Located between Tampa Bay and Boca Ciega Bay, the city of St. Petersburg enjoys a plethora of sunshine. In fact, St. Pete has the most consecutive days of sun at 786 days — earning itself the title of Sunshine City!
Ready to go on a sightseeing tour? If you love the outdoors, then Sunshine City might be the one for you. Between the beaches and the city, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in St. Petersburg, FL. On this tropical Florida peninsula, you can explore museums, gardens, and attractions with a very low risk of any rain on your parade.
Here’s our list of 6 fun things to do in St Petersburg Fl.
#1 Head to the Beach
With the bay at your doorstep and the Florida sun shining down, visiting the local beaches is one of the best things to do when living in St. Petersburg, Fl. The 35 miles of white coastal sands means there are plenty of places to jump into the gulf waters or lay down your beach towel and soak up the rays.
Want to dip your toes in the local sand? Check out this brief list of must see St Petersburg beaches:1
- Honeymoon Island State Park –This spot is the perfect white sandy beach, nestled right alongside Florida’s wildlife — and it’s pup-friendly! You’ll want to keep an eye out for the local armadillos and tortoises that frequent the trails, including the Pinellas Trail, a 30-mile long trail that heads into the park.
- Sunset Beach – This getaway is a local favorite. As the name suggests, the beach has stunning sunset views over the Gulf of Mexico. This is also one of the best spots for watersports, with options for surfers and paddleboarders alike.
- Pass-a-Grille Beach – While this is a popular tourist spot, even locals can appreciate the historic town, ice cream parlors, and outdoor markets that give the St Pete beach area its charm. And if you want to get away from the tourists, head over to the Shell Key barrier island from Pass-a-Grille Beach and find troves of seashells.
- Indian Rocks Beach – With white sand and long wooden boardwalks to the shore, this St Pete beach is picture-perfect. Next to the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, you’ll be able to spot all kinds of wildlife in and out of the water, including pelicans, dolphins, and manatees.
#2 Explore the Dalí Museum
Looking for something to do on one of the city’s rare rainy days? Or perhaps you’ve just gotten enough sun for the week!
There are so many fun things to do in St Petersburg Florida and the Salvador Dali Museum is one of them. Located just along the waterfront, the Salvador Dali Museum is a great place to go for a cultural experience. This museum contains over 2,000 works of art related to the Surrealist master—making it the largest collection of its kind outside of Europe.
Wondering what’s in store? Here are some of the offerings at the museum:2
- Free audio headsets for explanations of the collection’s crown jewel pieces
- Lectures, films, and workshops with visiting scholars and artists
- A rotating exhibition of photographers and artists
- A Dali-inspired gift shop
- A café with Spanish-style food and an outdoor patio for seating
Even if you’re not Dalí’s number-one fan, you’ll still find plenty of art, architecture, and gardens to explore. After 5 pm on Thursdays, tickets are only $10, making this museum worth the trip.
If you’re looking for more museums to explore, you can’t forget to check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Florida Holocaust Museum, and the Great Explorations Children’s Museum.
#3 Dive into the Clearwater Marine Aquarium
While you can spot plenty of wildlife on the shoreline, there’s no substitution for the up-close encounters and educational material available in an aquarium.
This aquarium in St. Pete is more than worth the visit, especially for all animal lovers. The aquarium hosts a variety of events and has underground viewing to get up close and personal with the animals.2
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s other shining feature is its Hollywood history. This Florida aquarium was the site of Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2.
The aquarium also offers a guided kayaking and boat tour, allowing you to explore the bay and maybe even see some marine life while you’re at it.
#4 Go Shopping Downtown
If you want to go out spending your hard-earned money on the latest buys, then head to downtown St. Petersburg , featuring a variety of eclectic, locally-owned storefronts and higher-end name brands located right along Central Ave. Want to skip the crowds? Then try out the stores in the city’s Historic Kenwood district instead. Plus, it is home to some of the best restaurants in St. Petersburg FL.
Regardless of where you decide to shop, you’ll find unique places with boutiques that will match just about anyone’s style. Here’s a shortlist of some of the shopping experiences the city can provide:3
- Sundial St. Pete – If you want to take care of all your shopping in one location, then you’ll want to check out Sundial St. Pete. This two-story outdoor shopping center features a variety of upscale stores, boutiques, and even a movie theater to go catch a flick when the shopping day is done.
- Zazoo’d – Located right on Central Ave, Zazoo’d sells home goods, decor, and gifts. They also specialize in event design, so they’ll be able to bring tasteful decorations to your wedding or event. Complete with neon signs and an old Volkswagen beetle stuffed with pillows, Zazoo’d isn’t just well-stocked—it’s also brimming with fun.
