Last Updated on March 29, 2024
We’re spotlighting a few of the best things to do in St. Pete, FL.
Our friends at WUCF covered a lot of fun and informative places to visit in the St. Pete episode of Florida Road Trip.
In these Authentic Florida articles, we highlighted some of our favorite spots in the city of St. Petersburg and the St. Pete Beach area: 10 Authentic Things to Do in St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach and A Getaway to Culturally Savvy St. Pete.
However, it’s always a good idea to revisit this area and see what’s new.
Whether you live in the “Sunshine City” or are just visiting, there are always many fun things to do in St. Pete, FL.
Find Your Favorite St. Pete Mural
St. Petersburg is a vibrant city with lots of street art to entertain locals and visitors alike.
One of the best things to do in St. Pete FL is to take a walking mural tour.
The city is filled with 600+ murals. At the present time, anywhere you go in the area, you are likely to spot a cool mural.
Author / Motivational Speaker / Dunedin resident Fawn Germer did a great job covering the St. Pete Mural Walking Tour in her YouTube video.
The guided tour takes you past some of the city’s most famous and iconic murals.
Additionally, you learn about the history and meaning behind each mural.
Plus, you’ll get to know the artists behind the murals. Therefore the mural experience is both educational and entertaining.
The walking mural tour is a great way to explore the rich art scene and one of the most creative things to do in St. Pete FL.
TIPS:
- Check out “The Original Walking Mural Tour.” For info and reservations, check the Florida Craft Art Website.
- Tours take place every Saturday from 10:00 am to 11:30 am and have a maximum of 10 attendees.
- Group tours can be booked by calling (727) 821-7391, Monday-Thursday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Groups can arrange for special tour times and pricing by calling or emailing [email protected].
- The Mural Tour costs $19 for adults and $11 for children ages 6-18. A portion of the proceeds from the tours funds future murals.
- Tours meet at Florida CraftArt, 501 Central Ave. in downtown St. Petersburg.
- Wear comfortable shoes as this tour involves walking on uneven surfaces.
- Bring water for hydration and necessary rain gear if the weather looks threatening.
- Reservations are required.
- There’s metered street parking. For a map of Downtown St. Pete parking, check out Discover Downtown.
Location: Varies.
Don’t Miss the 2024 SHINE Mural Festival
The 2024 dates are October 11th through the 20th.
The SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival brings new murals to the art districts and surrounding neighborhoods of St. Petersburg’s downtown. Learn more from St. Pete Arts Alliance.
If you’d prefer to drive by the murals and learn about the art and artists on your own, you can download a free app: https://pixelstix.com/pixelstix-app/.
Whether you walk or drive, exploring the murals is definitely one of the best things to do in St. Pete FL.
Stop By Mazzaro’s for Authentic Italian Goods
Looking for a taste of Italy? Look no further than Mazzaro’s Italian Market.
This family-owned and operated store has provided customers with the finest Italian goods since 1993.
However, the place was designed to feel like it has been around for 75+ years with a huge splash of whimsy.
The mixture of old and new is why this is one of the best things to do in St. Pete FL.
From fresh pasta to imported cheese, they have everything you need to bring a little bit of Italy into your home.
Don’t miss the incredible selection of imported Italian Olive Oil.
You can watch the Mazzaro’s team make fresh pasta. We recommend their Lobster Ravioli and Lobster Tail pastries.
They also make delicious sandwiches and freshly roasted coffee.
It’s quirky, fun, and a great place to shop (or browse) for people of all ages.
Without a doubt, you’ll quickly discover why Mazzaro’s is the go-to spot for authentic Italian cuisine.
TIPS:
- The Deli serves soups, sandwiches, sides, and entrees (ALL made in-house), which you can take home or eat on their covered patio.
- Because everything is made fresh, they change the deli selections often.
- Check Mazzaro’s Facebook page for select daily offerings and hour changes before visiting: @DiscoverMazzaros
- The Meat and Seafood Market features meats cut to order, fresh locally caught seafood, and steaks dry-aged in-house.
