Spring Break In St. Petersburg: Ultimate Guide 2024
Spring Break In St. Petersburg: Ultimate Guide 2024
Are you thinking about your Spring Break destination for 2024? You’ve come to the right place. Considering St. Petersburg, Florida, is a great idea. I’ve lived here for over 20 years and have some awesome suggestions for you! Let’s take a look.
St. Petersburg is full of arts and culture, beautiful white sandy beaches, craft breweries, and amazing restaurants. Your Spring Break in St. Petersburg will be filled with plenty of things to do and lots of great memories.
💡ProTip: CityPASS Tampa Bay is the best deal for the top attractions. You pay one low price and get admission to 5 top, local, attractions including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium, and ZooTampa. Then, you pick 2 more attractions to round out the pass!
Downtown St. Petersburg vs. The Beaches
If you’ve decided that coming to Florida for vacation is the right fit, and St. Petersburg is on your shortlist, do you want to be on the beach, or in the downtown area? This will be your toughest decision, however, wherever you decide to stay, it will be fantastic!
The downtown area is very walkable, or use one of the many bikes or scooters to get around. The public transportation is handy and there is the SunRunner that will take you over to the beach. More on that, later.
Of course, if you’re looking for nothing but sunshine and relaxation, the beach side of St. Pete can’t be beat! This area is known for its award-winning, white sandy beaches, clear water, and pristine coastline. You can’t go wrong by spending your Spring Break on the beach!
I’ll start with the Downtown area, then I’ll move out to the beaches. Both are wonderful options and will give you lasting memories from your vacation.
Where To Stay In Downtown St. Petersburg
💲Ponce de Leon Hotel – Smack dab in the heart of the downtown area, across the street from the marina and the Pier District, this property has the best location and the best price.
This stylish, historic hotel was built in the 1920s and features free WiFi, a tapas restaurant, and a nightclub, on-site, and within walking distance of all of the downtown attractions.
Check rates and availability at the Ponce de Leon Hotel by clicking, HERE!
💲💲AC Hotel St. Petersburg – This is a new Mariott property and offers private parking, breakfast, an outdoor swimming pool, a Cuban-inspired bistro on an outdoor terrace, and walking distance to anything you’d want to do downtown.
Check rates and availability at the AC Hotel St. Petersburg by clicking, HERE!
💲💲💲The Vinoy, Autograph Collection – Rich in history and elegance, indulge yourself with a stay at the Vinoy. This property opened in 1926 and has recently been renovated and rebranded into Mariott’s Autograph Collection. The hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and will engulf you with elegance with every turn.
Check rates and availability at The Vinoy, Autograph Collection, HERE!
Use this interactive map to see ALL accommodations in downtown St. Petersburg.
Things To Do In Downtown St. Petersburg
Where do I begin? I called downtown “home” for a short time, living on a sailboat in Demen’s Landing. There is always so much going on and since St. Pete is such a walkable city, it’s easy to get around.
Dali Museum – If you’re looking for a top-notch museum, you’ll love this quirky building that houses a vast collection of Salvador Dali’s artwork and drawings.
The building is unmistakable on the waterfront, with its geodesic dome and new 360 immersive sphere and you’ll be given an in-depth look into this art genius’s mad mind.
Along with the Dali Museum, St. Petersburg is home to many other wonderful Museums, such as:
- St. Petersburg Museum of History
- The Florida Holocaust Museum
- The Imagine Museum
- Museum of Fine Arts
- The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art
- Chihuly Collection
- Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement
- Great Explorations Museum
The Pier District – The newly opened (2020) pier is the gem of St. Petersburg, jetting out into Tampa Bay with spectacular views of the skyline. This 26-acre district is modern, trendy, and just a cool place to hang out.
Take your fishing pole to the end and cast a line, grab a drink at Pier Tiki, or just stroll along the wide sidewalks of the new pier.
The Mahaffey Theater – Catch a show at the beautiful, waterfront, Mahaffey Theater. This theater boasts a long list of class act productions, musical acts, and The Florida Orchestra performances.
