboarding in its calm waters. Cyclists and rollerbladers glide along a winding beachfront promenade lined with casual seafood restaurants and cafes. Come sunset, Pier 60 hosts a nightly festival with street performers and craft vendors.
This speakeasy-style establishment celebrates the prohibition era. While the look may be swanky, the menu is anything but pretentious. You can stop by for a craft cocktail and meal or head to the back of the building into an intimate 32-seat movie theater that shows classic movies from The Goonies to The Godfather.
Crooked Thumb Brewery owes it’s name to Pinellas County, which has been said to “hang off the west coast of Florida like a crooked thumb.” The tasting room is a creative restoration of a warehouse built in 1963 that was previously an auto body and paint shop. The 6,000 square foot space houses a 15 barrel brew system with an offering of 15-20 beers on tap in the tasting room. The bar and seating area feature views of the production area as well as the adjacent beer garden. With a canopy of trees overhead, the garden is a space with live music, yard games and seasonal events. Local food vendors serve a selection of foods on weekends.
Florida artists Todd Ramquist and Kiaralinda have spent the last 20 or more years turning their home and neighboring properties into flamboyant works of art. Originally known simply as the “Bowling Ball House” for the (now over 500) painted bowling balls littering the yard in various formations. Gardens made of colored bottles, rainbow mosaic pathways, and bright ceramic sculptures abound creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere. Whimzeyland also features a small gallery where bowling balls decorated and donated by other artists are put on display for visitors to view.
Safety Harbor Art and Music Center is a 501(c) non profit organization whose mission is to promote knowledge of and education of all facets of the arts: visual arts, performing arts, musical arts, and more. It's a place where children and the children-at-heart can gather to celebrate art.
Philippe Park is the oldest park in Pinellas County. It's named after Odet Philippe, who is credited with introducing grapefruit to Florida. 122-acres of majestic shade trees and a Tocobaga Native American mound are among things for visitors to explore.