Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Clearwater & Clearwater Beach
The psychological divide between the city of Clearwater and Clearwater Beach is wider
than the harbor between them. A few details tell the story. First, the indefatigable Hooters
restaurant chain was invented in Clearwater in 1983, and its burgers-and-babes dining
concept certainly encapsulates the spring-break party scene. Meanwhile, the city has a
stuck-in-amber, gray-suited, 1950s-era downtown that's dominated by the international
spiritual headquarters of the Church of Scientology. The Clearwater Church, known as
Flag Land Base, has occupied the historic Fort Harrison Hotel since the late 1970s, and
has a further 66 properties in the city. None of this is open to the public, and Clearwater it-
self remains deeply ambivalent about being home to the largest concentration of Scientolo-
gists outside of Los Angeles.
WINTER IN CLEARWATER
The most famous celebrity in Clearwater these days is Winter, a tailless dolphin who's the
subject of the 2011 Hollywood movie Dolphin Tale. Filmed on location at the Clearwater
Marine Aquarium, the movie co-stars Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd, and it tells
Winter's truly amazing, heartwarming story: as a baby she was found caught in a crab
trap and was injured so badly her tail flukes died and fell off. Yet Winter survived and has
thrived despite her handicap.
In 2014 the original cast were reunited for a sequel, Dolphin Tale 2,in which the death of
Winter's surrogate mother and poolmate, Panama, places Winter in danger of relocation
(according to USDA regulations dolphins cannot be housed alone due to their social
natures). Time is running out until the arrival of Hope, a rescued baby dolphin. For a max-
imal dose of inspiration the movie also features Bethany Hamilton, the pro-surfer who
lost her arm to a 13ft tiger shark while surfing Kauai's North Shore. You can meet Winter
and Hope (but sadly not Bethany) every day of the week at the
Clearwater Marine Aquari-
um
.
Sights & Activities
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
AQUARIUM
