Saint Petersburg Things to Do Tips by arasnosliw Top 5 Page for this destination

Florida International Museum

This Smithsonian owned museum in downtown St. Petersburg hosts a variety of interesting rotating exhibits. They range from mundane to rather eccentric.

When I went, there was an exhibit on the Cuban Missile Crisis as well as Barbie's 45th Anniversary commemoration. Other exhibits have been artifacts from the State Russian Museum, a baseball/pop art collection, and a Hubble telescope recreation.

See my St. Petersburg travelogues for more photos of the exhibits.

General admission is $10, seniors $8, students $5, under 6 are free.

Address: 100 2nd Street North

Phone: http://www.floridamuseum.org/

Caladesi Island - top rated beach

This island is off the coast, nearby Dunedin. The beach on Caladesi is world-renowned, and is consistently ranked as one of the best in the US. This beach is never crowded. In order to reach it, you have to take a ferry from Honeymoon Island in Dunedin. It is a great place to relax in white sand and enjoy tranquility.

There are also 3 miles of hiking trails and a 108-slip marina on the island.

Address: # 1 Causeway Blvd. Dunedin, Florida 34698

Directions: SR-580 west to SR-586 fork then left. Follow SR-586 west into park. Take the ferry from Honeymoon Island to Caladesi. In Dunedin

Phone: 727-469-5918

Bayshore Drive

The St. Petersburg Yacht Club, fancy hotels, specialty shops, are what line Bayshore Drive. This road stretches along Tampa Bay from 5th Avenue South all the way north to 5th Avenue North. There are scenic parks to explore and a path to jog along. In the right weather, Bayshore Drive is an ideal place to be.

Address: Bayshore Drive

Directions: between 5th Ave N and 5th Ave S lining Tampa Bay

The Pier (in St. Pete's)

"The Pier" in St. Petersburg is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, an aquarium, and concerts. It's a great place to take the entire family, and even at night the bars are brewing with people.

The half mile long wharf dwindles down to this upside-down triangle shaped yellow building.

One of the many restaurants here is Columbia Restaurant, a branch of the original in Ybor City (Tampa), that serves delicious traditional Spanish/Cuban cuisine.

You can rent bikes, segways here or sign up to go on a boat tour of Tampa Bay.

The pier even hosts an art and design center.

There's something interesting for all tastes at the Pier, so it's a good bet if you're traveling with others and can't decide upon one activity in particular.

Address: 800 Second Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg, 33701

Directions: Head East on Second Avenue NE.

Phone: 727-821-6443

Website: http://www.stpete-pier.com/

Clearwater and Clearwater Beach

North of St. Petersburg, Clearwater has become a popular tourist spot. There are beautiful sandy beaches and high rise condos along the Gulf of Mexico, but the increasing rate of tacky souvenier shops rather defaces the beauty of the area. In Clearwater Beach, Pier 60 is a nice place to grab a drink and listen to outdoor concerts. Inland to the east is the city of Clearwater, International headquarters to the Church of Scientology. You may notice a different vibe in downtown Clearwater due to the dominance of the Church. There's a specific way Scientologists tend to dress and walk, and although subtle this caught my eye.

Directions: north of St. Petersburg, take 611 north to 60 west.

Website: http://www.clearwater-fl.com

small town charm in Safety Harbor

Safety Harbor is located in northeastern Pinellas county, on the northwest corner of Old Tampa Bay. Just a bit north of the St. Pete's-Clearwater Airport on 611, Safety Harbor embodies a small town feel with a charming downtown district full of Ma & Pa shops and restaurants. The waterfront is just steps away from downtown, and the narrow streets are always full of people jogging and walking their dogs.

Directions: northeastern Pinellas County

Take 611 to 580 West.

Website: http://www.cityofsafetyharbor.com/

sample a local beer

The award winning Dunedin Brewery is home to some good tasting local brews. This is a Scottish-settled town north of St. Petersburg. The brewery produces several types of oh-so-mouthwatering potent concoctions: Pipers Pale Ale (voted best in Florida), Apricot Wheat Ale, Celtic Gold Ale, Beachtale Brown Ale, Redhead Red Ale, and Leonard Croon's Old Mean Stout. When the season's right, try some Oktoberfest Beer or Christmas Farm Ale.

The brewery is located on the Main Street in Dunedin, a quaint historic area with many wonderful shops. There is a Scottish Pub at the brewery with live music to drink and dine at.

My taste buds are salivating while dreaming of an apricot ale.

Address: 937 Douglas Ave. Dunedin, FL 34698

Directions: Turn onto SR-580 (heading West for about 2.5 miles)
Keep STRAIGHT onto Skinner Blvd
Turn LEFT (South) onto Douglas Ave

Phone: (727) 736-0606

Website: http://www.dunedinbrewery.com

Salvador Dalí Museum

The icon of surrealism has a whole museum dedicated to him in St. Petersburg.

This houses the most comprehensive collection of Dalí's works in the world!

This is a must see for all art lovers!

Museum's Regular Hours:
Monday through Saturday - 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Thursdays - 9:30 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Sundays - noon until 5:30 p.m.
The Museum is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Days.

Admission:
General Admission - $13.00
Senior citizens 65+ / Military & Police - $11.00
Students* ages 10+ (18+ with ID) - $7
Children ages 5 to 9 - $7
Children ages 4 and under - FREE*
Thursdays are $5 after 5 p.m. (Museum is open until 8 p.m.)

Address: 1000 Third St South, St.Petersburg, Florida 33701

Directions: downtown St. Petersburg

Other Contact: info@salvadordalimuseum.org

Phone: 727.823.3767

Website: http://salvadordalimuseum.org/welcome/index.php