Is Clearwater Beach Free? Explore on a Budget
Going on a vacation can be very expensive and take months, even years, of planning and saving. Don’t settle for a mediocre vacation when you can explore on a budget. There are no fees to walk, swim, and explore and this makes Clearwater Beach free.
FREE Things to do in and around Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach
Ahhhhh. The beach. To me, there is nothing like taking a nice stroll along the seashore, picking up shells, watching the sunset, and having a picnic.
Clearwater Beach is free to do all of this on its fluffy sand. Bring your chairs or blanket to enjoy the people-watching and relaxing activity.
There is no time limit for enjoying the beach, however, I recommend limiting your time there if it’s during the peak, mid-day scorching sunshine! Avoiding a sunburn will certainly prolong your vacation enjoyment.
Beach Walk
This multi-use promenade allows pedestrians, rollerblades, and bicyclists to safely enjoy dining, socializing, sunsets, and artistic touches. Views of the beautiful Clearwater Beach can be seen as you stroll along.
Pier 60
Pier 60 reaches nearly 1,100 feet out into the Gulf of Mexico, offering shaded spots to sit and take in the scenery. The pier is free to access up to the bait and snack store, then, there is a nominal fee to continue.
Don’t miss the nightly sunset celebrations at Pier 60, also free to attend. Local artisans, buskers, and food vendors gather every night, weather permitting, to celebrate the end of another day in paradise.
Sand Key Park
Immediately South of Clearwater Beach is the Sand Key Park. This is a beautiful, 90+ acre Pinellas County Park. The park has many amenities such as beach wheelchairs, outdoor showers, shelters with grills, a dog park, a playground, a boardwalk nature trail, and concessions.
While it is free to visit the park, there is a $5 fee for parking that covers the whole day. Open from 7a to sunset every day except the Friday after Thanksgiving and Christmas day.
Murielle Winery
This boutique winery, located in Clearwater, specializes in unique fruit-blended wine made from premium grapes. Wine tastings are free Tuesday – Saturday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. No reservation is necessary, just stop in. You’re sure to find a unique flavored wine that you’ll love or can give as a gift.
Countryside Mall
I add Countryside Mall to my list because, on a hot summer day, it’s nice to be able to duck into an air-conditioned space, for free. You can also choose to have a meal, walk around, shop, and watch the people.
The best part, there is a full-size ice skating rink inside for the ultimate cool down! You can also enjoy catching a movie at the theater.
Clearwater Public Library System
You do not need to be a resident to utilize the free library system. Check out their website for upcoming events, classes, workshops, art projects, trivia, and just to read a good ‘ol book! There are 6 Clearwater Library locations, including one on the beach and the main branch downtown.
Florida Botanical Gardens
The hundred-acre woods, er, park is located in Largo, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t add it to my list if you’re looking for something free to do near Clearwater. The Pinellas County Parks and Resources Development, along with the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation have taken great care with curating a beautiful space to explore, discover, and learn about collections of plants.
Robert’s Christmas Wonderland
On the east side of Clearwater, lies a little gem. A Christmas Wonderland store that, for more than 45 years, has been a tradition to visit. The store is full of Christmas year-round and focuses on the latest trends, but doesn’t lose sight of the joy that the season is all about. It’s free to stop in and look around. (Air conditioned, too!)
Oddities & Antiques
There’s a little place on Clearwater Largo Road that offers a peek into the world of oddities and antiques. Frank Miranda’s curated collection of bones, creepy dolls, taxidermy, wacky toys, carvings, medical oddities, and much much more. It’s free to go and explore, pique your curiosity, and enter the dark art.
Ream Wilson Clearwater Trail
If, by chance, you are driving to Florida, or are a local, and you have your bicycles with you, it’s free to utilize the multitude of trails around the area. The Ream Wilson Clearwater Trail is just over 4 miles stretching from Clearwater to Safety Harbor. This scenic trail offers overpass bridges to safely get you over a couple of busy intersections. The trail runs along Old Tampa Bay, in Safety Harbor. It’s a nice ride.
💲PRO-TIP💲
By far, the best savings you can find for the area’s most popular attractions is with the CityPASS Tampa Bay. This pass includes admissions to:
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
The Florida Aquarium
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
PLUS, 2 of the following:
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
The Tropics Boat Tours – Dolphin or Sunset Cruise
Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)
Glazer Children’s Museum
CHEAP Things to do in and around Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Threshers Baseball Game – From April through the first week in September, catch the great American pastime at the BayCare Ballpark. Except for the Tuesday of Opening Day, it’s $1 Tuesday at the ballpark. You can get berm seats and some food and drinks for $1. What a deal!
Regular seats are still a great deal at less than $12 a piece, depending on where you’re seated. This is a great activity for the whole family that won’t break the bank.
The Clearwater Ferry offers service from Downtown Clearwater to Clearwater Beach and Dunedin. Reservations are recommended as there may not be room for walk-ons. Find a parking spot in Dunedin and ride down to Clearwater, or, if you’re staying in Clearwater Beach, take the ferry up to Dunedin.
There are lots of things to do in Dunedin and how fun is it to get there by ferry! This is also a very cheap way to take a boat ride if you’re on a budget.
Paddleboard, Bicycle, and Beach Gear Rentals – It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to enjoy your day at the beach. Instead of buying gear, rent it, instead.
Clearwater Beach PaddleBoard & Rental Co. offers a wide array of gear for affordable rental prices. At the time of this writing, they offered a beach cart with 2 chairs, a cooler, and an umbrella for $35 for the day. Bargain!
Picnic – There are many markets around that can fill your picnic basket for a little bit of money. This is so much cheaper than dining out. Grab your picnic and head out to one of the many parks in the area.
One of the most spectacular is Coachman Park, located on the intercoastal waterway in downtown Clearwater. This newly opened greenspace now includes The Sound, an exciting new music venue. Additionally, you can find picnic tables to enjoy your picnic, let the kids play in the splash pad, and enjoy the scenery.
Cheap Accommodations in and near Clearwater Beach
Aside from the cost of the transportation costs to get to your destination, your accommodations could be your next largest expense during your vacation. Of course, if you’re going to splurge for that beach-view hotel room, it’s not going to be very cheap, however, there are plenty of affordable accommodations that will be easy on the wallet.
Use this interactive map to find the best accommodations
to fit your budget and location desires.
Breakin’ It Down: Is Clearwater Beach Free?
Explore on a Budget
Clearwater Beach is free to visit along with several other attractions in and around the area. Taking a beautiful vacation to the beach does not have to break the bank if you do some planning and have an idea of what you’re looking to do.
Repin for later! Share with a friend!