Florida has so many places that are fun to explore! The drive from Clearwater to Tarpon Springs is one of the prettiest drives we have taken in Florida. We drove on US-19 ALT N which follows the gulf coast. It’s only about a 30-minute drive but it takes you past some really cool cities; Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, and Tarpon Springs.
Each of these cities is full of great restaurants, beautiful scenery, and fun adventures. Clearwater has some of the best beaches in the US. Dunedin is a hidden gem with Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands to explore. Palm Harbor has championship golf, and Tarpon Springs is like visiting a Greek Village.
Things to do in Clearwater
Clearwater is west of Tampa and is known for its beautiful gulf coast beaches. Clearwater beach is located on a barrier island and has been voted the #1 Beach in the US for several years. With a wide variety of restaurants, you will find whatever you are craving!
You will find several miles of white sand beaches, warm gulf waters, and beautiful sunsets!
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Restaurants
- Crabby’s Dockside – 37 Causeway Blvd – Great peel and eat shrimp!
- Wildflower Cafe – 1465 S. Fort Harrison Ave. – Vegan, and Gluten-free options – Try their Mile High French Toast!
- Columbia Restaurant, Sand Key -1241 Gulf Blvd – The menu is Cuban-Spanish
- Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza – 1101 S. Ft. Harrison Ave. – Voted the best pizza and best Gelato in Tampa Bay Magazine
- Alfano’s Restaurant – 1702 Clearwater Largo Rd. – Italian-American cuisine including gluten-free options!
These are just a few of the many great restaurants!
Things to do
- Clearwater Ferry(water taxi) – avoid traffic take the water taxi, to Clearwater Beach and Dunedin
- Ream Wilson Clearwater Trail – a 13 mile bicycling and pedestrian trail, when finished will connect Clearwater Beach to Safety Harbor
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium – Their motto; Rescue, Rehab, Release
- Clearwater Beach – Voted one of the best beaches in America
- Sand Key Park – You will find two distinct areas; a beach and a park. The salt marsh is a great place to view wildlife
- Lake Chautauqua – Equestrian and Nature Preserve
Clearwater has so many fun things to do and many places to explore, that you may want to take a few days to soak it all in. Sand Key Park beach is an excellent choice if you are looking for a place to relax. Why not take a boat ride to see the dolphins in the gulf, or you may want to check out the many hiking and biking trails. Don’t forget to stop at the Marine Aquarium to see their latest residents.
A great option to find a place to stay in Clearwater, or anywhere in Florida, is to go through Airbnb. We use them almost exclusively. Here’s more information on why we choose Airbnb.
The next stop along the drive from Clearwater to Tarpon Springs is the city of Dunedin.
Things to do in Dunedin
Many people have heard of Clearwater but have you heard of Dunedin? This is one of the first towns we visited when we first started going to Florida’s gulf coast. It’s known for beautiful beaches, pine forests, and Honeymoon Island State Park. You will also find great restaurants and shopping. It’s also one of the oldest towns on Florida’s west coast.
Restaurants
- Casa Tina – 365 Main Street – Fresh and Authentic Mexican Cuisine, best around! also many gluten free options
- Cafe Alfresco – 344 Main Street – wide variety, great soups, salads, and sandwiches including the best Cuban!
- Frenchy’s Outpost Bar and Grill – 466 Causeway Blvd -open-air, Key West style restaurant. On the way to Honeymoon Island
- Parlor House Bistro – 1757 Main St – Modern French Restaurant
- The Ohana Cafe – 1452 Main St – Casual and Healthy Hawaiian eatery
Things to do
- Honeymoon Island State Park – #1 Causeway Blvd. – open 8am until sundown everyday! $8 per vehicle. White sand beaches and stunning sunsets
- Caladesi Island State Park – catch the 20 minute ferry ride from Honeymoon Island
- Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail – a 45 miles rail trail that stretches from Tarpon Springs north to St. Petersburg in the south
- Dunedin Downtown Market – 420 Main St. – Open-air market held weekends from November through June, with food, crafts & live music
- Dunedin History Museum – 349 Main St, – open 11am-4pm Tuesday-Saturday,
- Downtown Shops
On your drive from Clearwater to Tarpon Springs, making time to stop at Dunedin is a must!. You may want to check out one of the great restaurants for lunch or stop in at the Dunedin History Museum. If it’s the weekend, don’t forget to shop at the Downtown Market.
