St. Pete Beach, Florida, draws in over 3 million visitors every single year and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. From its crystal-clear blue waters to charming and historic beachfronts, this city has plenty to offer for the whole family.
Key Takeaways
- Soak in the sun at St. Pete Beach
- Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of Pass-a-Grille Beach
- Venture to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- Stroll along John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk
- Be one with nature at the Sunken Gardens
- Learn something new at the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum
- Stay active at the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
- Sip on a refreshment at the Sea Dog Brewing Company
- Go swimming at Upham Beach Park
- Fish at Madeira Beach
- Spend some money at the Corey Avenue Shopping District
Whether you call St. Pete your home or you’re merely passing through to soak in the energy and vibrancy of the city, there’s something fun for everyone. As long as you have some free time and a passion for adventure, your sunny days will never be dull!
Keep reading, and we’ll share eleven fun things that you can do in St. Pete Beach with your whole family.
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#1. St. Pete Beach
Florida is one of the best vacation destinations for anyone looking to enjoy some crystal clear water and ever-sunny skies. And to make the most of your coastal getaway, you’re best off heading to St. Petersburg, Florida.
St. Pete sits on a barrier island that stretches for over five miles and has two fantastic beaches. Located along the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, this is one of the most desirable places to visit in Florida.
It’s well known for being home to St. Pete Beach, which is the top-rated beach in the United States by TripAdvisor and ranked number five in the world!
Without a doubt, St. Pete is the place to go if you want to enjoy the perfect summer vacation with your family.
The Place To Visit In St. Petersburg’s
However, St. Pete Beach isn’t just a beach. Though its white sandy beaches and emerald green waters are already to die for, that’s not all these shores have to offer.
The northern half of the island is a stunning and popular beach resort city, while the southern half is a calm, charming historic beach town known as Pass-a-Grille.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, you can spend a few nights at the iconic Don CeSar Hotel. This enormous and gorgeous pink palace is a historic five-star hotel that boasts stunning views of the water. Otherwise, there are plenty of other hotels in the area that are perfect for the whole family.
Just don’t forget to bring plenty of sunscreen to beat that Florida sun!
It’s Time To Prolong Your Vacation
St. Pete Beach garners over 3 million visitors each year, but its population only sits at around 9,000. And if you’re not quite ready to go home after a flawless vacation, you don’t have to!
If you’re ready to live the life you dreamed of, you’d be best off moving to Florida’s sunny shores. Here, there are seemingly infinite sun rays and beach days. Even though it sounds too good to be true, it’s not.
With The Movers Moving and Storage by your side, you’ll be set up to live your dream life. We’re the movers you need if you’re looking to relocate anywhere within Florida, including St. Petersburg.
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#2. Pass-A-Grille Beach
If you’re looking to avoid the hustle and bustle of St. Pete Beach, feel free to take a small detour to the southern half of the island to land on Pass-a-Grille Beach.
On these shores, you and the whole family will be able to soak in the laid-back and authentic vibes of Florida. Pass-a-Grille is just a small and quiet beach town, and unlike the popular beaches of Clearwater and St. Pete, you’ll never have to fight for a prime parking spot!
This is the place to go if you’re looking to spend your time in peace, sunbathing and taking a dip in the gorgeous waters.
#3. Clearwater Marine Aquarium
If you’re looking to take a break from the heat of the summer sun, you can take the family to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium located off Clearwater Memorial Causeway. This aquarium is a 501 non-profit organization and dedicates its time to the rescue and rehabilitation of marine life.
If you’re familiar with the 2009 book Winter’s Tale and the 2011 film Dolphin Tale, you should know that this is the true home of the bottlenose dolphin “Winter”! Winter once lost her tail due to some injuries and has since got fitted with a prosthetic tail.
There are plenty of exhibits for marine life, including reduced sea turtles, otters, and dolphins, and there are even behind-the-scenes tours available for families looking to learn more about the dolphin program at the aquarium.
Anyone ages three and up are also able to interact with the Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins, while others can even use masks and snorkels to interact with these slippery friends underwater.
#4. John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk
Even if you’re on a family vacation, you still need to get those steps in! And luckily, it’s incredibly easy to do so in St. Petersburg, Florida.
If you want to stay active while soaking in Florida’s iconic history, you should take a trip to the John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk. This is one of the top tourist attractions in Pinellas County and is even free for all ages. There’s no reason not to go!
