Let me begin by saying that there is so much fun to be had in St. Pete, FL and I am happy and blessed to call this gem of a city, home. For example, the city has an amazing waterfront downtown scene with museums, coffee shops, art galleries, shopping and more! St. Pete is fun for the entire family or you can make it exclusively an adult playground – it’s your pick!
St. Petersburg Travel Guide Updated 2021
Free and (nearly free) things to do in Downtown St. Pete FL
- One thing I must say is that we do have a variety of beautiful waterfront parks. My favorite would have to be the Vinoy! Foremost it has some lovely palm trees that you can tie a hammock to and second – it has open water views! Feel free to grab some lunch and head down to the park to people watch as you enjoy a nice meal. You will effortlessly blend in as a local with your latte and lunch watching as skaters, bikers and fishers all try to accomplish some great feat of the day! In the past I have spotted sting rays, dolphins and our local pelicans wading in the water. Vinoy Park is named after a very famous hotel which would be the Vinoy Hotel of course! It’s the beautiful pink hotel – you can’t miss it!
- YOU HAVE TO SEE THE PIER – simple as that. Well, it’s hard to miss first of all. It’s the big and beautiful long stretch of boardwalk going out into the ocean! There are some small shops and restaurants along the pier – so if you get tired or thirsty from the heat as you make your way to the end you can cool off with a nice beverage and continue the journey! The St Pete Pier even has a little water park and beach area for families. It’s a great place cool off from the constant sunshine especially if you’re traveling with children. At the end of the pier they usually have live music and you can sit in the cool grass with a drink and enjoy the panoramic views that the pier has to offer.
- Walk Beach Drive and pop into all the little boutique stores. You will find an array of handmade artistic gifts in these little shops. Beach Dr is definitely the “ritzier” street of the downtown area. You can expect to find upscale dining here and fancy rooftop bars!
- Check out the Ocean Blue Art Gallery – it’s my favorite! Also on the First Friday of the month they will showcase a local artist’s work! Many times you can “meet the artist” at these events as they will be painting and working in the gallery!
- Rent some bikes and explore the historic neighborhoods. You won’t be disappointed in this especially if you love old brick roads, bungalow homes and waterfront mansions! I recommend doing this on the weekend so you can spot some possible open houses. I love our historic bungalow homes in Old Northeast, Snell Isle and Crescent Lake!
- Check out the Indie Flea on the first Saturday of every month! It showcases local artists, designers, makers and creatives! Love LOVE the Indie Flea – you won’t be disappointed!
- Walk Central Ave for more dive bars, eateries, coffee shops and thrift stores! Central Ave is more of the “party street” if I may call it that. It is family friendly during the day but at night it’s a whole other vibe! The First Friday of the month is always the most fun! The streets get blocked off and a huge block party ensues. It’s a great place to hang out for the night! My favorite is to start at Macdinton’s for happy hour and live music and bar hop from there! At some point we make our way to The One Night Stand for line dancing and to have our bets on who lasts the longest on the mechanical bull!
The More Cultured Side of Downtown St. Pete FL
- The most iconic museum that downtown St. Pete has to offer is probably the Dali Museum! Get inside the mind of Salvador Dali and enjoy a mimosa while you do! Call the museum ahead of time but usually on Sundays they offer Mimosa’s and Masterpieces! It’s a real good time for art lovahhs! Visit The Dali Museum online to find out which exhibits will be there during your vacation
- Check out The Ocean Blue Art Gallery on Beach Drive. There are pieces that I have seen all over the US in there and they showcase local artists as well!
- The Museum of Fine Arts is also located downtown – although I haven’t personally been there yet, I have heard really good things about it!
- Chihuly Collection – Dale Chihuly’s works belong to museum collections from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Louvre. His installations have hung over the piazza and canals of Venice. But his permanent collection resides in downtown St. Petersburg at the Chihuly Collection presented by Morean Arts Center, a gallery designed precisely and permanently for displaying his works, a true Chihuly museum.
- Florida Holocaust Museum – The Museum’s focus has been to tell the story of millions who suffered or died during the Holocaust through the personal testimonies, official documentation, photographs and artifacts of individual narratives. These individual narratives provide the springboard to contemplate the global consequences of the Holocaust, to celebrate the tenacity of the Survivors, and to examine the motives of those who stood up, spoke out and took action in the face of great personal risk.
Restaurants, Breweries and Rooftop Bars - Oh My!
- Three Daughters Brewery – Once upon a time 3 dads got together to figure out a way to get their 3 daughters through college. The rest is history!
- If I Brewed The World – another micro brewery
- The Canopy – rooftop bar that gives amazing vibes, scenery and drinks! You also get a pretty awesome view of downtown and the marina. Wednesdays is Ladies Night where they do fun giveaways!
- Engine No9 – best burger joint around. My favorite is the Alice in Pain. You can also substitute any burger with the Beyond Burger!
- The Hangar – awesome place for drinks and to watch the local people fly in on their planes!
- Bella Brava – lovely Italian restaurant
- Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro – I love their weekend brunch menu items. Great scenery, right on the water!
- Nah Dogs Vegan Hotdog Stand – The best vegan hot dog stand
- The Getaway – awesome place to feel like you’re at the beach! Grab a drink, enjoy the music and watch the boats pull up at the restaurant. You can also rent kayaks next door after eating and explore the mangroves!
Travel Guide For St. Pete Beach
- Check out the Don Cesar – more famously known as “The Pink Palace!” and it is a masterpiece! They have a world class spa if you are into that kind of thing and I am pretty sure you can buy a daily pool pass to enjoy their amenities and private beach area! Awesome place for photos as well!
- Visit The Spinners Restaurant and Level 11 – the tallest building on the beach that offers expansive views of the beach area and open water. The restaurant is fine dining and the cool part is that the entire restaurant spins! Level 11 is located at the restaurant and it is an outdoor rooftop bar serving up the best key lime martinis. Nevertheless, Level 11 is a great place to visit before sunset!
- St. Pete Beach Deli is my favorite place (hole in the wall for sure) serving up homemade Greek food items such as – Spanakopita, Baklava, Dolmades and other delicacies! Don’t forget – while you’re there, enjoy a Mythos (Greek) beer for me! Don’t judge a book by it’s cover – this is one of my favorite places on the beach
- Corey Ave Sunday Market – An awesome market on St. Pete Beach where local creatives get together and sell all their handmade items!
Snapshots Around St. Pete FL
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