Staycation: Enjoy Clearwater Beach on a Budget

Clearwater Beach Florida Staycation

If you are on a budget, there are still plenty of fun and inexpensive or free things to do if you live near Clearwater Beach, Florida. Unfortunately, I don’t live in Florida but we do try to vacation there often as you will probably be able to tell from the wide range of pictures I have below. The sand is some of the most brilliant, white, and soft sand you will find., which is one of the many reasons we love to visit Clearwater Beach.

The Pier

Balloon Animals

Photo Credit: Aunt Beth

One of our favorite things to do during the day or during the evening while in Clearwater is to visit the Pier. There is a playground for the children or take a walk down the Pier and watch the boats come in or see what the fishermen are catching. There is oftentimes free entertainment in the evenings as well as vendors set up along the Pier and surrounding sidewalks. Check out Sunsets at Pier 60 to see the latest information.

When we were here on Spring Break this year, they had some blow up water attractions near the Pier that were inexpensive for the kids to enjoy! It was around a $1 a turn, which I thought was decent when you compare the cost of a water park. Enjoyment without spending your entire day gone from the beautiful beach.

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There are many artisans along the Pier and will vary from time to time including musicians, street performers, and artisans. The kids – even the big one – had some balloon animals created by a nice man, who was only asking for donations. This year we were able to watch part of a man-eating fire show before the rain started. There is always a variety of entertainment!

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Save 25% when you buy your tickets online for the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. General admission includes entry to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the Winter’s Dolphin Tale Adventure along with a FREE Jolly Trolley ride to and from! In case in you didn’t know, Winter is the dolphin that inspired the movie Dolphin Tale!

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 The Beach

The beach is FREE, just find yourself a place to park and you can have an entire day of enjoyment in some of the most beautiful sand you will find in the world. Sand toys are inexpensive and cups and bowls always work too! I will admit that when we go to the beach, I sort of become a bum. I would personally be happy to stay on the beach the entire day just enjoying the sand, the fresh air, and relaxing with a good book.

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Find a seashell or two. Hey it’s free entertainment. The best kind, right?

Photo Credit: Aunt Beth

Photo Credit: Aunt Beth

Plus, you will find these fun spots to take photos with your kids! They are all over the beach for your photo enjoyment.

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It seems like no matter which area we stay at in Clearwater Beach, Florida, there is always a nice park nearby with play equipment for the kids. If you know my family, you will know these are super old photos as the kids are still so little.

Photo Credit: Aunt Beth

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Our typical day is usually hitting the beach, grabbing a bite to eat, and enjoying a walk around the Pier area and down the main drag. Let me know your favorite things to do in Clearwater Beach!

Come back tomorrow to see links for staycation ideas for over 80 cities!

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Southwest Air: Save 15% Through Paypal

swairSouthwest Airlines is offering 15% discount for Paypal customers!

Here’s How:

  1. Visit the Promotion Page
  2. Sign up using your name and email address.
  3. Use the unique promotion code you receive in your email to receive 15% off.

Please note that some restrictions do apply. The 15% discount is valid for one time use at southwest.com off the total before taxes and fees. Purchase much be made between 11/109 – 12/1/09 for travel from 11/3 to 1/31/2010. Blackout dates apply.

NOW CLOSED: Cheap, Fun Spring Break? Think Asheville, NC & a Giveaway

Ashville, NC

Many people are cutting back on travel due to the economy, I know we canceled our normal Florida Spring Break trip because of uncertainty in the construction industry.We have been looking for something to do for a couple of days or a long weekend. Something family friendly AND wallet friendly!

While at Blissdom 2009 (are you sick of hearing about that yet?), I met a few folks who had great things to say about Asheville, NC. The Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau has launched a special “micro site” called CoolAshevilleSavings.com. It is FILLED with money saving tips, lists of FREE things to do, special offers, and coupons you can use during your trip. They even have a list of the hotels with FREE breakfast. That’s the only kind of hotel I want to stay at.

ASHEVILLE - Any Way You Like it

Here’s a sampling of just a few FREE or inexpensive family activities:

  • As part of the creation of Biltmore Estate, Chief Forester Dr. Carl Schenck created the first forestry school in America – now the Cradle of Forestry. Hands-on exhibits and learning opportunities are abundant in the Forest Discovery Center. It’s free on Tuesdays for everyone and free for youth 15 years and younger throughout the year.
    Sliding Rock Asheville, NC
  • The Pisgah Center of Wildlife Education features exhibits about wildlife and habitats in the North Carolina mountains. You can even feed some of the mountain trout!
  • You will want to visit the  Mast General Store in downtown Asheville. The kids (and adults) will love the old fashioned candy in the candy barrels.
  • Water Fall Adventures

One really cool promotion is the Go Blue Ridge Card. It is like all pass card. For one low price you get admission to top attractions like (there are many many more in addition to these!):

Go Blue Ridge Pass
  • Biltmore
  • Whitewater Rafting
  • Smoky Mountain Jet Boats
  • Grandfather Mountain
  • Chimney Rock Park
  • Linville Caverns
  • Tweetsie Railroad
  • Gray Line Trolley Tours of Asheville
  • Wine Tasting

The Blue Ridge card also comes with a FREE full color guidebook, VIP savings on shopping & dining. You can purchase 2, 3, or 5 day passes depending on how you are visiting.

Bargain Tip: You can purchase Go Card are available in other cities. So check out smartdestinations.com before you plan your next trip.

I have a funny story about the Biltmore. Many years ago, my parents and I were on our way home from a family reunion. I really wanted to go to the Biltmore after seeing pictures my mom had taken on a previous trip with just her and dad. My dad would not backtrack so we could go. So needless to say, to this day, I have still not seen this beautiful palace.

We are still undecided as to our travel plans. Maybe will do nothing over Spring Break. Kind of flying by the seat of our pants this year! For more insider tips about Asheville visit the Asheville Travel Blog.

So what is in it for you?

Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau is going to give one lucky reader (2) Go Blue Ridge Cards and piece of Appalachian Pottery, a local artist shop. You will get your pottery before your trip – so get a little piece of Asheville before you leave.

How to Win?

Easy Entry: Visit Explore Asheville, sign up for their E Newsletter, and  post a comment on what you would look most forward to doing in Asheville. (While you are at it – sign up for their RSS feed too! Trust me, you will want to do this to get all the latest scoop from their blog! It is updated regularly with ongoing happenings and seasonal events!)

Bonus entries (Up to 4 additional entries):

  • Leave me a comment with a budget travel tip.
  • Blog about this giveaway.
  • Grab my button. (It is on my sidebar)
  • Subscribe to my free newsletter via email or RSS. (You don’t want to miss out on any deals/giveaways!!!)
  • Digg, Technorati, Twitter, Stumble, etc. If you twitter, be sure to include me (@bargainbriana) in the twitter so it see it.

Leave a separate comment for each extra entry. It is very important that you leave a separate comment for each additional extra entry.

Ends around 3/6 at 11:59 EST. (As long as you can still comment you can enter!) Winner, chosen by random.org, will be announced on the Giveaway Winners Page by 03/07/09 and I will contact you. (If winner doesn’t respond to my email within 48 hours, I will pick another winner.)

Want to win more? Enter to win the rest of my current giveaways!