Don't Miss Out on Sunshine City: St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg has been named one of the world's favorite travel destinations, and this stellar reputation is well deserved. With 35 miles of pristine beaches, outdoor activities galore, and thriving arts, culture, and food scenes, there's something for everyone to enjoy along the sandy shores of Sunshine City. Whether you prefer a laid-back retreat or an action-packed vacation, St. Pete invites you to explore the city in all its glory. Check these top picks off your itinerary for an adventure to remember.
01 Visit the Dali Museum
A world-class destination for surrealism and modern art fans, the Dali Museum is dedicated to showcasing more than 2400 works by the Catalan master. The largest assembly of Dali paintings outside Europe started with a modest family bequest by American collectors A. Reynolds and Eleanor Morse but has since taken on a life of its own. From its prime location on the waterfront of Tampa Bay, the architecturally striking museum hosts Dali-themed special events, seminars, community gatherings, and popular weekly yoga classes in its glass dome.
02 Camp at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
Nature is never far when you stay in St. Petersburg. To completely escape and unwind in nature, consider camping for a day or two at this 245-acre park built around the shores of Lake Maggiore. Criss-crossed with hiking trails that meander through diverse ecosystems, it's a great place to reconnect with the natural regional landscape as it was pre-development. Watch for butterflies and egrets from strategically placed sheltered areas.
03 Catch a game at Tropicana Field
Cool off in air-conditioned comfort and catch the resident Tampa Rays in action at Tropicana Field. The dome-covered stadium also hosts occasional concerts and conventions. But that's not all, as there are a number of activities for non-game days at the venue. The most unusual has got to be the Touch Tank exhibit of cow nose rays that encourages interaction with visitors. There's also the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame for baseball fans to explore.
04 Take in the Sunken Gardens
Old Florida lives on in the many retro motels and attractions scattered around St. Petersburg. One of the loveliest is The Sunken Gardens, a century-old botanical garden filled with more than 50,000 specimens of tropical plants and flowers. The Gardens are also home to a flock of pink Chilean flamingos who wander freely over the 4 acres of walkways, pools, and courtyards.
05 Watch a show at the Mahaffey Theater
Cultural South Florida prides itself on beautiful venues like the Mahaffey Theater, which is part of the Duke Energy Center for the Arts complex in downtown St. Pete's. Here, guests can soak up Broadway hits, Pink Floyd, Beatles, and Queen tribute shows, or classical concerts by the beloved in-house orchestra TFO. Splash out for a full evening experience that includes dinner at the Theater's own Bayside Bistro overlooking the marina.
06 Wonder at the Chihuly Collection
Dale Chihuly is probably the best-known glass artist in the world for good reason. His ginormous surreal, and brightly colored creations are nothing short of spectacular. The permanent Chihuly Collection, located adjacent to the Morean Art Center in the downtown arts district, features several ornate site-specific works and large-scale installations that may cause your jaw to drop. Check out the technique behind the magic at the Studio Glass and Hot Shop demonstration included in your ticket price.
07 Stroll historic Kenwood
Old Florida architecture is preserved to great effect in the historic residential district of Kenwood. Pleasant for strolling, with large shade trees and wide brick sidewalks, the neighborhood is full of ranch and mission-style bungalows built between 1920 and 1950. Strictly adhering to historical conservation codes, the homes and other buildings dating from 1926 are a coherent tribute to simpler, human-scale design times.
08 Shop amazing markets
A handful of excellent markets are a testament to St. Petersburg's newly hip reputation. Most residents and travelers will know about the Saturday Farmers Market, a long-standing tradition for those seeking quality ingredients and foodie items from over 200 vendors. The St. Pete Indie Market is a newer tradition for shopping for one-of-a-kind craft and flea items. Held indoors at the State Theater during the summer heat and outdoors on the Green Bench Brewery patio during the winter, this is the place to pick up designer duds and hand-made jewelry while noshing on artisanal snacks. For vintage lovers, there's a huge monthly Brocante Market on the first Saturday of each month.
09 Take a beach day
Well, you are in Florida, after all. For a throwback vibe of Old Florida, you can't beat Passe-a-Grille Beach, where they still ring a bell to celebrate each glorious successful sunset. St. Pete's Beach is located slightly away from the mainland on a barrier island. Here you'll find tranquil seas, soft white sand, and relics from Florida's golden era, like the kitschy pink palace of the Don Cesar Hotel. Nearby Clearwater Beach is consistently voted one of the most beautiful on the Gulf Coast and can be a bit quieter during high season.
10 Kayak at Fort de Soto Park
Just south of downtown St. Pete's, Fort de Soto Park comprises five of the southernmost barrier islands at the mouth of Tampa Bay. With pristine beaches, trails, and facilities for kayaking and paddle boarding, the park is a natural wonderland of tidal pools and dunes. Oh yes, and there is a fort you can explore and a small museum describing what's left of this key fortification from the Spanish-American War of 1898.
