St. Petersburg, FL Road Trips

In 2020, the city was home to 258,000 people, with 2.1 million in the metropolitan area. The city publishes the free "Downtown St.Petersburg Guide & Map" booklet, updated each season, that contains maps, trolley routes, and listings for hundreds of museums, events, restaurants, & hotels along with coupons. You can find the guide in dispensers throughout downtown and in many businesses. Saint Petersburg was founded by John C. Williams from Detroit, Michigan, who purchased the land in 1876. The town began with the help of Peter Demens, who was instrumental in bringing a railroad connection there in 1888. Saint Petersburg was named after the Saint Petersburg in Russia, the birthplace of Peter Demens. A local legend says that John C. Williams and Peter Demens flipped a coin to see who would have the honor of naming the city. Peter Demens won and named the city after his birthplace, while John C. Williams named the first hotel after his birthplace, Detroit. The Detroit Hotel still exists downtown, but it was converted into condos in 2002. St. Petersburg tourist information

1 Salvador Dali Museum, One Dali Blvd. South, ☏ +1 727 823-3767, [email protected]. M-W Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM, Th 9:30AM-8PM, F 9:30AM-6:30PM, Su noon-5:30PM. In 2011 the Dali museum opened in a new building on the downtown waterfront between the Mahaffey Theater & Albert Witted Airport and built to protect the collection from a Category 5 hurricane! From huge canvases to portraits of the Spanish artist, this museum hosts the largest collection of Dali artwork in the United States. Admission, as of 2011, is: $21 adults; $19 seniors 65+; $15 students 18+ (with acceptable student ID); $15 youth (13-17); $7 children (6-12); and free for children 5 and under. On Thursdays, admission is just $10 from 5PM to closing. 2 Sunken Gardens. A lush oasis of plant life in the heart of Saint Petersburg. The garden offers a maze of paths through dense vegetation, with the lowest point in the garden at least 15 feet below street level. It began as a lake drained by a plumber who charged nickels to enter, but became a roadside attraction for many years until falling into disrepair. In 1999 the city of Saint Petersburg bought the property and began restorations. The Great Explorations Children's Museum now inhabits a building on the property as well. $15 per person. (updated Feb 2022) 3 Florida Holocaust Museum, 55 Fifth Street South. 10AM-5PM with the last admission at 4PM. Founded by Walter and Edie Loebenberg, the museum opened in 1992. It moved to its current site in 1998. 4 Chihuly Collection presented by Morean Arts Center, 720 Central Ave, ☏ +1 727 896-4527.

1 Pier District. The 26-acre Pier District opened in 2020, and contains green space, the Marketplace, a variety of restaurants, and several public art installations, including a massive aerial net sculpture, Bending Arc. (updated Aug 2022) Gulfport Art Walk (in Gulfport along Beach Blvd). 6PM–10PM on the first Friday and third Saturday of each month. Local artists show and sell their wares, with refreshments and dining for the community. Tampa Bay Times Festival of Reading. A celebration of reading hosted at Eckerd College annually in November. Acclaimed authors, journalists, and critics join in panels and give talks while children enjoy theater, storytelling, and games. First Friday. On the first Friday of every month there is a Street party on Central Ave. from 2nd to 3rd St. 5:30PM to 10PM. It is free and usually has live music. Central Avenue's Monthly Gallery Walk. All day. Second Saturday of every month. See and acquire some of the area's art; meet gallery owners and artists. (updated Apr 2023) 2 Jannus Live. Built in 1888 Jannus Live is the oldest outdoor concert venue in Florida. Some of the largest bands come to play the small venue because of its unique look and feel. Formerly known as Jannus Landing. (updated Feb 2022) 3 The Sundial. Includes places to enjoy the areas fine dining, shopping and entertainment. (updated Apr 2023) Gulf Beaches. Beautiful sandy beaches from Fort DeSoto Beach to St. Pete Beach to Clearwater. All beaches are 10-15 minutes west of the city of St. Pete. Jet Fighter flight, ☏ +41 44 500 50 10.

1 El Cap's Burgers and Sandwiches, 3500 4th St N, ☏ +1 727 521-1314. A local legacy. Cap's is wallpapered with awards for Best Burger from every conceivable publication. Excellent sandwiches, family friendly, popular with local sports fans. (updated Apr 2023) Evos, 2631 4th Street North, ☏ +1 727 571-EVOS (3867). A chain that offers healthier alternatives to most fast-food joints, Evos offers healthy burgers, wraps, shakes and "air fries" in a fun, friendly environment. Everything is either hormone free or organic and there are plenty of choices for vegetarians and vegans. Mazarro's Italian Market, 2909 22nd Avenue N, ☏ +1 727 321-2400. Extensive deli, delicious meats and sandwiches, prepared meals, soups, salads - all very reasonably priced. Coffee/espresso bar, extensive wine cellar with selections from all over the world. Nice craft brewed and imported beer selection too. Eat in or take out. Just off of I-275 on 22nd Ave N. Hurricane Restaurant. Seafood restaurant & bar overlooking beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Located at the southern end of Passegrille. Can be very busy around sunset. Get there early if you want to dine before they convert the restaurant to a nightclub. Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish, 1350 Pasadena Ave., South Pasadena.. Bring in your fresh catch and have them smoke it for you, or have a bite of theirs, with a side of their famous German Potato Salad. 9 Bangkok. are just a few of the Thai restaurants found in the downtown section of Central Avenue. Habana Cafe, 5402 Gulfport Blvd, ☏ +1 727 321-8855. Gulfport.

