The Phillie Phanatic's Guide To Clearwater
In Clearwater, Florida for Phillies spring training? Lucky you! Here's what to do and see while you're there.
The Stadium
Bright House Field
601 Old Coachman Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
P: (727) 712-4300
www.milb.com
Bright House Field is a state-of-the-art, fan-friendly ballpark and community sports center with a 360-degree main concourse, a tiki-hut pavilion in left field and grass berm seating. There is also a children's play area, a video scoreboard and a group picnic area. The ticket office, executive offices, media center and clubhouse are all located in the administration building on the West Entry. The stadium's groundbreaking was held in Oct. 2002, and after 14 months of construction, the classic Floridian-style ballpark was completed.
Restaurants
Palm Pavilion
10 Bay Esplanade
Clearwater Beach, FL, 33767
P: (727) 446-2642
www.palmpavilion.com
Palm Pavilion is a casual restaurant that overlooks the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico, offering up awesome sunsets and beach access at the front door. The restaurant has been open since 1926, and there's live entertainment most days. The menu includes seafood, steaks, chicken, chowders, ribs and the Palm Pavilion's signature beach burgers. Happy hour is offered Monday – Friday, from 4 – 7 p.m.
Lenny's Restaurant
21220 US Hwy 19 N
Clearwater, FL 33765
P: (727) 799-0402
Take note of the row of authentic stadium seating—rescued from Jack Russell Stadium—that's outside of this hometown diner. Breakfast options include french toast, pancakes, bagels, fruit, and eggs, and lunch offerings are simple: sandwiches, burgers and soups. But be warned: It gets crazy during Spring Training.
Frenchy's Rockaway Grill
7 Rockaway Street
Clearwater, FL 33767
P: (727) 446-4844
www.frenchysonline.com
Enjoy beachfront dining, tropical drinks and live music overlooking the Gulf of Mexico at Frenchy's Rockaway Grill. The menu includes seafood, steaks, burgers and a few Mexican, Jamaican and Floridian dishes.
Attractions & Things To Do
Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise
Causeway Boulevard
Clearwater, FL 33767
P: (727) 446-2587
www.captainmemo.com
Ahoy, matey! Captain Memo's is an actual cruising ship that allows guests to transform into a pirate for a day. It's especially kid-friendly, with treasure hunts, face-painting, water games and dancing to reggae and steel drums during scheduled two hour cruises. Adults can enjoy a beverage or two and relax knowing that their children are looked after by the ship's experience crew of "Captains" and "Wenches."
Clearwater Beach
www.visitclearwaterflorida.com
Relax on this gorgeous white sand beach when you're not at the ballpark. There are full-time lifeguards on staff, as well as volleyball nets for endless entertainment. Plus, admission is free!
FunRide Rentals
Beachview Inn
325 S Gulfview Rd
Clearwater Beach, Florida 33767
(727) 519-3008
www.funriderentals.com
Go for a ride on a scooter or bike and see the sites in Clearwater Beach. Fun Ride Rentals is located inside the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort, and rental inventory includes a variety of scooters, mopeds, three wheeled cars (or "fun coups"), bikes, surreys, beach wheelchairs, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, handicap scooters, strollers, beach strollers, segways, Fun Gliders and more.
Jolley Trolley
400 Mandalay Avenue
Clearwater Beach, Florida 33767
P: (727) 461-3222
www.clearwaterjolleytrolley.com
Why ride the bus when you can take the Jolley Trolley? The Coastal Route runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in between Clearwater Beach and Downtown Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs.
Captain Bligh's Landing
630 South Gulfview Boulevard
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
P: (727) 443-6348
Perfect for the kid (or kid at heart!), Captain Bligh's offers an 18-hole mini golf course and arcade games (pinball machines, video games, prize games). There's also a snackbar.
Surf Style & Flow Rider
315 South Gulfview Boulevard
Clearwater, FL 33767
P: (888) 534-4666 x105
www.surf-style.com
Ever dreamed of trying surfing? The FlowRider® is a self-contained, sheet wave pool that mimics the appearance and action of big surf. Beginners use skimboards then make their way up to trying maneuvers and kickflips. Staff instructors guide surfers through the experience.
Pier 60
1 Causeway Blvd.
Clearwater, FL 33767
P: 727 449-1036
www.sunsetsatpier60.com
Take in a gorgeous sunset at Pier 60 while surrounded by artisans, performers and live music. On the weekends, movies are shown on a big outdoor screen that overlooks the water, and viewers can hang out on the beach and watch.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage
Clearwater, FL 33767
P: (727) 441-1790
http://seewinter.com
Introduce your kids to marine life at the CMA, a nonprofit that's been nationally touted for its groundbreaking work in marine rescue, rehabilitation and release, as well as therapy animal research and education.
Winter the Dolphin is the aquarium's most famous resident. After Winter lost her tail, the CMA rescued her and nursed her back to health before creating a prosthetic tail so she could swim again. In fact, the recent film "Dolphin Tale" was based on the story of her life—cool!
Winter's Dolphin Tale Adventure
300 Cleveland Street
Clearwater, FL 33755
P: (727) 441-1790
www.seewinter.com
After the success of "Dolphin Tale," the CMA expanded into the Cleveland Street District of Historic Downtown Clearwater's Harborview Center. In this show, you'll take a behind-the-scenes look at the film and the life of Winter, the CMA's famous dolphin.
