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Indian Shores, Florida: Where the Fun Never Ends! The Best Things to Do and Places to Visit

Indian Shores is a thin strip of sand between the Gulf and the Intracoastal, and Gulf Blvd runs the entire length of it. Almost every restaurant and bar on this page sits on that road. You can walk it. The sanctuaries need a drive. Nothing here is far from the next meal, which is the actual reason to come and stay put rather than tour the coast.

You are planning a trip to Indian Shores, Florida, and you are looking for the fun things to do. Indian Shores is a small seaside town along the Gulf of Mexico, just west of St. Petersburg and Tampa. It is a stretch of beach with white sparkling sand in the Florida sun, and there is plenty to see and do here.

If you want the beach life properly, Indian Shores will not disappoint. The town is home to some of the stronger beaches in the region, with clear water and plenty of chances for water sports. But the beach is not the only draw here. Indian Shores runs a great deal more, from outdoor activities such as hiking and biking to historical and cultural sites that take you back in time.

So get ready to pack your bags and head to Indian Shores, Florida. With this much to see and do, you will not be disappointed. A resident or a visitor, Indian Shores takes you either way.

The Beach Life

When you are in Indian Shores, you cannot miss the beach life. It is everywhere you go, and it is calling your name. Sitting on the sand or getting into the water, the beaches in Indian Shores cover both. Here are the things to do on the beach:

Beaches

The beaches in Indian Shores are among the finer ones anywhere. With clear water and soft, white sand, the day sorts itself out. The Gulf of Mexico is where to swim, sunbathe and sit still. The beaches in Indian Shores worth naming include Clearwater Beach and Sand Key Beach.

Swimming

If you want to cool off, there is no better way than a dip in the Gulf of Mexico. The water is warm and inviting, and the waves suit swimming. A beginner or an experienced swimmer, you will get on with the swimming in Indian Shores.

Water Sports

If you are feeling adventurous, try some water sports. You can rent a jet ski, go parasailing, or try your hand at paddleboarding. The water sports in Indian Shores are plentiful, and they are all a good time. Just stay safe and wear a life jacket.

So grab your sunscreen, put on your swimsuit and head to the beach. The beach life in Indian Shores is waiting for you.

Food and Drink

Restaurants

Indian Shores is where anybody serious about food ends up, with a great many restaurants serving cuisine from around the world. Fresh seafood, Italian pasta or spicy Asian dishes, you find all three here. The restaurants in Indian Shores worth trying include:

Salt Rock Grill

This upscale steakhouse is where to take somebody for a proper dinner. The menu runs steaks, fresh seafood and an extensive wine list.

Indian Shores Coffee Company

If you want a casual spot for breakfast or lunch, this small cafe is a strong choice. They serve good coffee, pastries, sandwiches and salads.

Guppy’s on the Beach

This beachfront restaurant is known for its fresh seafood and the water in front of it. And try the crab cakes and the lobster mac and cheese.

Bars

When the sun goes down, Indian Shores comes alive with a working nightlife scene. Craft cocktails, live music or a game of pool, you find all three here. The bars in Indian Shores worth the evening include:

Mahuffer’s

This dive bar is a local favorite, known for its funky decor and its laid-back feel. They run cheap drinks, live music and a friendly room.

Slyce Pizza Bar

If you are in the mood for pizza and beer, this is the place to be. They run a strong selection of craft beers on draft, alongside pizzas and other pub fare.

Saltwater Hippie Beach Bar

This beachfront bar is where to sit with a cold drink and watch the sun go down. They run a strong selection of tropical cocktails and live music on the weekends.

Dive Bars

If you want a genuine dive bar experience, Indian Shores has plenty of options to choose from. These bars may not be fancy, but they carry real character. The dive bars in Indian Shores worth the walk include:

The Pub Waterfront Restaurant

This laid-back bar sits right on the water, with the Gulf of Mexico in front of it. They serve cold beer, seafood and live music.

The Brown Boxer Pub & Grille

This sports bar is where to catch the game over a cold drink. They run a strong selection of beer on draft, alongside burgers, wings and other pub fare.

JD’s Restaurant & Lounge

This local dive bar is where to grab a drink and shoot some pool. They have friendly staff and an easy atmosphere.

Outdoor Activities

Looking for some fun in the sun? Indian Shores runs plenty of outdoor activities to keep you occupied. From fishing to mini golf, the range covers everybody. Here are the top outdoor activities in Indian Shores.

Fishing

If you follow fishing, Indian Shores is the place for you. With its position on the Gulf of Mexico, you find plenty of chances to reel in something worth keeping. Fishtaxi Charters is a strong option for anybody looking to get out on the water. They run private fishing charters for up to six people, so grab your friends and head out for the day. And bring your sunscreen and a cooler full of drinks and snacks.

