Things to Do in St. Petersburg, Florida: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
St. Petersburg, on Florida's Gulf Coast, blends a lively arts scene with some of the best beaches in America. The Salvador Dalí Museum holds the largest Dalí collection outside Europe, the rebuilt St. Pete Pier stretches into Tampa Bay, and downtown is covered with colorful murals. Fort De Soto Park and St. Pete Beach offer white sand and calm water just 20 minutes away.
This guide covers the best things to do in St. Petersburg, with itineraries for 3, 5 and 7 days, ideas for weekends, couples and families, local food, where to stay and how to get around.
Top things to see in St. Petersburg
The Dalí Museum
The largest collection of Salvador Dalí's work outside Europe.
St. Pete Pier
26-acre pier with parks, restaurants and a beach.
Fort De Soto Park
Award-winning beaches, a historic fort and kayak trails.
St. Pete Beach
White sand and the pink Don CeSar hotel.
Sunken Gardens
Century-old botanical garden with flamingos.
Central Avenue murals
Hundreds of murals in the EDGE and Grand Central districts.
Chihuly Collection
Glass art by Dale Chihuly.
Clearwater Beach
Famous beach 30 minutes north.
St. Petersburg in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Downtown arts
Start at The Dalí Museum, where the surrealist masterpieces and the glass geodesic bubble on the building are both highlights; join a free docent tour. Walk to the Chihuly Collection for colorful glass art. Lunch on Beach Drive. In the afternoon stroll the St. Pete Pier, rent a bike and watch pelicans from the tip. Dinner downtown with a rooftop drink at sunset.
2Day 2 · Fort De Soto and beaches
Spend the day at Fort De Soto Park, consistently ranked among America's best beaches, with the historic fort, kayak trails through mangroves and North Beach. Picnic lunch. In the late afternoon head to St. Pete Beach and the pink Don CeSar hotel for sunset. Dinner at a beach bar with grouper.
3Day 3 · Murals and gardens
Morning mural tour along Central Avenue and in the Warehouse Arts District, with breweries and galleries. Lunch in Grand Central. Afternoon at Sunken Gardens with flamingos and tropical plants. Evening at a craft brewery and live music.
St. Petersburg in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Clearwater and Caladesi
Drive 30 minutes north to Clearwater Beach, consistently ranked among America's top beaches, and visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a rescue center for dolphins and sea turtles. Take the ferry to Caladesi Island State Park for a quiet beach and a kayak trail. Lunch on the beach and sunset with street performers at Pier 60.
5Day 5 · Tampa
Day trip across the bay to Tampa: walk the Tampa Riverwalk, visit the Florida Aquarium and explore Ybor City, the historic cigar district with Spanish-style buildings and free-roaming chickens. Lunch with an original Cuban sandwich in Ybor. Return to St. Petersburg for dinner.
St. Petersburg in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Egmont Key and dolphins
Take a boat trip from Fort De Soto to Egmont Key State Park, an island with a lighthouse, fort ruins, gopher tortoises and snorkeling over old structures, often with dolphins along the way. Picnic on the island. Back in St. Pete for a relaxed seafood dinner.
7Day 7 · Last day
Browse the Saturday Morning Market downtown in season, enjoy a final coffee on Beach Drive and a last walk on the St. Pete Pier. Farewell dinner with stone crab or grouper and a sunset cocktail on a rooftop bar.
What to do in St. Petersburg on a weekend
What to do in St. Petersburg on a weekend? Saturday: Dalí Museum, Pier and downtown. Sunday: Fort De Soto and St. Pete Beach.
The Saturday Morning Market and Shine Mural Festival in October are highlights.
What to do in St. Petersburg in the evening
Evenings: rooftop bars, breweries and live music on Central Avenue.
Sunsets on the beaches.
St. Petersburg for couples
For couples, sunset at St. Pete Beach, dinner on Beach Drive and a kayak in the mangroves.
St. Petersburg with kids
With kids, Fort De Soto, the Pier's playground, Sunken Gardens and Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
What to eat in St. Petersburg
Grouper sandwich
Gulf classic.
Cuban sandwich
From nearby Tampa.
Stone crab
In season.
Craft beer
From local breweries.
Key lime pie
Florida dessert.
Where to stay in St. Petersburg: best areas
Downtown
Walkable to museums.
St. Pete Beach
Beachfront.
Old Northeast
Historic B&Bs.
Clearwater
Resorts.
What to do in St. Petersburg when it rains
What to do in St. Petersburg when it rains? Dalí Museum, Chihuly Collection, Museum of Fine Arts and breweries.
How much does a trip to St. Petersburg cost?
Expect 170 to 350 dollars per night and about 30 dollars for the Dalí Museum.
Practical tips for St. Petersburg
Best time to visit
October to May. Summer is hot with afternoon storms.
Getting around
Downtown Looper trolley, bikes, and a car for beaches. Tampa airport is 30 minutes away.
Our practical tips
- Book the Dalí Museum ahead.
- Arrive early at Fort De Soto.
- Use sunscreen.
- Watch for lightning in summer.
- Rent a bike.
- Try a grouper sandwich.
Mistakes to avoid
- Summer afternoon storms on the beach.
- Rush hour bridges.
- Hurricane season without insurance.
- Feeding wildlife.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in St. Petersburg with kids?
Fort De Soto and the Pier.
Is the Dalí Museum worth it?
Yes, it's world-class.
What to do in St. Petersburg on a weekend?
Dalí, Pier and beaches.
How far is Clearwater?
About 30 minutes.