Are you looking for things to do in St Petersburg, FL? If so, keep reading!
If you’re planning a visit to St Petersburg, Florida soon – you might be looking for activities and fun things to do in St Petersburg FL. If that sounds like you – then this list should be helpful and give you plenty of ideas!
There’s a lot of to love about St Petersburg FL, and part of the reason for that is how many great things to do in St Petersburg there are! St Petersburg in Florida is a great location to visit – it’s right on the sea, there’s a thriving art community, there are loads of outdoors nature reserves, and plenty of delicious restaurants.
So, if you’re looking for the best things to do in St Petersburg FL, we’ve compiled the ultimate list below! You’ll find something for every budget here, and every interest too! So let’s get into it…
The best things to do in St Petersburg FL…
The Dali Museum
To start our list of things to do in St Petersburg FL, it’s one of the most well-known attractions in the city. If you’re visiting St Petersburg FL, then you absolutely need to head to the Dali Museum. Now, you’ve probably heard of the famous Salvador Dali. If not, crack open an artistic biography on the man, pronto! This museum is one of the best things to do in St Petersburg FL by a mile, as it’s packed with a large collection of Dali’s famous works.
Among these are oil paintings, drawings, sculptures, and prints. Although this place only opened in 2011, it has catapulted itself to the top of most lists of things to do in St Petersburg FL. It’s just that good. Be sure to bring your camera along to snap a picture of the museum building – it’s truly something!
Fort De Soto Beach
Who doesn’t love an amazing trip to the beach? This local beach is next on our list of things to do in St Petersburg FL! With sand, sea, and sun on the cards, you’re guaranteed to have a good time at Fort De Soto Beach. This beach is ideal for classic activities like swimming, kayaking, and sunbathing, but it’s also well worth exploring as an ecological site. With more greenery than you’d find on an average beach, you never know what local flora you’ll discover on your visit!
Read more about visiting Florida: 40 things to do in Daytona Beach
If you’re wanting to put sea turtle spotting on your list of things to do in St Petersburg FL this year, then you may just be in luck. Between April and September, loggerhead turtles tend to frequent this beach. So, just keep an eye out – you might just spot one!
The Morean Arts Center
Although many people prioritize visiting The Dali Museum when they head to this Floridian city, the Morean Arts Center is equally worthy of a place on our list of the top things to do in St Petersburg FL. Instead of displaying Dali’s artwork, this arts center works hard to display the works of local and national artists. Sure, international artists do feature on occasion, but this place focuses on local talent.
If you’re a fan of Dale Chihuly, then you’ll be overjoyed to know that the Morean Arts Center houses a permanent collection of his very best work. Seriously, if you’re into art and you have a gap in your itinerary, then be sure to add this spot to your list of things to do in St Petersburg FL.
St. Pete Pier
Next on our list of things to do in St Petersburg FL, it’s the St Pete Pier. If you fancy an afternoon strolling around outdoors, people-watching, a cup of coffee, and lovely sea views – then this is the place for you.
This pier is relatively new, and it’s a beautiful space to just relax and take it easy. Definitely, a great choice for things to do in St Petersburg FL, especially if you don’t really want to do anything – and just want to relax.
Read more about Florida: 12 fun things to do in Pensacola Beach
Museum of Fine Arts
How could we write a list about things to do in St Petersburg FL, without mentioning the Museum of Fine Arts. If you didn’t already know, St Petersburg FL is known for it’s art scene. If you’re in Florida, and you love art, this is the city you want to be visiting because of the sheer amount of art galleries and museums it has to offer.
This makes our list of things to do in St Petersburg FL because it’s one of the best in the city, and can easily keep you entertained for hours if you’re an art lover!
Historic Kenwood
Next on our list of things to do in St Petersburg FL, it’s the historic neighborhood of Kenwood! The historic area of Kenwood is one of the most popular places to visit in St Petersburg. Not only does it have that small-town charm that tourists love, but it features some incredible architecture that makes for excellent photos.
Although it’s not massive, you should be able to spend an afternoon checking out the gorgeous streets and old-timey houses. If you’ve ever wanted to see how the other half lives, then we highly recommend checking this place out! It’s definitely one of the best things to do in St Petersburg FL.