Also Read: 27 Best Things To Do In St. Petersburg
Bicycle Tours In Downtown St. Petersburg
Absolutely the best way to see the downtown area is to take a bicycle tour. Tour along the historic neighborhoods and scenic waterfront. Cruise by eclectic shops and museums. Your experienced local guide will give you great information about what to see and what to do.
One of the most comprehensive outfitters for bicycle tours is St. Pete Biking Tours. The most popular tour is to ride around and see the amazing murals that color up our city. They also offer a Welcome To St. Pete tour, a History and Heritage tour, and a bike ride to Gulfport.
If you’d prefer to rent a bike and do a self-guided tour, there are plenty of options. You can read more about those, here.
St. Pete Biking Tours: Book Your Tour, Now!
Spring Sporting Events
Spring Break in St. Petersburg also means baseball spring training, the Firestone Grand Prix, and Hockey!
Baseball – America’s favorite pastime, as they say. Well, you’re in luck. The Philadelphia Phillies’ spring training camp is in Clearwater, The Toronto BlueJays’ camp is in Dunedin and the NY Yankees play in Tampa. Granted, these are not in St. Pete, but if you’re jonesin’ for a ball game and ice-cold beer, we’ve got you covered.
If you happen to be in the St. Pete area during the regular season, do not miss the final opportunities to catch a ball game at Tropicana Field. The powers that be have been trying to tear that stadium down for years! There may be a new stadium deal in the works, which means, Tropicana’s days are numbered.
Firestone Grand Prix – 2024 will mark the 20th year the Firestone Grand Prix has run through the streets of downtown St. Petersburg. The race will take place from March 8-10, 2024, and the backdrop for this spectacle couldn’t be better! Plan ahead for this event by buying race tickets early.
Hockey – Over in Tampa, our beloved hockey team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, plays through April. Cool off with a hockey game across the bay after being out in the hot blazing sun!
Dining In Downtown St. Petersburg
Oh boy, we could be here awhile! The list of amazing places to dine is quite extensive, but here are a couple of my recommendations.
400 Beach Seafood & Taphouse – An upscale seafood and Grille in the heart of the trendy downtown St. Pete area. Indoor and outdoor dining with coastal cuisine for all tastes. For a less expensive option, try their lunch menu, mid-day. Same great experience!
Red Mesa Cantina – This is our go-to place if we’re catching a show at the Maffey Theater or another event, downtown. I mean, who does not love a great Mexican meal?! You will not be disappointed. For a more intimate Mexican dining experience, check out their sister restaurant on 4th Street, Red Mesa.
Engine No. 9 – Touted as the “Best Burger In St. Pete”, Engine No. 9 offers an eclectic variety of gourmet prime beef burgers. I had the Black N Blue and oh goodness, it was gooood!
Public Transportation Between Downtown and the BEACH!
So you’ve decided to stay in the downtown area, but you still need a beach fix. That’s totally understandable! Leave your vehicle parked and take the SunRunner from downtown to the Beach, and back. Click the map for more information on this service.
This very convenient, and affordable, bus service takes the stress out of finding a parking spot so you can start soaking up the sun, faster.
Oh wait, you’re staying on the beach but want to check out the downtown area? The SunRunner is your connection between the two!
Where To Stay On The Beach
Staying on the beach during the spring break season is going to be at a premium during this time. Here are a few of my favorite places, but please, book early!
💲Sirata Beach Resort – Located on St. Pete Beach, the Sirata has all of the amenities that you would expect from a beach-side resort, like, parking, an outdoor swimming pool, and a private beach area with spectacular views of the sunset!
Check rates and availability at the Sirata Beach Resort by clicking, HERE!
💲💲The Saint Hotel – Also located on St. Pete Beach, this hip and trendy, all-suite, hotel is the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy your vacation. The property features private parking, an outdoor swimming pool, an on-site restaurant, and a happy hour!
Check rates and availability at The Saint Hotel by clicking, HERE!
💲💲💲The Don CeSar – If you’re looking for the ultimate getaway, where luxury meets relaxation, look no further. The “Pink Palace” sits proudly on the white sands of St. Pete Beach and boasts a nearly 100-year history. Enjoy the full-service Spa Oceana, fine dining at the Maritana, or a cold poolside drink from the Beacon Pool Bar. Relax in your private beach cabana and watch the sunset in front of this iconic resort.
