Fun Things To Do In St Pete This Weekend

Alegremente At Glazer Childrens Museum

What North East Winds Are Like At The Skyway Bridge

TampaDuring the interactive new exhibit, AlegreMENTE Happy Brain: Celebrating Early Connections, visitors can celebrate loving, playful connections together in a whimsical forest full of families of all kids both human and animal. Caregivers and their children will get the chance to explore through dance, storytelling, and more, discovering theyre equipped with everything they need to support early brain development and build healthy connections. Recommended for kids ages 0-6years old.

Are You Looking For Things To Do In St Petersburg Fl If So Keep Reading

If youre 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!

Theres 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 its right on the sea, theres a thriving art community, there are loads of outdoors nature reserves, and plenty of delicious restaurants.

So, if youre looking for the best things to do in St Petersburg FL, weve compiled the ultimate list below! Youll find something for every budget here, and every interest too! So lets get into it

Scour The City On A Scavenger Hunt

Looking for a fun way to explore the city? Why not try a scavenger hunt to discover the best of St. Petersburgs highlights. Gather together your team and hit the streets for a unique self-guided game experience.

Simply download the app and follow clues and directions to locations around the city. Here you will have to use your eyes and intuition to answer trivia questions and solve puzzles. Uncover the history of the city, explore at your own pace and enjoy working together in these light-hearted and informative challenges.

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Go Fishing At Skyway Fishing Pier State Park

St.Petersburg is home to a very unique and cool fishing spot in the shadow of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge which spans Tampa Bay. When the Sunshine Skyway was built in the mid-1980s, the old bay bridge was left in place and quickly became popular with local anglers.

It is now considered the worlds longest fishing pier and gives fishermen unrestricted access to the deeper bay waters. Whats better still is that you can drive your car right up to your favorite fishing spot, pretty neat!

You can catch a wide selection of fish here. Common varieties caught at the pier include grouper, Spanish mackerel, red snapper and black sea bass and the bridge is even lit up after dark so you can fish late into the evening.

How To Have A Fun Weekend In St Petersburg Florida

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No one does laid back, hipster beach vibes in the US quite like St. Petersburg in Florida. Along with award-winning beaches, St. Pete has an uber-cool downtown area, bursting with boutique shops, street art and hip restaurants.

St. Petersburg, , is located between the Gulf of Mexico and beautiful Tampa Bay. The city is well-known for its warm weather, beaches and for having the accolade of most consecutive days with sunshine at 768 days!

If youre short on time, a weekend in St Pete is a perfect amount of time to get to know some of citys highlights and to also hit the beach!

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Pet An Alligator At Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center

Ever wanted to get up close to an alligator? Well nows your chance! The Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center allows visitors to do just that, you can even kiss one if you really want to?!

The center offers shelter and rehabilitation to surrendered gators that were bought as pets and outgrew their homes. Visitors get the unique opportunity to see alligators up close and pet and hold them under careful supervision.

Though the primary draw of the Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center is going to be alligators, there are also plenty of other creatures to get up close to. The center is home to a bunch of unusual and interesting residents including fish, snakes, skunks, lizards, pigs and more.

Dont forget to show them some love!

City Of St Petersburg

Along with beautiful, award-winning beaches, St. Petersburg is home to the world-renowned Salvador Dali Museum, top-rated restaurants and beautiful Fort De Soto Park. The waterfront escape is a perfect family getaway with so many things to do!

The gleaming new 26-acre St. Pete Pier combines the peaceful blue waters of Tampa Bay with the vibrant greenery of downtown St. Petersburgs parks, creating the ultimate place to stroll, bike, dine, drink, shop, swim, and take in a concert and more.

St. Petersburg, which glimmers between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, is known for its warm weather and for holding the title of most consecutive days with sunshine at 768 days!

Downtown St. Petersburg is the citys heart, home to great shopping, restaurants, bars and cultural attractions. After making a stop to check out the largest collection of Dalis work outside of Spain, swing by the Chihuly Collection on Central Avenue to witness mind-blowing glasswork.

Whether youre having some down time on Americas best beaches or admiring beautiful Tampa Bay from downtown St. Pete, youre in for some major fun in the sun.

For more information and more ideas for what to do in St. Pete, check out Visit St. Pete-Clearwater.

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St Petersburg Shuffleboard Club

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Did you know that St. Pete is home to the worlds largest shuffleboard club?

The St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club opened in 1924, a new site in the state as it grew into a popular destination for tourists.

Among the things to do in St. Petersburg, FL, most involved leisure and relaxation, and shuffle boarding was certainly a leisurely sport.

Shuffleboard is played by sliding disks along long, flat courts with a cue.

