Attractions

Should visitors have their fill of sun and sand, the greater Clearwater area offers several well-known attractions, all of them nearby or short driving distances from Clearwater and “home” base. The list below includes major attractions only. (More information regarding natural, cultural and historical attractions is included in other backgrounders.) Also, a more comprehensive list of attractions is at www.visitclearwaterflorida.com.

Adventure Island

10001 Malcolm McKinley Drive (Adjacent to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay), Tampa
(813) 987-5660 or toll-free (888) 800-5447
Tampa Bay's only outdoor water theme park, Adventure Island is a blend of slides, corkscrews, water falls, wave pool, children’s water playground and other family attractions set within 30 lush acres.

Big Cat Rescue

12802 Easy Street, Tampa (813) 920-4130
This 45 acre, wildlife sanctuary is home to 100 cats representing 15 of the 35 species of exotic wild cat. All in one place, visitors can see lions, tigers, geoffroy cats, jungle cats, servals, caracals, snow leopards, bobcats, lynx and more.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

3000 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa (813) 987-5082 or toll-free (888) 800-5447
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is the ultimate family adventure park offering an array of fascinating attractions based on exotic encounters with the African continent. A unique blend of thrilling rides, one of the country's premier zoos featuring more than 2,000 animals, live entertainment, restaurants, shops and games, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay provides unrivaled excitement for guests of every age.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

249 Windward Passage, Clearwater (727) 441-1790
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a research-based non-profit facility dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured marine life. It also offers visitors “hands-on” experiences such as “Sea Life Safari” and other Marine Life Adventures, as well as educational opportunities for young and old, such as "Trainer for a Day" and "Day with a Dolphin." The aquarium is also home to Winter, the tailless dolphin who has recently been fitted with a prosthetic tail.

Clearwater Municipal Marina

25 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Beach (727) 462-6954
The 220-slip Clearwater Municipal Marina is one of the best-equipped and most versatile marinas in Florida. In addition to berthing the largest commercial fishing fleet on Florida’s west coast, the marina offers a wide variety of recreational and sightseeing options. The marina is also home to restaurants, convenience stores and gift shops, laundry facilities, a post office and more. The central location allows for easy access to the beach and Pier 60, as well as many hotels, restaurants and other attractions.

The Florida Aquarium

701 Channelside Drive, Tampa (813) 273-4020
The Florida Aquarium is a world-class educational facility featuring nearly 5,000 aquatic plants and animals that tell the tale of water, native land and marine animals in Florida.

Lowry Park Zoo

1101 W. Sligh Avenue, Tampa (813) 935-8552
One of the top three zoos of its size in North America, Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo has been named the number-one family-friendly zoo in the U.S. (Child magazine). The zoo features the region's only dedicated zoological garden and natural outdoor exhibits for more than more than 1,800 animals from Florida and elsewhere.

Pinewood Cultural Park

Pinewood Cultural Park is an educational and cultural gem that offers three distinct attractions in one. Heritage Village is a 21-acre open-air living history museum – including 23 of the county's oldest structures, with two dating back to the Civil War era - set amid native pines and palmettos. The Florida Botanical Gardens is a working garden and educational resource, and features all Florida plants, both native and non-native, with wildlife nesting habitats, restored wetlands and natural bridges interacting with more formal gardens. The Gulf Coast Museum of Art features a permanent collection of contemporary Florida art and fine contemporary crafts from the 12 southeastern states and a diverse exhibition schedule.

Sunsets at Pier 60

Pier 60, Clearwater Beach (727) 449-1036
A "street" festival located on the promenade portion of Clearwater Beach's famous fishing pier, celebrating the setting of the sun and featuring artists, craftsmen and performers with weekend musical entertainment.