St Petersburg Museum of History
History buffs should certainly add this wonderful museum to their list of things to do in St Petersburg FL. Well-designed and packed with artefacts, the St. Petersburg Museum of History promises to be the perfect family day out. Alongside a great ecology section, this museum also features an ancient Egyptian mummy that kids are always drawn to.
There’s nothing that gets kids more invested in history than a 3000-year-old corpse, after all! As there are tens of thousands of artefacts on display, you’ll want to allocate at least a couple of hours to explore this wonderful things to do in St. Petersburg FL.
Florida Holocaust Museum
Looking back on the Holocaust is always a difficult but insightful thing to do. If you’re looking to learn more about the atrocities that occurred during World War Two, then we highly recommend heading to the Florida Holocaust Museum for the afternoon. The exhibition here is incredibly well-presented, and it’s designed to flow from room to room for an impactful visitor experience.
What makes it one of the best things to do in St Petersburg, FL is both its historical significance and sensitive handling of the events of the Holocaust. With artefacts, videos, and photographs placed around the museum, you’ll get an unbeatable glimpse into the horrors faced by Jews during the war. Although this is one of the most significant things to do in St Petersburg, FL, it may be slightly too overwhelming for younger children.
Read more about Florida: 14 things to do in Brooksville
Great Explorations Children’s Museum
If you’re visiting with children, then the Great Explorations Children’s Museum is definitely one of the best things to do in St Petersburg FL. This museum is all about helping children explore and learn about the world around them. It’s fun, colorful, educational – and it’s a great option for things to do in St Petersburg FL with kids.
And that’s not to say the adults won’t love it too! There are so many fun games, activities and interactive things to get involved with too!
Read more about Florida: How to spend Christmas in Florida! 17 festive ideas and activities
Paddleboarding
If you’re an outdoorsy type, then we highly recommend adding paddleboarding to your list of things to do in St Petersburg FL. Because this city is on the coastline, there are so many great ocean-based activities you can enjoy here.
Paddleboarding is fun, offers some great views, and it’s relaxing too. If you’ve tried it before, you’ll know why this makes our list of the top things to do in St Petersburg FL, and if you’ve never tried paddleboarding before… What are you waiting for?
Sand Key Park
Next on our list of things to do in St Petersburg FL, it’s Sand Key Park. Bird watchers rejoice, as Sand Key Park offers some of the best birdwatching opportunities in all of Florida! At this beautiful spot, you’ll spot herons, spoonbills, and many more unique birds resting and feeding. As it’s reasonably untouched, you’ll need to plan your bathroom breaks.
However, there are a decent number of facilities on-site that will keep you comfortable during your visit. Once you’ve had your fill of birdwatching, why not set yourself up at one of the amazing beach cabanas here? According to guests, they are the perfect place for anyone looking to settle in for a picnic! This is a great choice for things to do in St Petersburg FL.
Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Next on our list of things to do in St Petersburg FL, it’s Mazzaro’s Italian Market. We LOVE this place, it’s one of the best food markets in the city and it’s so much fun to stroll around and (obviously) stock up on food!
If you’re stopping at a hotel with a little kitchenette, or if you’re stopping at an AirBnB, then this is a brilliant place to visit for supplies and stocking up on delicious food! Imagine all the wonderful Italian food of your dreams – and then imagine an amazing market where you can buy it all from! It’s amazing, and definitely one of our top choices for things to do in St Petersburg FL.
Read more about Florida: 10 of the best places to retire in Florida
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is next on our list of things to do in St Petersburg FL. This is one of those incredible bridges that you need to see to believe – it’s simply incredible. Though it’s not quite as grand as San Francisco’s Golden Gate, we still feel it packs a punch that makes it worth visiting. You can check out the bridge from several vantage point, as it runs for 12 miles in its entirety. However, we highly recommend viewing the bridge from afar.
When night hits, you’ll get to see the bridge lit up, and it really lends itself well to a romantic atmosphere. Sure, this won’t keep you occupied all afternoon, but we feel visiting the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is one of the best things to do in St Petersburg FL for the romantics among you!
Check out the Pinellas Trail
Calling all active bikers, hikers, and adventure seekers! The Pinellas Trail awaits. If you’re wondering exactly what makes a simple trail one of the best things to do in St Petersburg FL, then let us fill you in. For starters, this trail is 37 miles long. Yep, 37 miles! So, if you’re looking to conquer a physical feat while you’re in Florida, we highly recommend running, walking, or biking across this wonderful trail.
