Your Weekend Starts Here in St. Pete-Clearwater
St. Pete-Clearwater is your go-to local getaway for beaches, brunch and late nights with friends.
You don’t need a long vacation — or a long drive — to make legendary memories with your crew.
Live nearby and want to explore? Head to St. Pete-Clearwater, home to the best beach in Florida, and the ultimate playground for friend groups. Whether you’re arriving for a spontaneous day trip or booking a last-minute stay, expect golden sunsets, lots of nightlife and dining choices, and heated arcade rivalries that keep the good vibes going.
Head out for a night of fun in downtown St. Pete.
Head out for a night of fun in downtown St. Pete.
Stellar Nightlife
For friends traveling together, St. Pete hits all the high notes in the evening.
- Start with drinks and fun at Park & Rec, where throwback games (Jenga or beer pong, anyone?), neon lights and curated playlists set the tone.
- Keep the party rolling at the Friday Night Shuffle, where everything old is new again at the world's oldest shuffleboard club. You can bring your own food and drinks (just no glass), and meet some new friends, too.
- Hang with your gang at rooftop bars, craft cocktail lounges, wine bars, dance clubs and more. There are even several night markets with great food and vendors: Check out the St. Pete Night Market at Ferg's Sports Bar and the Mega Night Market in nearby Pinellas Park.
- For a different vibe, the gamers in the group will want to head north to Tarpon Springs, where you can level up with vintage arcade games at Replay Amusement Museum (open until 7 p.m.), then spend your evening checking out the bars, breweries and waterfront eats along the nearby Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks.
Clearwater Beach won #1 beach in Florida in 2026!
Clearwater Beach won #1 beach in Florida in 2026!
The Perfect Beach to Suit Your Style
If you’re going to post a beach pic, make it this beach.
- Clearwater Beach was named the #1 beach in Florida, #2 in the U.S. and in the top 20 worldwide by TripAdvisor – hype earned for its powdery sand, clear water, lively bars and unreal sunsets. In fact, there's a free sunset celebration every night.
- But don't stop there: There are standout beaches to fit your mood any day of the week. St. Pete Beach is full of fun. Madeira Beach is a great place to hang out, and you can meander over (in a beach cover-up and flip-flops, if you like) to explore John's Pass Village & Boardwalk. Escape to a pristine island when you kayak or ferry over to Caladesi Island State Park.
Get your beachside fix at the classic Sloppy Joe's on the Beach.
Get your beachside fix at the classic Sloppy Joe's on the Beach.
Beachy Hangs
Want to go totally tiki? You'll find great beach bars in St. Pete-Clearwater. Spend the day hopping between shoreline hangs like Caddy's and Undertow, or sip and snap photos from elevated spots like Jimmy's Crow's Nest. Sloppy Joe's is a long-time favorite. You can even sip drinks while cruising on a floating tiki tour.
Don't miss the chance to go on a floating tiki tour!
Don't miss the chance to go on a floating tiki tour!
Art for Everyone
Creativity thrives in St. Pete, a short drive east of our beach communities. Here, vibrant murals, interactive art installations and museums turn any afternoon into a content crawl.
- Step into FloridaRAMA for neon-lit, TikTok-worthy rooms, or swing by The Chihuly Collection for enormous, dramatic glass art. You can even take a glassblowing class at the Morean Glass Studio or Zen Glass Studio.
- For a surreal stop, don’t miss The Dalí Museum, which features an extensive collection of Salvador Dalí’s paintings and other artworks, along with a lineup of seasonal exhibits that fascinate.
- To see art on a grand scale, take to the streets on a walking, biking or trolley tour of the area's more than 600 amazing murals.
Take a mural tour of St. Pete to fully appreciate the city's artistic side.
Take a mural tour of St. Pete to fully appreciate the city's artistic side.
Sports That Bring the Hype
Nothing bonds a friend group faster than live sports.
- Catch spring training action with the Toronto Blue Jays or Philadelphia Phillies.
- Cheer on the hometown legends, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Affordable tickets, electric crowds and post-game celebrations make for easy, last-minute plans.
Spring training games are a lot of fun for a little money.
Spring training games are a lot of fun for a little money.
Next Steps Toward Your Getaway
- Book a hotel: Sure, you could make St. Pete-Clearwater a day trip – but staying overnight takes things up a notch and gives you freedom to explore more nightlife (and fun the next day, too). Check out hotel options and secure the perfect base for your crew.
- Plan some "next-day" fun: If you decide to stay over, don't miss weekend brunch. Try popular spots like Island Way Grill on Clearwater Beach (the Sunday brunch buffet is bussin'), Clear Sky Beachside Cafe (named the "Best Casual Eats" in the area), or The Library in St. Pete (cool atmosphere and shareable charcuterie boards).
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Sip drinks by the pool and soak up the sun.
Sip drinks by the pool and soak up the sun.