At first glance, you may feel like you have stepped foot into a quaint fishing village. There are over one hundred merchants and plenty of things to sightsee. From the countless shops, restaurants, and bars to activities like parasailing or jet skiing, there’s plenty to do on this boardwalk.
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#5. Sunken Gardens
Florida is well-known for its amazing ties to nature. From the panhandle to the Florida Keys, the Sunshine State has no shortage of ways to get close to the outdoors.
In the St. Pete Beach area, you’ll find the Sunken Gardens, a glorious and stunning garden that is a must-have on your bucket list. This botanical garden is over one hundred years old and is home to some of the oldest and most intriguing plant life in the area.
There are over 50,000 tropical plants growing here, making it a prime place to visit for anyone interested in magnificent plant life. Just slip on some good walking shoes, and you’ll easily be able to spend an entire day or two here!
#6. Gulf Beaches Historical Museum
Florida is one of the most diverse and historically intriguing places in the United States. And in St. Pete, you’ll be able to easily learn more about its backstory.
At the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, you can see the history of the islands on Florida’s Gulf Coast through rotating exhibits. This museum has free admission and exhibits showcasing everything from the Gulf Coast in World War II to the story of Silas Dent.
It was originally built in 1917 as a church but has since been transformed into a well-established museum. You can either embark on a self-guided tour or rely on one of the museum workers to guide you.
Some weekends, you can even enjoy dessert sampling and tours here. Count us in!
#7. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
Though St. Petersburg, Florida, is a bustling and lively city, sometimes you might feel best taking a step back from all that noise. By wandering the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, you’ll be able to spend some much-needed time with Mother Nature while enjoying your vacation to the fullest!
The Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is the heart of St. Pete’s natural landscape and has countless ways for you to enjoy the summer. You can learn about the marvels of the preserve at the Lake Maggiore Environmental Education Centre, spend a night under the stars at the Terry Tomalin Campground, and even join one of the many nature programs offered there.
For the hikers, bikers, and nature lovers out there, it’s well worth your time to take a trip to the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve!
#8. Sea Dog Brewing Company
After spending time wandering the picturesque boardwalks and stunning beaches of St. Pete, you’re likely going to be a little hungry. The Sea Dog Brewing Company is a great place to hang out if you’re looking for delicious meals and locally-made beers.
This brewery is located on nearby Treasure Island and is known for more than its tasty menu. It has amazing waterfront views and a bayside dock, which will help your food taste much better!
From Gulf-inspired fresh seafood to American bar food, there are plenty of options here. Feel free to watch the game on one of their numerous televisions as well.
#9. Upham Beach Park
Vacations are all about unwinding and relaxing. And when it comes to traveling with the whole family, you’re likely in need of some peace and quiet.
Upham Beach Park is one of the best beaches in the St. Pete Beach area and is perfect for everything from swimming to sunbathing. It’s also one of the best places to catch a crimson sunset with a sandy front-row seat.
Though this beach is great for even small children, be sure to check local reports before getting wet. This beach does have red tide from time to time (though it is rare!), which means that the toxins in the water might be dangerous to humans and even other marine life.
#10. Madeira Beach
Madeira Beach is located along the Gulf of Mexico and is well-known for its pure white sand beaches. It’s just north of St. Pete Beach, but the short drive is well worth it in the end.
This 2.5-mile-long beach is perfect for relaxing with a good book, sunbathing, and even fishing, as there is a designated fishing area. Madeira Beach is also home to the annual Seafood Festival each October, where you can easily get your hands on some local seafood while enjoying live music and creations from local artists.
#11. Corey Avenue Shopping District
No vacation is complete without spending some of your hard-earned money. And the Corey Avenue Shopping District is the perfect place to do so!
Sitting between the Gulf of Mexico and Boca Ciega Bay, this shopping center is filled with endless shops and boutiques. Gourmet food shops offer plenty of wine and cheese sampling, and there are countless crafts and paintings for sale as well.
You can pamper yourself at one of the many spas or even treat your furry friend to a haircut at a pet spa and groomer. There’s no limit to what you can do here!
Wrapping Up
You deserve to make the most of your time in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Whether you want to spend your time soaking in the sun or wandering the many natural walking paths, there’s something for everyone in the family here!
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