However, if you feel as though this is one of those things to do in St Petersburg FL that is only for fitness lovers, then you’d be very wrong. Along the trail you’ll find shops, cafes, and restaurants that are always packed with happy customers. Therefore, if you’d like to take a breather at any point during your Pinellas Trail adventure, you’ll be well placed to do so!
Cocktails at 360 Rooftop
If you’re looking for a fun date location in St Petersburg FL while you’re visiting, then you HAVE to take a trip to the 360 Rooftop Bar. It’s one of the best things to do in St Petersburg FL for couples, and (as you’d expect) there are some incredible views ove rthe sea and the city from up there.
Honestly, this is one of the nicest locations to enjoy some drinks as the sun goes down, so definitely add it to your list of things to do in St Petersburg FL.
Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge
Another great option for things to do in St Petersburg FL for nature lovers and outdoorsy people. This is an outdoor nature reserve, perfect for hiking, walking and just enjoying the local wildlife and scenery.
If you enjoy taking a day out of the city, and getting back to nature – this is a perfect place to do it. The St Petersburg FL area has lots of beautiful nature reserves and parks, and this is one of our favorites.
Vertical Ventures
If you find yourself looking for things to do in St Petersburg FL during a rainy day or a storm, then we recommend adding Vertical Ventures to your list of things to do in St Petersburg FL. This is a climbing venue, where you can try indoor rockclimbing and bouldering.
It’s a great location and it’s a lot of fun (even if you’re a beginner!). It’s great for families with older kids, and it’s also a fun date idea too – if you’re both willing to try something a bit different and unique! It can’t be sunny in Florida all the time… So this is perfect for things to do in St Petersburg FL when it rains.
Sunken Gardens
It may not sound like much, but a visit to the Sunken Gardens is one of the best things to do in St Petersburg, FL. Although the gardens were started by horticultural hobbyist George Turner back in the early 1900s, the gardens have since grown into an impressive garden that guests love. After George died, his family continued to tend to his garden out of respect. However, little did they know, the Sunken Gardens would quickly become a tourist hit!
Featuring rare tropical plants and flowers that you may not find anywhere else, this is one of the things to do in St Petersburg FL that shouldn’t be missed. If you’re lucky enough, you may even catch an event or wedding ceremony at the gardens!
St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market
If there’s one thing we love, it’s a Saturday morning market! This is one of our top choices for things to do in St Petersburg FL! If you want to meet some locals, get involved in local life and feel like you’re stepping away from the touristy activities – then the St Petersburg Saturday morning market is a great place to start!
It’s also a great way to stock up on treats and supplies for your trip too! And trust us, there are so many delicious treats and goodies to be discovered here!
Rent a boat
Next on our list of things to do in St Petersburg FL, it’s rent a boat! St Petersburg FL is on the coast, and so you have so many great boat rental companies to choose from! You could rent a motorised boat (if you don’t fancy doing any of the hard work), or you could go for a kayak if you want to be a little more active!
Either way, renting a boat in St Petersburg FL is one of our top choices for things to do in St Petersburg FL.
Dolphin spotting
The Florida coast is home to loads of dolphins, so dolphin watching is next on our list of things to do in St Petersburg FL. If you’ve been dolphin spotting before, then you know how magical it is! If you haven’t been dolphin watching before, then you need to try it, it’s so magical and wonderful! A true bucket list activity! Be sure to add it to your list of things to do in St Petersburg FL.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Dolphins, sea turtles, and otters are the name of the game at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Now, aquariums are always a crowd-pleaser in Florida, and it’s easy to see why. This wonderful place is enchanting for kids, and it continues to be one of the best things to do in St Petersburg FL long after its initial opening.
We recommend taking your time to really explore this place, as there are several free and paid-for activities that are well worth checking out. If you fancy something a bit more hands-on, why not rent a kayak and head out into the bay? We think this is one of the best things to do in St Petersburg, FL as you’ll get a great glimpse of the local marine life while having an absolute ball out on the water!
