Is Clearwater worth a daytrip from Kissimmee? (Orlando, Sarasota: beach, activities)

[kyle19125]

OP, if you want a beach experience minus the traffic head east out of Kissimmee on US192 which dead ends in the town of Indialantic. Drive south a few miles into the town of Melbourne Beach which has a quaint little downtown area and is quiet with a beautiful beach and easy parking.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by MiamiLIFE

Don't drive to Clearwater. Traffic will be miserable and take away any joy of having visited the beach. If you can stay one night in St. Pete then that would maybe make it work it. Day trip I would say def not worth it. It's not just the traffic. It's also the car accidents that you will encounter along the way. You're on vacation, you don't want to do this to yourself.

Yes, exactly^^. OP, please take this advice!!

[germanoricua]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

OP, if you want a beach experience minus the traffic head east out of Kissimmee on US192 which dead ends in the town of Indialantic. Drive south a few miles into the town of Melbourne Beach which has a quaint little downtown area and is quiet with a beautiful beach and easy parking.

That would be my advice, too! After passing Kissimmee and St. Cloud, there is no traffic whatsoever on 192 (4-lane highway) all the way to Melbourne.

By the way, I like the Melbourne beaches better than Cocoa Beach. Cocoa Beach is a little "worn around the edges", there are more people and less parking.

I agree, the Merritt Island State Park is worth a visit. If you leave from Orlando early, you will have time for the beach and the State Park.

[dave w]

Or, just skip DW and go to one of the big water parks in orlando area. The kids would probably have more fun there,rather than a boring ocean beach. But if your set on a beach trip try Reddington beach a little south of clearwater,less crowded.

[hokiepoke]

If you enjoy going to less crowded beach to relax, jump in the waves or ride boogie board, then Cocoa Beach (bonus if you get lucky when a rocket launches from nearby Kennedy Space Center). If you like touristy crowds and activities, people watch, and dip in the calmer water then Clearwater Beach. I like them both but they're very different experiences.

Since you're already visiting WDW and fighting the crowds there, I would probably want to relax at Cocoa Beach instead as change of pace. Clearwater Beach isn't a great day trip if you may spend half of it in traffic.

[Redlionjr]

I just wanna say thanks for all the suggestions. With that said, I will take heed to what was echoed throughout the thread and skip going to Clearwater Beach. I didn't even consider the traffic, fighting crowds and parking at a beach. I'll definitely look into Melbourne Beach or maybe we can just skip a beach this trip all together and explore more areas in Orlando like Mount Dora or Winter Park. Once again thanks for all the info!

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by Redlionjr

I just wanna say thanks for all the suggestions. With that said, I will take heed to what was echoed throughout the thread and skip going to Clearwater Beach. I didn't even consider the traffic, fighting crowds and parking at a beach. I'll definitely look into Melbourne Beach or maybe we can just skip a beach this trip all together and explore more areas in Orlando like Mount Dora or Winter Park. Once again thanks for all the info!

Parking is not a beach at Clearwater and cost a arm and a leg meg.

[AndySipowicz]

You don't live here, so you may as well take the extra time and go to the better beach. The Gulf (Clearwater) is a completely different animal than the Atlantic (Cocoa) and, IMO, is a much nicer beach and atmosphere. Clearwater can get very, very busy, but it's worth it for the nicer beach. Clearwater is also modern and has every convenience you could want. Cocoa is sort of run down and in desperate need of updating.

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by AndySipowicz

You don't live here, so you may as well take the extra time and go to the better beach. The Gulf (Clearwater) is a completely different animal than the Atlantic (Cocoa) and, IMO, is a much nicer beach and atmosphere. Clearwater can get very, very busy, but it's worth it for the nicer beach. Clearwater is also modern and has every convenience you could want. Cocoa is sort of run down and in desperate need of updating.

Better to go south of the Bay ray for cleaner water and less crowds.

[FL_Expert]

Originally Posted by LKJ1988

Better to go south of the Bay ray for cleaner water and less crowds.

There’s actually bad traffic going to Anna Maria Island too. Points further south into Sarasota County are less hectic though.