Where to Play, Eat, and Stay in St. Petersburg, Florida

Things to do in St. Petersburg

Dalí Museum

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If there’s one must-do while visiting St. Petersburg, it’s the Dalí Museum. Open since 1982, the museum is home to more Dalí masterpieces than any other museum in the world. View over 2,400 works in every medium, including famous works such as The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory and The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. Located directly on the downtown waterfront, the museum has a surrealism-inspired design and includes a café, shop, and entertainment space that regularly hosts events, including Sunday jazz brunch. A visit to the museum should include a ticket to Dali Alive 360º, a multi-sensory art experience of light and sound held in the new Dalí Dome.

Dalí Museum: One Dalí Blvd, St. Petersburg 33701

Fairgrounds St. Pete

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In the heart of the Warehouse Arts District, Fairgrounds St. Pete is a 15,000-square-foot immersive art destination featuring commissioned works and installations from some of Florida’s best-known artists. The exhibits feature technology displays, play spaces, and interactive games that follow a joyful art narrative celebrating “weird, wacky, and wonderful Florida.” The Instagram-worthy displays feature fun, cutting-edge lighting and soundscapes designed to engage visitors of all ages.

Fairgrounds St. Pete: 2606 Fairfield Ave. S, St. Petersburg 33712

Edge District

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Located on Central Avenue between ninth and sixteenth street, the Edge District is home to dozens of restaurants, bars, and unusual boutiques. Spend an afternoon at The Candle Pour, a candle making experience that uses more than 100 different fragrance oils. Grab a handcrafted cold brew from Intermezzo, a European-style coffee and cocktail bar, or check out the bohemian clothing and gifts at Saltwash Boutique. Don’t miss the more than a dozen original artist murals painted on buildings and structures throughout the Edge.

St. Pete Pier

A visit to St. Petersburg must include a stroll along the beautifully designed St. Pete Pier, a waterfront destination that includes green spaces, attractions, restaurants, and activities. Open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to 11 PM, St. Pete Pier offers spectacular waterfront views across its 26 acres. The pier has a variety of family-friendly green spaces, fishing spots, a splash pad, and a pavilion that frequently hosts seasonal concerts and festivals. On weekends, you’ll find an open-air market of independent vendors selling artwork. The Tampa Bay Watch Discovery center is an interactive attraction that offers hands-on exhibits and demonstrations about the area’s ecosystem. Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille is a casual spot along the pier to grab a bite, while the imposing Pier Point building houses three dining experiences across three levels, all with incredible views of the city and Tampa Bay.

St. Pete Pier: 800 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg 33701

St. Pete Beach

Consistently voted one of the best beaches in America, St. Pete’s Beach is a stretch of soft white sand nestled along Long Key. Visit the shops on Corey Avenue, enjoy drinks or a meal at the historic Don CeSar Resort, or simply dip your toes in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Located just 20 minutes from downtown St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach has playgrounds, grill facilities, and showers, making it an easy day trip from the city.

St. Pete Beach Public Beach Access: 4700 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach 33706

Where to eat and drink in St. Petersburg

Cellarmasters Wine Bar and Shop

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Tucked inside a nondescript former garage in a developing part of the Edge District, Cellarmasters is equal parts retail shop and wine bar. Chalkboard signs welcome guests with a cheeky warning that you won’t find your average mass market wines inside, that sleeves are optional, and that the only beer available is “crappy but cold,” signaling to visitors that this is a wine bar that doesn’t take itself too seriously. With an interior decorated in velvet paintings, taxidermy, and ‘70s furnishings, the vibe is retro cool. Though the atmosphere is laid-back, the extensive wine selection by the glass, including biodynamic and small-production wines from around the world, is curated by serious wine connoisseurs.

Cellarmasters: 1005 1st Avenue North, St. Petersburg 33705

Allelo

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Allelo has only been open for a year in St. Petersburg, but it has quickly established itself as one of the best restaurants in the city. With the motto of “small plates, good times, and lots of wine,” the restaurant serves inventive craft cocktails (try Like a Virgin) and an extensive menu of Mediterranean-inspired seafood, small plates, and flatbreads. The steak tartare, prepared tableside and served with warm Moroccan khobz bread, and the mezze platter are perfect for sharing, while the Greek salad is a spin on the classic, with finely chopped cucumber, tomato, and herbs served over baked feta cheese. The half chicken served with a peri peri sauce and the lamb bolognese are also standouts, while the crispy cauliflower over garlic puree should not be missed.

