Florida's Sunshine City
Visit artsy, ever-changing St. Pete, and you’ll see why Forbes named it one of the "Best Places to Travel in the U.S." Located in the vibrant Tampa Bay area, St. Petersburg is no stranger to accolades – it was also recently named the "Best Food City in the U.S.," one of the “Best Street Art Cities in the World” and one of “America’s Hottest Cities to Live and Visit.” Even the pups love it – it was chosen as the #1 dog-friendly city by SmartAsset.
St. Pete moves at its own pace — sunlit mornings on the water, afternoons spent gallery-hopping downtown, evenings that stretch out over dinner and a rooftop view. Some days call for a kayak and a mangrove tunnel. Others call for murals, museums, and a slow walk through downtown. Both are perfect in our eyes.
St. Pete serves a seriously flavorful food scene doesn't take itself too seriously. Savor chef-driven restaurants that feature fresh seafood, complex flavor fusions alongside traditional techniques. Indulge in craft brews and cocktails at atmospheric nightlife establishments. Sip and re-energize at coffee shops on every other corner worth ducking into.
St. Pete vibes don't stop at the hotel front doors. Refresh and recharge at revived historic landmarks, embrace a quieter scene at boutique favorites or join rooftop and pool parties at the hottest hotels in town.
Your Ultimate Travel Guide to St. Petersburg, Florida
In one of the sunniest cities on the planet, there's no shortage of great places to stay, play and indulge in great food and drink. Check out all that the city of St. Pete offers, and plan your next great vacation.
Events
St. Pete hosts hundreds of events and festivals each year. Check out local favorites such as the Saturday Morning Market - the largest weekly fresh market in the Southeast USA - or the Second Saturday ArtWalk, held downtown on the second Saturday of the month.
Spring kicks off with the Reggae Rise Up Music Festival and June brings the St. Pete Pride Festival throughout the city. October boasts the SHINE St. Pete Mural Festival where visitors can see mural artists at work. No matter when you’re planning to visit, you'll find a variety of fun festivals and events, art exhibits, theater and musical performances.
Top Restaurants in St. Petersburg
St. Pete is a culinary destination that can hold its own against the best of them. In fact, Travel + Leisure gave a shout-out to St. Petersburg as the Best Food City in the U.S. What's the reason? An influx of home-grown chefs as well as restaurateurs who've chosen the city for its innovative spirit and access to fresh ingredients.
Nightlife
When the sun goes down in St. Pete, the fun keeps going. Central Ave. is home to many clubs and bars, including Enigma, the Mandarin Hide and Emerald Bar. There’s even a Dog Bar! Breweries such as Green Bench Brewing and 3 Daughters Brewing dot downtown - many of them with outdoor beer gardens, games and entertainment. On Beach Drive, The Canopy Rooftop Lounge is the place to go for cocktails with an unbeatable view of St. Petersburg’s waterfront. For live music in an intimate setting, Jannus Live offers a great lineup of touring bands.
Art Attractions
Once a sleepy tourist town by the bay, St. Petersburg has emerged as a stellar art destination with one-of-a-kind museums, galleries and creative experiences. It's no wonder why Condé Nast Traveler named St. Pete as one of the top small U.S. cities with "big-time art scenes." Check out some of our best art.
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Chihuly Collection
St. Petersburg
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Dalí Museum
St. Petersburg
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Museum of American Arts & Crafts Movement
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Imagine Museum
St. Petersburg
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The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art
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Museum of Fine Arts
St. Petersburg
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Florida CraftArt
St. Petersburg
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Duncan McClellan Gallery
St. Petersburg
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Warehouse Arts District Association
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Weekly Walking Mural Tours
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Mainsail Art Festival
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St. Pete Second Saturday Artwalk
How to Get Around St. Pete
It's easy to get around downtown St. Pete, so ditch your car and head out on foot (metered parking is available and there are three public parking garages, see this guide on where to park for details). Another great option is Lime Bike Share, which allows you to check out an e-bike and go for a spin around town. Scooters can also be rented throughout downtown (just download the Spin app). There’s also the charming (and free!) Looper Trolley that runs seven days a week. Outside of the downtown area, you’ll likely want a car (or a rideshare from Uber or Lyft). The exception to that is the SunRunner, which takes you from downtown St. Pete to St. Pete Beach, and everywhere in between, as it cruises past traffic in its own dedicated lane.
Parks & Nature
Walk trails at lovely Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Rent a kayak at Weedon Island Preserve to explore mangrove tunnels, then stroll the boardwalks and climb the observation tower to see alligators and water birds.
The city's beloved urban parks - such as North Shore Park, Vinoy Park, Straub Park and others - are wonderful places to enjoy bay views and watch the parade of people pass by (on foot, on bike, on skates, and many with dogs in tow).
Places to Stay
If you feel like a splurge, there’s no better place in St. Pete than The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, a seashell-pink, circa 1925 luxury hotel on the city's iconic waterfront. For a smaller but still luxurious setting, check out the 1920s-themed Birchwood with its four-poster beds and oversized bathrooms with clawfoot tubs, or the award-winning 1921 Cordova Hotel near the St. Pete Pier. If you want to go more modern, there are a slew of newer hotels such as Tru by Hilton and Moxy St. Pete to choose from.
