St. Petersburg, Florida – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Matthew Yoder
As someone who has lived in Tampa for a long time, I frequently find myself looking jealously at nearby St. Petersburg, also known as St. Pete, across the sparkling length of Tampa Bay. In addition to knowing how to party and taking itself a little less seriously, the city excels at museums, breweries, and excellent dining. Additionally, some of the nicest beaches on the Gulf Coast are only a short drive away (but be sure not to mix up nearby St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach with downtown St. Pete, which is a destination unto itself).
Kenny Tufo, senior chef at St. Pete’s Urban Stillhouse, who relocated to the area ten years ago from New York City, says, “I think the area has the best of both worlds, with the beaches and downtown.” “St. Pete is also incredibly beautiful and has a ton to do on its own, but you can get to Clearwater, Sarasota, and Tampa pretty quickly.”
From the perspective of a chef, the region has recently experienced significant growth. According to Tufo, “the culinary scene has developed to be able to stand on a national level.”
St. Pete has also developed into one of Florida’s major cultural hubs, thanks to The Dalí Museum, which features temporary exhibitions and is devoted to Spanish surrealist art. As the chair of Studio@620, a venue for up-and-coming artists that has been a creative hub in the area for 20 years, Amber Brinkley says, “St. Pete is the perfect blend of a bit of cosmopolitan and Old Florida charm, with cultural influences from elsewhere, too.”
“We have a lot of stuff for our size. The abundance of cultural offerings in a rather small downtown area always seems to pleasantly surprise people, according to Brinkley.
Continue reading to find out how to make the most of your next trip to Florida’s Gulf Coast and see the finest of St. Pete.
Top Resorts and Hotels
The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection
The historic, cotton candy-colored grande dame hotel in downtown St. Pete is conveniently located near the bay and all of the dining, drinking, and retail options along Beach Drive. Known for its distinctive Mediterranean Revival architecture, the recently renovated Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection features 354 contemporary and cozy rooms, a fantastic outdoor pool with a view of the bay, and top-notch on-site dining options, including Paul’s Landing and Lottie, a French pastry shop. My favorite is the latter, where I can enjoy a cocktail beside a fire pit on the patio while enjoying smoked fish dip, wings, tuna nachos, and oysters.
Moxy St. Petersburg Downtown
The Moxy St. Petersburg Downtown, a new hotel in downtown St. Pete in 2024, features 163 cozy and modern rooms and suites, a vibrant lobby bar that extends onto the street, a podcast studio available to guests, and a fantastic rooftop pool deck with views of the neighboring Edge District.
The Birchwood
If you’re searching for a boutique hotel with lots of character in a central location, The Birchwood is the place to stay. It fronts Beach Drive and is close to restaurants, pubs, and shops. Some of the 18 rooms in the hotel have clawfoot tubs, and the décor is reminiscent of the 1920s. Popular for sunset drinks and late-night parties, Birchwood Canopy is a rooftop bar with a view of the bay.
Hollander Hotel
The Hollander Hotel, which offers free parking and a pool where parties are always held, attracts a youthful and energetic clientele seeking a reasonably priced stay just a short stroll from St. Pete’s top eateries, shops, and breweries. The on-site Tap Room restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and supper and is well-known for its excellent steaks and strong drinks. There is also a bar by the pool.
Top Activities
Visit several museums
In terms of the variety of museums that can be found inside its small downtown, St. Pete is a cultural powerhouse that excels. The most well-known of these is The Dalí Museum, which has the biggest collection of Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dalí’s artwork outside of his native Spain (more than 2,400 pieces!). Western and animal art can be found in The James Museum, a short stroll away, housed in a striking structure that resembles a red rock canyon. Rodin and Monet are among the masters in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, which is located close to the seaside.
Take a stroll along St. Pete Pier
The St. Pete Pier, a stunning and contemporary structure that offers much more than just a spot to throw a fishing line into Tampa Bay, is the best place to wander from Beach Drive in downtown St. Pete. A pirate-themed playground, a conservation visitor center, a rooftop tiki bar (Pier Teaki), public art, a beach with Adirondack chairs for lounging, a number of eateries, and a marketplace promenade where local craftspeople frequently sell their wares are all available.
Go to the market on Saturday morning
Locals and tourists alike flock to the parking lot behind Al Lang Stadium every Saturday morning for one of Florida’s greatest weekend markets, where they can peruse a wide variety of fresh vegetables and flowers, try international street food, buy handcrafted soaps, and more. Live music is always available to enhance the joyous atmosphere.
Take a look at every mural
You can explore the hundreds of vibrant murals that adorn St. Pete’s buildings, alleys, and public areas on your own or join Florida CraftArt on Saturday mornings for walking tours of the Central Arts District. The SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival, organized by the St. Petersburg Art Alliance, invites artists to use the city’s streets and walls as their canvases each fall.
Explore a wildlife sanctuary by kayaking through mangrove tunnels.
There are no Gulf of Mexico beaches in downtown St. Pete, although they are close by in places like St. Pete Beach, Pass-a-Grille, and Clearwater Beach. However, Weedon Island Preserve offers kayak rentals so you can get out on the water and explore Florida’s distinctive landscapes. This area offers two self-guided kayaking trails that meander through mangrove tunnels and the open water, as well as 4.7 miles of walking trails. In addition to seeing a variety of wading birds, you might possibly spot manatees and dolphins.
Top Dining Establishments
Urban Stillhouse by Horse Soldier
Inspired by the liquor brand owners’ favorite locations in Kentucky, Scotland, Montana, and Canada, this stunning restaurant in St. Pete’s Warehouse District, led by head chef Kenny Tufo, is a stunning setting decorated with velvet, marble, leather, copper, and wood. Come for the upscale ambiance, a vibrant bar and brunch scene, and delectable bourbon cocktails, steak, and seafood, among other things.
Juno & The Peacock
This Beach Drive newcomer, which serves flatbreads, dry-aged steaks, and luscious raw bar platters, is only a short walk from The Vinoy and boasts a vibrant terrace scene. Additionally, a blackened grouper sandwich here is always a good choice.
Allelo
This area of Florida has a long history of Greek ancestry. You can enjoy sophisticated Mediterranean and Aegean cuisine at this Beach Drive hotspot, which is well-known for its grilled octopus, truffled arancini, and shakshuka dishes as well as its sophisticated bar that is surrounded by an amazing mural of Florida birds.
Bodega
It’s difficult to top a Cuban sandwich or lechon platter with rice, beans, and plantains accompanied with a refreshing michelada from this Latin American-inspired hot spot along Central Boulevard for something informal and delectable.
Wild Child
With its international fare like ceviche, Korean fried chicken sandwiches, and a superb cheeseburger (on brioche with fresh pickles), Wild Child is a well-liked neighborhood hotspot in the Grand Central district for cocktails, a lively brunch scene, and date-night dinners.
Ideal Time to Go
St. Pete is a popular destination for both business and pleasure because of Florida’s consistently warm temperatures. The most comfortable temperatures occur during the winter and spring months, which run from November until the beginning of May. Remember that June through the end of November is hurricane season in Florida. The city holds major events all year long, such as the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in March and the Pride festival in June (St. Pete Pride, the biggest in all of Florida).
How to Get There
Tampa International Airport, located roughly 20 miles northeast of downtown St. Pete, is where most visitors arrive by plane. Additionally, you can check flights arriving at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (35 miles south) and the less crowded St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (13 miles north).
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Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.