20 Things To Do in St Petersburg, Florida

St. Petersburg is a delightful city on Florida’s west coast, known for abundant sunshine, a unique art scene and lively culture. The locals fondly call this city in the Tampa Bay Area near Clearwater Beach and Downtown Tampa “St Pete,” but it’s also known as the “Sunshine City” because of the number of consecutive sunny days the city has each year.

In 1875, John C. Williams of Detroit, Michigan, purchased land in Florida, which today is known as St. Petersburg. Williams and Peter Demens, built a railroad that reached the site in 1888. And the city earned the name “St. Petersburg” from a coin toss which resulted in honouring Demens’s birthplace in Russia.

You will find many attractions in St. Petersburg, whether you’d like to watch a sports game, admire eclectic art or enjoy the beautiful outdoors. And as an arts and culture hub, the breadth of things to do in St. Petersburg will keep you busy day and night.

St Petersburg, Florida

20 Things To Do in St Petersburg

1- Camp By The Waterfront at Fort De Soto Park

Fort De Soto Park is consistently ranked as a top spot for families to have fun as the beach offers snorkelling, swimming, kayaking and a pirate ship playground.

The park is excellent for spotting spot wildlife and marine life, being part of five connected keys: Madelaine Key, St. Jean Key, St. Christopher Key, Bonne Fortune Key and Mullet Key.

Bridges connect these keys, giving you easy access to all the fun.

A popular activity is to take the ferry in Fort De Soto Park to Egmont Key, home to a historic lighthouse and the ruins of Fort Dade.

Fort De Soto Park is at 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, FL 33715.

Recommended tour: Egmont Key Ferry from Ft. DeSoto Park

2- Visit The Sunken Gardens

The Sunken Gardens is St. Pete’s oldest living museum, dating over 100 years old.

Gardens visitors can walk along winding paths featuring thousands of different species of tropical plants and flowers.

Some of these plants are the oldest in the entire region.

The park also offers special events, including yoga and meditation.

If you’re visiting the Sunken Gardens, treat the grounds with respect, stay on the path, and refrain from touching or taking plants.

These measures ensure that the Sunken Gardens can live for another 100 years.

The Sunken Gardens is at 1825 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704.

3- Take In The Stunning Views On A Sunset Cruise

The best way to experience St. Petersburg is to get on the water.

A sunset cruise on the waters of Tampa Bay or the Gulf Coast of Mexico is an unforgettable experience and the perfect spot for a romantic date night.

Luckily, St. Pete knows its sunset cruises are a hot commodity, so plenty of boat tour companies exist.

We recommend booking in advance as spots fill up quickly!

Recommended tours:

• Suncoast Sailing’s Sunset Sailing Experience!
• St Petersburg Speed Boat Adventure
• Shared 1-1/2 Hr Small Group Sunset Cruise from St. Pete Beach

4- Catch A Tampa Bay Rays Game At Tropicana Field

Tropicana Field is one of our favourite stadiums to watch a baseball game.

The expansive stadium sizes up to over 1.1 million sq. ft. (92,903 sq.m) and has a dome ceiling, which is excellent for hot summer days.

The grounds also feature concessions selling a smorgasbord of tasty treats such as classic hotdogs, cotton candy and popcorn, Cuban sandwiches, crispy fish tacos, and crab mac and cheese.

The best part of Tropicana field is the interactive Rays Touch Experience, which allows visitors to learn and touch cow nose stingrays that are cared for by the Florida Aquarium staff.

Tropicana Field is at 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg, FL 33705.

5- Have A Waterfront Picnic At Vinoy Park

Vinoy Park is a common place for locals to hang out in downtown St. Petersburg.

Named after the hotel, which stands next to the park, this waterfront park offers some of the most scenic views in the area.

This is where the locals go picnicking, reading or enjoying the city’s rotating events, such as festivals, concerts and parades.

Vinoy Park is at 701 Bayshore Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

Recommended tour: 2-Hour Guided Segway Tour

6- Take Your Cocktails Out To Sea On A Private Tiki Boat Bar

St. Pete has many bars and lounges to enjoy a cocktail, but for a quintessential Florida experience, take your bar hopping to the next level by hiring your own personal tiki boat bar.

