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Located on the west coast of the peninsula, St Petersburg FL is the ideal destination if you are looking for a relaxing and sunny place to spend your holidays.
It’s a very interesting city and there are many things to do in St Petersburg!
🗒️ Planning a trip to St. Pete FL?
Whether you are already in St. Pete or just want the short version of this article, here is the practical information you need to know.
☀️ Top Experiences To Book in Advance in St. Pete:
- Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area (unique 5-star experience!)
- Calypso Breeze Tropical Party Cruise (most popular party cruise)
- 2 Hour Guided Segway Tour of Downtown St Pete (best way to explore)
🛌 Top Hotel in St Petersburg FL: The Don Cesar (Pink hotel with direct access to the beach)
🚗 Need a car?
Click here to see the best car rental rates in St Pete.
As a matter of fact, the entire Tampa Bay area is very unique compared to the rest of Florida. It’s young, dynamic, arty and lively… making it one of the trendiest places in the South of the USA.
Affectionally nicknamed St Pete by its inhabitants, the city has loads to offer on so many levels and we shall discover them now!
I got the chance to live in St Pete for a few months and I loved exploring the area. You will find in this article a mix of recommendations including off the beaten path and unusual things to do in St Petersburg FL but also some more classic recommendations. It’s important to have a bit of everything!
Without further ado, let’s discover the best things to do in St Petersburg, FL!
1. Visiting the Salvador Dali museum
Home to the largest collection of Dali’s works outside of Europe, the Salvador Dali museum is located in downtown St Pete, on the waterfront, by 5th Avenue Southeast.
The museum was established in 1982 and is home to hundreds of pieces including oil paintings, graphics, photographs, watercolors and sculptures
The collection was initially acquired by Eleanor and Reynolds Morse who discovered the works of Dali at the Cleveland Museum of Art. They started getting a few pieces and it then grew to become a huge collection.
The Salvador Dali Museum is one of the most popular things to do in St Petersburg FL and is definitely worth a visit.
The building is a great example of contemporary architecture. It was designed by architect Yann Weymouth who incorporated various surrealist elements.
The experience inside is just as good! As you would expect, it’s quirky and simply amazing.
You will also get access to the avant-garden which is a great place to learn while enjoying the views!
HOW TO VISIT: You will need to get a ticket to visit the Dali museum. This can be done on the official website or at the entrance.
PRO TIP: This is a bit of an expensive attraction so if you want to save money, head there on Thursdays after 5PM. It’s half price!
2. Roaming around Downtown St Pete
Downtown St Pete is a very trendy place. It has a very unique vibe. There are many things to do in downtown St Petersburg.
Most of the attractions are gathered near Central Avenue so ideally, make sure to park your car near it so you can start walking around.
Downtown St Pete is also packed with cool little places to grab food, coffee shops and vintage clothes shops.
If you fancy grabbing a cup of coffee, I’d recommend going to Grassroots Kava House. It’s a very nice hipster coffee shop where you can get Kava, coffee or tea.
It’s a very nice place to have a wander. People in St Petersburg are very friendly. They will be very welcoming and will talk to you. Don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations, they love to help!
Just taking your time to explore and soak up the atmosphere of downtown St Pete is the perfect thing to do when you arrive.
3. Trolley Pub Mixer Tour
If you are looking for something fun to do in Downtown St Pete, then this trolley tour will be perfect for you!
As you may have gathered by now, there are a lot of bars in St Pete and bar crawls are a very popular thing to do.
If you want to make this even more fun, then you can join the trolley pub tour! You will be on a trolley and will cycle around town while listening to music, chatting away and discovering St Pete.
You will be stopping at 4 local bars including the Dog bar and 3 Daughters Brewing.
It’s so much fun and definitely one of the best things to do in St Pete at night or during a bachelorette trip!
4. Relaxing on St Pete beach
One of the best things to do in St Petersburg Florida is going to the beach.
You will find several of them in the area but the main ones are in St Pete Beach, which is about 20 minutes drive from Downtown.
This is a great place to spend your days and evenings since you will find loads of bars, restaurants, ice-cream parlors and of course… white sand beaches.
St Pete Beach was voted the best beach in the US in 2021 so that gives you an idea of what to expect!
The sand is soft and white and you will get wonderful views of the Gulf of Mexico.
