Things to do in  St Petersburg

The extensive Salvador Dali Museum is home to the largest collection of works by the famous Spanish surrealist outside of Europe. Visitors to the St. Petersburg highlight can view key works from every stage of Dali’s career as well as exceptional pieces from every medium of his artistic endeavors—oil paintings, original drawings, prints, sculptures, and photos—along with manuscripts and an extensive archive of documents.

Just offshore of Florida in the Tampa Bay, Egmont Key State Park features a lighthouse built in 1858. The island was used as a prison during the Third Seminole War and a Union Naval station during the Civil War. Fort Dade, now in ruins, was built during the Spanish-American War. Today, Egmont Key is a state park and wildlife refuge.

Fort De Soto Park is a 5-island chain that was a working fort during the Spanish-American War—but because it was completed after the war ended, the site saw no violence. Today, the park is home to hundreds of bird species, campsites, a museum, and beaches rated among the best in the country.

The St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is one of Florida’s most comprehensive art collections, with exhibits spanning 5,000 years and over 20,000 works. The museum boasts pieces from famous artists such as Monet and O'Keeffe as well as sculpture gardens, prestigious photography exhibits, and early American Indian art.

North Straub Park is one of a series of bayfront parks in St. Petersburg. It’s surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and museums, often hosting community events and private gatherings. Its sibling park, South Straub Park, is just opposite the Museum of Fine Arts.

Set on a small island off the Gulf Coast of Florida, St. Pete Beach is known for its white-sand beaches, water sports, and the historic Don CeSar resort. Despite the island’s small size, you can find everything you need, from mom-and-pop restaurants and quaint hotels to upscale resorts, art galleries, and shopping.

Spanning 2 acres (0.8 hectares, the Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum is home to more than 500 palms and cycads from around the world, representing more than 150 different species. Featuring paved walkways, a shaded gazebo, and wooden benches; this hidden gem allows visitors to study and enjoy palms in a beautiful and tranquil setting.

An oasis in the heart of St. Petersburg, Sunken Gardens is a 4-acre, century-old living museum in the Historic Old Northeast neighborhood. Walking paths weave through the botanical gardens, adorned with hundreds of species of plants, flowers, exotic birds, and flamingos that add even more vibrant hues to the lush surroundings.

Hidden in the interior of St. Petersburg, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is a lakeside preserve with hiking trails, a 19th-century pioneer settlement, and a visitor education center. It’s considered a hidden gem, as many tourists don’t visit it, but it’s a popular park with locals for weekly events for adults and children.

Located between the Historic Old Northeast district and Snell Isle, Coffee Pot Bayou is one of the oldest neighborhoods in St. Petersburg. An upscale, residential area, it’s also known for the many wildlife species that can be found in the waters of the bayou and surrounding areas, including manatees, dolphins, and birds.

See the fantastical glass creations of world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly at the Chihuly Collection in St. Petersburg. Presented by the Morean Arts Center, the collection features 18 installations from several of Chihuly’s most popular series in a space designed to showcase his organic and large-scale artworks.

First inhabited by the Manasota peoples 5,000 years ago, Weedon Island Preserve remains a significant cultural, ecological, and social destination in St. Petersburg. Along with historical landmarks, the limited solid land and rich marine ecosystem on Weedon Island offer unspoiled opportunities for birdwatching, kayaking, hiking, fishing, and wildlife photography. Guests regularly visit to spend the day under the sun, just minutes from downtown St. Petersburg and South Tampa.