Next along our drive is Palm Harbor.
Things to do in Palm Harbor
Palm Harbor is best known for its championship golfing at Innsbrook Resort & Golf Club. You will also find warm mineral springs, parks, and beaches.
Wells Springs Park includes a historical natural spring that was used as a spa and bathing area from the early 1900s until the 1960s. Today it is a 210-acre park with nature trails, fishing, educational displays, an observation tower, and more.
Restaurants
- Thirsty Marlin – 1023 Florida Ave. – Casual Seafood & Sushi joint
- Bar Fly Fish Shack Bar & Grill – 1026 Nebraska Ave. – Great tacos, including; grouper, shrimp, chicken, and lobster!
- Bogata Kitchen & Bar – 917 11th St. – Locally sourced ingredients, all your favorites with twist! Vegan and gluten free options
- Ozona Blue Grilling Co. – 125 Orange St. – Beautiful location! Enjoy the sunset with your dinner
- Positano’s Ristorante – 3309 Tampa Rd. – Italian cuisine
Things to do
- Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club – 36750 U.S. Hwy 19 N. – Beautiful accommodations and championship golf
- Palm Harbor Museum – 2043 Curlew Rd. – open Wednesday-Saturday 10am-2pm, the 102 year old Hartley House now serves as the local history museum, Free admission
- John Chesnut Sr. Park – 2200 E. Lake Rd. – lake, sports fields & dog park
- Well Springs Park – 3725 DeSoto Blvd – Famous historical site with nature trails, observation tower, educations displays
- Suncoast Primate Sanctuary – 4600 US-19 Alt. – open Thursday-Sunday 10am-4pm, admission $10 children, $15 adults
- Fishing Expeditions – Cpt. Brian Caudill Inshore Fishing Charters
There’s one city left on our drive, it’s Tarpon Springs.
Things to do in Tarpon Springs
Tarpon Springs is best known for its famous Sponge Docks and great Greek food! The city is on the shores of Lake Tarpon to the east and the Gulf to the west.
If you head to Dodecanese Blvd., you can take a walking tour along the sponge docks and feel like you are in a Greek village. While you’re there, you can watch them unload the boats, or check out the small shops along the way. Don’t forget to grab some great Greek food for lunch.
At Spongeorama Sponge Factory you can find out the history of the Sponge Divers in this area, and make sure you watch the informative video in the back.
Besides the sponge docks, the city has some great parks, at Craig Park, you have a good chance to spot a manatee or dolphin.
Restaurants
- Mama’s Greek Cuisine – 735 Dodecanese Blvd. – Mediterranean Specialities – Family owned since 1978
- Mr. Souvlaki Restaurant – 802 N. Pinellas Ave. – Check out their famous Greek Chow Mein!
- Hellas Restaurant & Bakery – 785 Dodecanese Blvd. – Authentic Greek Pastries
- Mykonos – 628 Dodecanese Blvd. – Specializing in Grilled Seafood
- Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill – 937 Dodecanese Blvd. – Fresh Florida Wildcaught Seafood
- The Bistro – 17 N. Safford Ave. – Casual Mediterranean and American cuisine
Things to do
- Craig Park – 100 Library Ln – Great place to spot manatees & dolphins!
- Sponge Docks – 735 Dodecanese Blvd
- Spongeorama Sponge Factory – 510 Dodecanese Blvd – Great shop! Don’t forget to check out the video about sponge divers
- Tarpon Springs Aquarium – 1722 N. Pinellas Ave. – Get “hands-on” experience with some amazing animals!
In Conclusion..
We really enjoy visiting the state of Florida. Our favorite part of the state is the Gulf Coast. The drive from Clearwater to Tarpon Springs along US-19 ALT N is a beautiful drive and allows you to see 4 great cities along the way. Have you been to this part of Florida? Which of these cities is your favorite; Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, or Tarpon Springs? Maybe you prefer another part of Florida? I would love to read your comments below. Please share this post with your family & friends on your social media pages.
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