There are many small bars on the beaches to the west side of the peninsula and scattered throughout the area. 1 The One Night Stand, 149 1st Ave N, ☏ +1 727-350-5822. Plenty of bull riding and beer drinking games. (updated Apr 2023) 2 Sauvignon Wine Locker & American Trattoria, 241 Central Ave. Wine bar with a good selection, open evenings, also serves light eats. $6/beer. (updated Apr 2023) 3 Mastry's Bar & Grill. (updated Apr 2023) 4 Pelican Pub. (updated Apr 2023) 5 Lucky Star Lounge, 2760 Central Ave. Small neighborhood gay bar. (updated Apr 2023) 6 Noble Crust of St. Petersburg (formerly Hideaway Bar), 8300 4th St N. Italian restaurant with happy hour and bar/patio. (updated Apr 2023) 7 Three Birds Tavern, 1492 4th St N. Bar and restaurant. (updated Apr 2023)

Several beach front and cityside hotels, from chain to locally owned & operated. The Spring Break period of March-April is typically the peak time for rates and crowds. The St. Pete area gets its share of Spring Breakers but many seem to flock to other parts of the state. Other beachfront communities have their own motel/hotel areas as well. St. Pete Beach, Sand Key, Clearwater, Madeira Beach, Redington Beach, Redington Shores, John's Pass, and several other communities are in Pinellas County and located along the beach. There is also the city of Pinellas Park. Travellers might find deals at many hotel/motel locations along 34th Street in St. Pete. This is U.S. 19. These are inland hotels but are just a short drive to the beaches or the city. Bay Palms Resort, 4237 Gulf Boulevard, ☏ +1 727 360-7642, fax: +1 727 360-1856, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. St. Pete Beach. directions: From I-275 take exit 17 (Pinellas Bayway) WEST to St. Pete Beach, then RIGHT on Gulf Boulevard, 3/4 mile to Property will be on the right. Bay Palms Waterfront Resort is a boutique resort (Gay and Pet Friendly), with only 15 rooms. This property is directly on Boca Ciega Bay and has one of the largest privately owned fishing piers in St Petersburg which is 1500sq feet. You can enjoy great fishing, watch for Manatees and Dolphins, or dock your boat. The Exchange Hotel, 234 3rd Ave N, ☏ +1 727-777-5988. This 1926 historical hotel is in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg.

Saint Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport PIE IATA in Clearwater is served mostly by budget airlines and used for private aviation. It is a hub for Allegiant Air which operates flights from about two dozen small airports throughout the Midwest & Northeast. Sun Country Airlines from Gulfport-Biloxi. Tampa International Airport TPA IATA has a much wider selection of airlines and more frequent arrivals and departures and is 10 mi (16 km) across the bay. TIA can be reached by taking I-275 across the Howard Frankland bridge and taking the first exit, State Road 60/Veterans Expwy, north. 1 Albert Whitted Airport (SPG IATA) (on the southeastern edge of downtown and extends into the bay). It is used for general aviation and features in the annual Honda Grand Prix during which the runway and taxiways are part of the course. While Saint Petersburg has no railway station on its own, nearby Tampa is served by Amtrak via its Silver Service between Miami and New York City. A thruway bus service is available, arriving at Corner of US 19 and 110 Ave near Pinellas Park Square Shopping Center. The primary route in and out of the city is Interstate 275. I-275 runs north to Tampa and connects with Interstate 4 (Orlando, East Coast) and Interstate 75. I-275 runs south over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to Bradenton and connects with Interstate 75 heading south to Sarasota, Ft.Myers, Naples, and South Florida. 100X PSTA. 4AM-7PM (No weekends, no holidays). Public bus between downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg. Route is about 1.5 hours and runs about every 40 minutes.

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, ☏ +1 727 540-1900. Su-Th 6AM-8PM, F Sa 6AM-midnight. The county-wide PSTA bus system can transport you all over St. Petersburg and to other towns in Pinellas County. Small domestic animals are allowed if in carriers. The price is $2.25 ($1.10 reduced) per ride. Using the app caps fairs at $5 ($2.50 reduced) per day. (updated Jul 2023) There are trolley-styled buses , on two separate lines: Downtown Looper. Makes a loop around downtown and connects rides with most destinations between 5th Avenue N-6th Avenue S and east of 5th Street N/S. Free. (updated Jul 2023) Central Avenue Trolley (CAT). The PSTA-run CAT (sometimes called central avenue shuttle) runs along Central Avenue and also connects to the Pier, Williams Park, and St.Pete Beach. The fare is free between The Pier and Baywalk, 50¢ between Baywalk & Grand Central Station, and $2 west of Grand Central Station. Seniors (65+), disabled, & Medicare cardholders travel for half price (25¢ or $1) and children 5 and under are free. When the trolley is traveling west, you pay when you exit. When the trolley is traveling east, you pay when you board. GO Cards are accepted on this line. (updated Jul 2023) The two lines connect at (no free transfers): Baywalk & The Pier. Connections with PSTA bus routes are available at Grand Central Station & Williams Park. The city also runs a free "Baseball Shuttle" between downtown parking garages and Tropicana Field for certain games where large crowds are expected. There are over 25,000 available public parking spaces in St. Petersburg.

Statistically, Saint Petersburg is a safe community. Like any city, there are parts to avoid, but the majority of St. Pete is a modern city full of nice people and hospitable places. Cities that are tourist attractions are also attractions to those that prey on tourists.