Doughnuts with a side of frolicking dolphins, anyone?
Picture soft white sand beaches and glowing sunsets, and you’d be forgiven for thinking I was somewhere in the Caribbean. You might even be surprised to learn I was somewhere where no passport is required to get there: St. Pete-Clearwater, Florida. If you only have three days, here’s how to make the most of them in this oft-overlooked destination.
Day One: Trying My Hand at Sushi Rolling
I had arrived in St. Pete-Clearwater expecting a beautiful beach trip and instead found the kind of place that made me pause and want to text my family: ‘We all need to come here together.’
After an easy half-hour drive from the Tampa airport, I checked into my 16th-floor room with incredible beachfront views at the Wyndham Grand on Clearwater Beach and headed straight to the Pallavi Luxury Spa for a hot stone massage and pure relaxation (a must for weary travelers looking to unwind).
That same evening, I tried my hand at sushi-rolling at Ocean Hai, the Wyndham’s on-site Asian fusion restaurant, where each dish is thoughtfully curated and prepared by the Executive Chef Nana Darkwah. The “Sushi and Sips” experience offers an intimate class in the art of sushi-rolling and is only one of the many experiences offered by Wyndham.
See this story in action—watch the video!
Day Two: Welcome to Little Greece
The next morning, I traveled up the coast to Tarpon Springs, which felt as though I’d somehow transported myself to a mini Greece. Sponge divers called this charming town home in the 1900s, and it has since grown into the largest Greek community in the United States. If headed to Tarpon, don’t miss buying a sponge at one of the many adorable shops, and make sure to stay for lunch at Hellas. This third-generation Greek restaurant and bakery offers an authentic cultural experience shaped by generations of family recipes and delectable pastries.
After lunch, I walked off the meal at Dunedin, where I experienced a custom candle-making experience at Sea Love before taking in happy hour at Florida’s oldest microbrewery with a Scottish twist, Dunedin Brewery. The night was capped off with a fresh seafood spread at Bob Heilmans Beachcomber and the best key lime pie I had all trip.
Day Three: Doughnuts with a Side of Dolphins
On my last morning in St. Pete-Clearwater, I enjoyed an easy walk down the coast and found the most incredible donuts I’ve ever seen at Parlor Doughnuts, where flavors like Campfire and Maple Bacon await. Afterwards. I boarded a boat for an afternoon spent amongst dolphins swimming alongside us in the bay.
Lunch that day was at Crabby’s Dockside, and if you’re looking for fresh crab legs, this is the place to get them. Dinner took me to Book + Bottle, where coffee, wine, and books converge for the ideal hangout. A perfect dinner at The Crane soon followed with some evening shuffleboard that topped off a fun-filled day.
Too often, travelers think they need to venture abroad for an experience that feels unique and far from home. But down in Florida, in St. Pete-Clearwater, I found myself awed by this beautiful destination. Between the food, the history, and the wealth of experiences, this is the sort of place that feels further than it is, and well worth the trip to get there.
