If Florida is the “Sunshine State,” then St. Petersburg is the reason for this enticing
nickname. The seaside city regularly takes the trophy for the most consecutive days with
sunshine in America. As such, it’s known for warm weather, world-class beaches, quality
shopping, and decadent dining. From St. Pete Beach to John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk
to the Sunken Gardens, most of the best things to do in St. Petersburg, FL, are outdoors.
If you thought St. Pete was all sand and surf, you might be surprised to learn that there’s
also a thriving art scene in the city. It’s home to one of the world’s best Salvador
Dali museums, and the Chihuly Collection on Central Avenue holds some of the best works
by famed American glass artist Dale Chihuly. So if you’re looking for things to do in
St. Petersburg, FL, or curious to see if it’s the spot for your next American vacation,
watch on for our top picks in this perfect all-season destination.
1. Dali Museum
Believe it or not, the Salvador Dali museum in St. Pete has the most extensive collection
of this surrealist artist’s works outside of his native Spain. Enter, and you can see
famed canvases like The Hallucinogenic Toreador and Eggs on a Plate without the Plate in the
flesh. The building itself, designed by architect Yann Weymouth, is also a delight to roam around,
making it an excellent place for art lovers or those without a taste for art to visit.
The bug-eye-like windows, made of over one thousand triangular panes of glass, reflect
the waterfront view in front of the building. There’s also a labyrinth to get lost in
and a Fountain of Youth.
2. St. Pete Beach
There’s just no denying it; St. Petersburg has a ton of really great beaches. But none
rival those on St. Pete Beach. This island community boasts some of the wildest, sportiest,
and summer-ready beaches in America. All the beaches are well-maintained, making the soft
white sand safe for kids’ tender feet and, of course, the water Gulf of Mexico-warm year-round.
There are tons of budget to luxury hotels to choose from, unique boutiques, arts, and
craft galleries, and refined to beach-casual eateries. We suggest heading to the Corey
Avenue area if you want to enjoy a spot of shopping and chowing after lazing on the beach
all day. Are you looking for more deep dives into what to see and do at the most exciting
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3. The Woodson African American Museum of Florida
This African American history museum was named after Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who founded Black
History Month—making it a must-visit destination. The museum is on a mission to preserve, present,
and interpret African American history, promoting an understanding of equal rights among the
St. Petersburg community. Exhibits include temporary and visiting art exhibitions, and
there are ongoing jazz nights, historical walks, artist meet-and-greets, and an art
walk. Be sure to check the museum’s website before visiting to find out what you can add
to your vacation itinerary.
4. Weedon Island Nature Preserve
If you’re a nature buff, you’ll find lots to explore in the Weedon Island Nature Preserve.
The park spans just over 3,000 acres and has an array of ocean and land ecosystems. Hiking
trails run throughout the preserve, allowing you to observe mangrove, oak, and pine forests,
tidal inlets, and a wide variety of wildlife up close and personal. There’s also a cultural
and historical center that tells the story of the region’s archaeological finds. There
are picnic and fishing spots and also opportunities to engage in watersports like kayaking. Plan
to spend at least one day here.
5. The Mahaffey Theater
If you’re a fan of the TV show Glee, you’ll need to add “catching a show at The Mahaffey
Theater” to your itinerary. Catch a performance of the internally renowned Florida Orchestra
or the always-sell-out Shut Up and Laugh comedy series. Or take the kids to the family-friendly
Clifford the Big Red Dog musical. The theatre has astonishingly great acoustics and views
from every seat, so don’t worry about booking seats in less desirable locations if you need
to cut costs. Consider the convenient dinner delivery service—where meals from local
restaurants of your choice are delivered to the theater atrium before the show—to save
you some time.
6. John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk
Do you love shopping outdoors? How about shopping outdoors right over the ocean? Well, you can
do just that at John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk. There are about 50 shops and eateries
to stop in on, from clothing boutiques and toy shops to ice cream parlors and seafood
restaurants with sea views. But if you’re there to see the sea, it’s not necessary
to visit a restaurant. The wooden boardwalk takes you right out over the ocean, so there
are views from anywhere you happen to be. So grab a donut or a craft brew and watch
the sun dip below the horizon.
