Discovering Clearwater: Where To Stay

In Clearwater, you have four basic options of where to stay: Clearwater Beach, Clearwater city, right by the stadium, and Tampa.  You will want to stay in certain parts depending on who you're going with and what your interests are.

If you are taking your family with you, Clearwater Beach is your best option.  Although it's a bit of a ride from Bright House Networks Field, Clearwater Beach offers tons of stuff to do outside of baseball.  There is the beach itself, mini golf, and even a pirate ship ride that offers tours of the beach.  The only downsides to staying in Clearwater Beach is that it's more expensive, and the ride back and forth from the stadium can get a little annoying.  But overall the beach is your best bet if you have the money to spend and a family to entertain.

Although during my years in Clearwater I never stayed in the actual city, I'm sure it would be a great place to stay.  After all you would be sort of in between the stadium in the beach, and you wouldn't have to worry about long rides back and forth.

During my trips to Clearwater, I remember staying on the beach one year, and right next to the stadium another year.  In my opinion, if you're headed to Clearwater strictly for baseball, staying the near the stadium is your best option.  It's cheaper, more convenient, and there are some quality hotels within walking distance of Bright House Networks field.  I guess the downside would be you are so far away from the beach that it can kind of take away from the Florida atmosphere of your trip.  Also if you want to go to the beach, it's a 15-20 minute car ride depending on traffic.  But for the pure baseball fan, staying within walking distance of the stadium is a great experience.

The fourth and final option of where to stay would be in Tampa.  I've never done this, but Tampa is such a great city, and there probably would be more things to do in Tampa.  Also you would be in a great position to go to other team's spring training stadiums like the Tigers and Yankees.  A huge downside would be the ride.  Depending on where you stay in Tampa, it could take you upwards of a half hour to get the stadium.

Ultimately you want to find a place that best suits both you and the people you're traveling with.  Staying in Clearwater Beach if you're there strictly for baseball wouldn't be smart.  Likewise, if you bring your family and stay right by the stadium, you could wind up shuffling back and forth between the hotel and the beach your entire trip.  The key thing for people to understand about Clearwater is that it's relatively big composed of three main parts: the beach, the city, and then the stadium is located kind of back by the bay.  Pick a place that best suits your needs to prevent yourself from being in the car for an extended period of time.  After all, you're supposed to be kicking back and watching baseball, not sitting in traffic.