- The Produce Market offers a large variety of locally grown produce – only the best and freshest.
- The Fresh Pasta Market carries fresh house-made pasta and sauces to take home and cook for the family.
- The Wine Room stocks thousands of domestic and imported wines specializing in Italian wines. It is staffed by wine connoisseurs.
- Wine tastings are offered every Friday from noon – 3:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
- Mazzaro’s cheese room boasts one of the largest selections of cheeses anywhere in Florida.
- There are over 300 varieties of cheese to choose from, domestic and imported, with a focus on Italian cheeses.
- The Cheese Room is staffed by experienced cheesemongers more than happy to make recommendations.
- They let you taste the cheese before you buy it.
- The bakery offers freshly baked Italian bread and pastries daily: Crusty Italian, Semolina, Ciabatta, Focaccia, Sfogliatelle, Cannoli, Éclair, and a wide selection of Italian cakes.
- Check out the Gelato bar with house-made Gelato.
- In addition, they offer catering. Be sure to order at least 24 hours in advance. Delivery for large catering orders is also available.
- It gets very busy, especially on Saturdays. If you’re patient, it’s well worth it, and the staff does a fantastic job of taking care of everyone quickly.
- The eat-in patio area is open Monday-Thursday 10:00 am-4:00 pm, Friday 10:00 am-4:30 pm, and Saturday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Reservations are not accepted.
- Hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, and Saturday from 9:00 am – 2:30 pm. They are closed on Sundays.
Location: 2909 22nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
Visit Fort De Soto Beach
Located 10 miles south-southwest of St. Pete, Fort DeSoto Park is a beautiful, historic place with plenty to see and do.
Not only is Fort De Soto the largest park within the Pinellas County park system but it’s also made up of five inter-connected islands (“keys” ) spanning 1,136 acres.
Fort De Soto is a great place to take a ferry (from Hubbard’s Marina) or kayak to the undeveloped Egmont Key or Shell Key. Be sure to keep your eyes open for dolphins.
Fort DeSoto is a prime spot to get close to Florida’s natural beauty. Each key is home to mangroves, wetlands, palm hammocks, hardwoods, and scores of native plants, birds, and sea life.
Basically, it’s a perfect place to spend a day sunbathing, snorkeling, exploring nature trails, biking, and birdwatching.
It’s a nature lover’s dream. Plus, if you have something to celebrate, there are a lot of picnic areas to choose from.
If you camp anywhere in Florida, Fort De Soto Park is ideal. The campsites have views of the blue-green water, mangrove-lined islands, and scenic bridges.
All 238 sites have water, electricity, charcoal grills, and picnic tables.
It’s no wonder Fort De Soto has been recognized as being one of the best beaches in the United States as well as the world.
Once you visit, you’ll immediately know why it’s one of the top award-winning beaches on a variety of annual lists (i.e., Dr. Beach, Parent Magazine, Trip Advisor).
TIPS:
- Campsites get snapped up quickly (particularly the prized waterfront ones), so check for availability before your visit.
- For camping info and reservations: https://www.pinellascounty.org/park/camping.htm#fortd
- More than 300 bird species have been documented, and more are added to the registry every year.
- The beaches provide refuge to the loggerhead sea turtle during their annual mating season from April to September.
- Visit Ft. DeSoto’s namesake fort. Enjoy exploring the fort, climb to the top to view the old cannons pointed at Tampa Bay and take in a fantastic view of the park.
- There’s also a small museum to visit at the historic Fort.
- This is a prime location for saltwater fishing (fishing license required) – both on the Pier and from the beach.
- The pier is open daily from 7:00 am to sunset.
- The fishing pier also has a bait and tackle shop right on it.
- There are several paved and nature trails for strolling, hiking, and biking.
- Some of the best shelling in all of Florida can be found at Shell Key Preserve.
