Full of tourist attractions and idyllic beaches, St. Petersburg in Florida is a beautiful and welcoming city. Close to much better-known destinations such as Orlando, Miami, Tampa Bay and Hollywood, St. Pete, as it is affectionately called, invites you on a road trip along the east coast of the USA.
By the way, let's start with a tip: It is well worth planning to spend a few days in the region and get to know several Florida cities in the comfort of a car! Are you interested? Happy Tours has the best options and tips for car rental in Orlando. - Please be aware we can only guarantee your reservation for the car category and not for a specific model.
How to get to know St. Petersburg, Florida?
The busiest airport in the area is Orlando Airport (MCO) and is approximately 2 hours from St. Pete. But there is also an airport in Tampa Bay (TPA) which is about twenty minutes by car, and in St. Pete (PIE) just 15 minutes from downtown, but the frequency of daily flights is much lower.
At any of the airports, you can rent a car and gain the freedom to make your own route. If you prefer, there are other transportation options:
- Take the bus, by line 300 or 79, you leave from Tampa airport and arrive in St. Pete approximately two hours later and the cost will be between R$15 and R$30 the ticket;
- By cab, the trip takes about 30 minutes, but can cost more than R$300.00;
- If you want to live a differentiated experience, there is an option to do the trip by limousine, but it won't cost less than R$500.00.
Many tourists still put St. Petersburg as a secondary destination in their visit to Florida, prioritizing the theme parks and more famous cities.
But as time goes by, St. Pete has been gaining fame among Brazilians for having everything our people like. Beaches, excitement (or calmness), heat, and good beer.
When you get there, the best way to get around is still to rent a car, but if you are traveling on a break and don't intend to do much sightseeing, it is possible to stay in regions that don't require a vehicle to move between the city's main beaches.
But, another option is the city's public transportation, the Jolley Trolley or the Suncoast Beach Trolley that runs along all the beaches from Clearwater to Tarpon Springs.
What to do in St. Petersburg?
There is a lot of cool stuff to do in St. Pete. Most Florida itineraries leave only 2 or 3 days for St. Pete and Clearwater, but if you have more time, it's worth stretching your stay by a few days. We've brought you tips on the most popular attractions in town, check it out!
1. Florida Holocaust Museum
It is a place to visit calmly and reflect on the history of humanity. On the second floor, the History, Inheritance, and Hope exhibition is permanent and features objects, photos, and videos of the Nazi rise in the 1940s.
On the second floor there are seasonal exhibitions of artists whose work deals with the Holocaust and other human rights issues, for example.
On the third floor is Kane's Furniture Hall with the permanent exhibition "Kadish in Wood." These are wood-carved pieces built by Herbert Savel that recall photographs of French children during the holocaust.
The museum is in the center of the city. It has free parking and is open every day except holidays. Children under 6 years old are free, but it is not recommended for children.
2. Jannus Live
Jannus Live is an outdoor stage in the historic center of St. Petersburg that hosts concerts by local and national artists all year round. It is worth checking out the show schedule when you are there.
3. Fort De Soto Park
If you just want to relax near the calm water beach of Fort de Soto, the unspoiled natural beauty will delight your eyes. If you are of a more adventurous style, you will also love it.
The park consists of 5 islands interconnected by vegetation that plays an important role in the local ecosystem. There are many options of trails by canoe, by bike, on foot through beaches and native forest on all sides.
Some spots have structure for camping, food, and even a playground for dogs.
There is parking for $5 in the county and the price of rides and attractions varies. Recommended for the whole family, with no rush.
4. Chihuly Collection
The "Chihuly Collection" is a dazzling permanent exhibition of unique works of art by artist Dale Chihuly.
Dale Chihuly is an American artist who has been working with glass as a raw material since 1975, and his works have become famous for the unusual bold shapes and colors in glass work.
5. Street Art in St Pete
The streets of St. Pete have some of the most amazing murals in the world, graffitied by artists from many nations. The graffiti is all over the city and you will be amazed at the amount of themes, techniques, and colors.
Every year there is a Shine festival that celebrates the murals and helps keep them spotless. The town center is an open-air museum, and it is worth setting aside an afternoon to stroll freely through the streets of St. Pete.
6. Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg
The only and largest permanent exhibition with works by the master of surrealism Salvador Dalí, the Dalí Museum reserves a transcendental experience for art lovers and laymen alike.
From iconic melted watches to avant-garde symbols, you will immerse yourself in Dalí's universe by interacting with the artificial intelligence that turns dreams into art in the "Dream Tapestry," and the "Dreams of Dalí" virtual reality experience that takes you inside the canvases of the genius.
7. St. Petersburg Beaches
- Clearwater Region: Award-winning, trendy beaches with turquoise water, calm waves and white sand? Yes! In the region you can go to Indian Rocks or Caladesi Island to spend an idle day under the sun;
- Madeira Beach: Affectionately known as Mad beach, the resort has several paradisiacal beaches such as the charming and native Pass-a-grille;
- St. Pete Beach: The most central beach in the city, it has many options of hotels with sandy feet and, unbelievably, it is not the busiest. You can spend the day calmly, switching between the sea and the pool.
Where to stay in St. Petersburg?
For those who prefer to stay downtown to have more entertainment options, a good tip is the Hyatt Place hotel which has excellent size accommodations, many with ocean views and a breathtaking pool. It is close to many attractions, bars and restaurants.
If you are one who likes a more intense and exotic experience, the Don CeSar Hotel, known as the Pink Palace, was built in 1928. The rooms are not large, but comfortable and with many perks.
An intermediate option is the Hyatt Regency on Clearwater Beach, which offers beach service and a restaurant with excellent food.
Where to eat in St. Petersburg?
- Hellas Bakery & Restaurant: A Greek restaurant that is practically a separate attraction in St. Pete. Almost every day you have to wait to get a table and the menu is all Greek specialties;
- Parkshore Grill: With a varied and refined menu, the house specialties are pork, duck, and lamb. A differential are the tables outside the restaurant overlooking Beach Drive;
- Cassis: The restaurant is located near the pier in St. Petersburg. The house specialty is Gulf Grouper, but they also have a varied menu of sandwiches. Next door there is an ice cream parlor for a delicious dessert!
That's it! A list full of tips for you to spend several days enjoying St. Pete without getting bored. And remember: when you need travel tips, we are always here!
Have a good trip!
