Sun, Sips and Ships in the Tampa Bay

Where the sand and salt meet

Clearwater Beach continues to be one of my favorite weekend getaways, even as a local. My favorite staycation location comes packed with beachside bars, delicious seafood and activities for the whole family. By day, you can rent jet skis, paddle boards or kayaks. Water sports not your thing? Beach chairs line the shore so you can catch some zzzs, read a good Rom-Com (highly recommend Emily Henry novels!) or do some great people watching. Pier 60 also hosts fun activities for the whole fam, including an inflatable slide.

It isn't a secret that Clearwater Beach is world famous for the soft sand, the calm waters and the warm sun. But the best-kept secret of Tampa Bay's Gulf Coast is Indian Rocks Beach, just a short jaunt down the coast. With multiple places to gain public access, hundreds of cute condos or cottages to consider for rent and plenty of restaurants to tantalize your taste buds — this destination is a sure-fire way to enjoy your family vacay. It's quieter and not as crowded as the popular spots, but just as beautiful. You can also stay in the neighborhood for a much more reasonable price point.

Don't sleep on St. Pete Beach, either. If you want the Key West vibe but not the latitude, you can find it in many kitschy areas of St. Pete Beach.

Visiting Tampa Bay and interested in cool experiences?

A few of my favorite places to visit in St. Pete stretch along what locals lovingly refer to as DTSP (Downtown St. Pete). Baseball fan? Catch a Rays game at Tropicana Field. Don't sweat it, the stadium is air-conditioned! (Current information as of 2024 season. Future plans in the works for the Rays to level up). While catching sun rays and the Rays this getaway, visit a DTSP staple- Fergs! Drinks, axe-throwing and wait... pet friendly? Yep!

Speaking of pet-friendly, some of the best dog spots can be found in DTSP. Are you a DINKWAD (dual-income, no kids, with a dog) searching for the best spot to tire out the fur baby while catching a buzz yourself? Mutts and Martinis and The Dog Bar are two of the best dog bars.

If you're looking to make a splash this getaway, check out the Clearwater Aquarium, or cross the bridge to hit the Florida Aquarium in Tampa. Both locations are fantastic and can be found on the City Pass (a multi-activity discount pass).

Zoo Tampa is another don't miss activity. Have you seen them on Nat-Geo? Such a good show! They offer great package pricing for families, and it's also on the City Pass!

It wouldn't be smart of me to leave out the best water activities in a Tampa Bay guide, would it?

Get off the land and try out some of the unique things Tampa Bay offers. For starters, you can take a tiki boat (BYOB!) around Clearwater at sunset, or really anytime. The same company also runs tiki tours up and down the Hillsborough River. A fun activity for groups such as a bachelorette/bachelor party, or friends just catching up.

Want to go between St. Pete and Tampa, but don't want to do the drive? You can catch a ferry! The ferry does run seasonally, so reach out to me for tips/tricks and schedules on how to maximize your experience here (read: there's an on-board bar).

Looking to tie in a trip to Tampa Bay with a cruise? The Port of Tampa is home to large cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival. You can set sail for great Caribbean and Mexican destinations right here from Tampa. With cruises as short as four nights, this is a great way to kick off or end your Tampa Bay Getaway.

Day Trips:

Some easy places to get to while visiting Tampa Bay are:

• Orlando! No, really. Close enough for a day trip. You don't have to go to theme parks to enjoy Orlando, either.

• Sarasota/Bradenton!

• Sponge Docks of Tarpon Springs

• Keel Farms - a winery in Plant City

Two words: grouper sandwich. If you find yourself at John's Pass, be sure to hop into literally any restaurant (except the mega chains like Hooters or Bubba Gumps) for the best grouper sandwich. Try a few out and compare, then report back to me with who you think has the best.

Armature Works in Tampa would be the perfect spot for some pre-dinner drinks on the lawn, then walk over to Ulele for quite possibly one of the most unique dining experiences. This restaurant has eclectic old Florida foods, with Native inspirations, plus they brew their own beer.

Looking for a romantic date night? Check out Bern's, a local favorite steakhouse. Not interested in the steakhouse experience? That's ok. Give Bern's a call to see if you can do a "dessert room" reservation. You will not be disappointed.

Datz is a local fan fave with multiple locations, the original being on MacDill in Tampa, but there's also one in DTSP. They've been featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive ins and Dives plus have an incredible craft cocktail menu. A great option for brunch, too!

Tiki's at the top of the new St. Pete Pier would be a good time for some drinks, but their food is also incredible. The real star of the show, though, is the view. You can have a 360 view of Tampa Bay, and even catch sight of a dolphin or two.

Caddy's on Madeira Beach is my favorite Caddy's, personally, because of the second level seating with a gorgeous view of the gulf. Catch them during happy hour and you're guaranteed to have a good time. Also the perfect spot for sunsets.

Last, but not least, is Frenchy's Rockaway. The location has seating literally in the sand of Clearwater Beach. You can skip the fish pretzel but go straight in on Rock Poppers.