- Shapiro’s Gallery of Contemporary American Crafts – For those looking for a more elegant touch to their buys, Shapiro’s Gallery downtown has a full selection of handmade art. Browse an array of hand-crafted glass, jewelry, furniture, and handbags from over 300 American artists.
- The Merchant – In the city’s central arts district, The Merchant contains a mix of gifts in an apothecary and general store. Many of these goods are made by local artisans. Shop the selection of treats, soaps, and salves and support St. Pete’s creators.
- Ashe Couture Boutique – For women who prefer a cultivated selection of trendy, coastal wear, this storefront is the best bohemian boutique in town. You’ll find designers like Billabong, Free People, and Amuse Society, with a collection of swimsuits, clothes, scarves, purses, belts, and jewelry to choose from.
- Matter of Fact – If you enjoy a hipster-esque men’s boutique, then Matter of Fact might be perfect for you. The store features brands like Herschel, Billabong, Vissla, and RVCA, with the perfect gifts for guys who love the beach and their dogs.
If you want to plan a whole day downtown, we have a guide for you. Learn all about how to spend a day in downtown St Petersburg Florida here.
#5 Snap Photos at Sunken Gardens
Besides being on the beach, there are many other outdoor activities that are a must-see. Just north of downtown St. Petersburg, the Sunken Gardens are located in the city center. This 100-year–old garden is St. Petersburg’s oldest living museum, featuring a plethora of tropical plants—including some of the oldest living tropical plants in the US.
There are many other outdoor sites to explore as well. If you want to go on a casual walk, Vinoy Park is filled with trails. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is a great hiking spot if you’re looking for more nature and wildlife. We can’t forget Weedon Island Preserve where you can observe diverse wetlands and plant life. Lastly, Sawgrass Lake Park is home to one of the largest swamps in Florida’s Gulf Coast meaning there are plenty of fun species to spot.
#6 Experience the Nightlife
The city is younger than one might expect for Florida, leading to a collection of restaurant bars, rooftop bars, coastal clubs, and lounges that can match any vibe or occasion. Once you’re done exploring the bay during the day, dive into the local nightlife and find great spots for drinks, dancing, and fun.
If you’re wondering what the best places to try out after the Florida sun dips beneath the waves are, then look no further. The following is a quick list of the area’s must-sees:4
- The Canopy – Located atop the Birchwood Inn, The Canopy is one of the best rooftop bars in St. Pete, boasting unobstructed views of the gulf coast and downtown. This bar has private cabanas available for rent and a full food and drink menu with things like flatbreads, poutine, and shrimp cocktails.
- Undertow – The Undertow coastal beach bar is located right on the beach in Bella Vista. Looking for a casual place to enjoy food and drinks? Spend the day on this beautiful beach and wind down at the bar, or come here to watch your favorite team on one of the many outdoor TVs available.
- The Ale & Witch – Featuring nightly live music, The Ale & Witch is a must-visit for fans of craft brews. Explore over 32 craft brews on tap, then head across the courtyard to grab something to eat. Dogs are allowed outside, so you can grab a drink with your companion.
- Parks & Rec – Parks & Rec takes recreational drinking to the next level, with pinball, Jenga, arcade games, and more to try out. After working up an appetite, order the Legend of Zelda pizza, or opt for a spiked juice pouch and enjoy the games on the go.
Find Your St. Petersburg Paradise with Common
From the coast to the downtown, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in St Petersburg Fl.
For those looking to live closer to the miles of shoreline, but don’t know how to tackle a new city, Common is here to make the move easier.
With Common, your rent gives you access to community events, discounts for local and national brands, and onsite amenities designed for work, play, and convenience. Located in Downtown St. Petersburg, The Wayland by Common makes it easy to live at the center of this shining city.
Explore The Wayland by Common and book your tour today.
Sources:
- Treksplorer. The 14 Best Beaches in Clearwater & St. Petersburg, Florida. https://www.treksplorer.com/best-beaches-clearwater-st-petersburg-fl-usa/
- USA Today 10best. Best Things to Do in St. Petersburg / Clearwater. https://www.10best.com/destinations/florida/st.-petersburg/attractions/best-attractions-activities/
- USA Today 10best. Best Shopping in St. Petersburg / Clearwater. https://www.10best.com/destinations/florida/st.-petersburg/shopping/best-shopping/
- Florida Trippers. 15 Best Bars And Clubs In Saint Petersburg Florida. https://floridatrippers.com/bars-in-saint-petersburg/