Located on a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg is a vibrant city full of art museums, award-winning beaches, beautiful parks, and top-rated restaurants. Holding a Guinness World Record for the most consecutive days of sun, 768 days, St. Petersburg is also known as the “Sunshine City.”
We spent two days in St. Petersburg after celebrating Christmas of 2019 on Sanibel Island. Looking back at our pictures of St. Petersburg and writing this article, I’ve decided that I must go back to St. Petersburg for a longer vacation. This city can give you many joys, and it can easily exceed your expectations.
How to Get to St. Petersburg
You can easily find convenient ways to get to St. Petersburg. Your best bet is to fly into Tampa International Airport, which is only 20 miles away from the heart of the Sunshine City. Alternatively, you can fly directly into the smaller, closer St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport. If where you live doesn’t have a direct flight to either of the two airports, or if you want a cheaper flight, you may fly into Orlando International Airport. From Orlando, it only takes about an hour and 40 minutes to drive to St. Petersburg.
What to Do in St. Petersburg
The dynamic, lively sunshine city has so much to offer, you can definitely find something you enjoy. Whether you like walking along the beach, visiting museums or dining in a foodie paradise, you can find that in St Petersburg.
1. Soak up Some Sunshine on St. Pete Beach
St. Pete beach is ranked #2 for beaches in the United States and #16 in the world on TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Beaches in the United States for 2020. The beautiful, soft white sandy beach will never disappoint you no matter what time you come to visit. You will find yourself absorbed in the charm of St. Pete Beach for as far as the eye can see. Another main attraction is the architecturally palatial building nearby – the Don Cesar resort.
2. Enjoy the Amazing Sand Sculptures on Treasure Island
Every year, Treasure Island will host Sanding Ovations Masters Cup sand sculpture competition and music festival, a four-day competition of ten sand sculpting masters from all over the world. Sanding Ovations Masters Cup is held on the weekend before Thanksgiving. It is a fun and free event. When we visited Treasure Island, around New Years, all ten sand sculptures from the last competition were still there.
3. Watch an Epic Sunset
One thing you couldn’t miss on a beach vacation is to watch an epic sunset. The sunset over the ocean is peaceful and stunning. Both St Pete Beach and Treasure Island are west-facing over calm water, for a premium view of the setting sun.
4. Visit The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art
St. Petersburg is home to an impressive number of famous art museums. The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art is young to the city, but the museum hosts thousands of pieces from the collection of founders Tom & Mary James. The collection includes both contemporary and traditional artworks. One of the most famous collections of The James Museum is a series of artworks which reflect the life and history of Native Americans. It is a great chance for you to explore Native American History and Western Culture.
5. Explore the Natural Beauty in Fort De Soto Park
Fort De Soto Park covers five islands and more than 1,000 acres. The park lands are centered around a nineteenth century fort from the Spanish American War. It is definitely a favorite of mine. The park has abundance of natural beauty, from a large diversity of ecosystems, to the beautiful white sandy beaches, to a multipurpose seven-mile trail. There are also plenty of camping and picnic sites in Fort De Soto. It is a perfect place to explore nature. If you are up for an oceanside adventure, you can kayak or boat in the calm, clear water.
6. Roam Downtown St. Petersburg
Wandering around Downtown St. Petersburg is one of the best ways to experience the modern bohemian vibe of the Sunshine City. Filled with boutique shops, art galleries, craft breweries, and restaurants, Downtown is the heart to this vibrant city. Start from the Museum of Fine Arts on Beach Drive and walk west, down Central Avenue which locals call the Central Arts District.
7. Stroll around Vinoy Park
After shopping, tasting tapas, and visiting art galleries and museums, you may want to enjoy some sunshine under a clear blue sky. Vinoy Park is a great place to walk around, with an amazing view of Tampa Bay, and you can take some beautiful pictures for memories.
Where to Stay in St. Petersburg
The Luxury and Unique Palace – Don Cesar
If you are planning to stay at a five-star hotel, look no further than the Don Cesar. The Pink Palace offers you the best, most unique experience in St. Petersburg. Built in the late 1920s, this popular beachfront hotel has been hosting travelers for almost a century. Even if you don’t plan to stay there, you can make a stop to see this beautiful property. You may not want to put your camera down.
The Premium Location in Downtown – Hyatt Place
If you love the lively vibe and want to enjoy as much night life as you can, lodgings near the Downtown area are the best choice. Hyatt Place is located in a very convenient spot in the heart of St. Petersburg, close to everything.
The Beautiful Waterfront Hotel – The Vinoy Renaissance
Not as expensive as Don Cesar, but also a pink beautiful property, The Vinoy Renaissance is located right near the Vinoy Marina, which features the amazing view of Tampa Bay from dawn to dusk.
The Budget-Friendly Stay – Avalon Hotel
You don’t have to spend a lot on a hotel in St. Petersburg. Avalon is located very close to the downtown area, within walking distance to the most popular restaurants and shops, but the price is much affordable. In a city like St. Petersburg where you spend most of your time outside the hotel, it is a good tradeoff to save money on a hotel and use it for maximum fun.
Where to Eat in St. Petersburg
Of all the foodie paradises in the United States, St. Petersburg is a hidden gem. The Sunshine City is full of top-rated restaurants with a variety of cuisines and a dynamic culinary culture. You can find almost any kind of food you desire.
Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant
Recommended by locals, Ceviche offers classic Spanish cuisine including a large variety of tapas, a very delicious Spanish seafood paella, and, of course, other dishes and drinks. It is quite popular, so you may need to wait for a table if you don’t have a reservation.
The Lure
The Lure is located on the Central Avenue, so when we were exploring the downtown area, we stopped by The Lure. The Lure is one of the most popular places in St. Petersburg for Sushi, but it offers more than Japanese cuisine. They have a large selection of tapas, tacos, flatbread and plenty of drinks.
Red Mesa Cantina
Red Mesa Cantina focuses on modern Mexican food and hand-crafted cocktails. It offers the largest selection of drinks. You will be surprised by the creative, unusual tacos there.
Noble Crust
You know what to expect based on the name of this restaurant. Noble Crust serves ingenious Italian pizza. One of their starters, F.G.B.L.T (Fried green tomatoes, Tabasco-honey glazed port belly, pimento cheese) is highly recommended.
I hope this article will help you plan your vacation in St. Petersburg and enjoy the best things that the Sunshine City has to offer. I will see you in my next post.
