Attractions

Top Waterfront Attractions

With miles of coastline comes tons of must-see waterfront attractions. The St. Pete Pier offers hours of fun for all ages, including a splash pad, playground, walking paths, an open-air market, a nature discovery center, Spa Beach and tons of dining options. Situated right on Tampa Bay, the Pier has been a destination for sunseekers for more than a century – even if the attraction itself has changed greatly over the years. This exciting new iteration was named the #2 new attraction in the country by USA Today when it opened in 2020.

Situated on the Intracoastal Waterway in Madeira Beach, John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk is a rustic collection of fun shops, restaurants and bars that embrace their coastal roots – from fresh seafood to beachy fashions. This is a great place to find jet-ski rentals, sunset cruises, dolphin-watching tours and a pirate-themed cruise the kids will love. 

Marvelous Museums

With beautiful backdrops, amazing architecture and even outdoor programming, many museums in St. Pete-Clearwater boast amazing photo ops even before you enter the building. The Salvador Dalí Museum’s stunning geodesic structure and hedge maze sit along the beautiful waterfront in downtown St. Pete. Then there’s the inside: a massive collection of the surrealist’s famous works as well as major traveling exhibitions. 

You’ll be captivated by the giant kapok tree outside St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts, especially if you’re here in March, when its scarlet blossoms burst with beauty that would’ve inspired the likes of Georgia O’Keeffe (whose work you can see inside the museum). Also on the inside, you’ll find a permanent art collection spanning thousands of years as well as thought-provoking temporary exhibits. The towering amethyst sculpture outside the Chihuly Collection is just a taste of the other-worldly and fantastical art you’ll find within this space, which features the gorgeously-hued, intricate works of renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly.

One of the newest museums in the destination is also one of the most unique: the FloridaRAMA is a immersive art and technology exhibition inviting visitors to explore original Florida stories. Other museums in the area include the Florida Holocaust Museum, St. Petersburg Museum of History and the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum. (note: the Florida Holocaust Museum is closed for renovations and expected to open in early 2025)

Read more about Tampa Bay area museums
 

Lush Gardens & Pristine Parks

Whether it’s meticulously landscaped or wonderfully wild, green spaces abound in the Tampa Bay area. Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo shows off expertly tended orchids, roses and fruit trees. Just north of downtown St. Pete, Sunken Gardens is a 100-year-old attraction where visitors can stroll through an ever-changing landscape of blooming trees and plants. From downtown St. Pete to our beachfront communities, waterfront parks are a huge draw. Often referred to as the crown jewel of St. Pete-Clearwater, Fort De Soto Park is a pristine beachfront treasure you’ll want to explore more than once, from its award-winning North Beach section to the rare waterfront camping it offers.

Learn more about local parks & nature

Curated Adventures & Guided Tours 

Embark on a tour of St. Pete-Clearwater by boat, bus or by foot. Tours are a great way to get a taste of the destination and discover some of the best shops, attractions, restaurants and breweries of the destination. Enjoy food and drink tastings on the St. Pete Beach Drive & Wine Tours, hosted by Tampa Bay Food Tours, or the Eat St. Pete Food Tour. Art fanatics can explore the St. Pete Walking Mural Tour, or for adventures out on the water there are endless boat tours and cruises!

See more local tours

Attractions & Theme Parks Near St. Pete-Clearwater

Bonus: When you’re here, you’re only an hour or two away from bucket-list attractions. Drive just 90 minutes to Orlando and you’ll find Disney parks (such as Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom) as well as Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and LEGOLAND Florida. Even closer to St. Pete-Clearwater, neighboring Tampa offers Busch Gardens Tampa Bay,  Adventure Island and the ZooTampa at Lowry Park. You can even ride the Cross Bay Ferry from downtown St. Pete to downtown Tampa, where you can explore RiverWalk Tampa and Sparkman Wharf, watch the Lightning vie for yet another Stanley Cup win or take the trolley to Ybor City, a historic Cuban neighborhood turned dining and nightlife hub.