Boat Tours

If you want to get onto the water without fishing, consider a boat tour. Island Marine Rental runs a range of boat rentals to choose from. You can rent a pontoon boat and cruise around, or rent a jet ski for something with more in it. Either way, the country around you is worth the trip, and you might even spot some dolphins.

Mini Golf

Looking for something the whole family can do? Smuggler’s Cove Adventure Golf is the answer. With two 18-hole courses to choose from, you will have a good time working through the obstacles and getting to the end. And the courses are carefully landscaped, so the whole thing looks a good deal better than most mini golf.

Conclusion

Indian Shores runs plenty of outdoor activities to keep you occupied during the stay. A fishing enthusiast or somebody simply after a good day out, the range covers both. So grab your sunscreen and get ready for a day in the sun.

Wildlife and Nature

If you want to be outdoors, Indian Shores has a great deal to offer. From bird sanctuaries to botanical gardens, you get plenty of chances to get close to Florida’s flora and fauna. Here are the places to visit:

Seaside Seabird Sanctuary

At the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, you find over 100 birds on display, including pelicans, owls, hawks, vultures, songbirds, shorebirds and parrots. This 1.5-acre wild bird sanctuary and rehabilitation center is dedicated to the care and release of injured birds native to the Gulf Coast. So if you follow birds, this is the place for you.

Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary

The other strong bird sanctuary in the area is the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, in nearby Madeira Beach. This non-profit organization is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured birds. With over 100,000 visitors each year, it is one of the popular attractions in Pinellas County.

Town Square Nature Park

If you want a lower-key experience outdoors, check out the Town Square Nature Park. This 4-acre park sits right in the heart of Indian Shores and runs walking trails, picnic areas and a boardwalk that winds through the mangroves. It is where to slow down and take the Gulf Coast properly.

Florida Botanical Gardens

For something more comprehensive, head over to the Florida Botanical Gardens in nearby Largo. This 100-acre garden runs over 20 distinct gardens, including a butterfly garden, a tropical fruit garden and a native plant garden. It is where to learn about Florida’s native plants and animals while the grounds do the rest.

So a bird lover or somebody simply after time outdoors, Indian Shores has plenty of options for you. And bring your camera and binoculars, and respect the wildlife and their habitats.

The season changes the room here a good deal more than it changes the menu. Summer is when the beach bars fill right up and the live music moves outside onto the sand. Winter is quieter, and the upscale places are easier to get into without booking a long way ahead. Mahuffer’s takes cash. That is true year-round. Pick your season by how much company you want sitting around your dinner, because that is the only variable that really moves here.

Historical and Cultural Sites

If you are a history buff, you will be pleased to know that Indian Shores runs historical and cultural sites you can visit. Here are the places you might find interesting:

Indian Rocks Historical Museum

The Indian Rocks Historical Museum is the stop for anyone who wants to learn about the history of Indian Shores. This museum holds a collection of artifacts and exhibits covering the town’s past. You get to see old photographs, documents and other items that tell the story of Indian Shores.

One of the more interesting exhibits at the museum covers the town’s early days. You get to see how the town looked back then, and how it has changed over the years. You also learn about the people who lived in Indian Shores at the time, and what they contributed to the town’s growth.

Museums

Alongside the Indian Rocks Historical Museum, there are also other museums in the nearby towns of Largo and Seminole. These museums run their own collections of artifacts and exhibits worth checking out.

In Largo, you find the Armed Forces History Museum, which holds a collection of military vehicles, weapons and other items telling the story of America’s armed forces. In Seminole, you find the Pinellas County Heritage Village, which is a living history museum covering what life was like in Pinellas County during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

So if you want something both fun and educational, consider visiting one of these museums. You learn about the history of Indian Shores and the surrounding towns, and you enjoy yourself while you do it.

Shopping and Souvenirs

Shopping

You cannot visit Indian Shores without doing some shopping. There are plenty of places to shop in the area. If you want a shopping experience you will not get elsewhere, head to John’s Pass Village. This small fishing village runs over 100 shops, restaurants and attractions. You find everything from jewelry and clothing to souvenirs and home decor.

If you are in the mood for retail therapy, check out the local boutiques. You find plenty of current clothing, accessories and gifts. And if you are after something specific, ask the friendly staff, because they will be happy to help you find it.

Souvenir

No trip to Indian Shores is complete without picking up a souvenir or two. Something to remember the trip by or a gift for somebody at home, you will find plenty of options.

If you want something traditional, pick up a seashell or a piece of sea glass from the beach. Or if you want something you will not see twice, head to one of the local shops. You find everything from handcrafted jewelry to locally made art.