11 Experience the Morean Arts Center
Embrace your creativity at the Morean Arts Center, an innovative oasis for all things art-related. Step inside to explore a contemporary gallery showcasing works from local and professional artists alike. Revolving exhibitions feature unique themes such as Wonder in the Wild, Woodland Tea Party, New Retro, and Emerging Artists in Florida. Affordable art classes immerse you in studio-based learning, with weekly sessions offered in drawing, painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography and digital art, and much more.
12 Discover the Museum of Fine Arts
Inspiration lurks around every corner at the Museum of Fine Arts Saint Petersburg, where over 5,000 years of human civilization are proudly displayed. Traveling exhibitions provide an immersive journey into history, with topics ranging from Impressionism to Japanese photography, dogs in art, and photography of the 1970s. Covering countless periods and areas of interest, including masterpieces from the world's most beloved artists, this museum is not to be missed.
13 Walk the St. Pete Pier
Stroll along St. Pete Pier to discover 26 scenic acres of fun in the sun. It combines a striking waterfront setting with premium shopping, dining, and entertainment. Action awaits under the Bending Arc, a massive 76-foot sculpture by renowned artist Janet Echelman — just one of the countless art pieces displayed throughout the park. In the Marketplace, discover a lively bazaar atmosphere with thousands of unique items. Delectable restaurants serve everything from tacos to pizza, pasta, and seafood, and the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center provides an interactive look at the local ecosystem.
14 Learn at the St. Petersburg Museum of History
Delve deep into the city's story at the St. Petersburg Museum of History, and savor some shade while you're at it. Engaging exhibits include Flight One Gallery, where you'll learn about the incredible birth of commercial flight, and Civil Rights in the Sunshine State, which features over 100 photographs and artifacts detailing Florida's role in the movement. In Shrader's Little Cooperstown, you'll view the world's largest collection of autographed baseballs, and the Odditorium will haunt your nightmares with its Egyptian Mummy and two-headed calf.
15 Enjoy nature at the Weedon Island Preserve
This 3,190-acre preserve is a nature lover's oasis. Hiking and paddling trails transport you deep into the wilderness as you explore this coastal ecosystem up close. Birding, fishing, canoeing, and wildlife watching are all popular pastimes. Two miles of handicap-accessible boardwalks lead to an impressive 45-foot observation tower, from which you'll score panoramic views of Tampa Bay. Learn about the city's ancient past at the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, which encompasses 6,000 square feet of interactive exhibits.
16 Explore the Florida Holocaust Museum
The Florida Holocaust Museum was built to honor the millions of lives lost during one of the most tragic periods in history. History, Heritage, and Hope tell the stories you didn't hear in class, with displays and artists leading you through the history of the Holocaust and life leading up to WWII, in addition to devastating tales of ghettos and concentration camps. It's one of only a dozen museums worldwide displaying Dimensions in Testimony, an interactive experience between viewers and Holocaust survivors.
17 Take a boat tour of Tampa Bay
There's no better way to experience Tampa Bay than on a boat, which is why booking a boat tour is a must for your vacation itinerary. In sunny South Florida, you get much more than a tour. Learn about the diverse flora and fauna that populate the area, discover its history with expert narration, or savor a romantic sunset tour for two. Whether you set sail for an hour or an evening, there's nothing quite like it.
18 Or try a Florida tiki tour on the water
Florida Tiki Tours is a unique and fun way to explore St. Petersburg's waterways while enjoying the tropical ambiance of a tiki boat. The tiki boats are adorned with thatched roofs, bamboo accents, and tiki statues, providing a delightful island vibe for passengers. The tour includes a knowledgeable captain who shares fascinating facts about the local area, its history, and its wildlife.
19 Visit the Great Explorations Children's Museum
Give your kids the experience of a lifetime at this one-of-a-kind museum, which features 18,000 square feet of engaging workshops, special exhibits, and hands-on activities designed just for little ones. Great Beginnings is an immersive farm setting that helps fine-tune motor skills, while I Dream in Lego and Build It lets kids use their imaginations. My First Market mimics the supermarket experience, Live on Air allows children to see themselves on TV, and All About Animals teaches them how to care for pets.
20 Get cultured at American Stage Theater Company
A night at the theater is always a good idea, and the American Stage Theater Company delivers powerful live performances. As the most critically-acclaimed theater company in the area, it hosts some of the top shows in the U.S. The actors have performed classics such as It's a Wonderful Life, Much To Do About Nothing, Ragtime, and many more, plus award-winning offerings such as La Gringa and Disgraced.
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