Things to Do Near Avalon, Clearwater Beach

One of the quiet luxuries of staying at Avalon is the free parking spot waiting at home. The beach, the pier and a good dinner are a short drive away, and the bigger day trips a little further, so a car is handy here. Here is what to do, with real prices, hours and distances.

Free things to do: Sunsets at Pier 60

The best free thing to do on Clearwater Beach happens every single evening. Sunsets at Pier 60 is a free daily festival that runs year round, starting about two hours before sunset and winding down roughly two hours after, so you get around four hours of street performers, musicians, firebreathers and more than thirty artisan stalls, with the whole beach turning to face the Gulf. Come a couple of hours before sunset and stay after; from Avalon it is a short drive, and the beach and boardwalk are free too.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium: prices and hours

A working marine rescue centre, about a ten minute drive across the bridge. It became famous as the home of Winter, the rescued dolphin from the film Dolphin Tale. Winter passed away in 2021, but the aquarium remains a genuine rescue and rehabilitation centre and cares for other rescued dolphins, including Hope, who co starred in Dolphin Tale 2, along with sea turtles, otters and stingrays. It is open daily from 10am to 5pm, and admission runs about $41.95 for adults and $32.95 for children aged 3 to 11, with children 2 and under free and Florida resident discounts on most dates. It is a genuinely good morning for families and a solid rainy day plan.

The beach itself

The main event is a short drive away. Three miles of soft white sand, gentle Gulf water, and rentable chairs and umbrellas. This is the beach that Tripadvisor travelers voted the number one in the United States in 2018 and 2019, and still the top beach in Florida in the 2026 awards. From Avalon it is about a 10 to 15 minute drive; park in the public beach lots, which run on pay by plate kiosks and ParkMobile, and you are on the sand. Planning around the weather or the crowds? See our month by month guide.

On the water: dolphin cruises, kayaks and a pirate ship

The marina is lined with ways onto the Gulf:

• Dolphin watching cruises, such as the Little Toot, which regularly spot wild dolphins in the bay.
• Captain Memo’s pirate cruise, a hit with younger kids.
• Kayak, paddleboard and jet ski rentals from the beach.
• Sunset sailing trips and parasailing for the views.

Day trips a short drive from Avalon

When you want a change of scene, some of the best beaches and towns in the area sit a short drive north or south.

Caladesi Island

One of the most consistently top ranked beaches in the country, undeveloped and reached only by boat. The Caladesi ferry leaves from Honeymoon Island State Park, a roughly 20 minute ride, and costs about $20 round trip for ages 13 and up and $10 for children 6 to 12, plus the $8 per vehicle park entry, with stays of up to four hours.

Honeymoon Island State Park

About a 20 minute drive north near Dunedin, this state park has miles of quiet beach, an osprey nature trail and calm water. Entry is $8 per vehicle (up to eight people), and it is open 8am to sundown, 365 days a year. It is also where the Caladesi ferry departs.

Sand Key Park

Just south across the Sand Key bridge, roughly ten minutes from Avalon, this 95 acre Pinellas County park is a calmer, less crowded beach with showers, changing rooms and a cafe. Parking is about $6 a day and the park is open 7am to sunset.

Dunedin

A short drive north, Dunedin is a walkable little downtown known for independent shops and craft breweries, including Dunedin Brewery, Florida’s oldest microbrewery. It makes an easy afternoon or evening off the beach. Back on the mainland you can also catch a show at the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, or drive south to downtown St. Petersburg for museums, murals and a lively food scene.

Where to eat near Avalon

You can eat well at the beach. A few Clearwater Beach institutions, all a short drive from Avalon:

• Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill: the beachfront original, serving Clearwater Beach since 1981 and known for its grouper sandwich and she crab soup, with Gulf sunset views. Frenchy’s runs several spots along the beach (see the local dining guide).
• Crabby’s Beachside (formerly the Palm Pavilion): a casual beach bar and kitchen, a local favourite for a relaxed lunch or happy hour on the sand.
• Beyond those, fresh Gulf grouper, waterfront patios and good coffee are all within a few blocks, and stone crab joins the menus from October into spring.

What is near Avalon, at a glance

Quick itineraries

A rainy afternoon: the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in the morning, then a show at the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre or lunch on a covered patio.

With small kids: Captain Memo’s pirate cruise, an hour building sandcastles, and Sunsets at Pier 60 before an early dinner.

Free day: the beach all morning, a boardwalk stroll, and the free Sunsets at Pier 60 festival to finish, all a short drive from Avalon.

Frequently asked questions

All of this is a short drive from the door. See where you would be staying on the apartments page, then check your dates and book direct.