And if you want a one-of-a-kind souvenir, why not make your own? Many of the local shops run DIY workshops where you can make your own jewelry, pottery or other crafts. Not only do you come away with something nobody else has, but you also come away with the afternoon you spent making it in Indian Shores.

Source: Tripadvisor

Nightlife and Entertainment

When the sun goes down, Indian Shores comes alive with its nightlife and entertainment. From dive bars to high-end restaurants, the range covers everybody.

Mahuffer’s

Mahuffer’s is the stop for anybody after a bar experience they will not get elsewhere. This dive bar sits in St. Pete Beach, a short drive from Indian Shores. The decor runs walls covered in license plates, old signs and other oddities. The drinks are cheap and the atmosphere is laid-back.

But be warned, because Mahuffer’s is not for the faint of heart. The bathrooms are outside and not for the squeamish. The bar is cash-only, so bring enough with you. And do not be surprised if you end up making friends with the regulars who have been coming here for years.

If you want a fun and unusual night out, Mahuffer’s is the place to be. Just bring your sense of humor and adventure.

Other Nightlife Options

If Mahuffer’s is not your scene, there are plenty of other nightlife options in the area. Tampa and St. Pete Beach are both a short drive away and run a range of bars, clubs and restaurants.

Symposium Craft Beer & Fine Wine in St. Pete Beach is a strong spot for beer and wine drinkers. They run a broad selection of locally imported beers and hand-selected wines. The staff know their stock and can help you find the right drink for your taste.

For a more upscale night out, check out the high-end restaurants in the area. Salt Rock Grill in Indian Shores is a popular choice, with its fresh seafood and the Gulf of Mexico in front of it.

Whatever your style or taste, Indian Shores and the surrounding areas run plenty of nightlife and entertainment to keep you busy all night.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of mischief can I get up to in Indian Shores?

Let us see. You could start a sandcastle competition with your friends, try to catch a fish with your bare hands, or attempt to walk on water, which is not as easy as it looks. But seriously, Indian Shores runs plenty of activities for all ages, so you will not run out of mischief to get up to.

Are there any hidden gems to discover in Indian Shores?

If you are feeling adventurous, take a stroll along the beach and keep your eyes open for seashells and sand dollars. You might also want to check out the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, where injured birds are rehabilitated and released back into the wild. And if you follow craft beer, do not miss the chance to visit Indian Shores’ own brewery, which runs a broad selection of locally brewed beers.

Where can I find the best seafood in Indian Shores?

Ah, the age-old question. If you want fresh seafood, you cannot go wrong with any of the restaurants along Gulf Blvd. Our own favorites include the Crabby Bill’s Seafood, Salt Rock Grill and the Original Crabby Bills. But honestly, you cannot really go wrong with any of the seafood places in Indian Shores. Just follow your nose and let your taste buds do the rest.

Is it possible to kayak to Clearwater Beach from Indian Shores?

Technically, yes, it is possible. But unless you are an experienced kayaker, we would not recommend it. The water can be choppy and unpredictable, and there are often strong currents that make the journey harder than it needs to be. If you do decide to go, make sure you are well-prepared and have all the necessary safety equipment.

What’s the best way to explore Gulf Blvd in Indian Shores?

If you are feeling adventurous, rent a bike and cruise down Gulf Blvd at your own pace. That way you can stop and look whenever something catches your eye. Or you can take a leisurely stroll and let the sights and sounds of Indian Shores go past at a slower rate.

Can I expect crystal clear water at Indian Shores Beach?

The water at Indian Shores Beach is genuinely good and refreshing, but it is not always clear. Depending on the weather and other factors, it can sometimes run a bit murky or cloudy. But do not let that put you off taking a dip, because the water is still plenty clean and safe for swimming.

Frequently asked questions about Indian Shores, Florida

Which Indian Shores restaurant is worth booking ahead for?

Salt Rock Grill, which is the upscale one, with steaks, fresh seafood and an extensive wine list to go with them. Guppy’s on the Beach is the beachfront answer, and the crab cakes and the lobster mac and cheese are the reason. Indian Shores Coffee Company handles the breakfast and the lunch. Crabby Bill’s is along Gulf Blvd too.

Which Indian Shores park suits a slow hour outdoors?

Town Square Nature Park, which covers 4 acres in the middle of town with walking trails, picnic areas and a boardwalk through the mangroves. The Seaside Seabird Sanctuary runs 1.5 acres and holds over 100 birds, including pelicans, owls, hawks and parrots. Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo covers 100 acres with over 20 separate gardens inside it. Bring binoculars.

Which Indian Shores beach is actually worth the walk?

Clearwater Beach and Sand Key Beach are the ones people name, and both sit on the Gulf with soft white sand. The water is warm and it suits a complete beginner as readily as a strong swimmer. It is not always clear, though, because the weather and the tide both move it. Swim anyway.

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