downtown hotspots

Explore St. Petersburg's Districts

Thriving downtown St. Petersburg is a hub of arts, shopping, food and drink experiences. Explore St. Pete's districts and plan an amazing day (or week) in the Sunshine City!


St. Petersburg, named one of the top cities to visit in America by Conde Nast Traveler (2020), is a different place than you might remember if you haven't visited in a while. As noted in Forbes, St. Pete has transformed from a sleepy, small downtown to a ever-evolving patchwork of craft breweries, artist enclaves and galleries, clothing boutiques, coffee/wine bar concepts and memorable museums. Did we forget to mention the St. Pete Pier was named one of the top new attractions in the country?

No longer can the entire downtown St. Pete experience be done in a single day. In fact, you could spend an entire vacation enjoying the city's eight districts. Explore our guide below and get a taste of downtown before you visit, and learn even more on our St. Petersburg community page.

1

Waterfront Museum District

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The Waterfront Museum District, spanning along a gorgeous waterfront space with several parks, has some of the major attractions of St. Petersburg, including the Dali Museum, the Mahaffey Theater, the Museum of Fine Arts, the James Museum, and an iconic hotel, The Vinoy.

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2

St. Pete Pier District

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The St. Pete Pier spreads 26 acres along the Tampa Bay waterfront. Filled with green spaces, eateries and activities, the St. Pete Pier is the perfect place to spend a day. Families can enjoy the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center for an educational and fun experience, or the splash pad as a perfect spot for kiddies to cool-off on a warm day. With restaurants, fishing and so much more, there are plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy here.

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3

Central Arts District

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Covering hip Central Ave. where it runs through the downtown core, this district manages to keep growing without losing its cool vibe. Find tons of boutiques, some of the best restaurants around and some excellent museums and galleries such as the Morean Arts Center and the Chihuly Collection. 

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4

Grand Central District

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One of the most exciting parts of the city, the Grand Central District is a 15-block stretch of Central Avenue full of thriving galleries, shops and restaurants. It's a flourishing LGBTQ+ hub, and was the original location of St. Pete Pride and related festivities. It's also home to Imagine Museum and the Morean Arts Center.

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5

Deuces Live District

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One of St. Petersburg's historically Black communities, Deuces Live is a vibrant spot with excellent restaurants, historic sites and must-see attractions including the Dr. Carter G. Woodson Museum of African American History. St. Pete's African-American Heritage Trail is found here.

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6

The EDGE District

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Shopping, dining and nightlife line Central Ave. here. Find tons of indie boutiques such as Ashe Couture, craft beer and wine establishments like The Independent and CellarMasters and coffee and kava shops such as Grassroots Kava House. Tropicana Field is where to see a Tampa Bay Rays home game.

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7

MLK North District

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A bit of a local secret, yet home to some of St. Petersburg’s best art, shopping and dining, the MLK North District offers vibrant murals and is home to fun indie flea market events. Have weekend brunch at The Left Bank Bistro or stop in at one of several dive bars. Art lovers will want to check out Mize Gallery.

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8

Warehouse Arts District

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Covering an area south of downtown, the Warehouse Arts District is home to formerly industrial spaces that have transformed into vibrant studios and galleries. Local artists often work on site, such as glass artist Duncan McClellan. See many of them during Second Saturday Art Walk. It's also a great place for mural-spotting.

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