Skip to content

Clearwater, Florida

Everything Clearwater is known for

RoadyGoat plays music like this when you drive through Clearwater. It's free on iPhone, and full songs play through Apple Music.

Music in Clearwater

Songs About Clearwater

Real American
Rick Derringer
75%
Running Wild
Post Traumatik
75%
Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
Jimi Hendrix
75%
New World Order
Mega Ran, Teek Hall
75%
75%
Hulkster's In The House
Hulk Hogan and The Wrestling Boot Band
75%
Ravishing
Bonnie Tyler
75%
I Want To Be A Hulkamaniac
Hulk Hogan and The Wrestling Boot Band
75%
Theme From "Battlestar Galactica"
Maynard Ferguson
75%
Wrestling Boot Traveling Band
Hulk Hogan and The Wrestling Boot Band
75%
Rockhouse
5 Alarm Music
75%
Real American (Hulk Hogan's WWE Entrance Theme)
It Lives, It Breathes
75%
Real American (Hulk Hogan's Theme)
Juggernoud1
75%

Showing top 20 of 25 songs · Hear more in the free iPhone app

History of Clearwater

Clearwater, FL RoadyGoat

Clearwater's story is one of sunshine, sand, and serendipity. Originally named for the clear springs that bubbled up, its location on the Gulf Coast of Florida provided the perfect ingredients for a tourist haven. While the Great Depression hit the area hard, the seeds of its future economic engine were already being sown. The city's relaxed, beachy atmosphere, coupled with year-round sunshine, drew visitors seeking respite. This attraction was solidified in 1948 when the Philadelphia Phillies chose Clearwater as their spring training home, establishing a sporting tradition that continues to this day. That initial draw of sun and sport evolved into something bigger. The founding of the Home Shopping Network (HSN) in Clearwater demonstrates a surprising innovative streak in the community, further diversifying the economy. But ask any resident, and they'll tell you the real reason people stay, or keep coming back, is that unique blend of laid-back coastal living, the constant presence of sunshine, and maybe, just maybe, the charmingly chaotic squawks of the wild Monk Parakeet colony, a reminder that even the unexpected can find a home in Clearwater. Despite the threat of flooding at just 30 feet above sea level, the city's allure endures, a testament to the power of location and a little bit of luck.

St. Petersburg, FL RoadyGoat

St. Petersburg's story is one of reinvention, baked in sunshine. That devastating fire in 1894, which leveled much of downtown, ironically paved the way for the city’s modern character. The rebuilding efforts coincided with the arrival of John C. Williams, a Detroit businessman who saw potential in the sandy soil. And then, there was baseball. Al Lang Stadium became a spring training haven, drawing fans and a certain energy that lingers even now. That constant sunshine, combined with the artistic vibe, creates an atmosphere distinct from its neighbors. Today, you’ll see dolphins playing in the bay, mangrove forests lining the shore, and maybe even catch a glimpse of Shell Key Preserve from afar. But ask a local why people really stay, and they might not mention the beaches or the baseball. They'll talk about the light, the way it bounces off the water and makes everything seem a little brighter. They might also mention the constant, low hum of anxiety related to its mere 4 feet of elevation – a reminder that paradise requires vigilance.

15.4 mi away

St. Petersburg, FL RoadyGoat

St. Petersburg is a place perpetually kissed by sunshine, a feeling that permeates everything from its vibrant art scene to the relaxed pace of life. It's a low-lying city, averaging just four feet above sea level, a fact that underscores its intimate connection to the water. Mangrove forests, dense and vital, line the waterfront, a natural defense against the encroaching tides and a haven for marine life. Bottlenose dolphins are common sights, their sleek bodies arcing through the waves just offshore. The land here is relatively young, geologically speaking, built from layers of sand and shell deposited over millennia. This flat, coastal terrain shaped the city’s development. The devastating fire of 1894, which gutted much of downtown, prompted a rebuilding that reflected the optimism of the era. Even the presence of Al Lang Stadium, where baseball legends like the Yankees trained under the Florida sun, contributed to the city’s identity. Petersburg's unique character, a blend of natural beauty and human ambition.

