St. Petersburg, otherwise known as “the sunshine city”, is a bustling waterfront city that boarders Tampa Bay. Downtown is easily accessible by car, The Looper Trolley, or the newly opened Sun Runner Bus (en express route that runs from Treasure Island to Downtown St. Pete and back). There is much to see and do, so we’ve highlighted a list of our favorites below:
1. A Day on the Ocean | Rentals
Enjoy the shores of St. Petersburg from it’s best viewpoint - out on the water! Saltwater Cycle offers a variety of cruises, including both public and private boat tours. Ever wondered what treasures you might be able to see under the waters? Treat yourself to a truly unique experience and Kayak in a completely clear vessel with Get Up and Go. The Pelican St. Pete provides various tours - sip and see the last of the daylight fade into the night with a Sunset Cruise or explore slightly beyond St. Pete’s shore by taking a day boating trip out to Egmont Key.
2. Be an Art Connoisseur for the day!
In the Historic Arts District there are quite a few prominent museums within close proximity to each other. See infamous painters and artists as you wander through the Museum of Fine Art, the first fine art museum that opened to the public in 1965. Are you a fan of Surrealism? St. Pete is home to the largest collection of Salvador Dahli’s works at The Dahli Museum - it's a marvel not to be missed!
3. Enjoy the beauty of Nature | Outdoor Attractions
The Wheaton Island Preserve is a protected island preserve, highlighting Florida’s most beautiful natural green life. Hikes and guided walking tours are offered on site (advance registration is required). In the Historic Old Northeast neighborhood, visit the Sunken Gardens - an ethereal Botanical Garden that is sure to be unforgettable. Keep an eye out for Florida’s notorious Pink Flamingos on site!
4. Take me out to the Ball Game!
Tropicana Field has been home base for the Tampa bay rays since 1998. This dome is still active today for games, but can also be booked for tours and other events. A little known fact is that yes, you can (safely) pet stingrays here! Just beyond the right center field fence is a 35 foot, 10,000 gallon tank where fans can interact with real life 'Tampa Bay Rays'.
5. Shop Local
St. Pete is overflowing with cute shops and boutiques. Peruse excellently curated collections at the boutiques Be MisRed and Ash Couture. Being so close to the shore, Florida has always been known for being somewhat of a hub for magic. Chrissy's Enchanted Notions is a local favorite: a small owned business that sells crystals, local artisan goods, and other magical things.
6. Eat Local
There are SO many fabulous restaurants in town, there’s no doubt you’ll find options you love. Walking around downtown St. Pete you might want something quick but hearty to carry with you - try an on-the-go box of homemade Italian pasta with Dalmoros! If you’re in the mood for some tacos & crafted cocktails, check out the Red Mesa Cantina for their Latin/Caribbean style cuisine (seating offers both indoor and shaded outdoor options). If you’re by the waterfront and feel like an evening of finer dining, make a reservation at Ceviche. With delicious drinks and tapas to go around, the evening will be one for the books!
7. Drink Local
If you want a relaxing evening with a glass of wine in hand while perusing curated selections of books, then Book & Bottle is the place for you! This bookstore is both a shop and a bar, and offers monthly themed events (and book clubs for the avid readers).
Looking for a more upbeat kind of night? St. Pete is the place to be for a proper pub crawl. We recommend researching St. Pete Bar Crawls with Eventbrite for seasonal events. Notable bars include No Vacancy Mandarin Hide and Dirty Laundry. There are so many more unique bars, This List can help you plan your night out on the town.
8. Throw the BEST Bachelorette Party
St. Pete is a popular wedding-party destination, and we can see why! Warm evenings, cute bars (mostly all) within walking distance, and various party packages all make planning your special evening a breeze! Bach Boats and Salt Water Cycle both offer exclusive Bachelorette Boat Cruise Packages . Don’t feel like planning but still want to party? Bride Tribe Events is a full service event planning group that will do all the work for you - all you need to do is show up and enjoy!
9. For the Caffeine Addict
You can’t have endless adventures without a little boost to get you through the day! One of our favorite coffee shops is Black Crow Coffee. This whimsical coffee shop is in the center of the Arts District. Another hot spot is Bandit Coffee Co. - their modern, hip aesthetic and delicious coffee may tempt you to lounge for a few hours.
Not a coffee person? Te Bella Tea and Blush Tea & Coffee Co. are two of our favorite tea rooms.
10. The Pier
There’s always something going on at The Pier - it’s one of a kind, host to street performers, artists, vendors, shops, restaurants, and so much more! There are spots for fishing, swimming, and relaxing under some shade. It’s the kind of place where you can walk around to explore, or even take a tram to the very end!
At the Pier Plaza, there is fun for the kids to blow off steam at the Playground and to cool down at the Splash Pad. For family-friendly educational fun, spend an afternoon at the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center where you can learn about local marine life. If you want to continue your academic adventures, the Museum of History is located near the entrance of the boardwalk.
There are quite a few restaurants where you can wine, dine, and enjoy the best up-close waterfront views you’ll find in the area. On weekends, The Pier is host to The Market where independent vendors and artisans sell handcrafted goods, food & drink under shaded tents. This event runs Fridays-Sundays 10am-6pm.
Be sure to research upcoming events, as there are always new performances/experiences being added seasonally.
We hope this list of curated ideas gives you inspires your next vacation plans!
Thanks for reading, we hope to see you soon!
The Sunset Team
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