Check rates and availability at The Don Cesar, HERE!
Of course, there are a plethora of hotels and resorts along the beach. Use this interactive map to find your special getaway location.
Things To Do On The Beach
Aside from popping open your beach towel and soaking up the sunshine, by the way, don’t forget lots of SPF to avoid getting a sunburn, there are some amazing activities to do along the beaches.
Let’s Go Fishing! – Whether you like to go fishing or not, I say, any day on the water is a great day! Take a charter fishing boat out for a deep-sea or inshore fishing experience. Captain Experiences offers a variety of vetted captains for inshore and offshore excursions.
Don’t Miss Out! Book Your Fishing Excursion, HERE!
Dolphin Landings Charter Boats – If fishing is not your thing, but you still want to take an amazing boat ride, check out Dolphin Landings.
I was a first mate with them years ago, it was an exciting time! Captain Dan takes great care of his fleet and crew to offer an award-winning experience.
Choose from daytime dolphin watch tours, shuttles to Shell Key / Egmont Key, or choose a romantic sunset sail.
John’s Pass Village – Need some retail therapy? A fresh seafood dinner? Live Music? John’s Pass Village can check all of those boxes. Located at the southern end of Madeira Beach, spend the afternoon walking through the kitschy shops and having a meal with a view of the Pass.
Parasailing – Get the trill of a lifetime from parasailing in the Gulf of Mexico. This parasailing outfit has over 25 years of experience and departs from John’s Pass, Madeira Beach. Up to 3 people can experience this exhilarating activity. Choose to add on a go-pro and photo package, additional.
Tampa Bay is not known as a SCUBA diving destination, however, there are many wonderful dive shops to get your certifications or refreshers.
Also Read: Amazing Beaches In St. Petersburg
Dining On The Beach
Again, this list could be quite lengthy, but a couple of my favorites are listed, below.
PJ’s Oyster Bar – This family-friendly eatery, located on St. Pete Beach, offers a wide variety of seafood and landlubber dishes. PJ’s has been around for 30 years and never disappoints.
Caddy’s – Caddy’s now has 5 Tampa Bay locations, but my favorite will always be the original location on Treasure Island.
For a long time, it was the ONLY place where you could sit on the beach, toes in the sand, watching the sunset, and eating your dinner. How cool is that?! Parking can be very tricky, here, as this is a very popular place.
Use the FREE beach shuttle ride service and leave your car at your hotel for a hassle-free experience.
La Croisette – Enjoy a classic American breakfast with a French twist. You definitely will not leave this place and still be hungry, the portions are large and the menu variety is vast.
Day Trippin’ From St. Petersburg
Not only is Spring Break in St. Petersburg area just wonderful, but so is the surrounding area. If you’re looking for a day trip, here are a couple of suggestions. Pick up a PubSub and go explore! (Publix Subs are great for a day trip!)
Crystal River – Step back in time by visiting an Old Florida River town. Roughly 90 minutes north of St. Petersburg you’ll find the charming Crystal River.
This is the only place in Florida where you can swim with the manatees. Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Manatee season runs from mid-November through the end of March. This is when the Gulf of Mexico temperatures drop and the manatees seek refuge in the relatively warmer natural spring waters.
If your visit is not during the manatee season, still plan a day trip and take a kayak tour for an unforgettable experience. This area of Florida is so pretty and away from the touristy hustle and bustle of the beach scene.
New Port Richey – On the Northern edge of the Tampa Bay Region is another River town, New Port Richey. This little town has a lot of history and a great downtown to walk around in. Have a meal, go axe throwing, enjoy the beautiful Simms Park, or rent a boat to tour the river and the stilt houses in the Gulf of Mexico.
Breakin’ It Down: Spring Break In St. Petersburg
There just aren’t enough hours in the day to write a blog post about how amazing your Spring Break in St. Petersburg will be. I’ve called Tampa Bay “home” for more than 20 years and I still love discovering new and exciting gems to share with you. Enjoy your trip planning, email me if you have any questions!
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