Don’t forget to keep an eye on the horizon since you might catch a glimpse of dolphins jumping.
This is also a great place to stay in St Pete since it’s home to the famous DonCesar hotel.
This hotel is located right on the beach and is entirely pink! It’s so pretty and the perfect spot for Instagram photos.
5. Discovering Street art in Downtown St Pete
If you love Street Art, then you will be in for a treat here! St Petersburg is a vibrant and colourful city and it’s home to some of the most beautiful murals in Florida.
Many artists live in St Pete and with such a big art community, it’s not surprising to find so many murals.
They are literally everywhere! There are hundreds of pieces including 50 large-scale murals.
Most of them are located between 6th Avenue South and 6 Avenue North. You will discover many of them by just walking around town but if that’s something you are interested in, you may want to consider going on a street art tour.
The St Pete Art and Mural Biking tour is an excellent option. You will be with a local guide who will tell you everything you need to know about the street art community in St Pete. It’s also a great opportunity to discover some hidden gems.
It is a biking tour which means you will be cycling around downtown and that’s always fun!
If you don’t want to join the tour, you can still discover them on your own. Here are some locations where you can find them:
- 515 22nd Street South
- 1720 Central Avenue
- 2130 Central Avenue
6. Going on a Sunset cruise in the Gulf of Mexico
Watching the sunset on the Gulf of Mexico is a must-do! It’s absolutely beautiful and if you choose to do it from a boat, it’s even better.
There are loads of sunset cruises in the area. You can’t really get it wrong however, it’s always better to book in advance to avoid any disappointment.
This sunset cruise from Madeira Beach is an excellent option.
It lasts about 2 hours during which you will see the beautiful houses on the keys, some famous St Pete landmarks, dolphins and of course the stunning colors of the sunset.
It is BYOB so feel free to bring drinks with you. You will be given access to coolers and ice.
The captain is very friendly and will make sure you are having a great time.
7. Going on a Segway tour of Downtown St Pete
If you want to make the best of your time downtown, going on a Segway tour is always a good idea.
This is a 2-hour tour during which you will discover both the famous attractions and some hidden gems. Dali Museum, the Pier, Vinoy Park Hotel… everything you must see in St Pete FL is here!
As it is a Segway tour, it’s also great for all ages. You won’t be tired by the end of it.
The guide will share with you many stories about St Pete and its landmarks. Fun and interesting at the same time!
Besides the fact that riding a segway is a super fun thing to do in St Petersburg, it’s also a great way to cover more ground and really get to see more, in less time.
You need to worry about parking your car or walking everywhere, you will simply get there with the segway.
Never tried a segway before? Don’t worry, it’s very easy and you will find it very easy to master! You definitely don’t need to know how to use it beforehand.
8. Tropical party cruise from Madeira Beach
St Pete is a great place to visit if you like to party. There are many bars, restaurants and clubs here but if you want to do something a bit different, you should consider going on a tropical party cruise.
The Calypso cruise starts from Madeira Beach (another amazing spot near St Pete Beach).
It lasts about 2 hours and includes dinner, unlimited drinks and of course, amazing views of St Pete Beach and the Gulf.
It’s a fun thing to do, especially if you are traveling with friends. You will be on the water, enjoying the views and there is an onboard DJ so you can dance as well!
9. Strolling around the Sunken Gardens
If you are looking for more unusual things to do in St Petersburg Florida, then add the Sunken Gardens to your list!
Located in the Historic Old Northeast neighborhood, the Sunken Gardens are like a slice of heaven in the middle of the city.
They are botanical gardens where you can find plants, flowers, ponds and even flamingos!
They’ve been around for over 100 years, making it one of the oldest roadside attractions in the USA and such a great place to visit with kids!
If you love taking photos, this will be a great spot as well. There are many photo opportunities!
HOW TO VISIT: You will need to buy a ticket to get in. You can do it at the front desk but you will also find tickets on Groupon. They are pretty much always on and that’s a very good deal!
10. Kayaking in St Pete
St Pete is one of the best places in Florida to go kayaking.
Whether it’s at the waterfront or in the Gulf of Mexico, there are are some amazing spots!
You will also find a few state parks near St Pete that are amazing kayaking spots.
