| Clearwater At a Glance
Best Time to Go
This depends on whether you want to get a bargain or keep cool. Summer is the best time
for inexpensive beach vacations. The humidity is high in the summer, making it seem even
hotter than it actually is. The heat should be no problem, though, if spending time in the
ocean or staying close to air-conditioning.
The best weather is the January through March period and September through November. It
is also the least crowded time to visit.
Average Weather
Generally, the winters in Clearwater are dry and the summers are wet. There is plenty of
sunshine all year long. During the summer, the rains don't usually last long. Every once
in awhile it will rain all day, but not very often.
The average low in January through March is 50 degrees, while the high averages 76. It
starts warming up April through June when the low averages 62 degrees and the high
averages 90. July through September is the hottest period, when the averages are 73 for
the low and 90 for the high. This is the time when many Floridians leave to beat the heat.
Temperatures come down in October through December when the average low drops to 51
degrees and the high is a comfortable 84. The gulf water temperature is in the 80s most of
the year, dropping to 60s-70s in January through March.
Transportation
Driving is the main mode of transportation because public transit is scant.
There are plenty of places to rent a car, including the St. Petersburg/Clearwater
International Airport and Tampa International Airport. It's easy to rent a taxi or limo.
Your hotel can help you get a car or taxi. Clearwater has a Greyhound station for those
who prefer to arrive by bus.
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) provides bus service throughout the
county and to Tampa, but stops can be a bit difficult to figure out. The Clearwater
terminal is at Park Street and Gordon Avenue. Regular fare is $1.
Within Clearwater you can hop on The Jolley Trolley for 50 cents. It serves downtown
Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, and Memorial Causeway. If you are driving, most metered
parking on the street or in a lot is 75 cents to $1 per hour. Beach meters are enforced
every day with varying hours. Read the meters for the hours of enforcement. An expired
meter fine is $15.
Overnight parking is allowed at the Clearwater Municipal Marina, 25 Causeway Boulevard.
In-Season Costs
November through April is the peak tourist season. The humidity is low and temperatures
are comfortable, but finding an available hotel room in a convenient location can be more
challenging than at other times of the year.
Clearwater is known for its value, so even during the in-season prices don't rise as
dramatically as they may in other areas. For instance, lodging that cost $69 during the
low season may increase to $119 during the high season. A hotel that charges $99 a night
during the slow season may see a rate increase to $129 during the peak tourist season.
Even during the high season, you can still get comfortable lodging for as low as $64 to
$70.
Other costs, including restaurants and attractions, remain relatively steady throughout
the year. Book your lodging early during the in-season because the hotels fill up very
quickly.
Day Trips
Two popular areas to explore from Clearwater are the artsy resort community of Sarasota
and the theme parks in and around Orlando. Sarasota is 65 miles from Clearwater and
Orlando is 106 miles away.
The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art
This wheel-chair accessible museum houses one of the world's richest and most varied
collections of Baroque paintings, as well as more recent works of art. A single admission
price ($9 for adults; free for children under 12) allows you to enjoy the art museum, the
Circus Museum, and Ca' d'Zan (the winter residence of the Ringlings).
Directions: Take U.S. Highway 19 south over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The toll is $1.
From the bridge, get on I-75 take Exit 40 (University Parkway) and follow it west until it
ends at the museum. The museum is located at the intersection of U.S. 41 and University
Parkway just south of the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
- St. Armands Circle
With a collection of more than 100 trendy shops, cafes, galleries, restaurants, and
boutiques, this is a mecca for shoppers and gawkers. First envisioned by circus magnate
John Ringling, development of the stylish shopping circle was completed by the city.
Featuring shops ringing around the center of the circle, St. Armands has a fountain, a
bandstand, a green area, and plenty of benches for visitors too pooped to shop. Directions:
Take U.S. Highway 19 south over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The toll is $1. From the
bridge, choose I-75 or U.S. 41 (the scenic route). From I-75, take Sarasota Exit 39, then
head west on State Road 780. From U.S. 41, take State Road 780 west to St. Armands Key.
Drive over the Ringling Causeway and Sarasota Bay.
- Walt Disney World
This attraction is huge and consists of many parts. Magic Kingdom, which features
Cinderella's Castle, the Main Street Parade, and the popular Space Mountain roller coaster
ride, is the oldest Disney World attraction. Epcot Center, a separate theme park, has
displays from all over the world. Other Disney attractions include Disney's Animal
Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Discovery Island, Pleasure Island, and Disney-MGM Studios. Directions:
Take Interstate 4 and follow the signs. Disney World has its own city designation and
exits off the interstate.
- Universal Studios
This theme park, which is also a working studio, brings visitors into the worlds of movies
and television. Guests can ride through space and time in Back to the Future and confront
a tornado in Twister - Ride it Out. The stunning $60 million Terminator 2: 3-D Battles
Across Time features Arnold Schwarzenegger in a 12-minute cyberadventure. The world's
largest Hard Rock Cafe is located at the front door of the park. Directions: Get on
Interstate 4 and head east to Orlando. Take Exit 29 or 30-B. It is near the Orlando
International Airport.
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