St. Pete-Clearwater Showcase June 2022

Sure, St. Pete/Clearwater is popular among top 10 list-makers for its unmatched mix of standout features — its gorgeous white-sand beaches, scenic waterfront parks and preserves plus sophisticated city happenings, to name just a few. Heck, even the weather favors this Gulf paradise; St. Petersburg holds the world record for most consecutive days of sunshine (768 to be exact). But this is more than a scenic stretch of sand. With a host of impressive museums and cultural institutions, mouthwatering restaurants and local craft breweries, it's a vacation destination that works overtime to please all kinds of travelers. Within an easy drive of two airports (St. Pete/Clearwater and Tampa), St. Pete/Clearwater gives you every reason to go now. Scroll on for a taste.

Explore America's best beaches and so much more

By Camille Lamb Guzman

Imagine yourself on an ideal beach. If your vision includes powdery white sands extending as far as the eye can see, jewel-colored waters and golden rays of sunlight spilling over the gentle waves, you’ll be heartened to know your dream beach exists IRL. The beaches of St. Pete/Clearwater embody all this gorgeousness, and the Floridian bliss only increases when you wade into the invitingly warm Gulf waters. To put the quixotic scene over the top, you may even spot a dolphin or two jump on the horizon. There's little wonder these sands are frequently ranked among the best in the U.S. by major travel publications, visitors and even coastal geologists.

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From bustling beaches to secluded sands, there's a beach for every mood.

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Best beaches

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Maximize your time in the sunshine by choosing one of the many beachfront hotels along the area’s 35 miles of coastline.

Planning your day around sunset is a rational move in St. Pete/Clearwater.

St. Pete/Clearwater

Yes, sunset is a true event on the western-facing shores of St. Pete/Clearwater, and deciding where to celebrate the nightly spectacle can be a tough task. Consider taking a new approach every evening of your trip — a sunset sail one night, a funky beach bar the next (though truthfully, you may need a few nights to experience even a sliver of all the nightlife options) and a romantic beach picnic planned around the following night's show. And don't head home without catching the day's end at Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach, which hosts a nightly sunset celebration with artisans and entertainers.

Fun City Life

You could call it a beach destination with brains, but that would only begin to describe what St. Pete's downtown area has to offer. Yes, there are world-class museums to explore, covering themes from fine art to history, but there's also an eclectic mix of indie shops and galleries, eye-popping street art and exciting dining and nightlife to dive into. Time your visit to coincide with an engaging event or festival, or simply perch at a local cafe for a while to get a sense of the area's happy, inclusive vibes.

A dynamic, welcoming city

When you're mapping out your St. Pete/Clearwater itinerary, you'll want to reserve at least a day to explore St. Pete's Central Arts District. Located on Central Ave. between 3rd and 7th Streets, this hotbed for creativity radiates fresh energy. From the many murals that adorn the walls, to the indie galleries that line the streets and the working art studios that invite visitors for live demonstrations, there's a feast for the eyes at every turn. And if your belly gets jealous of all that feasting, there's a great assortment of dining options, too, from seafood spots to Thai. Nighttime brings performances, like live music at the Floridian Social Club or musicals at the American Stage Theatre Company.

Check out an arts scene that spans genres and generations.

St. Pete's Dalí Museum is home to the largest collection of surrealist works outside of Spain, and visitors come from far and wide to experience its mind-bending contents. The Museum of Fine Arts — St. Pete's oldest and largest art museum — hosts a broad permanent collection representing Monet, O'Keeffe, De Kooning and other masters. There are also numerous glass art museums and galleries to admire, including the Chihuly Collection, the Morean Glass Studio and the Imagine Museum. The Florida Holocaust Museum, The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art and the new Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement are just a few more standouts among the diverse and thought-provoking venues to explore.

The creative energy also seeps into the local events calendar, where you'll find music festivals, Pride celebrations, food and wine tours, art festivals and farmers markets happening throughout the year. Time your visit for one of these happenings, or simply show up for the monthly St. Pete Second Saturday ArtWalk, whereby studios stay open late and welcome visitors to engage with local art and artists. Or, if you prefer the idea of bending yourself like a piece of surrealist art, try Yoga at the Dalí, a vinyasa class held every third Sunday of the month at the Dalí Museum. The waterfront views add to the high-vibing experience.

