Affirming the area’s growing reputation as a top international destination, Travel + Leisure listed St. Pete/Clearwater as one of its top Five U.S. Summer Trip Ideas—in the company of New York City, the Pacific Coast Highway, Alaska and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
To kickoff the busy Memorial Day weekend, T+L highlighted five destinations for the “ultimate American summer vacation.” St. Pete/Clearwater filled the “Beach Getaway” category with T+L describing Clearwater Beach as “one of the most desirable summer getaways” and “…with an abundance of arts, food and culture, St. Pete has got it all.”
Specifically highlighted to stay busy were the St. Pete Shuffleboard Club because of its popular St. Pete Shuffle on Friday nights and the Dali Museum’s Disney and Dali exhibit. For the foodies, T + L suggested Locale Market, Brick & Mortar and Clearwater Beach classic Frenchy’s. And to grab a drink it recommended The Canopy at downtown St. Pete’s Birchwood and Green Bench Brewery, as a part of the 27 breweries on the St. Pete/Clearwater Craft Beer Trail. The iconic Vinoy Renaissance was the hotel of choice.
“Travel + Leisure is a massive voice in the travel space, so for them to recognize the entire St. Pete/Clearwater as a top summer getaway speaks volumes about the destination,” said VSPC Executive Director David Downing. “In addition to touting our award-winning beaches, they recognized our world-class culture, local culinary offerings and unparalleled craft beer scene, so we could not be more pleased.”
Not to be outdone, Caladesi Island State Park also received national headlines when Dr. Stephen Leatherman, “Dr. Beach,” named it to his Top 10 Beaches of 2016. At No. 9, Dunedin’s Caladesi was heralded for its “crystalline quartz sand which is soft and cushy at the water’s edge, inviting one to take a dip in the sparkling clear waters.” Back in 2008 Dr. Beach named Caladesi Island his No. 1 beach in America.
And just two months ago TripAdvisor named Clearwater Beach the No. 1 beach in America with St. Pete Beach at No. 4.
Information and photo courtesy of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater.