With its “big city” feel but “small town” atmosphere, St Petersburg is the fourth largest city in Florida with 240 miles of shoreline on the Gulf of Mexico. It offers not only wonderful climate, but a wide range of cultural venues, nature parks, and sporting activities. Located on a peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf, it attracts visitors and retirees. Surrounding cities are Clearwater, Pinellas Park, Gulfport, Largo, and Tarpon Springs.
Resorts and hotels with outstanding amenities include Don CeSar Resort, Mansion House, Tradewinds Island Resort & Conference Center, Westin Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Belleview Biltmore, the Pier Hotel, 1920s-era Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, and Radisson Hotel & Conference Center.
Beaches, parks and preserves along barrier islands include Treasure Island, the “sand sculpture capital of Florida”, St Petersburg Beach, 9,000-acre Brooker Creek Preserve and wilderness, Sunset Beach, Fort De Soto Park with floating docks, a sheltered lagoon and fishing piers, and Honeymoon Island State Park.
There are gourmet restaurants and trendy cafes from casual to elegant like the Maritana Grille at the Don CeSar Resort, Frenchy’s South Beach Café, Palm Pavilion, Pier 60, Julian’s at the Heritage, Spoto’s Steak Joint, or Durango Steakhouse.
Attractions to visit are the Pier Aquarium, Sunken Gardens, Palm Aboretum, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Take a cruise on Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise. Historic places and museums to visit are the lighthouses at Egmont Key, Florida International Museum, the Florida Holocaust Museum, Great Explorations the Hands On Museum, and the Heritage Museum. For shoppers, try BayWalk, The Pier, Central Avenue or Tropicana Field and don’t miss the Saturday Market.
Popular annual events include the Outback Bowl, Chrysler Championship PGA Tournament, Best of the Big Bands, Gasparilla Pirate Fest, Florida State Fair, Birding Festival, Florida Strawberry Festival, Honda Grand Prix, Pioneer Jamboree, Festival of States, Taste of Pinellas, Epiphany Celebration in Tarpon Springs, and National Powerboat Racing.
Written by: Natasha Lawrence
