St. Petersburg, Florida, ranks among the best towns in the U.S., according to Outside magazine. One main attraction is the city’s downtown area, which offers family-friendly attractions paired with pristine water views. Plus, there are art districts, shopping and lots of local food. When it’s time to explore, check out this downtown St. Petersburg guide and find things to do.
Downtown St. Petersburg Guide: Info, Fun and Food
Photo: iTrip Vacations St. Petersburg Beaches
What’s the first thing to know about downtown St. Petersburg? It’s easy to get around. Visitors have metered parking and parking garages, so they can park and walk. Bike-sharing, another popular option, allows guests to check-out a bicycle and ride. For hop-on and hop-off access, check out Looper Trolley. The trolley also provides free rides to major attractions.
Art Districts
St. Petersburg has seven art districts, and each has its own museums, galleries, local talent and flair. Waterfront Museum District houses some of the area’s top attractions such as Salvador Dali Museum, Museum of Fine Arts and The Chihuly Collection. Read about major museums in St. Petersburg.
To meet independent artists who live and work in St. Pete, visit Central Arts District. This hot spot features Morean Arts Center and Art Lofts where artists create and showcase their work. For more options, head to Grand Central, The Edge, Warehouse Arts, Deuces Live and M.L. King North.
While walking and riding, look for murals located on buildings throughout downtown. There are so many murals guests even take self-guided St. Pete mural tours. This tour provides a fun way to see local art and learn tidbits about St. Petersburg.
Marina and Water Activities
Water lovers find it easy to explore as downtown St. Petersburg offers easy access to a city-managed marina, which has more than 600 permanent wet slips and public boat launch.
Those who need a quiet retreat also enjoy canoe and kayak trails. The CityTrails BlueWays program provides canoe and kayak racks, ramps, wash stations, parking, and shorelines available to the public.
Sports in St. Petersburg
The city has hundreds of golf courses in the area, but downtown St. Pete serves as a must for baseball fans. Not only do MLB’s Phillies, Yankees and Blue Jays practice here during spring training, but Tampa Bay Rays play home games during regular season.
To catch a game, buy tickets at Tropicana Field. The venue measures over 1 million square feet with more than 42,000 seats. In addition, Tropicana Field has a 10,000 gallon exhibit where guests pet stingrays cared for by Florida Aquarium staff.
Live Entertainment
While strolling downtown St. Petersburg, attend a live show. The city offers historic theaters, music halls and performance venues for entertainment suited for all ages.
Mahaffy Theater, in the heart of downtown, welcomes more than 2,000 attendees to watch Broadway shows, comedians, concerts and Florida Orchestra. For concerts in varied genres, swing by State Theatre. This venue hosts touring and local bands in punk, rock, ska and jazz. Other venues include American Stage, Ruth Eckard Hall, Capitol Theater, Palladium Theater and free Fall Theatre Company.
Shopping and Dining
In between all the attractions and activities, shop and indulge in local cuisine. Shoppers not only find locally owned favorites, but they can browse major brands, designers, antiques, books and sweets. In addition, many retailers sell jewelry, apparel, souvenirs, beachwear and eco-friendly products.
Downtown St. Petersburg has dining scene foodies can’t miss. Due to its Gulf Coast location, seafood is a local staple. Most restaurants offer casual vibes paired with local brews, international wines and international flavors. A few top-rated favorites include Stillwaters Tavern, BellaBrava, Sea Salt, Cassis St. Pete and Ceviche Tapas St. Pete.
Come visit downtown St. Petersburg. Book a St. Pete beaches vacation home in St. Petersburg Beach, Mad Beach or Treasure Island, Florida.
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