With its vibrant arts scene, unique museums, historic neighborhoods, sunny beaches, and lively downtown, St. Petersburg has so much to see and do. Located on Florida’s scenic Gulf Coast, this charming city offers a vibrant mix of culture, cuisine and coastal attractions.
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Stroll Along the Pier | Iconic pier with shops, restaurants, and waterfront views |
| Explore the Dali Museum | Largest collection of Dali’s works outside Europe |
| Relax on St. Pete Beach | Top-rated beach with white sand and seafood restaurants |
| Visit the Chihuly Collection | Displays of Chihuly’s glass sculptures |
| Tour the Museum of Fine Arts | Fine arts museum with a range of artworks |
| Take in a Rays Baseball Game | Major League Baseball games at Tropicana Field |
| Meander Through Historic Neighborhoods | Explore historic districts with quaint shops and cafes |
| Visit the Morean Arts Center | Arts complex with glass studios and local artist exhibits |
| Take a Craft Brewery Tour | Tour local breweries and taste craft beers |
| Kayak Through Weedon Island Preserve | Kayaking in coastal habitats and mangrove forests |
| Take in a Show at the Mahaffey Theater | Variety of performances in a waterfront theater |
| Bar Hop Along Central Avenue | Nightlife with bars, music, and events |
If you’re planning a trip to the “Sunshine City,” here are the top 12 things to add to your St. Petersburg itinerary:
Stroll Along the Pier
Name and Location: St. Petersburg Pier, located along the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront.
History and Significance: The pier has been a landmark since the early 1900s, with the current inverted pyramid pier opening in 1973. It offers beautiful waterfront views.
What to Expect: Shops, restaurants, fishing spots along the pier. Peaceful waterfront walking and picture-perfect sunset views.
Visitor Information: Free and open daily. Paid parking available nearby.
No trip to St. Pete is complete without a scenic stroll along the iconic St. Petersburg Pier. Extending over half a mile into Tampa Bay, the winding pier features shops, restaurants, fishing areas and stunning views of the waterfront.
Meander down to the pier head at the end to watch boats cruise by against a backdrop of glittering skyscrapers. Don’t forget your camera!
Explore the Dali Museum
Name and Location: The Dali Museum located in downtown St. Petersburg along the waterfront.
History and Significance: Opened in 1982, this museum houses the largest collection of works by Salvador Dali outside of Europe. A must-see for art lovers.
What to Expect: Guided and self-guided viewing of Dali’s paintings, drawings, sculptures. Audio tours and docent lectures available. Gift shop.
Visitor Information: Open daily, admission fee required. Timed entry tickets should be reserved online in advance.
Fans of Salvador Dali will want to spend time at the largest collection of the surrealist’s works outside of Europe. The bright, maze-like Dali Museum located right on the downtown waterfront boasts over 2,400 Dali creations including paintings, drawings, sculptures and more.
Take a guided audio tour to learn intriguing details as you admire Dali’s signature melting clocks and dreamscapes. The architecture itself is also a work of art.
Relax on St. Pete Beach
Name and Location: St. Pete Beach, located on a barrier island off St. Petersburg.
History and Significance: This award-winning beach is known for its white sand and calm Gulf waters. A popular recreation destination.
What to Expect: Beachcombing, swimming, sunbathing. Beachfront hotels, resorts, restaurants and beach equipment rentals.
Visitor Information: Public beach access points with parking available. Lifeguarded areas.
Named one of the top beaches in the U.S., St. Pete Beach stretches for miles along the shimmering Gulf of Mexico. The soft white sand and calm turquoise waters make for ideal swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding.
After relaxing on the beach, grab seafood at a beachfront restaurant like Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish. The sunsets here are simply stunning as well.
Visit the Chihuly Collection
Name and Location: The Chihuly Collection museum in downtown St. Petersburg.
History and Significance: Opened in 2010, this museum houses a stunning collection of glass sculptures by artist Dale Chihuly.
What to Expect: Vibrant, immersive galleries exhibiting Chihuly’s blown glass sculptures and installations. Rotating exhibits.
Visitor Information: Timed tickets required. Open daily except Tuesdays. Admission fee $20.
This stunning collection located in downtown St. Petersburg permanently displays the largest collection of world-renowned glass sculptures by artist Dale Chihuly.
The vibrant, colorful designs exhibit his mastery of glass blowing. Don’t miss the breathtaking Chandeliers Room with dramatic hanging glass pieces looming overhead or the enchanting Macchia Forest.
Tour the Museum of Fine Arts
Name and Location: Museum of Fine Arts in downtown St. Petersburg.
History and Significance: Founded in 1965, this encyclopedic art museum houses over 20,000 works spanning antiquities to contemporary.
What to Expect: European, American, and Asian art galleries featuring paintings, sculptures, photography and more. Docent tours available.
Visitor Information: Open daily year-round. Admission fees apply. Free on Thursdays after 5pm.
One of the best fine arts museums in Florida, the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg contains an impressive collection of works spanning antiquities to contemporary pieces.
Wander bright galleries displaying Egyptian mummies, Baroque paintings, dazzling Steuben glass, Rodin sculptures, and much more. The photography exhibits are also quite exceptional.
Take in a Rays Baseball Game
Name and Location: Tropicana Field in downtown St. Petersburg, home of the Tampa Bay Rays.
History and Significance: The Rays have played at the Trop since their inaugural 1998 season. It hosts regular season MLB games.