The goal is to land discs on the opposite ends triangle. For the most part, its a relaxing game, and its one of the activities that allows open-air recreation in a sporting event that is more social than exertion-heavy.

Better yet, the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club was a great sight, with a roof fitted with Spanish tiles and relaxing, mood-setting hanging lamplights.

Unfortunately, the rise of the Great Depression caused St. Petes popularity to dwindle, which sapped the fun out of the shuffleboard club.

It was soon known as an old persons game instead of as a game for the generations of tomorrow, and the city soon became a retirement village.

But times changed again, and today, shuffle boarding is regaining popularity, and the club is in full swing.

Though not as popular as it was in its heyday, the club welcomes players for free on Friday nights and offers membership to those interested.

Address: 559 Mirror Lake Dr N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States

Don’t Miss Sanding Ovations Or Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival

America’s best beaches is more than just great sand between the toes – it also means great sand sculptures on the beach! Sanding Ovations annual Master’s Cup brings master sculptors from throughout the world to Treasure Island for a competition of the best of the best for some outSANDing works of art. The exhibition and competition has roots dating back to 1985, when Florida Governor Jeb Bush proclaimed Treasure Island as the Sand Sculpture Capital of Florida. The annual event takes place every November.

Meanwhile in spring, the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival features 17 days of fun, with more than 1,000 tons of sand in a 21,000-square-foot exhibit. The festival features a children’s play area, street performers, artisans and weekend fireworks. You can even attend a sand-sculpting class!

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Go Shopping On Central Avenue

Shops, cafes and craft beer bars, Central Avenue is where its at in St Pete.

The 600 Block has retained its 1920s brick facade buildings and has repurposed them to contain boutique shops, breweries, cafes, record shops, and restaurants.

The block was supposed to be demolished to make way for redevelopment just before the real estate bubble burst in 2008.

A St. Petersburg city councilwoman had the idea to offer affordable rents to artists to revitalise the area and open up previously shuttered buildings.

More Things To Do Ongoing Tampa Bay Events

Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, downtown TampaThe Florida Museum of Photographic Arts Invites the Tampa Bay community to view the work of outstanding emerging artists represented by the United Photographic Arts Gallery .

Dolphintopia Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Clearwater BeachBeginning this month, guests will be transported to a summer of peace, love, and dolphins. Celebrate the facts, fiction, and fun of these enchanting marine mammals, while exploring the fascinating science of dolphins and their intimate connection with humans throughout history. Dolphintopia will feature unique dolphin art installations, activities, interactive shows, and vibrant Instagrammable photo ops. The elements of this saltwater celebration will change throughout the summer, offering annual members different experiences. The Dolphintopia celebration is included with general admission. Guests can also visit CMAs resident dolphins in their habitats while visiting, and purchase VIP Dolphin Experiences or Photo Moment Experiences.

Tuesdays from 8-10pmCrafty Squirrel St. Pete, St. PeteTwo rounds of musical bingo with 8 prizes. Plus enjoy the weekly Taco Tuesday special: a la carte Americana style tacos are only $2!FREE Admission

Fridays from 7-10pmSt. Pete Shuffle, St. PeteLearn to play shuffleboard with help from St. Pete Shuffles staff and volunteers, who will get you set up on a court and teach you how to play.$10 free for members and their guests

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Enjoy One Of Many White Sand Beaches

A requirement for any weekend in St Petersburg is a visit to the beach!

Which beach you end up going to will depend on if you are coming with a car or not. If you dont have transportation then the hotel you choose will drastically narrow down which beaches are close enough to walk to. However, if you do have a car then youll be able to easily pick your hangout spot!

My personal favorite beach near all of the restaurants and shops is Upham Beach but my all-time favorite beach for relaxing is the less touristy Fort DeSoto.

I do have a separate blog on the best beaches on the Tampa Bay gulf coast so check it out to learn the differences between each beach. It will also help you decide which hotel on St Pete Beach is close by to the beach you want to go to.

Day Drinking at St Pete Beach Beach Bars

While at the beach a weekend in St Petersburg wouldnt be complete without day drinking at some of the beach bars. The hotspot for them is St Pete Beach and Treasure Island. There are quite a few beach bars to choose from but all with drastically different vibes. Let me elaborate

Coconut Charlies is a great spot to grab some fun cocktails and elevated bar food and just hang out and enjoy the atmosphere. I personally fell in love with the tiki bar layout and live music out on the deck space.

The hammocks are great if you want a quiet space to talk and theres also a volleyball court. You can easily access the beach from here and there are cabana rentals available.

Caddys

Go Shufflin At The Worlds Oldest Shuffleboard Club

St Petersburg Shuffleboard Club was founded in 1924, making it the first shuffleboard club in the world. It was here that the rules of the game were written, and in time it grew to become the largest club of its kind in the world.

