Is Downtown St. Pete Walkable?
Finding a parking spot can be a nightmare on a busy day in St. Petersburg, Florida. Luckily, Downtown St. Pete is walkable and has a very high walkable score!
Leave the car and walk, you’ll be so glad that you did.
In 2004, I lived on a sailboat in Demen’s Landing, I know firsthand that Downtown St. Pete is walkable. We walked to Publix and into town for dinner and along the waterfront for all of the activities taking place. It was one of the best times of my life.
Is Downtown St. Pete Walkable?
YES! You will love exploring this wonderful city on foot. While there are parking garages, metered street parking, and other lots to use, it can be expensive and a challenge to find a spot, especially on a busy day or night.
Grand Central District
The Grand Central District is located just west of downtown and must be included in this article. The Grand Central District runs from 31st Street to 16th Street and includes Central Avenue, 1st Ave N., and 1st Ave S.
This area includes more than 450 locally owned shops, businesses, restaurants, bars, professional services, art galleries, and more! The area is very dog-friendly, too, with The Dog Bar and Mutts & Martinis as well as many other haunts that allow your furry friend to join in the fun.
The Grand Central District is also the birthplace of the famous St. Pete Pride celebration, which happens to be the largest in the State of Florida and ranked in the top 40 in the world! The entire month of June is dedicated to Pride and it’s a wonderful celebration for the inclusion of all people.
The Grand Central District is a walkable neighborhood in St. Pete, whether you’re looking for dinner, drinks, entertainment, or all of the above.
Where To Stay in the Grand Central District
There is one hotel within the boundaries of The Grand Central District, TRU by Hilton. It’s a new property in a great location for Pride, events at Tropicana Field, and the interstate.
Things To Do in the Grand Central District
While you are in the Grand Central District, you can rent a bicycle from a variety of vendors, nearby, and explore beyond the boundaries of this neighborhood. The Pinellas Trail is nearby, along with a bike path leading out to the beach or the downtown waterfront.
One of the most popular tours is the St. Petersburg Awesome Mural Biking Tour. Discover more than 30 murals around St. Petersburg, curated by a local guide. The tour moves at a casual pace with stops along the way to admire the art, talk about food, and stop for a snack. This tour is located 1 block from the Grand Central District.
The EDGE District
The approximate boundaries for the EDGE District are from 16th Street east to 9th Street, or MLK Street, including Central Avenue, 1st and 2nd Avenues North and South. This area has been dubbed the quirkiest part of town and at first glance, you’ll understand why.
The EDGE District constantly evolves and grows with countless breweries, shops, eateries, bars, galleries, and entertainment. This area includes Tropicana Field and Ferg’s Sports Bar which, in my opinion, go hand in hand.
During baseball season, we don’t attend a ballgame without stopping at Ferg’s for a pre-game meal. Walking to The Trop is a breeze with the tunnel and wide sidewalk.
There’s a hidden gem in the EDGE district. Well, there are many, but one that I discovered recently that I highly recommend.
The Zubrik Magic Theater is tucked away on 1st Ave North and boasts a wonderful, family-friendly magic show. The small, intimate theater allows the performers to interact with the audience in a way you don’t get with the “mega magic” shows. It was some serious fun! I had dinner with friends at Engine No. 9, then walked to the theater for the show.
Along with these couple of places mentioned, there are so, so many places to shop, eat, and drink. The EDGE District is truly a work of art all on its own. It’s very walkable.
Central Arts District
This is the hub of the art movement in St. Petersburg. In the Central Arts District, you will find a large concentration of murals, the Morean Arts Center, and The Chihuly Collection, among other artistic touches.
I love parking in this area of Central and then walking to the waterfront, Beach Drive, or over to the EDGE District. There is so much to see and do in this little stretch of Central Avenue. It’s a vibrant and bustling city.
If you’re looking for live entertainment, The Floridan Social offers craft cocktails and live music Thursday through Sunday. This 100-year-old building has been restored to celebrate its past and look forward to the future.
Jannus Live is an open courtyard event space that can host up to 2,000 people. Some eclectic and known acts pass through town and a concert at Jannus Live is a unique experience.
Before your show, there are plenty of places in this area to drink and dine, then walk to your event. St. Pete is such a walkable city, I know you’re going to enjoy it.
Waterfront Museum District
From the waterfront to 3rd Street, 7th Avenue North to 7th Avenue South is the amazing Waterfront Museum District. This is the most picturesque area of town with the boat-filled marinas on one side and the museums and Beach Drive on the other.
This is a large area downtown St. Pete that is still walkable if you’re planning on having lunch and visiting a museum. You’ll want to wear some comfortable shoes, as this area covers a pretty large area.
If you’re visiting the Dali Museum, consider having lunch at The Hangar at the municipal airport across the street to reduce the long walk, however, even if you have lunch down on Beach Drive, it’s still a very nice scenic walk.
We had dinner on Central Avenue and walked to the Mahaffey for a show, while it is a few blocks, it was very safe and scenic. You’re also going to likely find cheaper parking if you’re attending a show. The Mahaffey charges a flat rate parking rate which is more than other area garages.
The sidewalk along the waterfront is very wide, has benches to sit on, and the views are breathtaking! Don’t miss this area to stroll along.
Where to Stay in the Waterfront Museum District
There are so many amazing places to stay in Downtown St. Pete. If you’re looking for a boutique hotel, or something more mainstream, use the interactive map, below, to search for your perfect accommodation.
The Pier District
Where do I begin on this one?! It is my all-time favorite part of town and whenever we have visitors, we always make time to visit The Pier District. The new multi-million dollar Pier District officially re-opened in 2020, and it’s just FANTASTIC!
The super-wide sidewalk has plenty of room for lots of pedestrians and the tram shuttles folks from the parking areas. At the end of the pier, there is a fishing deck, where folks can spend the day casting their bait. There are a couple of restaurants at the end, with Pier Teaki at the top with breathtaking views of the skyline.
On your walk back toward the land, an added nature-like trail winds through a display of native plant species. On the weekends, an artisan market is open along the foot of the pier with t-shirts, pet treats, artwork, spices, and lots more.
Breakin’ It Down: Is Downtown St. Pete Walkable?
Yes! You will be delighted with any walk that you take in the fabulous districts that make Downtown St. Pete so special. It’s no wonder this city is rated a great place to live, work, and play.