Top Things to Do in St. Petersburg, Florida

The Dalí Museum in Snell Isle, (about a 10-minute drive from most downtown hotels), houses one of the largest Salvador Dalí collections outside of Spain. Even from the museum's exterior, you'll feel Dalí's inspiration through its dramatic glass “enigma” shape. 

Depending on your level of interest, you can plan to spend 1–2 hours—or longer if you want to really absorb everything. Tickets range around $30 per adult, $12 ages 6-12, and children 5 or younger are free. Alternatively, and conveniently located five minutes from the Dalí museum, the Chihuly Collection showcases Dale Chihuly’s blown glass art in a space that's meant to accentuate each curve and color. 

If you’re traveling with kids or want to mix things up, the Museum of Fine Arts, Morean Arts Center, and Great Explorations Children’s Museum are all within a 10-minute drive of the city center. Admission varies but typically ranges from $10 to $20. Most people spend an hour or two at each center.

St. Pete Pier is a 26-acre waterfront destination that’s become the neighborhood spot for everything from morning walks to evening events. At the edge of downtown, the pier is within walking distance of nearby, popular restaurants, shops, and interactive exhibits. 

Concerts and events are common throughout the year. Plan to spend an hour or two—longer if you want to browse the shops or grab a meal.

Downtown’s waterfront parks stretch along Tampa Bay, offering shaded walking paths, playgrounds, and plenty of spots to hang or catch the sunset. North Straub Park in the heart of downtown is perfect for a picnic or jog in the park.

For a beach break, head to Spa Beach at the base of the pier. It’s one of the only places in the city where you can swim in the bay and enjoy sunrise and sunset from the same spot. Entry to the pier and parks is free; bring a few dollars if you'd like to rent a bike or get snacks.

November at Vinoy Park hosts the St. Pete Country Fest, which features country music artists across two stages, and the SHINE St. Pete Mural Festival. The Country Fest includes family-friendly activities, drink vendors, and comes with several ticket options or tiers to choose from.

SHINE, hosted by the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, focuses on large-scale murals and special events, and this year it's partnering with ocean conservationist organization PangeaSeed Foundation's Sea Walls program (according to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay). 

Just a few blocks from downtown, the Sunken Gardens stretches across 4 acres of "well-established botanical gardens". This century-old garden is where some of the region’s oldest tropical plants species live, plus you can find a quiet corner perfect for an afternoon picnic. 

Sit and spot flamingos and other resident birds, or take a break by one of the small ponds and fountains. Admission is around $15 for adults. Most people spend an hour or two, give or take.

The St. Petersburg Dunedin Food Tour occurs weekly on Saturday and Sunday afternoons (what better way to spend the weekend?) Also, another place to check for some good food is Central Avenue; it's St. Pete's alleged culinary distrinct. 

Popular restaurants in St. Pete's include Il Ritorno (on the 400th block) for modern Italian. Brick & Mortar (500 block) is more upscale, and uses farm-to-table cooking. For sushi, Pacific Counter and The Lure (located on the 600 block) are excellent choices for a quick lunch or dinner. Classic Cuban sandwiches and fresh juices are available at Bodega on 1100 block. Baba (2700 block) serves up Greek and Lebanese plates in a cozy space.  

St. Pete also has an growing craft beer scene, with a few local breweries to choose from. Try Cycle Brewing for their famous stouts, or stop by St. Pete Brewing Company and Green Bench Brewing Co. Many spots along Central Avenue offer live music, which makes for an ideal way to enjoy a cool craft brew.

To get a feel for the city, walk along Beach Drive. This isn’t just a sidewalk; it’s the city's front porch, and runs right along the edge of Tampa Bay. It's the place to people-watch, enjoy the waterfront views and the sailboats glide by.

Walk the waterfront and see beautiful views of Tampa Bay, public art installations, and plenty of green space. The Museum of Fine Arts anchors the southern end of Beach Drive, while Vinoy Park provides expansive lawn areas perfect for picnics and events.

You're also 15 minutes from the city's award-winning beaches and neighboring areas, such as Pete Beach and Madeira Beach, makes it a perfect base for exploring the region.

Check St. Pete's Tropicana Field in downtown is where Tampa Bay's MLB team, the Tampa Bay Rays, play. The city's professional soccer team, the Tampa Bay Rowdies, also play in downtown St. Pete, at the Al Lang Stadium.

Downtown St Pete's Beach Drive is said to be the "de facto hub for upscale culture and nightlife", if that's your thing. Old Northeast is an idyllic area to visit, with tree-lined streets and waterfront green spaces. It's also where Vinoy Park is located (where the Sunken Gardens are).

Grand Central District along Central Avenue has an eclectic mix of antique shops, vintage stores, and local businesses. Anyone with an appreciation for culture and the arts should go to the Warehouse Arts District; it's where most contemporary working studios and galleries are. Visit during a monthly art walk to meet local artists and see how new works come to life. 

Williams Park downtown is another popular area for events, and generally a place where people like to hang. Other notable areas include Historic Kenwood (an arts hub famous for its bungalow-style homes), Historic Uptown, Snell Isle, Crescent Lake, and Coquina Key.