15.4 mi away

Tampa Bay - Narváez Expedition Landing

1528

On April 14, 1528, the expedition of Pánfilo de Narváez landed near the mouth of Tampa Bay with roughly 400 men and 80 horses. Narváez held a royal grant to conquer and govern Florida, which Spanish geographers believed contained a wealthy interior empire like the Aztec realm Cortés had just toppled in Mexico. Among the officers was Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, the expedition's treasurer. Days after landing, Narváez made the decision that doomed the venture: he split his force, sending the ships north along the coast to find a deeper harbor while he marched 300 men inland to find the rumored city of Apalachee. The ships and the inland party never met again. Of the 300 men who marched into Florida, only four would ever reach safety — and not for eight years, after walking 2,400 miles across the continent to northern Mexico. Historians place the landing site near present-day Jungle Prada in St. Petersburg, though the exact spot remains debated.

13.4 mi away

Things to Do in Clearwater

Everything Near Clearwater

12 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.

  • Clearwater, FL

    Clearwater's story is one of sunshine, sand, and serendipity. Originally named for the clear springs that bubbled up, its location on the Gulf Coast of Florida provided the perfect ingredients for a tourist haven. While…

  • Belleview-Biltmore Hotel · 1.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb

    Pull over for a sec and imagine wintering like a Vanderbilt! This is the site of the Belleview-Biltmore, a grand hotel that once hosted presidents and socialites. Built by railroad tycoon Henry Plant, the…

  • Gulfport Casino · 3.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

    Dance the night away where generations have enjoyed music and entertainment since 1906. That’s when the first structure here at the end of the dock housed a ticket office, post office, and refreshment stand. The…

  • Safety Harbor site · 8.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb

    Imagine a thriving Native American society right here, centuries before any Europeans set foot on this land. This is the Safety Harbor site, the heart of the Safety Harbor culture. Between roughly 900 and 1725, the…

  • Jungle Prada Site · 12.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb

    Imagine being one of the first Europeans to set foot on this land. Back in 1528, the Narváez expedition, searching for gold, landed somewhere near here. They encountered the Tocobaga people, who had lived here for…

  • Tampa Bay - Narváez Expedition Landing · 13.4 mi · Historical Event

    On April 14, 1528, the expedition of Pánfilo de Narváez landed near the mouth of Tampa Bay with roughly 400 men and 80 horses. Narváez held a royal grant to conquer and govern Florida, which Spanish geographers believed…

  • St. Petersburg, FL · 15.4 mi

    St. Petersburg's story is one of reinvention, baked in sunshine. That devastating fire in 1894, which leveled much of downtown, ironically paved the way for the city’s modern character. The rebuilding efforts coincided…

  • Huggins-Stengel Field · 15.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

    Step onto the field where baseball legends like Miller Huggins and Casey Stengel once played. Originally called Crescent Lake Field, this park was built in 1925 as a spring training home for the New York Yankees.…

  • Mirror Lake Library · 16.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb

    Pull over for a sec! This beautiful building is the Mirror Lake Library, and it's way more than just a pretty face. It's a reminder of a time when reading was about to get a whole lot easier for everyone. Back in 1915,…

  • Snell Arcade · 16.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb

    Step back in time inside this beautifully designed arcade, a landmark of St. Petersburg's architectural history. The Snell Arcade, also known as the Rutland Building, stands as a testament to the city's vibrant past.…

  • West Tampa Historic District · 19.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb

    Did you know that West Tampa was once a booming cigar manufacturing hub, rivaling even Havana? In the late 1800s, lured by tax incentives and Henry Plant's railroad, cigar entrepreneurs like Hugh Macfarlane established…

  • Pass-a-Grille Historic District · 19.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb

    You're approaching Pass-a-Grille, a place that's stubbornly held onto its old Florida charm. It's more than just a beach; it's a designated historic district, a snapshot of a bygone era. Think back to 1989, that's when…

Sign up for the free newsletter

Longer stories, research notes, photos, videos, and where the road goes next. Free, and no iPhone needed.

Subscribe free