Experience Adventure in St. Pete, FL
Named one of the “Best Places to Travel in the U.S.,” St. Petersburg hosts a diverse range of experiences from the busy city to the peaceful tranquility of the Sunken Gardens. With a variety of scenery and rotation of events throughout the year, The Sunshine City is waiting for you.
Nonstop service from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV) on Allegiant Airlines to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) makes it easy to call St. Pete your next vacation destination.
Good to Know
Airport: St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
Average Flight Time: 2 hours
Book a Trip: allegiantair.com
Explore The Districts
The City of St. Petersburg is home to more than seven districts, each a diverse neighborhood of culture and character that blend together to create a lively atmosphere. Tourists and locals alike can spend the day using a map along vibrant Corey Avenue or roaming past the historic Coliseum and through the hub of this coastal city to find a variety of attractions and activities. The districts are each distinct in their own way and contribute to making downtown St. Pete a unique destination for families, friends and couples.
The art scene thrives in The Central Arts District, where murals decorate the walls and boutiques line Central Ave. Pop into the Morean Arts Center to see the Chihuly Collection, a stunning permanent exhibition of Dale Chihuly’s glass art, known for its intricate shapes and vibrant colors. The Arts District is a great place to find unique small business souvenirs for everyone, then tune in to the live music on the way to your next stop.
Meanwhile, the Waterfront Museum District holds waterfront parks, theatres and the notable Dalí Museum. Featuring artwork from across Salvador Dalí’s entire career, the Dalí Museum marks the southern end of the Waterfront Museum District with an immersive blend of history, art and learning experiences for people of all ages. It offers an array of sculptures, paintings and the iconic dome. Guests are able to engage with the digital experiences at the Dalí that are designed to entertain, inspire and encourage further immersion into all that was – and is – the genius of Salvador Dalí. This includes multi-sensory augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technology incorporated into the exhibits.
This district neighbors the stadium where the Tampa Bay Rowdies play soccer. Sports fans should also bookmark Tropicana Field as a St. Petersburg staple. Nicknamed “The Trop,” fans can watch the Tampa Bay Rays, a Major League Baseball team that plays here during the regular season. Retire the evening along the water’s edge by staying in downtown St. Petersburg’s popular Vinoy Hotel that has been a symbol of timeless elegance in the community since 1925.
The St. Pete Pier District, which is located on 26 acres of sparkling Tampa Bay waterfront, offers even more family-friendly fun with its paths to walk, bike or rollerblade on your way to the fishing deck and splash pads. Here is also where you can explore public green spaces of playgrounds, picnics and tents holding The Marketplace vendors on Saturday mornings. Be sure to visit the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center, where kids and adults can dive in to learn more about marine life and local Florida ecosystems through the center’s daily programs, educational galleries, Wildlife Boat Tours, and live touch tank of sea stars and horseshoe crabs.
Whether you are on the search for nightlife or one of the annual mural festivals, the districts of the Sunshine City are sure to have something for everybody.
Beach Bliss
From paddling kayaks to lounging in the sun, visitors can customize their St. Pete stay by choosing from one of the many beaches located nearby. Award-winning St. Pete Beach provides a laid-back atmosphere only 14 minutes from the City of St. Pete. You won’t want to miss this peaceful scene of emerald-green water and miles of white sand. Visitors also venture to Clearwater Beach, which offers a buzz of community, restaurants and shopping. No trip to Clearwater is complete without a stop at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home of rescued sea turtles, dolphins and other marine life. Any of these beaches, as well as others in the Tampa Bay area like Treasure Island, make for the perfect Florida vacation spot. For a true getaway, Egmont Key is an oasis only accessible by water, where wildlife outnumbers human visitors and makes for tranquil scene in nature. No matter your destination, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and MidAmerica St. Louis Airport are ready to get you there.
Beyond St. Pete
If St. Petersburg is not the end of your Florida trip, Pinellas County is located 11 miles away from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE); one nonstop flight away from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. This slice of Florida is a postcard-worthy scene with recreational activities and the 75-mile Pinellas Trail. This multi-use path offers scenic views and provides a protected greenspace for activities like walking, jogging, skating and biking that connects to various towns and attractions in the county. Fort de Soto Park also sits in Pinellas County, consisting of 1,136 acres made up of five interconnected islands that are home to a wealth of bird life, sea life, wildlife and plant life. Sarasota is another viable nearby destination to PIE, boasting a combination of city life and nature reserves. It’s also known for its beautiful beaches, including the famous Siesta Key Beach. Although it’s a little over a four-hour drive from St. Pete, Miami offers plenty of options for day trips or extended excursions that add even more variety to your Florida getaway. Art scene lovers and family-friendly seekers need to look no further — Florida truly has it all.
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*Information in this article was sourced, in part, from Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, which also provides details on all the upcoming events you may want to check out for your next trip.