- Ferry Service to Egmont Key info: https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/egmont-key-ferry-cruise/
- Ferry Service to Shell Key info: https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/shell-key-ferry/
- Kayak and Bike Rental info: https://www.unitedparkservices.com/
- There’s a Pirate Ship playground for the kids.
- There are designated areas where dogs are allowed off-leash.
- There are gift shops and concessions for lunch and anything you may have forgotten — sunglasses, sunscreen, ice cream, beach toys, etc.
- Park and boat ramp patrons can now use their mobile phones to make convenient parking payments with the Flowbird app.
Fort De Soto Beach Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, FL 33715
Explore a Variety of Museums in St. Pete
In addition to the St. Petersburg Museum of History, the Dali Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg, there are also many other eclectic and interesting museums around St. Pete.
Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement
The long-awaited and newly opened Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement (MAACM) is the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to the American Arts and Crafts movement.
Founded by local philanthropist and collector Rudy Ciccarello, MAACM features stunning architecture and works of art.
It is also in the heart of the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront arts district.
Alfonso Architects designed this 5-story, 137,000-square-foot museum of art and architecture. It is an exquisite space with incredible attention to detail.
The building itself is truly a work of art.
TIPS:
- Buy tickets ahead of your visit online.
- Group tours are available for groups of 10 or more (call ahead to schedule)
- The free MAACM Audio Tour app is available on the iOS App Store or Google Play.
- The MAACM’s Audio Tour App features over 75 audio tour stops from the Museum’s permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.
- Each audio tour stop features a high-resolution image, audio, and text.
- Be sure to bring your headphones to the Museum to enjoy the app on-site.
- Headphones are available for purchase at the admission desk.
- Food is available at the “Arts Cafe”. Don’t miss the Corned Beef or Pastrami sandwiches.
- Catch an Arts and Crafts-inspired film at The Two Red Roses Theatre.
- The hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, and Sunday, noon – 4:00 pm. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement Address: 355 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
MoM – Museum of Motherhood
The first and only museum and education center devoted entirely to motherhood on an international level.
The museum offers an in-depth look at ALL stages and experiences of Motherhood. There’s lots of literature and incredible art.
We visited this museum a while back and spoke with founder Martha Joy Rose.
In this article, we wrote about our experience: Celebrate M.O.M: Museum of Motherhood in St. Pete, FL.
TIPS:
- TOURS in the Annex are by appointment only.
- Call or email to make a reservation: (877)-711-MOMS (6667) or [email protected].
- The tour includes an up-close and in-depth experience focusing on the science, art, and history of mothers from all over the world, with all different backgrounds.
Museum of Motherhood Address: 538 28th St. N. St. Pete, FL 33713
St. Pete Fairgrounds
“Seeing is believing” best describes this immersive artistic experience that is now a permanent part of the St. Pete Fairgrounds.
It’s a journey through the weird, wacky, and wonderful Authentic Florida in a nutshell (or seashell).
The 15,000 square feet of wonder, created by 60+ artists from around the world, provides an opportunity to take the most incredible Instagrammable worthy photos.
The Fairgrounds motto is “Art for All. Play for All. Joy for All” and with one visit you easily can see why.
TIPS:
- It’s closed Monday – Wednesday. However, the hours may vary by event so check the website.
- Purchase tickets in advance: https://tickets.fairgrounds.art/events
- You CAN buy tickets onsite, however, it is not recommended as timeslots fill up quickly.
- Arrive 10 minutes before the start of your ticketed time.
- Tickets are only good for the day and time purchased – you don’t want to miss it, so allow that extra 10 minutes.
- Plan to spend about an hour enjoying your immersive experience
- Don’t miss taking a selfie in front of the Mermaid Hotel.
St. Pete Fairgrounds Address: 800 28th St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art
The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art‘s mission is to provide experiences that inspire human connection and transformation through art depicting the peoples, landscapes, and history of the American West, and wildlife of the world.