Available for reservation, these tiki cruises allow groups of 8 to 12 to float around the bay and enjoy cocktails while taking in the fantastic scenery of the waters and shoreline.

We’ve gathered some top-rated tiki boat bars in St. Pete below.

• Tiki Boat from St. Pete Pier – The Only Authentic Floating Tiki Bar
• Calypso Breeze Tropical Party Cruise
• Tiki Boat Tour from Madeira Beach

7- Check Out The Extensive Surrealist Art At The Salvador Dali Museum

St. Petersburg has many galleries and art shows where you can view beautiful artworks but if there’s one gallery you must visit, it’s The Dali. 

The museum is a nonprofit organisation that preserves Salvador Dalí’s work and legacy.

Known for his surrealism, such as melting clocks and other visual illusions, this museum is exceptional.

Visitors can experience a virtual reality exhibit, student exhibits and Dali’s masterworks in augmented reality.

The Dali (Salvador Dali Museum) is at 1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

8- Shop At The St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market

Immersive yourself in St Petersburg’s daily life and culture by wandering around this market.

The Saturday Morning Market in St. Petersburg features over 130 vendors for crafts, fresh farm foods, live music and other unique finds.

During the winter months (October to May), the St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market is held at Al Lang Stadium but moves to its 1st Street location during the summer.

The St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market is at 230 1st St SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

9- Hike The Trails At Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

Located on the shores of Lake Maggiore is a 245-acre (99 ha) protected area in St. Petersburg.

The Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is a perfect place to connect with nature.

Visitors to the preserve can participate in hiking, fishing, nature camps, learning programs at the Lake Maggiore Environmental Education Center, exploring the on-site Pioneer Settlement Museum, and other fun activities.

To stay the night, check out the Terry Tomalin Campground, named after a former Tampa Bay Times outdoors writer.

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is at 1101 Country Club Way S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705.

10- Take The Kids To Great Explorations Children’s Museum

Finding an activity to keep the kids occupied can be a challenge that this children’s museum in St. Pete takes care of.

Great Explorations Children’s Museum offers children the opportunity to learn about science, innovation and creativity through hands-on exhibits and special events.

The museum also offers summer camps, birthday parties, special learning and field trips.

The museum is open Monday to Saturday (10.30 am to 4 pm) and Sunday (12 to 4 pm). Tickets start at $15.

Purchase a membership if you plan to visit the Great Explorations Museum more than once.

Great Explorations Children’s Museum is at 1925 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704.

11- Go Fishing At Skyway Fishing Pier State Park

Spend enough time in St. Petersburg and you’ll soon discover that fishing is an extremely popular activity.

The most popular fishing spot is the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, where the old bridge has been the world’s longest fishing pier.

Top catches are snook, tarpon, grouper, black sea bass and Spanish mackerel.

Fishers also love this spot because the bridge is lit at night, making it easy to bait and cast their lines.

The Skyway Fishing Pier State Park is open 24 hours a day all year round and charges a $4 per vehicle entry fee.

Skyway Fishing Pier State Park is at I-275, St. Petersburg, FL 33711.

12- Enjoy An Outdoor Concert At The St. Pete Pier

When visiting St. Petersburg, you must go to St. Pete Pier, the city’s hub for dining, entertainment and fun activities.

Enjoy green spaces, a fantastic beach, a splash pad, a pavilion and the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center.

Some of our favourite restaurants at the pier are Teak and Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille.

The pier opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes at 11 pm daily, but the marketplace is only open from 10 am to 6 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Check with the restaurants individually, as their hours vary as well.

St. Pete Pier is at 600 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

Recommended tour: 4-Hour St. Pete Pier to Egmont Key Tour

13- Watch Live Glass Blowing At The Chihuly Collection

The Chihuly Collection at the Morean Arts Center is a permanent gallery featuring the unique works of world-renowned glass blower Dale Chihuly.

Some of Chihuly’s most famous works that can be viewed include Macchia, Ikebana, Niijima Floats, Persians and Tumbleweeds.