Craft beer fans will meet their match in St. Pete/Clearwater, where more than 35 local breweries collectively form what's known as the Gulp Coast Craft Beer Trail. Take your pick of three brewtastic itineraries to sample small-batch beers from the north, central or south regions. Try Tarpon Tavern in the Greek community of Tarpon Springs (make sure to check out the famed sponge docks, too) or Green Bench Brewing Company right in downtown St. Pete. No DD? No worries. You're sure to find a low-key beach bar — like Bongo in St. Pete Beach or Palm Pavilion in Clearwater — a short walk or Uber ride from your hotel.

Follow the Gulp Coast Craft Beer Trail, or just chill at a local beach bar.

Gorgeous Nature

Sure, the gorgeous beaches get top billing in St. Pete/Clearwater, but there's lots more to experience outdoors. Sprawling public parks and pristine nature preserves — home to endemic bird species, fascinating marine life and unique flora — practically beg to be explored. And the scenic, easy-to-paddle bays, canals, mangroves and estuaries also deserve a place on your itinerary in this awe-inspiring natural playground.

Parks, preserves & wildlife

Thanks to the sunny weather that graces the Gulf Coast of Florida literally 99% of the time, every season is a good one for playing on the water. Spot tree-climbing crabs and — if you're very lucky — fuchsia-feathered roseate spoonbills as you paddle through dense mangrove tunnels at Weedon Island Preserve on the eastern shores of St. Pete. Or, for a unique nighttime adventure, head to Get Up and Go Kayaking near St. Pete Beach to try an LED-lit glass-bottom kayak tour and see underwater ecosystems in a new light. Satisfy your inner speed demon with a jet ski rental on Clearwater Beach. Sporty types can try their hand (well, ideally both hands) at windsurfing or kitesurfing with a lesson from Elite Watersports in South St. Pete.

Explore local waters by kayak, standup paddleboard, boat or Jet Ski.

Though it's highly recommended, you don't have to get wet to get a sense of St. Pete/Clearwater's natural beauty. Boca Ciega Millennium Park offers a serene nature escape, with a boardwalk that brings visitors through seven different ecosystems, past beautiful, mature live oaks to a 35-foot observation tower. With the abundance of bird life here — including herons, ospreys and even scarlet tanagers — there's little wonder how this park earned a spot on the Great Florida Birding Trail. Also endearing are St. Pete's public green spaces — especially neighboring North Shore and Vinoy parks, with their abundance of shade trees and exceptional Tampa Bay views. The former is a family favorite for its playground, while the latter attracts fitness fans with its winding waterfront walking path.

Family-Friendly Attractions

There's no doubt kids will enjoy the mural art, water sports, nature escapes and, of course, the beaches of St. Pete/Clearwater. But to top off their family vacation delight, the area is also brimming with activities aimed squarely at tickling their senses, sparking their curiosity and eliciting their priceless giggles. From close encounters with marine mammals to a hands-on kids' museum to pirate ship sailings, it's hard to imagine a better vacation spot for your little mateys.

If you've got an aspiring marine biologist or dolphin lover in your household (and let's be real, who doesn't love dolphins?), the recently renovated and expanded Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a must-visit. The rescue and rehabilitation facility now has a brand-new dolphin habitat with more room for these recovering animals to swim and play. There's also extra space for admitting injured sea turtles, pelicans, otters and other wildlife in need of care. Book a behind-the-scenes tour to get a firsthand view of what animal rehab entails, how experts prep their adorable patients' meals and to see the dolphins' habitat up close. Or try the 60-minute eco-boat cruise to learn about dolphins and other local wildlife while navigating through their natural habitat.

All-ages appeal

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

How would your young ones like to climb aboard a real-life (well, at least like real-looking) pirate ship to embark on a fun and silly sailing adventure? Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise in Clearwater Beach offers just such an experience. The kid-pleasing outing is overseen by a jolly crew of seafaring rapscallions who double as face painters, treasure hunt organizers, storytellers, water pistol purveyors and dance music deejays. There are more swashbuckling adventures to be had at John's Pass, where the Royal Conquest pirate ship offers a similarly immersive and entertaining experience.

Something for every member of the family (even furry ones)

There's family fun as far as the eye can "sea."

If your children have outgrown character cruises, there are many other ways to get out on the water as a family. From dolphin watch cruises complete with snorkeling excursions, to thrilling self-drive speed boat escapades and even private yacht charters, you can choose your own nautical adventure on the sparkling waters of St. Pete/Clearwater.

Kid-pleasing attractions and gorgeous gardens

If your traveling party includes toddlers and young children, a stop at St. Pete's 23,000 square-foot Great Explorations Children's Museum is sure to induce some delighted squeals. Presided over by a loveable green dino named Morris the Explorasaurus, the museum includes exhibits like an augmented reality sandbox, a multi-media art studio and an immersive pretend-play farm. There's also a kid-sized supermarket and a "newsroom" where children get to see themselves in action on the big screen. The cherry on top is the sky-high (yet super safe), colorful indoor playground at the museum's center.

