Clearwater/Tampa

[Anonymous]

Anyone ever gone for spring training or to see minor league games? Any recs on other things to do in the area?

[Anonymous]

Really nice beaches in and around Clearwater. While some of it was hit by the hurricane (forget which one), Indian Rocks Beach and St. Pete is super nice.

[Anonymous]

Hurricane Helene flooded the Gulf Coast beaches; the destruction was shocking. Hurricane Milton damaged Sarasota and Bradenton, did lesser damage to the stretch between St. Pete and Clearwater. Most places are back open, although there were still some places closed in St. Pete Beach at Thanksgiving. (And RIP Polynesian Putter).

As to spring training and minor league games, I've done Bradenton (Pirates), Sarasota (Orioles), Clearwater (Phillies), Tampa (Yankees), and Lakeland (Tigers). We stay in St. Pete, so I'm most familiar with what to do in that area. Did you have kids? What sort of things to you enjoy doing?

[Anonymous]

MAGA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MAGA

That area is super blue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MAGA

+1

[Anonymous]

Scientologists are a big population in that area. Which we visited unknowing because our child loved the Dolphin Tale movies which is set in the Clearwater Marine Acquarium.

[Anonymous]

DH is from Clearwater.

Spring Training i have a friend whose husband drags her every year from MD>

It's fine. If you like baseball then it's fine.

Clearwater beach area is ok Hotels are old and run down if they say renovated they are still moldy. The Edge hotel on the beach hates women. Don't stay there. And they have many hidden fees.

Plenty to do for kids aquarium is nice. Best local food Frenchy's.

Bizarre to go to MAGA land you do you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone ever gone for spring training or to see minor league games? Any recs on other things to do in the area?

Yes. Lots to do. Booze cruises. Get recruited by Scientology. Salvador Dali Museum. Mermaids.

Love that area.

[Anonymous]

I’d go to Ft Myer instead. red Sox and nats.

But if you choose to go to Clearwater, beware of the Scientologists.

[Anonymous]

We did half of spring break in Clearwater Beach in 2024 and were pleasantly surprised by it. We stayed at the Sandpearl (which I heard about on DCUM) and it remains a favorite hotel of mine. We did the aquarium and a boat tour around the island and enjoyed both the casual places to eat and the nicer restaurants at our hotel and in town. Would recommend!

(We didn't do anything spring training related and encountered zero Scientologists, at least that we were aware of.)

[Anonymous]

You’re better off staying near downtown Dunedin and hanging out there. You can drive up to Honeymoon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d go to Ft Myer instead. red Sox and nats.

But if you choose to go to Clearwater, beware of the Scientologists.

The Nats play on the other side of Florida. They share the West Palm Beach complex with the Astros.

The Twins, however, also play in Ft. Myers. Although the Twins and Red Sox have separate facilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d go to Ft Myer instead. red Sox and nats.

But if you choose to go to Clearwater, beware of the Scientologists.

The Nats play on the other side of Florida. They share the West Palm Beach complex with the Astros.

The Twins, however, also play in Ft. Myers. Although the Twins and Red Sox have separate facilities.

Yeah, sorry the twins. I think they played the Nats when we were there hence my confusion. But was fun to see the two different ballparks and multiple teams play.

[Anonymous]

But if you choose to go to Clearwater, beware of the Scientologists.

I go to Tampa at least 4x a year for work and have vacationed in Clearwater. It's not my favorite place, but there are not gangs of Scientologists recruiting tourists. Have never knowingly encountered a Scientologist there. Calm down.