Editorial picks · Local favorites
Restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, bars, parks, and hidden gems across Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater, and beyond.
200 places in the guide
Top-rated spots from our editorial rankings.
A remote, peaceful Manasota Key beach with clear water, year-round swimming, and standout shelling/shark teeth—plus clean, air-conditioned restrooms and helpful staff.
Fort De Soto is a huge, eco-rich St. Pete beach park across five islands—great wildlife spotting, multiple shoreline areas, and plenty of amenities like piers, concessions, trails, and a dog beach.
Archibald Memorial Beach Park is a top Madeira Beach stop for white sand, ocean views, clean restrooms/showers, and easy access with convenient parking.
Manatee Public Beach on Anna Maria Island is lifeguarded and packed with beach amenities, offering soft white sand and calm turquoise water with an on-site café/bar and nightly entertainment.
St. Pete Beach is St. Petersburg’s long Gulf stretch, known for a wide expanse of fine white sand and Gulf water. Expect a lively beach district with easy access to nearby shops and dining for a full day by the water.
Bradenton Beach stretches along Anna Maria Island with miles of sugar sand and lifeguard supervision (Coquina Beach at the southern end). Expect beautiful white sand, clear water, and standout sunset views—plus shade trees, picnic tables, restrooms, outdoor showers, and a beachside cafe.
Sarasota County’s only beach-permitted dog area, with a fenced paw park leading to calm, clean Gulf shoreline plus showers, fountains, and dog-wash stops.
Fort De Soto South Beach is a Gulf-facing south stretch inside Fort De Soto Park, surrounded by natural shoreline and wildlife. Visitors rave about soft sand, clear water for swimming, shoreline walking, and easy day amenities like bathrooms/showers and a beach store.
Holmes Beach Beach Access 42 on Anna Maria Island delivers white-sand shore, calm clear water, and easy beach-day amenities like restrooms/showers, concessions, and chair rentals.
John Chesnut Sr. Park is a huge Lake Tarpon waterfront nature escape in Safety Harbor, packed with boardwalk trails, wildlife viewing, family amenities, and pet-friendly space.
Nokomis Beach on Casey Key is a beautiful, clean, family-friendly Gulf beach with lifeguards, restrooms, boardwalks, and great sunsets. Free parking helps it feel easy.
Pier 60 is the heart of Clearwater Beach—white sand, clear Gulf water, and iconic sunsets with nightly Pier 60 festivities plus street performers and vendors.
Anna Maria Island’s Elm Ave & Gulf Dr public beach access delivers calm turquoise water and soft white sand with a peaceful, family-friendly vibe.
Emerson Point Preserve is a scenic Snead Island nature escape with shoreline/beach-like spots, kayaking, wildlife viewing, and extensive trails—sunset-ready and dog-friendly.
Lido Beach on Lido Key delivers soft white sand, clear warm Gulf water, and a calm vibe with great amenities—plus beautiful sunsets and easy parking.
Philippe Park is a bayfront waterfront park in Safety Harbor with shaded trails, picnic setups, trails for biking, and historic mound views—highly rated by visitors.
Shell Key Preserve is a quiet, undeveloped barrier-island preserve off Tierra Verde with clear water, abundant shells, and excellent kayaking/paddleboarding.
Dunedin Causeway is a scenic 2.5-mile stretch of sand and sound for fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and sunsets—plus convenient amenities and free parking.