Read more about visiting Florida: 22 things to do in Port St Lucie, Florida
Chihuly Collection
Next on our list of things to do in St Petersburg FL, it’s the Chihuly Collection. This is part of the Morean Arts Center (mentioned above) but it’s a singular exhibition that is well worth checking out. The Chihuly Collection is a unique collection of amazing sculptures, created by legendary glass artist Dale Chihuly. There are amazing glass-blowing demonstrations available to watch too – which are fascinating and hypnotising!
If you’ve never watched glass-blowing before, then you’re going to be absolutely in awe of this place, it’s simply amazing and such a beautiful place to learn more about it.
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
Another wonderful nature reserve is located in the heart of St Petersburg, Florida. Boyd Hill Nature Reserve is a unique way to experience local nature and wildlife, and it’s a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the great outdoors.
There are quite a lot of lovely outdoorsy activities you can enjoy there, and it’s especially wonderful if you love photography wildlife and nature!
Cappy’s Pizza
If you love pizza, then you need to add Cappy’s Pizza to your list of things to do in St Petersburg FL. This place serves up some of the most delicious pizza in St Petersburg FL, and it’s the traditional Chicago-style pies that will have your mouth watering.
If you’ve spent your day sightseeing and checking off activities on our list of things to do in St Petersburg FL, then this place is an ideal place to refuel and unwind!
Imagine Museum: Contemporary glass
The Imagine Museum: Contemporary Glass is another fantastic place to learn more about glass sculpture and glass blowing. This amazing museum showcases some of the world’s best glass sculpture and glass art, with a huge variety of artists and subjects.
It’s a really unique art museum, and it’s fascinating to discover the different ways glass can be shaped, moulded and created into art. You’ll find artists such as Kyohei Fujita, Martin Blank and Bertil Vallien (amongst many others). This is a brilliant choice for things to do in St Petersburg FL.
Vinoy Park
Next on our list of things to do in St Petersburg, Florida, it’s Vinoy Park. This ocean-front park is a gorgeous place to relax and unwind and just enjoy the great Florida weather. You’ll get views across the water to nearby by cities such as Tampa, and there are also facilities such as volleyball courts, a kids playground and walking paths.
Sunrise Lanes (bowling!)
Next on our list of things to do in St Petersburg FL, it’s Sunrise Lanes – a local bowling location in the heart of St Petersburg FL. If you love bowling – then you won’t be able to resist trying out a local place! This is also a great choice for things to do in St Petersburg FL for families with kids too, and it’s a great activity for rainy days.
Tampa Bay Automobile Museum
The name might imply this place isn’t in St Petersburg, but it’s actually only a short drive out of town, and it’s a great museum if you’re into cars and automobiles. Definitely add The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum to your list of things to do in St Petersburg FL if that’s you kind of thing!
It’s not one of the most well-known museums in the area (especially as St Petersburg FL is so well-known for art) but it’s well worth a visit, and we think you’ll love it.
Green Bench Brewing Company
Fancy trying some of the local breweries? Then you’ll love this choice for things to do in St Petersburg FL! Grab a table and set yourself up for an afternoon enjoying some local beer at the Green Bench Brewing Company! Sounds perfect to us! A great choice for things to do in St Petersburg FL, especially on a sunny afternoon!
Read more about Florida: 15 amazing Orlando breweries that you won’t want to miss!
Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro
If you’re looking for a great local restaurant on the waterfront, then you need to give Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro a try. If you’re anything like us, then restaurants become a big part of the itinerary for any trip – and when it comes to things to do in St Petersburg FL, you want to make sure you’re adding in some of their great local eateries.
This place is friendly, the food is great, it loads of great reviews, and it’s right on the water – so you know the vibe is going to be sweet!
Play golf
Next on our list of things to do in St Petersburg FL, it’s playing golf! If you can’t resist fitting in a round of golf when you’re away, then you’re in luck – because St Petersburg FL has quite a few golf courses to choose from! We’ve listed some of the main ones below!
- St. Petersburg Country Club
- Mangrove Bay and Cypress Links Golf Courses
- Vinoy Golf Club
- Pasadena Yacht & Country Club
Hopefully this list of things to do in St Petersburg FL has been helpful!
As you can see, there are plenty of great things to do in St Petersburg FL! Whether you’re visiting with family and kids, or just heading for a couples weekend away – there are lots of great choice for things to do in St Petersburg FL for all kinds of budgets and interests!