Today it still keeps that title, and while it was once a game for retirees, it has managed to reinvent itself and the popularity of shuffleboard is on the rise.

While you need to be a member to play here most of the time, on Friday nights between 7pm and 10pm its open to the public and you can play shuffleboard for free.

The club gets very busy and there is a contagious party atmosphere that will draw you in. And you can bring your own drinks and food, so you can make a Friday night picnic out of it.

If you happen to be in St Pete on a Friday evening, dont miss out on this unique experience. And if you dont know how to play, dont fret. A volunteer will talk you through the rules before you get started.

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Fun & Unusual Things To Do In St Petersburg Florida

Nicknamed The Sunshine City for its year-round fine weather, St. Petersburg could be one of the best family-friendly places to vacation on Floridas Gulf Coast.

Endowed with gleaming white sands and tranquil clear waters, St Pete Beach is often voted one of the nicest in the country the perfect place for sunbathing or paddleboarding. Its secluded barrier isles are an ideal place to get away from it all and a trip to its many lush parks and preserves are just some of the best things to do in St. Petersburg.

The city has a thriving downtown district with a distinctly bohemian culture and many arts and cultural places to visit, including some of the countrys top museums and galleries.

The nearby citys of Tampa and Clearwater, with their world-famous theme parks and attractions, are always just a stones throw away. But what to do first?

Pick Your Aperitivo At Mazzaros Italian Market

Mazzaros started out as a coffee roasting business nearly 30 years ago and soon became the locals go-to place for anything Italian stopping by here is one of the essential things to do in St. Petersburg and you wont leave empty-handed for sure.

This Italian deli has got everything you need to satisfy your Mediterranean cravings such as coffee, wine, cured meats, cheeses, handmade pasta, pizza, bread, pastries, gelato and many more!

Mazzaros cellars include the largest selection of Italian wines in Florida. Not sure which wine to bring home? Join one of the free wine tasting sessions every Friday and Saturday lunchtime and get top recommendations from the staff.

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Walk Around Downtown Gulfport

If I could describe Gulfport in one word it would be charming. The heart of Gulfport, located just 10-15 minutes from downtown St. Pete, is made up of a few blocks on Beach Blvd S. that lead all the way up to the water. Its so pleasing just to walk around and take in all the bright pops of color and eclectically styled exteriors, its hard to stop staring! There are endless choices for dining, breweries, coffee shops, and boutiques if you wish to spend!

Gulfport also has a public beach that is clean but its not somewhere Id want to swim the bottom is kinda nasty! A few times after work Ive brought some Chick-fil-a and sat on a bench or under a pavilion to enjoy the view! Theres also a new pier to the left of the Gulfport Casino that has a fun bench swing.

Overall, visiting Gulfport can be an extremely fun thing to do for free not far from downtown St. Pete!

St Pete Florida Beach

See What’s New in St Petersburg, FL | Fall 2022 Edition

You can spend your day sunbathing, swimming and relaxing in this white sand paradise, or maybe partake in some water sports?

On St Pete beach, you can try stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, kiteboarding and parasailing if you are feeling particularly active?

Why not book your St Pete Parasail Flight in advance online? This way you can be sure you are going with a reputable company and you can also cancel up to 24 hours before if your plans change?

I would recommend taking a flight and getting some super cool, aerial snaps of the beach. Its totally one of the most fun things to do in St Pete beach.

If you are just looking for some beach relaxation, then I think the best time to experience the beach is at sunset. You can watch the most dreamy sunset and see the sky explode with colour, it is a fantastic sight.

I would really recommend taking a GoPro camera with you on your St Pete trip so that you can get some awesome beach and kayak shots.

GoPros are waterproof and shockproof, so you dont have to worry about them getting wet or dropping them in the sand.

Want more Florida travel ideas? Check out my article on fun things to do Clearwater Florida for inspiration.

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Ferry From Ft Desoto To Shell Key

Time needed: Flexible

Cost: $40 round trip

Departs: Fort De Soto Boat Ramp, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S

Take a day trip out to one of the gulf coasts beautiful and uninhabited island preserves with bright blue water and white sand. There are several islands around but one of the closest to St Pete Beach is Shell Key Island which can easily be reached by ferry.

The Shell Key Ferry, is located at the Fort DeSoto boat ramp. You can pay in person or take advantage of booking in advance online which is highly recommended, especially in peak season around spring break or holidays. The ticket cost is $40 but it includes a parking pass and the online booking fee in the price.

  • Departure Times: 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM Fri-Mon

  • Pick-up Times: 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM Fri-Mon

Note: It costs $5 to enter Ft Desoto park. To make the most of your money you could plan to enjoy the park, fort, and beach here before or after your ferry over to the key.

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