7. The Chihuly Collection
If you love sculpture art or simply think you’ll find huge things crafted out of colorful
glass interesting, this one’s not to be missed! The Chihuly Collection holds one of
the world’s most extensive collections of art by American glass artist Dale Chihuly.
This artist is known for immense sculptures and chandeliers, all exquisitely created from
hand-blown glass. Be sure to check out the glass-blowing demonstration at the Glass Studio
& Hot Shop while you’re there—it’s located within the Morean Arts Center right nearby.
If you’re really into glass art, sign up for a 30-minute class, where you’ll make
your very own glass object to take home with you.
8. Saturday Morning Market
Keen to experience a different kind of weekend brunch? Head to the bustling St. Petersburg
Saturday Morning Market and have your pick of eat-on-the-stroll morsels from Irish pies
or Jamaican patties. If you’re staying with family or in accommodation with a kitchen,
buy your holiday supplies here. There’s an abundance of farm-fresh, locally grown
fruits, and vegetables to choose from. And to keep you entertained, there’s a string
of street performers; think clowns, balloon artists, magicians, and musicians. Just be
aware that the market is only open between October and May, so if you really want to
visit, schedule your vacation accordingly.
9. Museum of Fine Arts
Are you looking to broaden your art and culture education? Add the Museum of Fine Arts, St.
Petersburg, to your list of things to do in the city. It’s right in the heart of downtown,
so there’s really no excuse not to visit. Stay just long enough to catch a glimpse of
the Monets and Renoirs on show in the permanent collection, spend longer wandering around
the sculpture garden and Steuben glass gallery, or time your visit with one of the many traveling
exhibitions in fashion, collectibles, and more. It’s cheap to get in, too: just $20
for adults and $5 for kids with cheaper tickets on Thursdays. There’s a cafe on-site, often
with live music.
10. Ride the Ferry to Tampa
You might be vacationing in St. Petersburg, but that doesn’t mean you need to cross
all other Florida beach cities off your visit list. Luckily, it’s only $8 for adults and
$3 for kids one way to jump on the high-speed ferry and jet off across the ocean to Tampa.
It takes about 50 minutes to make the trip: you get on at Vinoy Basin in St. Pete and
jump off at The Florida Aquarium in Tampa. But, beware, the Cross-Bay Ferry doesn’t
run on Mondays and Tuesdays.
11. Tropicana Field
Are you keen to work a baseball game into your trip away? Then be sure to check what’s
on at Tropicana Field before you head off. This dome-covered sports stadium is a hop,
skip, and jump from downtown St. Petersburg, so it’s guaranteed to entertain both the
sporty and not so in your family. That’s because it’s the only sports facility in
America (maybe the world) that hosts an aquarium with cow-nose rays. You can feed, interact
with, and even touch the stingrays while taking in a game at the same time!
12. Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks
Okay, so this one isn’t actually in St. Pete, but we thought it worth a mention since
the history is so fascinating—plus, it’s an easy 45-minute drive. The main claim to
fame in this seaside city is its sea sponge history. In the late 1800s, residents discovered
a demand for the sponges that naturally grew on the seabed. The townsfolk encouraged expert
divers to come over from Greece, which created a thriving Greek community. Head here to learn
more about the fascinating sponge harvest history, buy sponge-related souvenirs, and
tempt your tastebuds with authentic Greek cuisine.
13. Sunken Gardens
Have you ever been curious how the Sunken Gardens got their name? Way back in the early
1900s, George Turner Sr. bought six acres of land and drained a small lake in the middle
of the land to create his garden. This gave the gardens their name. Today, the park encompasses
a still-large area of 4 acres and is easily accessible from downtown St. Pete. The gardens
boast a collection of over 50,000 tropical plants and a considerable bird population.
Highlights include the Japanese Garden, orchid arbor, and the Wishing Well.
Do you think this is a comprehensive list of things to do in St. Petersburg, FL? Or
would you add some places, events, or sites we’ve missed? Debate the not-to-be-missed
areas and share your secret spots in the comment section below. If you want to watch more videos
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