What to Expect: MLB action featuring the Rays. See baseball games under the domed stadium. Family fun.
Visitor Information: Regular season from April to September. Ticket prices vary. Purchase online or at box office.
Nothing says summer like cheering at a baseball game! The Tampa Bay Rays play right in St. Pete at Tropicana Field. Catch an afternoon or evening game and experience the electric atmosphere of the crowd.
Tickets are reasonably priced, so it’s a fun way to spend time in the city for sports lovers and their families.
Meander Through the Historic Neighborhoods
Name and Location: Old Northeast, Crescent Lake, Euclid St. Paul’s and other historic St. Pete neighborhoods.
History and Significance: Charming early 20th century residential neighborhoods with historic architecture, brick streets and local shops.
What to Expect: Walkable streets lined with historic homes, cafes, boutiques. Quaint neighborhood charm and ambience.
Visitor Information: Free to explore. Street parking available. Get neighborhood maps at visitor center.
Some of St. Petersburg’s top attractions are its charming historic districts like Old Northeast, Kenwood, Bartlett Park, Roser Park and Downtown.
Meander past historic homes, quaint shops, cafes, and shaded parks dotted with fountains. The 1920s Mediterranean Revival style mansions along Coffee Pot Bayou are especially stunning.
Visit the Morean Arts Center
Name and Location: The Morean Arts Center in downtown St. Petersburg.
History and Significance: Founded in 1917, this nonprofit arts complex offers exhibitions, studios, classes and glassmaking demonstrations.
What to Expect: Rotating fine art exhibits. Glassblowing demos and art classes in the Glass Studio & Hot Shop.
Visitor Information: Free admission. Open daily, hours vary. Public parking garage nearby.
This vibrant arts complex houses glass studios, workshops, galleries and a museum celebratingpinellas County visual artists.
Visit the Chihuly Collection next door, then come here to browse rotating exhibits highlighting local talent in mediums like painting, pottery, jewelry and more. The Glass Studio & Hot Shop lets you watch resident glass artists create incredible works.
Take a Craft Brewery Tour
Name and Location: Local breweries throughout St. Petersburg and greater Tampa Bay area.
History and Significance: Florida’s booming craft beer scene is on full display in the bay area’s breweries.
What to Expect: Behind-the-scenes brewery tours. Sample a variety of beers like sours, IPAs. Brewpubs with good food.
Visitor Information: Check individual websites for hours, tours, tastings. Transportation usually required.
The St. Pete area has an exploding craft beer scene with over 30 local breweries. Tour a few of the best spots like 3 Daughters, Green Bench and Cycle Brewing to sip flights and pints of their signature suds.
Most breweries here also offer tasty food menus like wood-fired pizzas, wings, and sandwiches to pair with your brews.
Kayak Through Weedon Island Preserve
Name and Location: Weedon Island Preserve in northeast St. Petersburg, with mangrove forests and coastal waters.
History and Significance: This 3,190-acre estuary preserve provides critical habitat for wildlife and offers paddling trails.
What to Expect: Kayak rentals available. Guided and self-guided paddling through mangrove tunnels and tidal creeks. Diverse ecosystems.
Visitor Information: Open daily sunrise to sunset. Free admission. Kayak rentals around $50 for 4 hours.
For outdoor adventures in nature, spend a day kayaking through Weedon Island Preserve – over 3,000 acres of unspoiled Florida coastal habitats and mangrove forests.
Paddle tranquil water trails and see wildlife like egrets, herons and porpoises. Rentals and tours are available if you don’t have your own kayak. The preserve also features hiking trails and a cultural center.
Take in a Show at the Mahaffey Theater
Name and Location: The Mahaffey Theater in downtown St. Petersburg.
History and Significance: Opened in 1965, this premier performing arts facility hosts concerts, comedy, Broadway shows and more.
What to Expect: Productions ranging from touring rock bands to ballet performances. Premium seating and acoustics.
Visitor Information: Ticket prices vary by event. Purchase online or at box office. Public parking garages nearby.
From Broadway musicals to concerts, comedians and more, the Mahaffey Theater complex overlooking the bay books outstanding national touring acts and productions.
Recent shows include Wicked, Jersey Boys, Bill Burr and Harry Connick Jr. The elegant main theater has excellent acoustics and sightlines.
Bar Hop Along Central Avenue
Name and Location: Central Avenue in downtown St. Petersburg, running through the Edge District.
History and Significance: Home to St. Pete’s nightlife scene, with a vibrant mix of dive bars, breweries, music venues. Perfect for bar hopping.
What to Expect: Lively nightlife, lots of local craft beer, live music at several spots. Trendy and laid-back bars. Good for groups.
Visitor Information: Most places have open evenings.
BYOB bottle shops, brewpubs, speakeasies and lively bars line the Central Avenue corridor perfect for a night out. Pop around popular spots like 3 Daughters Brewing, Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe, Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails, No Vacancy, Sea Dog Brewing and more. There’s always live music and events happening at various venues too.
Conclusion
Beautiful beaches, fascinating museums, performing arts, historic sites, craft breweries, and mouthwatering cuisine all await visitors in the vibrant Florida city of St. Petersburg.
With so many exciting attractions and activities, it’s easy to see why St. Pete makes such a wonderful sunny vacation destination any time of year. Use this guide to experience the best of what the “Sunshine City” has to offer.