Fun Stuff to do in Clearwater, FLorida

See it Like a Local

By Vicki Conrad

Innkeeper, designer, upcycler,
Garden Diva, Djembe drummer and
long time resident of Clearwater, FL.

Iconic Places to Experience the REAL Florida

Step back in time and off the mainstream tourist track. Spend some time at a few of these places and we will knight you an official Pinellas County Floridan!

Knot on Main Street-2424 Bayshore Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698 (727) 738-8090
Part antique shop, part vintage store, part flea market but always an interesting experience. I can literally spend hours wandering around all the booths in this place. It's sort of like a huge consignment shop except sellers get their own booths. One booth might be artist quality paintings done by a local and the next might be vintage plastic cups. You never know what's around the corner!

Jannus Landing-18 2ND ST N, ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33701 727-896-6329
I love Jannus Landing! It is the coolest place to see live music like ever. It is an outdoor concert venue that sits in the courtyard of one of the oldest hotels in Florida. You can still see the original hotel walls on 2 sides of the venue. It holds 2,000 people, notice I didn't say seats? There aren't any actual seats in the theater. You walk around and mingle with the other concert goers. You can order drinks (full service liquor) from several places inside Jannus Landing and you can order from Joey Brooklyn's Famous Pizza Kitchen.

Ted Peter's Famous Smoked Fish-1350 Pasadena Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33707 727- 381-7931
This iconic no frills restaurant has been serving up smoked fish and burger since 1951! Ted is now retired but his son and grandson carry on the tradition of good food and friendly, laid back service. Most Folks get take out but have a seat at one of the picnic tables and soak up a bit of old style Florida. Ted's smoked fish spread is known to be the best in Florida.

Biff Burgers-3939 49th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33709-5731 727-527-5297
Restaurant, bar and drive through-Juicy burgers, tater tots and onion rings! Biff's will remind you of Mel's diner on American Graffiti. It reminds me of going out on a Saturday night when I was a teenager in growing up in Florida. Tuesday is Ladies night, Wednesday and Friday are bike nights, Saturday night is cruise in night. Live music Wed-Sat.

The Anclote Boat Club-819 Beckett Way, Tarpon Springs, FL 34688 727- 938-9566
Nope, you don't even have to have ever been in a boat to go to the boat club. And yes it's fairly safe even though it looks like it might fall into the Gulf of Mexico any moment. The Boat Club reminds me of the keg parties we had out in the woods in my younger days. And yes it is the diviest of Dive bars ever to grace Pinellas county. It's a locals bar where you can drink beer, play pool, fish off the dock and join in a jam. Sometimes there is home cooked food. You don't come for the food or the drink, but for the friendly people! Come as you are flip flops, bare feet, no shirt and cowboy hats are allowed.

North Anclote Sandbar-- Pasco County Florida just north of Anclote Island.
Yes you do need a boat to get there. It's just a little sandbar and sometimes the tide is too high and you can't even see it. Yet it's a favorite stopping place and often the destination. The sandbar is one of Florida's hidden gems. It's probably the best little beach you never heard of. No loud cars, no electricity, no bars or hot dog vendors. Just a pristine sandy beach and the best views of sunset---EVER.

Capitol Theatre 405 Cleveland St, Clearwater, FL 33755 (727) 791-7400

Built in 1921, this is one of the oldest theaters in the state. It's art deco-ish atmosphere is topped off by a classic mezzanine. When it first opened it housed vaudeville acts and movies. It now hosts musical acts, comedians and many other world class entertainers.