Best Things to Do in St. Petersburg, Florida
The fifth-most populated city in the state, St. Petersburg is known as “Florida’s Sunshine City.” Did you know it averages 361 days of sunshine each year? In fact, between 1967 and 1969, St. Pete logged a world record for the most consecutive days of sunshine. 768 straight days of nothing but sun and fun.
St. Pete’s downtown area is dynamic, always evolving and reinventing itself to attract a younger demographic. When it comes to the best things to see and do here, it’s all subjective and even locals would tell you there’s so much, even they haven’t done everything. '
In this episode, we’re showing you what we think you should see when you’re visiting St. Pete, the best things that should be at the top of your list.
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This location has been home to a number of different piers over the years, each one more elaborate than its predecessor. The landmark pleasure pier extending into the blue waters of Tampa Bay recently underwent a multi-million dollar facelift.
The latest incarnation includes the new 26-acre Pier District that elevates this area to a modern community gathering space.
Families will enjoy the Discovery Center with interactive exhibits about Tampa Bay’s unique ecosystem. Kids can expend some energy on the playground or cool off in the Splash Pad while Spa Beach is a great spot to get a little sand between your toes.
Impressive multi-level Pier Point is where you’ll find eateries, a rooftop tiki bar and a gift shop. The views of the bay and the skyline of St. Pete are breathtaking from up here.
Public art adds to the ambiance of the Pier, including this massive billowing net that is perpetually in motion with the wind and this sculpture that commemorates the world’s first commercial plane flight which happened here in St. Pete back in 1914.
The Pier District is free to visit and is open 30 minutes before sunrise. Closing time is 11pm. Pier Drive has metered parking spots and there are 2 parking lots on the property.
At a whopping 3,000 feet, the St. Pete Pier is one of the largest in the world. A tram is available to take visitors to Pier Point. -
Learn more by visiting Discover Downtown.
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Find a list of museums here.
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Hours
Monday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 4:30 p.m.
The last admission is sold at 4 p.m. daily.
Sunken Gardens is open on most holidays except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, when the attraction is closed. The Sunken Gardens Business Office is closed on most holidays, while the Gardens remain open.Admission
Adults: $15
Seniors (62+): $12
Children (2-17): $6 -
Can’t-Miss Things in Gulfport, Florida
In the shadow of its larger neighbors of Tampa and St. Petersburg to the east is a quaint town that’s just under three square miles. What it lacks in size it makes up for in personality.
Known by several names in the mid and late 1800s, the town was incorporated as Gulfport in 1912. In the early days, it could only be reached by boat. Escaped blockade runners from Key West settled this place and it remained a mullet-fishing village for years.
Come along as we explore this quirky little community with a great big heart.
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Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Other hours by appointment and open during all special events.
727-201-8687
5301 28th Ave. S., Gulfport, Florida, 33707
Admission: Free. -
Visit the Gulfport Historical Society Facebook Page
Best Things to Do in Madeira Beach, Florida
Just under 30 miles southwest of Tampa and about a half-hour drive from downtown St. Pete, you’ll find one of America’s best beach towns.
With a shoreline that’s about 2 1/2 miles long, Madeira Beach continues to pile up accolades.
Locals lovingly refer to it as “Mad Beach” with it cracking Tripadvisor’s Top 10 Beaches in the nation just a couple of years ago.
This popular beach town was born out of an old fishing village.
During the late 1940s and into the 1950s is when the community started to develop in earnest. Retirees built single-family homes and mom and pop motels sprung up attracting sun-seekers.
Over the years, condos have replaced many of the smaller lodging options while snow birds continue to make this their winter home.
Today, this pristine beach on the Gulf Coast draws visitors from all over. Step foot onto the sand and it’s easy to see why.
On today’s episode, we’re showing you the best things to do in Madeira Beach, from one of the area’s most popular tourist spots to a candy store that’s been in business since 1950 and a location where you can close out a busy day after exploring this captivating little beach town.
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Metered Parking
Current parking rate: $3.00/hour
*You may park at these locations between 6 a.m. and midnight, except for at Kitty Stuart Park which closes at 10 p.m. Meters are in effect during these hours, seven days a week. Parking any other time without a weekly or monthly parking permit is prohibited.
There is also privately owned parking around John’s Pass Village including the John’s Pass Village Parking Garage (727-398-3968) and lots operated by FLParking (727-401-0530). Pinellas County owns and manages the lot located on Gulf Blvd at 145th Ave. and can be contacted at 727-582-2100 Ext. 0. -
The City of Madeira Beach offers weekly and monthly parking for visitors in city owned parking lots. Passes are for a specific lot, and are assigned to the closest lot available to your desired location. The current rate for passes is $ 100 per week or $ 200 per month (No daily rates are available). Payment can be made by cash or check, or can be charged with a 3% service charge. Passes allow overnight parking, and are also good during daytime hours on a first come first served basis.
**Starting on June 27th we will no longer be issuing visitor passes. You will be able to feed the meter for overnight parking via ParkMobile App. There will only be a select number of spot available per lot for overnight parking.
Visitor parking permits can be purchased in person at City Hall or over the phone..
Parking passes do not guarantee parking spaces.
Passes are accepted at the following locations:
130th Ave located west of Gulf Boulevard at 130th Avenue.
City parking lots – Located on the west side of Gulf Boulevard at 131st, 132nd, 133rd, 134th, 135th and 136th Avenues, and on the east side of Gulf Boulevard at 133rd Avenue.
Passes are NOT accepted at the following locations:
Kitty Stuart Park, West side of Gulf Boulevard at 141st Avenue.
Archibald Memorial Beach Park, 15100 Gulf Boulevard.
John’s Pass Village parking lot at Village Boulevard and 129th Avenue East.
John's Pass Park Lot (Beach access)
134th Avenue E.
Passes allow overnight parking, and are also good during daytime hours on a first come first served basis. Passes are for a specific lot, and are assigned to the closest lot available. -
Madeira Beach uses pay stations and phone apps (Park Mobil and Where To Park) to collect parking fees of $3.00/hr.
This is a complete list of city-owned and managed parking lots.
John’s Pass Park, Gulf Boulevard and 129th Avenue West
John’s Pass Village parking lot at Village Boulevard and 129th Avenue East
John’s Pass Village on Village Boulevard
Gulf Boulevard at 131st Avenue
Gulf Boulevard at 133rd Avenue East and West of Gulf Blvd.
Gulf Boulevard at 134th Avenue
Gulf Boulevard at 135th Avenue
Gulf Boulevard at 136th Avenue
Gulf Boulevard at 141st Avenue (Kitty Stuart Park)
You may park at these locations between 6 a.m. and midnight, except for at Kitty Stuart Park which closes at 10 p.m. Meters are in effect during these hours, seven days a week. Parking any other time without a weekly or monthly parking permit is prohibited.
There is also privately owned parking around John’s Pass Village including the John’s Pass Village Parking Garage (727-398-3968) and lots operated by FLParking (727-401-0530). Pinellas County owns and manages the lot located on Gulf Blvd at 145th Ave. and can be contacted at 727-582-2100 Ext. 0. -
Archibald Memorial Beach Park is located at 15100 Gulf Blvd. Archibald offers metered parking spots directly by the beach with four wooden walkovers, public restrooms, two outdoor shower areas, covered picnic area, and two sand beach volleyball courts. Located on site, The Snack Shak provides beach goers a great opportunity to grab a meal or pick up a beverage to enjoy on the beach.
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Complete list available HERE.
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For a list of shops, bars, restaurants and tour options, visit the official John’s Pass website.