Visitors can even enjoy live glass-blowing demonstrations.

The museum operates from Monday to Saturday (10 am to 5 pm) and Sundays (12 to 5 pm). Tickets start at $20.

Chihuly Collection is at 720 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

14- Soak Up The Sunshine On A Beautiful Beach

When you’re on Florida’s coast, one of the priorities is to enjoy its beautiful beaches.

St. Petersburg is near many famous west coast beaches, including St. Pete Beach, Madeira Beach and Treasure Island Beach.

Grab your towel, a chair and an umbrella as you sink your toes into the sugary white sand and dive into the clear water of the Gulf of Mexico.

An unforgettable day of fun and relaxation awaits.

Each beach access has plenty of parking, but if you are visiting during the popular summer months, you should plan to get there early to secure your spot.

• Madeira Beach is at 14400 Gulf Blvd, Madeira Beach, FL 33708.
• St. Petersburg Beach is at 4700 Gulf Blvd, St Pete Beach, FL 33706.
• Treasure Island Beach is at 11260 Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL 33706.

15- Sip Cocktails At Ka Tiki Beach Bar

This local favourite on Treasure Island has beautiful beach views and is a “regulars bar,” meaning it’s a top spot for locals. But don’t worry; they let visitors in too.

This is a no-frills spot, so come as you are to enjoy a good time overlooking the Florida coast.

This tiki-themed bar features everything you need to have a good time: live music, billiards, tropical drinks and delicious bar food.

Some menu items we love are the fried mac and cheese, Ka tiki burger, frozen cocktails and a classic bucket of brews.

Ka Tiki is at 8803 W Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL 33706.

16- Explore the City’s Colourful History At The St. Petersburg Museum 

Jump into the rich and interesting history of Sunshine City at the St. Petersburg Museum of History.

You can explore exhibits such as Civil Rights in the Sunshine State, the Flight One Gallery, and Schrader’s Little Cooperstown here.

Visit from Monday to Saturday (10 am to 5 pm) and Sundays (noon to 5 pm). General Admission tickets start at $15.

The St. Petersburg Museum of History is at 335 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

17- Get Up Close And Personal At The Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center

The Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center is a fantastic facility dedicated to conserving, preserving and rehabilitating wildlife species.

It’s home to over 250 animals, including lizards, small mammals, amphibians, marine life and alligators.

The Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center provides a great learning atmosphere where you can discover the joys and tribulations of coexisting with wildlife.

You can host events and parties at the discovery centre or purchase a regular one-day entry ticket.

General Admission tickets start at $11.

The Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center is at 12973 Village Blvd. Suites A-J, Madeira Beach, FL 33708.

18- Choose Your Own Experience At Fairgrounds St. Pete

As you know, St. Pete has a fantastic art scene.

Fairgrounds St. Pete is a unique art experience located in the heart of the Warehouse Arts district that allows you to choose your own experience through explorable and immersive exhibits.

The museum features exhibits from local Florida artists and international artists, including Adam Hutz, Adela Salas, and Ari Robinson.

Tickets and memberships can be purchased online and we recommend purchasing in advance.

Fairgrounds St. Pete is at 2606 Fairfield Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712.

19- Rent A Clear Kayak To Look At Marine Wildlife

Kayaking is a great way to experience St. Pete, but you can take your paddling to the next level with a glass bottom or transparent kayak.

This lets you see the fish, manatee, shells, and seaweed beneath you as you paddle through some of Florida’s most beautiful oceans.

There are plenty of water sports rentals in the area, but if you want a transparent kayak, try these companies.

Recommended tours:

• Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area
• Sharkey’s LED Illuminated Night Tour on Glass Bottom Kayaks in St. Pete Beach

20- Swing Through The Trees At Pathfinder Outdoor Education

Pathfinder Outdoor Education is a non-profit organisation providing an excellent learning and social interaction atmosphere.

They offer ongoing youth programs, adult programs and open tree climbing on the first Saturday of every month for anyone who wants to drop in and explore nature from a Bird’s Eye view.

Each year, the park has over 6,000 participants! To book your group experience, head to their website for more information.

Pathfinder Outdoor Education is at 1310 22nd Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705.