You don’t need to have any experience kayaking since it’s not particularly challenging but it’s always good to be comfortable with water.
Unfortunately, St Pete is not one of the places in Florida where you can see bioluminescence but there is a wide range of possibilities.
Here are some recommendations:
- Glass Bottom Kayaking at Shell Key Preserve. This is one of St Pete’s best-kept secrets and one of the prettiest places to go kayaking. You can opt for a clear kayak which means you will be able to see what’s happening underneath!
- LED Illuminated Night Tours from St Pete. If you are looking for something unique to do in St Pete Beach at night, then look no further! This will be perfect for you! You will be going on a kayaking tour with a local guide. The kayaks have a glass bottom and are equipped with lights which means you can see in the water.
- Glass bottom kayak rental from Treasure Island. If you’d rather explore on your own, you can book glass-bottom kayaks directly from Treasure Island.
- Mangrove Kayak Tour. Here you will be heading to Weedon Island Preserve and paddle through mangrove tunnels. A very Florida experience!
11. Visiting the Morean Arts Center & Chihuly Collection
Located on Central Avenue, the Morean Arts Center is a place entirely dedicated to displaying pieces from local and international artists as well as providing art classes for adults and children.
It is one of the most important art centers in Tampa Bay and a great place to discover unique pieces.
It’s also particularly famous for being home to the Chihuly Collection.
This permanent collection includes 8 installations from the famous glassblower artist Dale Chihuly.
They are all incredibly pretty and so impressive! The Shapes of the Sea for example is a glass structure representing a coral reef. It’s so colorful!
PRO TIP: Make sure to watch the film at the entrance. It tells you everything you need to know about the artist and his life. Not only is it very interesting but it will help you understand the pieces even more!
HOW TO VISIT: The Center is open from Monday to Saturday. You will need to buy a ticket to access the Chihuly Collection. You can do so on their official website or at the front desk (please note they don’t accept cash though!)
PRO TIP: The Chihuly Collection is one of the attractions included in the Tampa City Pass. If you are planning to visit a few attractions in the area (including in Tampa and Clearwater), you should consider getting one. It will save you money. See prices here.
12. Dolphin Cruise
The Gulf of Mexico is known for its wildlife. Manatees and dolphins are creatures that you get to see quite a lot in the area and that’s why dolphin cruises in St Petersburg are so popular.
It’s very fun and you will be able to see dolphins from up close, while still respecting them and their natural habitat!
The Dolphin cruise lasts about 1 hour and a half and is also a great way to learn more about the local wildlife.
The guides are passionate about the local wildlife and nature and they will share with you everything they know.
Their passion is contagious and you will be amazed by everything they say!
The Dolphin cruise departs from Gulfport. It’s very easy to get there by car.
If you are travelling with kids, make sure to add this to your list since it’s one of the best family things to do in St Petersburg FL.
13. Going to St Pete Pier
St Pete Pier is one of the most recent attractions in Downtown St Petersburg. It was inaugurated in 2020 and is one of the best places to enjoy the waterfront.
It’s such a great place to visit for first-timers as well as locals.
You will enjoy the views of the waterfront and will find many attractions here including the St Petersburg Museum of History and the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center.
There are also many restaurants and cafes so if you want to grab a bite with a water view while still staying close to downtown, this is the perfect place!
If you want to get a bit of sand and do some beach activities, you can also enjoy Spa beach. It’s very convenient if you don’t want to drive to the Gulf side.
GOOD TO KNOW: There are over 500 parking spots near the Pier so no need to stress about that!
Looking for a fun activity in Downtown St Pete? Opt for the tiki boat cruise at St Pete Pier. This is a 90-minute cruise on a cute floating tiki boat.
You can bring your own drinks and enjoy the experience as well as the surroundings. You can also plug your phone on a Bluetooth speaker and enjoy some dancing! See prices here.
14. Pirate Adventure Cruise
Did you know that Tampa Bay is known for its connections with pirates?
The most famous one is José Gaspar who terrorized the Gulf of Mexico in the 18th and 19th century.
This is why the Gasparilla Pirate Festival is now celebrated in Tampa in January and that you can find many places with this name in Florida (including Gasparilla Island).
Knowing that, it won’t come as a surprise if we tell you that Pirate cruises are very popular in St Pete!
If you head to the Gulf, you will spot these pirate ships all the time.