Art exhibits include paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and artifacts by 20th and 21st-century artists.
TIPS:
- Every Tuesday admission for adults over the age of 18 is $10. Tuesday admission for visitors ages 7-18 is $5 and children 6 and under are free.
- Discounts are offered for students, teachers, Military and Seniors 65+ — ID is required.
- The Month of July is free for ALL teachers (ID is required).
- As part of the “Museums for All” Initiative, visitors receiving food assistance (SNAP) may always attend for free with a presentation of a SNAP EBT card.
- Private Group Tours are available for Groups of 10 or more – call ahead to reserve.
- There’s a Cafe and Gift Shop with unique gifts.
- There’s a special focus on Native American Artists.
- HOURS: Open Daily 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Extended hours on Tuesdays until 8 pm.
- On-site parking is available.
Museum of American Art Address: 150 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Imagine Museum – Florida Museum of Glass Art
Imagine Museum features a spectacular collection of contemporary glass art from around the world.
Explore over 500 glass art masterpieces; all dramatically lit to transport you to a world of beauty, mystery, and mastery within a 34,000-square-foot gallery space.
The displays are part of a 1,500-piece preeminent collection from nationally and internationally recognized artists working in the glass medium.
TIPS
- Discounted admission for students, military, seniors, and children 7-17.
- Children 6 and under are free.
- Check out $5 after 5 Thursdays. – Admission is $5 for everyone every Thursday from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
- Participant in the North American Reciprocal Museum program (NARM). To get your free admission simply show your membership card with your gold NARM seal on it.
- Free Guided Group tours are available with admission (ask for tour times at the entrance).
- There’s a cool Safari Scavenger Hunt for kids. Also free with admission – ask for times at the entrance.
- Free designated parking on the North side of the building.
- Hours are Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm with extended hours on Thursdays until 8:00 pm, and Sundays from noon – 5:00 pm.
- Closed on Mondays.
Imagine Museum Address: 1901 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
Eat, Shop and Stroll Around Historic Gulfport
Located about 5 miles west of St. Pete, Gulfport is a funky, artsy, small waterfront neighborhood with fun restaurants and shops.
Gulfport residents include visual artists, writers, musicians, and small business entrepreneurs.
This quaint community offers a walkable downtown and a beautiful bayfront anchored by the historic Gulfport Casino.
Built in 1936, the 10,000-square-foot waterfront ballroom and recreation center is home to lots of fun events, including the annual Floridania Fest.
The walkable downtown is a great place to spend a few hours exploring the eclectic shops, restaurants, and art of Gulfport.
The Gulfport History Museum at the Gulfport Historical Society is a wonderful place to learn more about Gulfport and view photos of Gulfport’s history, families, and homes.
Admission is FREE, but they welcome donations.
To learn more about Gulfport, check out The Ultimate Trip Guide to Gulfport, FL.
TIPS:
- Don’t miss the Red Hot Tiki Spicy Gourmet Market, where you’ll find an enormous selection of hot sauces and other condiments (all things spicy), local honey and coffee.
- Nosh at Stella’s, a quaint eatery with outdoor seating serving breakfast, brunch and lunch every day. Mainly known for their amazing brunch and Bloody Mary.
- Shop at Stella’s Sundries, a funky gift shop attached to Stella’s with funny souvenirs.
- Visit Gulfport Tuesday’s Fresh Market. It happens every Tuesday starting at 9 am.
- Don’t miss the Gulfport Arts and Cultural Center, an art gallery and shop featuring works of local artists in a variety of mediums: paintings, jewelry, pottery, textiles, wood, and more.
- Check out the Funky Flamingo Produce Market, where everything is local. Local honey, local produce, sandwiches made from local products, arts, crafts, books, and unique gifts.
- Parking throughout Gulfport is FREE.
Downtown Gulfport Address: 5500 Shore Blvd S, Gulfport, FL 33707
Here are some other places you will want to explore not too far from St. Pete:
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