Updated: January 02, 2026
St. Petersburg offers year-round sunshine and attractions for every interest. Explore world-class art museums like the Dali, relax on Fort De Soto's award-winning beaches, bike the 47-mile Pinellas Trail, or wander through the lush tropical paradise of Sunken Gardens.
Downtown St. Petersburg
Nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg is known as the "sunshine city", with an average of 361 sunshiny days every year. With weather like that, it's easy to see why it's a favorite vacation spot for all ages. Whether you are looking for some outdoor adventure or want to explore the city's trendy art scene, there's something for everyone on St. Pete!
The Waterfront Arts District is St. Pete's most fashionable address. Anchored by the Dali Museum and the Performing Arts Center, this neighborhood has established galleries and museums for a sophisticated experience. Visitors looking for the "next big thing" will want to explore the urban-historic mix of galleries and music venues in the Central Arts District.
The Grand Central District is home to Florida's largest new and used bookstore, Haslam. The Edge District is seven blocks of murals, restaurants, microbreweries, and shopping. If you're looking for a large installation, check out the Warehouse Arts District. Emerging neighborhoods like Deuces Live, and MLK North, embrace and celebrate the diversity of the city's African American heritage and future.
South of North beach, you'll find more secluded beaches, including Gulf Pier Beach. East Beach is a less impressive beach, but the location makes it perfect for kiteboarding. Bay Pier is also known as "Dog Beach" because it's close to the two fenced in dog parks. Well behaved dogs and their owners can run off leash at this beach, as long as they clean up after themselves.
Kayakers can also access Shell Key, a pristine, uninhabited barrier island, which is a a shellers paradise! The park has 238 camping sites, which have electricity, water, central washroom buildings with flush toilets and showers. Camping is extremely popular, and sites go fast, so make your plans early. On the Southern end of Mullet key, is the park's name sake, Fort De Soto. Built during the Spanish-American war, visitors can take a self -guided tour of the buildings.
The museum is designed chronologically and features a dramatic double helix staircase in the center, a nod to the artist's obsession with the geometrical shape. The building itself is an architectural masterpiece, designed to withstand category 5 winds and storm surges and protect the 2,000 piece collection. The museum's permeant collection includes six of the artist's eighteen large master pieces, including the nine-foot tall "Hallucinogenic Toreador". The museum offers guided tours as well as audio tours, and these are definitely recommended for those visitors who didn't major in art in college.
More than 70,000 people use the trails every month. In St. Pete, the first 15 miles of the trail include dozens of pedestrian bridges, including the scenic quarter mile Cross Bayou Bridge, which crosses Boca Ciega Bay. All trails are wheelchair accessible. Trail amenities, like bike rakes, and water stops are provided by the Pinellas Trails, Inc., a not-for-profit citizen's group.
After exploring St. Pete's sunshine and culture, consider extending your Gulf Coast adventure to Panama City Beach. Emerald Coast Retreats offers beautiful beachfront accommodations where you can enjoy the same turquoise waters and white sand beaches that make Florida's coast unforgettable.
