Whether you’re a first-time tourist or a local looking for a fresh way to explore the city, these picks highlight the best of what Tampa Bay has to offer. Explore iconic St. Petersburg attractions, family-friendly activities, cultural institutions, and scenic waterfront experiences that make the Sunshine City one of Florida’s most popular travel destinations.
Explore the best of St. Pete and Beyond the Burg
Planning your itinerary? From waterfront strolls and beach days to museums, markets, and outdoor adventures, these are the top things to do while you’re visiting St. Pete. Whether you’re traveling with family, exploring as a couple, or flying solo, St. Pete has something for everyone.
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The St. Pete Pier
600 2nd Ave NE
No visit to St. Pete is complete without a stroll through the St. Pete Pier. Stretching into Tampa Bay, it offers some of the city’s best sunset views and sweeping skyline scenery. Visitors can enjoy waterfront dining, take the kids to Spa Beach and the splash pad, or explore the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center and St. Petersburg Museum of History. From morning strolls to sunset drinks, the Pier is one of the city’s top attractions.
Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts – The Mahaffey Theater
400 1st St S
For live entertainment in downtown St. Pete, The Mahaffey Theater is one of the city’s premier cultural venues. Overlooking Tampa Bay, the performing arts center hosts Broadway productions, concerts, comedy shows, dance performances, and family-friendly events throughout the year.
The Dalí Museum
1 Dali Blvd
One of the most iconic St. Pete museums, The Dalí Museum houses the largest collection of Salvador Dalí’s work outside of Spain. Located along the downtown waterfront, the striking museum features paintings, sculptures, and immersive exhibits that showcase the surrealist artist’s imaginative world.
Morean Arts Center
719 Central Ave
A cornerstone of St. Pete’s arts scene, the Morean Arts Center showcases rotating exhibitions, hands-on classes, and interactive experiences for visitors of all ages. Guests can watch live glassblowing demonstrations at the Glass Studio or explore galleries featuring works from local and national artists.
Zubrick Magic Theatre
1211 1st Ave N
For one of the most unique and fun things to do in St. Pete, catch a show at the Zubrick Magic Theatre. Illusionists Chris and Ryan Zubrick blend sleight-of-hand, family-friendly comedy, and grand-scale illusions in an intimate theater setting that puts audiences close to the action. The 70-minute performance offers an unforgettable night of entertainment for families, couples, and anyone looking for something different in downtown St. Pete.
Sunken Gardens
1825 4th St N
One of St. Pete’s most beloved attractions, Sunken Gardens is a lush tropical oasis filled with exotic plants, winding pathways, and cascading water features. This 100-year-old botanical garden began as an Old Florida roadside attraction and remains an oasis tucked away in the historic Old Northeast neighborhood. Home to thousands of tropical plants, colorful blooms, and its famous flamingo flock, Sunken Gardens offers visitors a chance to slow down and experience one of St. Pete’s most unique natural attractions.
The Chihuly Collection at the Morean Arts Center
720 Central Ave
Home to a stunning permanent collection of glass art, the Chihuly Collection showcases the work of renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. The museum features vibrant installations, intricate sculptures, and larger-than-life pieces that highlight Chihuly’s innovative approach to glass.
Vertical Ventures
116 18th St S
For active things to do in St. Pete for adults and kids, Vertical Ventures offers indoor rock climbing for all skill levels. The expansive climbing gym features top-rope walls, bouldering areas, lead climbing routes, and classes for beginners and experienced climbers alike. Whether you’re planning a family outing, looking for a unique date idea, or simply wanting to try something new, Vertical Ventures provides a fun experience for visitors of all ages.
Great Explorations Children’s Museum
1925 4th St N
Great Explorations Children’s Museum is one of the best things to do in St. Pete with kids, offering hands-on exhibits designed to spark creativity, curiosity, and learning through play. The museum features interactive science, art, and role-play areas where children can explore, build, and discover at their own pace. With engaging activities for a wide range of ages, it’s a go-to destination for families looking for a fun and educational outing.
The St. Pete Mural Tour
501 Central Ave
Florida CraftArt’s St. Pete mural tours offer a vibrant way to explore the city’s thriving public art scene, showcasing colorful large-scale works throughout downtown. Available as both walking and bike tours, it gives visitors a way to experience the murals up close while learning the stories behind the artists and the creative movement that shaped them.
Museum of Fine Arts
255 Beach Dr NE
The Museum of Fine Arts features a diverse collection spanning centuries and continents. Located along the downtown waterfront, it showcases rotating and traveling exhibitions, making it a standout stop for anyone wanting to explore St. Pete’s arts scene. Make sure to check out Café Clementine in the museum’s beautiful atrium for a coffee and some of the best pastries in town.
Vinoy Park
701 Bayshore Dr NE
One of St. Pete’s most scenic waterfront green spaces, featuring the historic Vinoy Hotel. Its wide walking paths offer sweeping views of Tampa Bay, with plenty of room for strolling, biking, or relaxing by the water. Start at Vinoy Park and follow the North Bay Trail through North Shore Park and up toward Coffee Pot Bayou for a classic waterfront route. It’s also a great place to spot dolphins and manatees just offshore. Visitors can even book a Segway tour to explore the waterfront in a fun, unique way.
Tropicana Field
1 Tropicana Dr
Tropicana Field has long been home to the Tampa Bay Rays and remains one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. While the stadium’s future continues to evolve, The Trop is still an iconic part of St. Petersburg’s sports history and a popular stop for fans visiting the area. Located just west of downtown, it’s surrounded by restaurants, breweries, and the vibrant EDGE and Grand Central districts, making it an easy addition to a day of exploring the city.
