St. Petersburg

The inverted pyramid of the St. Petersburg Pier is a beacon, inviting you to check out this hip, cosmopolitan city on Tampa Bay. What’s not to love about a city with 361 days of sunshine each year, 137 parks and six major museums including the Dali Museum, showcasing the world's most comprehensive collection of the renowned Spanish artist's work in a stunning new building? Known as a thriving art center, downtown St. Petersburg has a host of galleries and is also home to the Museum of Fine Arts which showcases striking works by Monet, Gauguin, Renoir, O’Keeffe and others.

And that's just for starters. Cool off with Major League Baseball, Florida style – watch the Tampa Bay Rays play in air-conditioned Tropicana Field. Enjoy wine tastings, live music and outdoor dining. And don't miss the Mahaffey Theater, Sunken Gardens, the Pinellas Trail, Fort De Soto Park and all of the other cool things to see here.

With more than 100 parks across the county, there’s green space for everyone. And thanks to the city’s charter, the waterfront along the bay is free of development, making it perfect for walking or bicycling. Rent a bike and ride along the ribbon of green that hugs the bay, taking in views of swaying palms, waterfront mansions, sailboats and dolphins. Or explore downtown by bike along its recreational trails and on-street bike routes.

Climb on The Looper, the trolley that makes a loop around downtown every half hour, stopping at the Museum of Fine Arts, the Vinoy Renaissance, Chihuly Collection - Morean Arts Center and more. The driver will acquaint you with downtown attractions, and you’re free to get on or off at any of the 13 stops.

Time your visit to coincide with the Mainsail Arts Festival, which draws more than 100,000 people, or the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, which features IndyCars racing through city streets, or the great eats and live music of the Ribfest or . . . well, you get the idea. Finding something fun to do in this hopping city isn’t a problem. Deciding what to do first can be.