27 Best Things To Do In St. Petersburg
27 Best Things To Do In St. Petersburg
Nicknamed the “Sunshine City”, St. Petersburg is the best place on the West Coast of Florida for your family vacation. My list of 27 Best Things to Do In St. Petersburg has something for everyone in your family. From the young to the young at heart.
1. St. Pete Pier
The St. Pete Pier reopened in 2020 after a multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art rebuild. Extending out into Tampa Bay with breathtaking views, award-winning restaurants, and children’s activities, the St. Pete Pier will delight you and provide perfect photo opportunities.
2. St. Petersburg Museum of History
Located in the Pier District, this fun gem of a museum showcases the history of St. Petersburg, a replica of the first commercial airliner, and the world’s largest autographed baseball collection. Find a centrally located parking spot for the museum, pier, and lunch!
3. The Hangar Restaurant & Flight Lounge
The Albert Whitted Airport, nestled on the water’s edge, is home to this unique dining experience. Sit out on the balcony to dine and watch the active airfield from this unique perspective. Before dinner, take a helicopter tour!
4. Helicopter Tour
Getting an aerial view of this beautiful city will take your breath away. The highly skilled pilots, and comfortable aircraft, will give you an experience you won’t soon forget. Book your tour, here.
5. Sunken Gardens
This gem is one of the last remaining roadside attractions and boasts a 100-year history, hosting a botanical paradise in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city. This is an amazing venue for a destination wedding, too!
6. Great Explorations Children’s Museum
Great Ex, as the locals call it, can be enjoyed by the entire family, allowing children of all abilities to explore and use their imaginations. Great Ex is listed in CARD, as Autism Friendly.
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7. The Florida Holocaust Museum
The museum honors survivors and victims of the Holocaust and inspires hope for the next generation. I visited this museum on a field trip with my son several years ago. I always recommend it to my visitors because it left such an impression on me and why it’s important not to lose touch of world history.
8. Cross Bay Ferry
Just North of the pier is the Cross Bay Ferry which takes passengers across Tampa Bay to the popular Riverwalk in Tampa. A short walk will get you to the Arena, Channelside, The Straz Performing Arts Center, and a variety of other great places that the Tampa side of Tampa Bay has to offer.
9. Zubrick Magic Theater
The Magic and Illusion show in this small intimate theater will cause your jaw to drop and to have many head scratches. The show is about 70 minutes long and is great for all ages.
10. Museum of Fine Arts
This downtown museum highlights masterpieces from Monet, O’Keeffe, De Kooning, and Wiley, among others. This museum is in the heart of the Waterfront Museum District. From here, you can walk to the pier, dinner on Beach Drive, and many other attractions.
11. The Salvador Dali Museum
If you’re an art enthusiast, or just love museums, The Dali sits on the downtown waterfront and has a comprehensive collection of Salvador Dali’s masterpieces. Experience the melting clocks and visual illusions for the art lover in you. Have a refreshment at Café Gala and take home an art piece from the museum store.
12. Tropicana Field
“The Trop” is MLB’s most unique ball field, and has been threatened to be demolished for years! Get a game, while the getting’s good!
13. John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk
Along the boardwalk of John’s Pass, you’ll find Seafood restaurants, fishing charters, souvenir shops, and a whole cast of characters that roam the area.
14. Hubbard’s Marina
The staff is great, they will bait your hooks and take off your catch. At the end of the trip, they will clean your keep, too! I get it, some folks don’t like the “cattle boats”, but honestly, this is so much fun, I can’t wait to do it, again!
15. Ten Pin Lanes
You’ve just spent all day in the hot, Florida sun, playing in the sand and surf. Now, you could use a nice air-conditioned activity that has a full liquor bar and typical bar food. Take your family bowling!
16. Ft. Desoto Park
Picnic pavilions, a multi-use trail, kayaking opportunities, hundreds of bird species, and a great view of Tampa Bay’s shipping channel, are some of the features of the county’s largest park. Take the kids to explore the old military post and batteries. A day at Ft. Desoto can be long, be sure to read my 9 Great Tips for Avoiding Sunburn At The Beach.
17. Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier
The remnants from the original Skyway bridge are open for fishing 24/7. Rub your lucky icon and catch the big one!
18. Dolphin Landings Charter Boat Center
The crew are friendly, and knowledgeable, and will make you feel welcome aboard their highly maintained vessels. Choose a morning, afternoon, or sunset cruise. Charters to Shell Key and Egmont Key are also offered.
19. Tampa Bay Grand Prix
For something a bit off the beaten track, the indoor kart track offers the fastest karts around. It’s another activity to get out of the sun and, maybe, out of your comfort zone.
20. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
Visit the park for a hike or take a 2-hour bicycle tour through the preserve. Witness dozens of various wildlife species in their habitats.
21. Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail
The old railroad line turned multi-use path, strings for 47 miles from Tarpon Springs in North County, to Gulfport in South County.
22. Morean Arts Center and Chihuly Collection
Once the Art Club of St. Petersburg dating back to 1917, the Morean Arts Center offers a variety of art, classes, adult and children programs.
23. Fairgrounds St. Pete
A first of its kind, Fairgrounds St. Pete is the area’s destination for immersive art and technology and highlights weird, wacky, and wonderful Florida.
24. Weedon Island Nature Preserve
Once inhabited by indigenous peoples for thousands of years, the preserve now protects more than 3,100 acres of natural area. Weedon Island is great for kayaking, birding, and fishing. Visit the educational facility or take a guided archaeology walk, or hike the preserves. Pack a picnic and spend the day.
25. Duncan McClellan Gallery
Located in the warehouse district, the Duncan McClellan Gallery features local and international glass artists. The gallery also includes a large, outdoor sculpture garden.
26. Mazzaro’s Italian Market
This St. Pete staple gives the visitor sensory overload! So much to see, smell, and taste, you will be amazed with a visit to the area’s #1 culinary destination.
27. St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market
During the cooler, winter season, the market is located in the parking lot of Al Lang Stadium, during the hot summer, it’s up in Williams Park, for some shade. Check the market’s website for the current location and hours.
Breakin’ it down: 27 Best Things To Do In St. Petersburg
While this is not an all-encompassing list of things to do when you visit the St. Petersburg area, these are the best things to do as a general overview of this lively, vibrant area.