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
1101 Country Club Way S
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is one of St. Pete’s best spots to experience Florida’s natural landscape, spanning 400 acres of varying habitats. Its shaded trails wind through diverse ecosystems and native wildlife areas, including a bird-of-prey aviary, making it a favorite for nature walks, photography, and quiet outdoor exploration. Just minutes from downtown, it offers a peaceful escape into the wild side of St. Petersburg.
The Saturday Morning Market
212 3rd St N
One of the most popular St. Pete events, the Saturday Morning Market is a vibrant weekly gathering celebrating all things local. The market features a wide variety of food vendors, fresh produce, artisan goods, live music, and handmade items. It’s a lively community staple and an easy way to experience the city’s love for its local makers. The market relocates in the summer, so be sure to check the website for its seasonal location.
The Woodson African American Museum of Florida
2240 9th Ave S
The Woodson African American Museum of Florida is a cultural institution in St. Pete dedicated to preserving and celebrating African American history, art, and heritage. Located in the historic Deuces Live District, the museum features rotating exhibits, educational programs, and community events that highlight both local and national stories. It’s an important stop for anyone looking better to understand the cultural fabric and history of St. Petersburg.
temporarily closed from January 2026 – July 2026
St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club
559 Mirror Lake Dr N
As the world’s oldest and largest shuffleboard club, this historic venue welcomes visitors for daily open play and its popular Friday Night Shuffle, where you can bring your own food and drinks while enjoying a few friendly games. Whether you’re a first-time player or a seasoned pro, it’s a uniquely St. Pete experience that’s perfect for groups, couples, and families.
ECOmersion Kayak & SUP Rentals
1800 Weedon Dr NE
ECOmersion offers kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals and guided tours through Weedon Island Preserve, giving visitors a unique way to explore one of St. Pete’s most beautiful natural areas. Paddle through calm mangrove tunnels and open waterways while spotting local wildlife like birds, fish, and manatees.
Fort De Soto Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway S.
One of the most beautiful outdoor destinations near St. Pete, the park is known for its white sand beaches, calm turquoise waters, and serene natural setting. Spanning more than 1,000 acres across multiple connected islands, the park offers swimming, kayaking, biking trails, fishing piers, campgrounds, and historic fort ruins to explore. It’s also a prime spot for wildlife viewing, with frequent sightings of shorebirds, dolphins, and other coastal species. Just a short drive from downtown St. Pete, Fort De Soto is a favorite for beach days and outdoor adventures.
The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art
150 Central Ave
The James Museum showcases an impressive collection of Western and Native American art, along with striking wildlife-inspired pieces. The museum features immersive galleries filled with paintings, sculptures, and artifacts that bring the American West to life. With its dramatic architecture and thoughtfully curated exhibits, it offers a compelling cultural experience and a standout stop among St. Pete’s museums.
The Pelican Cruises
Pelican St. Pete offers scenic boat excursions through Tampa Bay, giving visitors a relaxing way to experience St. Pete from the water. Along the way, guests can often see dolphins and take in views of the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge. With narrated tours highlighting local landmarks and wildlife, it’s a great way to enjoy the beauty of St. Pete’s waterfront.
FloridaRAMA
2606 Fairfield Ave S Building 5
FloridaRAMA is an immersive art experience that blends interactive installations, vibrant visuals, and playful storytelling. Featuring a mix of local and contemporary artists, the space invites visitors to explore colorful, surreal environments designed for engagement and creativity. It’s one of the most unique indoor activities St. Pete has to offer, delivering a fun, photo-worthy escape.
The Florida Holocaust Museum
55 5th St S
The Florida Holocaust Museum is one of the largest Holocaust museums in the United States, dedicated to honoring survivors and preserving the history of the Holocaust through powerful exhibits and personal stories. The museum features artifacts, photographs, and immersive displays that educate visitors on this critical period in history.
Florida Botanical Gardens
12520 Ulmerton Rd, Largo
The Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo, located north of St. Petersburg, showcases a wide variety of native and tropical plants across beautifully maintained themed gardens. Visitors can stroll winding paths through orchid collections, butterfly gardens, and natural landscapes filled with Florida wildlife. Free to the public year-round, it’s a relaxing spot for nature walks, photography, and enjoying the region’s natural beauty.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage, Clearwater
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a working marine rescue and rehabilitation center focused on the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Visitors can learn about sea turtles, dolphins, and other local wildlife through interactive exhibits and educational programs that highlight ongoing conservation efforts.
John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk
12945 Village Blvd, Madeira Beach
John’s Pass is a lively waterfront tourist destination known for its mix of restaurants, shopping, and outdoor adventures. Visitors can book pirate ship cruises, fishing charters, and water sports excursions, or simply stroll the boardwalk and watch the boats come and go. With dozens of shops selling beach gear, gifts, and classic Florida souvenirs, it’s the perfect place to pick up a keepsake.
ZooTampa
1101 W Sligh Ave, Tampa
One of the most popular Tampa attractions, ZooTampa at Lowry Park is home to hundreds of animals from around the world, along with interactive exhibits, wildlife encounters, and family-friendly rides. Known for its conservation efforts and immersive habitats, the zoo offers experiences ranging from African wildlife to Florida native species. Just a short drive from St. Pete, it makes a great day trip for families and animal lovers alike.
Did we miss any of your favorite St Pete tourist attractions?
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