Allelo: 300 Beach Drive NE #128, St. Petersburg 33701

No Vacancy

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If you’re in the mood for drinks with a side of humor, head to No Vacancy, a flamingo-themed bar and event space that is modeled after a retro-style motel. The outdoor bar-patio space features neon-colored loungers, umbrellas, and lifeguard chairs that scream vintage Florida fun, while the indoor bar continues the not-so-subtle theme with gator and flamingo artwork. Cocktails are served in whimsical fish-shaped glasses with paper umbrellas and plastic flamingos. Try the Tropic Like Its Hot cocktail — a mix of tequila, yellow chartreuse, lime, cucumber, and jalapeno — or, if you’re extra thirsty, order one of the jumbo punch bowl cocktails that serve up to four people.

No Vacancy: 937 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg 33705

The Urban Stillhouse

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A town with such vibrant nightlife will inevitably have some strong contenders for brunch to ease the Sunday morning aftereffects. The Urban Stillhouse, a distillery and restaurant by Horse Soldier Bourbon, is a soaring space of dark wood, leather, and exposed brick with multiple bars and tasting rooms. Start out with the house Old Fashioned, made with Horse Soldier bourbon and maple syrup. The menu has elevated brunch mainstays such as waffles with lemon mascarpone and eggs benedict served over fried green tomatoes and porchetta topped with chive hollandaise.

The Urban Stillhouse: 2232 5th Avenue S, St. Petersburg 33712

Green Bench Brewing Company

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Open since 2013, Green Bench Brewing Company was St. Petersburg’s first craft brewery. More than a decade later, it still offers the tastiest craft beers in town. Named after St. Petersburg’s iconic green benches that dotted the city in the early 1900s, Green Bench Brewery serves more than 14 beers and ciders on tap, all brewed on site. With a vast outdoor space, live music, and an upbeat yet casual vibe, there’s no better spot to cool off with a cold one in the happening Edge District.

Green Bench Brewing Company: 1133 Baum Ave. N, St. Petersburg 33705

Veranda

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Located on the front porch of The Vinoy resort, Veranda is an elegant option for cocktails and light bites while taking in the Tampa Bay views. With ample bar and lounge seating, Veranda offers a civilized respite for pre-dinner drinks while nibbling on cheese, charcuterie, or an order of truffle fries. Try The Autograph, the signature house drink made from Casamigos tequila, St. Germain, elderflower liqueur, and rosewater syrup.

Veranda: 501 5th Avenue, NE, St. Petersburg 33701

Where to stay in St. Petersburg

The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club

We hope you love The Vinoy! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Located directly on Tampa Bay harbor in downtown St. Petersburg, The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club has been the premier hotel in the city since 1926. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the resort has recently undergone the first phase of a multi-million-dollar refurbishment to its old Florida glamor in the Mediterranean Revival style. The hotel’s signature pink façade, original wood beams, and tile in the lobby’s grand space continue the sense of grandeur, while the modernized guest rooms and dining spaces speak to its new chapter in hospitality.

A member of Marriott’s Autograph Collection portfolio, The Vinoy spared no expense in the guest room renovations. The thoughtful redesign includes Art Deco-style furnishings, built-in Nespresso bars, and an airy color palette that mimics the harbor views. Bathrooms are outfitted in floor-to-ceiling Carrera marble, walk-in showers, and Oritigia Sicilia amenities. Dining options at the resort include the gorgeous French patisserie, Lottie, as well as Parasol, the poolside restaurant serving Latin-inspired cuisine along with panoramic Tampa Bay harbor views.

The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club: 501 5th Ave NE, St. Petersburg 33701

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How to get to and around St. Petersburg

Nine miles north of St. Petersburg, the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is the closest airport to downtown. The larger Tampa Bay International Airport is 22 miles from downtown and offers direct flights from every major city.

Downtown St. Petersburg is very walkable, with most major attractions located within a short distance of the city’s harborfront. The city’s free bus, the red and yellow Downtown Looper, operates daily to connect downtown St. Pete to all its attractions and museums. To visit St. Pete Beach, hop on the Central Avenue Looper, which offers daily roundtrip routes between Bay Shore Drive and St. Pete Beach.