Updated November 5, 2026
Free beaches, free gardens, fishing piers and happy hours that stretch the budget. Swap anything out using our full St. Pete & Clearwater Beaches guide.
Saturday
- Morning: Swim at Fort De Soto Park (just a small parking fee).
- Midday: Fish from the Fort De Soto Park fishing piers (Gulf and Bay).
- Happy hour: Hogg Daddy's Beach Bar and Grill or Badfins.
- Sunset: Free sunset at Pass-a-Grille Beach.
Sunday
- Morning: Walk the boardwalks at Weedon Island Preserve.
- Afternoon: Free gardens at Florida Botanical Gardens.
- Evening: Cheap eats and live music at The Original Crabby Bill's.
Before you go
- Sunset is the main event on the Gulf beaches. Pier 60 in Clearwater runs a nightly sunset celebration, and Pass-a-Grille is the classic quieter spot.
- State parks like Fort De Soto, Honeymoon Island and Caladesi charge a park entry or parking fee. Check the official page before you go.
- Many beach bars and boat tours are weather-dependent. Call ahead if the forecast looks rough.
Other weekend plans
A weekend in St. Pete Beach and ClearwaterA weekend in TampaA weekend in Sarasota and Anna Maria IslandAn Orlando weekend from Tampa BayA romantic St. Pete weekendClearwater Beach with kidsGulf beach bar hopSt. Pete nights outTarpon Springs & DunedinLGBTQ+ weekend in St. PeteTampa with kidsYbor City nightsTampa food lover's weekendRainy-day TampaSiesta Key beach weekendSlow weekend on Anna Maria IslandSarasota arts weekendWild SarasotaeFoil & water adventure weekendOrlando for grown-upsLGBTQ+ weekend in OrlandoOrlando's wild sideRockets & racing: a Space Coast dayOrlando live music weekendSwim with manatees in Crystal RiverFlorida springs road tripOne perfect day: Tampa to the beach