Vacationing with kids should still feel like, well, a vacation. The St. Petersburg + Clearwater area makes it easy with beautiful beaches and tons of family-friendly fun.

🐬 What to do

Learn about dolphins at the long-running Clearwater Marine Aquarium, then see them in the wild on a Little Toot Dolphin Adventure around the harbor.

At the St. Pete Pier, families will love the splash pad, world-class playground, picnic areas, and waterfront restaurants.

An outdoor covered patio at a beachfront restaurant overlooks a sunny white sand beach with palm trees and umbrellas. — Frenchy's hosts live entertainment every night during the summer, and its kids' menu includes shrimp and grouper nuggets. | Photo via VisitStPeteClearwater.com

🦀 What to eat

You can't visit the coast without eating fresh seafood, so head to Frenchy's Rockaway Grill to eat signature grouper sandwiches with your toes in the sand.

At Bayboro Brewing Co., littles can cut loose in the kid-friendly biergarten while adults enjoy beer, burgers, and barbecue.

A multi-story beach resort features palm trees, a scenic waterway, and a large mural reading "Just let go." — If you need some alone time, Island Grand also offers drop-off camps for kids. | Photo via VisitStPeteClearwater.com

🛝 Where to stay

Build sandcastles on a private slice of Clearwater Beach or take a dip in the pool at Dolphin Sands. Further south, Island Grand at TradeWinds has a three-story water slide. Need we say more?