Pair a visit to this kids' paradise with a trip to the Sunken Gardens next door, and you've easily got the makings of a day the whole family will relish. There are more than 50,000 tropical plants and flowers to admire in this 4-acre botanical oasis. Walk through a butterfly encounter, gaze at the resident flamingoes and zen out to the sight and sound of flowing waterfalls and fountains. The stroller- and wheelchair-friendly paths take less than two hours to meander in their entirety, so young families can see it all before a meltdown sets in.

Creative Cuisine & Bodacious Brews

Not even a fine sauvignon blanc pairs better with a seafood dinner than a gorgeous view of the Gulf does. Of course, you can have all of the above at the numerous waterfront restaurants in St. Pete/Clearwater. Classic choices include Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille, which serves Caribbean-inspired dishes and drinks at the St. Pete Pier; Castile on St. Pete Beach, whose menu includes cross-cultural creations like jerk chicken alfredo; and Frenchy's Rockaway Grill on Clearwater Beach, the prime spot to get a table that's literally perched in the sand.

Great eats with waterfront seats

Beyond these sought-after coastal eateries, there's a whole host of inventive dining spots to be tasted in downtown St. Pete. Nordic- and Asian-fusion Lingr is among the newest on the scene, having launched just last year, and to much acclaim. (Having Top Chef alum Jeffrey Jew at the helm surely didn't hinder the excitement.) Or head to Burnt Ends Tiki Bar, where tasty bar bites like pulled pork Hawaiian sliders and chile garlic smoked wings go down easy with Hemingway daiquiris, Jamaican rum-infused Jungle Birds and more than a dozen other colorful cocktails served in show-stealing tiki mugs.

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Food & Drink

For a classic beach day that pairs a picturesque setting with easy access to amenities, Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach are both top choices. Wake up with a soul-soothing stroll along the Beach Walk in Clearwater Beach, a cuppa joe from local favorite Caffeinated Bakery in hand. Complement a day of swimming and sunbathing with a Jet Ski or parasailing adventure, or practice your serve on the volleyball courts. And wander down to 1,080-foot Pier 60 for stellar panoramic views. St. Pete Beach is also a lively stretch of sand, with room for every kind of beach-goer, from sun worshippers to kite surfers. But secluded shores are abundant in St. Pete/Clearwater, too. Fort De Soto Park, southwest of St. Pete, has a few such gorgeous beaches. Hike, bike and kayak around this scenic park, which stretches across five islands. Then take the ferry to Egmont Key to continue your eco-adventure. St. Pete’s Pass-a-Grille Beach offers a laid-back escape on the southernmost point of the barrier island — close enough to civilization that you can walk to an ice cream shop or clothing boutique. Off the coast of Dunedin, Caladesi Island State Park (accessible by boat) and Honeymoon Island (connected by a causeway) are just a few more spots to score deliciously quiet beach time.

Families will find a one-stop-shop for fun, learning and leisure at the 26-acre St. Pete Pier District, opened in 2020. The dog-friendly, largely over-the-water community center includes a strollable waterfront promenade, outdoor kiosks, restaurants and the interactive Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center (think touch tanks, aquariums and expert-led wildlife demonstrations). There's an on-site splash pad where kids can gleefully escape the summer heat, plus a newly-expanded Spa Beach for all-ages swimming, lounging and paddling. (The pier's small beach is for humans only, but there are plenty of dog-friendly beaches in the region if you've got a fur baby in tow.)

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Indian Rocks Beach

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St. Pete's Central Arts District

The Dalí Museum in St. Pete

Glass-bottom tours in Shell Key Preserve with Get Up and Go Kayaking

Roseate spoonbills

Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise in Clearwater Beach

Great Explorations Children's Museum in St. Pete

Sunken Gardens in St. Pete

Fort De Soto dog beach in Tierra Verde

Sunken Gardens in St. Pete

Green Bench Brewing Company in St. Pete

Take me to the deals

Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille at the St. Pete Pier

"We Rise by Lifting Others" mural by Leo Gomez, St. Pete

Caladesi Island State Park

St. Pete’s Pass-a-Grille Beach offers a laid-back escape on the southernmost point of the barrier island — close enough to civilization that you can walk to an ice cream shop or clothing boutique. Off the coast of Dunedin, Caladesi Island State Park (accessible by boat) and Honeymoon Island (connected by a causeway) are just a few more spots to score deliciously quiet beach time.