But the good news is that you can go on a pirate adventure cruise as well!
The cruise departs from Madeira Beach and is a two-level boat with a very unique pirate design!
It’s perfect for all ages and you’ll be able to see dolphins from the boat as well as other animals like manatees, pelicans and maybe even bald eagles!
The cruise lasts about 90 minutes and it’s such a unique way to do some sightseeing in St Pete! You will also be able to take amazing photos.
If you are travelling with kids, you can be sure to be on with a winner here!
Sp, put on yer eye patch and get ready to go on an incredible adventure with the family!
15. Doing a scavenger hunt in St Pete
If you fancy exploring the city by yourself and in a fun way, you can go on a scavenger hunt. This is perfect for people who love games and want to explore the city.
You need to book it first and then will have access to the scavenger hunt on your phone. It takes about 3 hours to complete but you are free to do it at your own pace.
It’s a fun thing to do as you will discover famous sights but also solve clues and complete challenges.
If you are traveling with friends or kids, it can be a great activity. It also works out pretty cheap.
16. Exploring Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
Located about 10 minutes drive South from Central Avenue, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is a wonderful place to go if you are looking for outdoor things to do in St Petersburg.
It’s one of the best places in the area to go for hiking. Here you will walking and cycling trails that will give you a chance to discover the tropical nature and see all kinds of animals!
There is one main trail (3-mile loop) as well five smaller ones which means that you can see quite a few different things if you want to.
The main natural landmark in the park is the Lake Maggiore. As the name suggests, this is the main lake and the trail goes all around.
PRO TIP: If you are interested in visiting Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, you should consider book this bike tour. It’s really good fun and you will get to learn a lot about the ecosystem and the local wildlife. See prices here.
17. Visiting the Florida Holocaust museum
If you are into culture and history, the Florida Holocaust Museum will be the perfect activity! It’s one of the best WWII museums in the country!
Located on 5th Street South, the Florida Holocaust Museum was founded in 1992 by Walter and Edith Lobenberg who escaped persecution during WWII by finding refuge in the United States.
This is hands down, one of the best museums in Florida. While you may not expect to find it here in St Pete, it really is a gem that is worth visiting!
The museum is well set up which makes understanding and reading very easy.
You will follow the path and find many explanations about the Holocaust.
The great thing about it is that they really start from the beginning. It’s not just about the persecution itself but also about who Hitler was, how he came to power and how its doctrine was shaped.
It is a lot of reading though, so be prepared. You will spend a good 2 or 3 hours in the museum.
HOW TO VISIT: There is an entrance fee for the museum. You can buy your ticket at the front desk or on their official website.
PRO TIP: The entrance is free on the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust which is on January 27th, so if you are visiting around this time, you can save a bit of money by going on that day.
18. Discovering Jungle Prada Park
Located between Downtown and Treasure Island, Jungle Prada Park is the perfect place to visit if you are looking for unique things to do in St Petersburg FL.
This is clearly a bit of a hidden gem and most locals don’t even know about it however, it’s well worth taking the time to go.
It’s situated just about 25 minutes drive from downtown St Pete and is a great place to discover if you are into history.
The Jungle Prada site is known for being the place where the Narváez expedition landed. This ship was part of the Spanish colonization and that’s when the settlements in this part of Florida were set up.
Jungle Prada is also an archaeological where you can find amazing example of old Tocobaga mounds.
INTERESTING FACT: The Tocobaga were the native-American people from Tampa Bay.
PRO TIP: If you want to learn more about the history of St Petersburg and Tampa Bay in general, make sure to join the Jungle Prada Site History Tour. It’s incredibly interesting and so different to everything else you may do around here. See prices.
Regardless of the historical side of things, this park is a cool place to visit with kids. You’ll find walking trails and loads of picnic tables.
19. Enjoy a pool day in a luxury hotel
St Pete is home to some of the best hotels in Florida and even if you opt for more affordable accommodation, you can still enjoy a full day of luxury!
Some of the hotels including the famous DonCesar and the Saint Hotel offer day passes. You can book them on Resortpass.
They will give you access to the pool as well as other areas. This is the perfect activity for people who want to disconnect for a day and live the life!
20. Play shuffleboard
If you are looking for a very Floridan experience or more specifically a St Pete experience, shuffleboard is exactly what you need!
