Florida is known for its unblemished stretches of sand, and the sense of relaxation they impart. If you're traveling with the kids, you have to skip all that. Lolling beneath the shade of a palm tree or three isn't an option. Kids want action!
Clearwater Beach caters to visitors, and, if you're a parent, you know there's nothing wrong with that. Driving down Mandalay Avenue (the city's main drag), the air smells as much of hot dogs as it does of Gulf waters. Innumerable T-shirt shops hawk everything from suntan lotion to boogie boards. Nightly sunset celebrations serve up street performers and artisans selling pooka shell necklaces, shark's teeth and similar souvenirs.
Your family can make a vacation just body surfing or meandering down Mandalay Avenue. Here's a look at some more organized entertainment.
Pirate Ship Adventures
If the fully costumed swashbucklers manning the 70-foot three-tiered Pirate's Ransom don't enthrall your kids, the cannons will. These are shot off regularly during two-hour excursions offered by Captain Memo's Original Pirate Cruise. Typically leaving four times a day from Clearwater Municipal Marina, these cruises offer you and your kids organized onboard treasure hunts, face painting, water-gun battles, storytelling and dance programs. Pirates serve free soft drinks and beer. Note to the budget conscious: You can save a few bucks off admission by ordering your tickets from online.
Go Fishing
While you're here, you might also want to think about fishing. The waters off Clearwater Beach abound with sailfish, dolphin, black fin tuna and other creatures. Try your luck on a charter on a sport-fishing boat. The Reel Deal and Queen Fleet (both leaving from the Clearwater Municipal Marina) are a good place to start. And don't worry if you're a novice – both are friendly to beginners and children. In fact, the Reel Deal's motto is "Kids welcome, adults tolerated."
Rent a Boat
If you prefer captaining your own craft, check the many boat and jetski rentals available throughout Clearwater Beach. Rent deck boats – small, sturdy motorcraft with enough room for your clan to relax and enjoy the open water. If you're a little more adventurous, try the Yamaha wave runners. They travel at up to 45 miles per hour.
Ride the Jolley Trolley
Clearwater's Jolley Trolley is an open-sided car that stops regularly along Mandalay Avenue. For $2.00 ($4.50 for an all-day pass), you can get on anywhere and ride it from one end of the beach to the other, soaking up city sights. Clearly labeled trolley stops can be found virtually every other block on Mandalay Avenue.
Visit the Aquarium
You can also take advantage of longer trips aboard the Jolley Trolley, to venues such as Sand Key State Park and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Savvy travelers know that visiting the small aquarium (specializing in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured Gulf creatures) won't take an entire afternoon. Still, you'll while away a happy hour or so checking out the dolphins, otters, turtles and other animals residing here.
After your trip to the Aquarium, spend an evening on the 1,050-foot Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach. Sunset festivals run nightly from two hours before sunset until two hours after. Watch fire-eaters, contortionists, trained dogs and others perform their tricks. If the kids still want more activity, check out the Pier 60 playground. Among its amenities is a sand box billed as one of the world's largest, giant tic-tac-toe games, swings and monkey bars. Buy a burger or hot dog from the concession stand on site, or enjoy family-friendly meals and Gulf views at restaurants such as Frenchy's Salt Water Cafe.
Trolleys also operate to the towns of Dunedin and Tarpon Springs on the weekends.
Fly High on a Parasail or Flightseeing Tour
Parasailing, offered by outfits such as Parasail City, is popular on Clearwater Beach. You'll see Gulf splendors while harnessed to a parachute, with rides running from heights of 400 to 800 feet. You'll relish the quiet, take in the sweep of Clearwater Beach and spot dolphins and the occasional loggerhead turtle frolicking in the Gulf. (You should note that, while the entire trip takes about an hour, actual parasail time runs roughly 15 minutes.) Children younger than age 12 must be accompanied by a parent for these expeditions.
If you prefer taking to the sky in an actual plane, visit Clearwater Flight Services. The company's Cessna leaves from St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport, and offers sightseeing tours of Anclote Key Lighthouse, Gulf Coast beaches and even St. Petersburg's famed Sunshine Skyway. The plane can accommodate up to three people. There is no age limit for kids. Flights typically take about 45 minutes, and run from $99 to $240.