Shuffleboard was originally an English game but it turns out to have more momentum in Florida than anywhere else. It might have to do with the fact that Florida has a fairly old population and it’s a game particularly adapted for elderly people.
That said, it is good fun at any age!
You can find a shuffleboard ground in downtown St Pete (559 Mirror Lake Dr N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701). During the week, it’s only open to members but on Friday evenings they open it to the public for free.
It’s also BYOB which means that as well as being a fun evening, it is a very cheap thing to do in St Petersburg FL.
It’s open from 7 pm to 10 pm. You only need to go there, grab a stick and discs and start playing. I always thought it was the most authentic thing you can do in St Pete.
If you really like it and would like to go the rest of the week, taking a membership is also a good option as it’s only $35 per year (or $60 for a family).
How do you play Shuffleboard?
It’s very easy and you will get the grip of it quickly. Shuffleboard is played on a narrow court, 2 players on each side. You need to team of 2 players to have the ideal configuration. One player of each team on each side.
The scoring area (see below) is formed by 4 areas with different scores (10, 8, 7 and – 10). The purpose is to push the discs to make them glide onto the scoring area. The first team to get to 71 wins.
When you count the points, you have two options. Either you count the total for each team or if you want to spice it up and make the game longer you can only count the difference in points.
21. Discovering Sunset Vista Trailhead Park on Treasure Island
Treasure Island is a bit calmer and is home to quieter beaches. If you want to stay away from the crowds, head straight to Sunset Vista Trailhead Park. It’s only a few minutes away from St Pete Beach.
If you didn’t want to go on a sunset cruise and would rather watching the sunset from the beach, this will be a great option.
It’s also worth noting that you can see dolphins and manatees from there.
22. Grab a Cuban sandwich at Bodega
Bodega is a rustic-chic restaurant located at 1120 Central Avenue.
This little bodega has only a few tables on the side and they generally get quite busy. So they should be! Their Cuban sandwiches are simply AMAZING! It can just not go wrong!
So, if you want to try what may very well be the best Cuban sandwich of your life, go to Bodega on Central.
Sandwiches cost about $8. They also offer platters.
23. Watching a play at the Mahaffey heater
Located on the waterfront, the Mahaffey Theater is the ideal place for people who want to see a play or ballet.
While the outside is very modern and contemporary, it actually features a European box-style seating space inside which is very pretty.
The Mahaffey Theater was inaugurated in 1965 and has a seating capacity of 2,000 people.
There are several shows per week and you will have access to a wide range of genre including musicals, opera, ballet, rock music and even classical concerts.
You can also catch things like local theater productions or some comedic performances here.
If that’s something you are interested in, make sure to check what they have on. You can also book your tickets on the official website.
24. Grab a drink in a brewery
There are several breweries in St Pete. If you are downtown, I’d recommend Green Bench Brewery. If you are willing to drive for a few minutes, the 3 Daughters Brewery is well worth it.
25. Get lunch at Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Roasted coffee, an amazing deli, wine tasting… it smells and feels like Italy in there! Yep, that’s right! Mazzaro’s Italian Market is in some sort of way St Pete’s little Italy.
The atmosphere is great and the food is DELICIOUS!
If you like Italian food, you will love Mazzaro! Give it a try!
Some items can get pretty pricey but their sandwiches are about $6. I particularly recommend the Philly sandwich. So good!
Going to Mazzaro’s is one of my favourite things to do in St Pete, it just never disappoints!
It can get pretty busy between 12 and 1pm so I’d recommend going either a bit earlier or later.
26. Get a pizza at Britt’s Pizza on Treasure Island
If you are a pizza lover, you need to go to Britt’s Pizza! I’m very picky when it comes to pizzas and yet, I love this place! Britt’s offers homemade pizzas cooked in a coal-fired oven. They use fresh and tasty products. Everything is made to perfection!
I highly recommend you to go there for lunch or dinner. Alternatively, they also have delivery options!
Britt’s is located on 10709 Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL 33706.
27. Go on a food or cocktail tour
St Pete is well known for its food scene. There are many good restaurants and bars.
If you are a foodie and want to experience the food culture in St Petersburg, going on a food tour is one of the best things you can do. You will get to learn more about the culture and eat delicious dishes!
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