How to Spend 3 Days in St. Petersburg, Florida
They say the sun is always shining in St. Petersburg. That must be why its nickname is “The Sunshine City”, Duh! Those are perfect conditions for worshipping the sun at one of St. Pete’s beaches, or a trip to Sunken Gardens. Stroll along the coastline, or brush up on your culture at The Dali Museum. Find a fresh vibe shopping on Central Avenue, and enjoy a sidewalk cafe exploring local foods or craft beer bars. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or have been here dozens of times, there’s always something exciting to discover. Come with us as we spend a weekend in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Day One
Coffee at Paradeco Coffee Roasters
If you love Art Deco and good coffee, Paradeco is your coffee shop in St. Petersburg. Paradeco sources the highest quality coffee beans from around the world. Not only does Paradeco source the beans, but they also roast them in-house to brew the best coffee. I had a delicious blueberry muffin with my coffee when we stopped in the first morning in Downtown St. Petersburg.
Sunken Gardens
There is something about “Old Florida” roadside attractions before Disney that still intrigues me. Maybe it’s the nostalgia of a bygone era. Something still attracts me to Silver Springs, Bok Tower and Gardens, and beautiful Sunken Gardens. Sunken Gardens is a botanical garden and St. Pete’s oldest living museum. Sunken Gardens is over a hundred years old and is one of the country’s oldest roadside attractions. The gardens were built to showcase exotic plants and flowers from all over the world.
This tropical wonderland was created as a hobby garden by a local plumber in the early 1900s on a six-acre piece of land that formerly held a lake. The rich and fertile soil of the lake bed made the perfect environment for The Sunken Gardens botanical collection.
You can easily make your way through the entirety of the gardens in an hour. Visitors can follow a trail through the botanical gardens to see waterfalls, a butterfly encounter, and even a flock of flamingos! Sunken Gardens is the perfect way to spend your first day in Saint Petersburg while waiting to check into your hotel.
The Don Cesar Hotel
Dramatically perched atop wind-swept dunes with expansive water views in every direction, the fully renovated Don CeSar is the crown jewel of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Since 1928, this monument to glamour and leisure has welcomed sun-seekers, luxury travelers, and some of America’s most famous – and notorious – figures. Become part of the storied history of the legendary Pink Palace. Iconic. Romantic. Celebratory.
Lunch at The Beacon Pool Bar & Lookout
Since I was exploring the Don Cesar, I decided to have a drink and lunch at The Beacon Pool Bar & Lookout. Enjoy frozen drinks, specialty cocktails, and a salad, burger, or sandwich. The upper level offers stunning views of the beach and the famous St. Pete Beach sunset.
Book a day pass at the Don:
Get pampered at the Pink Palace! Even if you don’t splurge on a room at the Don CeSar you can still enjoy the space and services inside the historic hotel. They also have spa packages that are the ultimate way to pamper yourself. Making a booking for any service from the spa menu grants you access to the whirlpool, steam room, luxurious locker rooms, and rooftop terrace. The beautiful grand entrance leads you to the hotel.
The Don Cesar Hotel: 3400 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach, FL
Afternoon at Pass a Grille Beach
After visiting the Don, we headed south to Pass-A-Grille Beach. Relaxed Pass-a-Grille Beach, is a seaside village perched above a wide stretch of white sand along the Gulf Coast. Beach boutiques and casual seafood spots are nearby, especially along 8th Avenue. The Gulf Beaches Historical Museum traces the region’s past through memorabilia like photographs and old postcards. Pass-A-Grille Beach, the southernmost part of the island of St. Pete Beach, is simply stunning.
Dinner at Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro
Located at the St. Petersburg Pier, Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro is located on the city’s waterfront. Like many restaurants in St. Pete, you can sit inside or outside. The outdoor seating will give you a gorgeous view of the water and any boats that are out. Enjoy gentle breezes off the bay when you dine at the open-air deck. Frescos is a casual destination for seafood.
Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro: 300 2nd Avenue NE, St Petersburg, FL
St. Pete Pier
The Pier is the big attraction in downtown St. Petersburg, so that was our next stop. The St. Pete Pier is a landmark pleasure pier extending 3,000 feet from downtown St. Petersburg into Tampa Bay. Over the years several different structures have been built at the same location. This isn’t your average, ordinary wood plank fishing pier, this is an entire entertainment complex. There’s a playground, Discovery Center, fishing deck, a marketplace, restaurants, and even a little beach, to dip your toes in the bay. Once you have arrived, you’ll find that it is two stories tall, and on the second floor, there is a restaurant/ bar called Pier Tiki that would be a perfect spot to grab a boat drink. This is also one of the best views of downtown St. Petersburg.
The pier is more of a full outdoor entertainment area than an old wooden pier. A few attractions within the pier include its small beach, a splash pad for the kids, a fishing deck (you can buy bait and other equipment), art installations, a playground, cafes, and restaurants. We stopped to listen to the sounds of a street musician playing Christmas tunes and Whitney Huston’s “I Will Always Love You”.
Visit the Vinoy, a grand hotel from the 1920s
The Vinoy is another one of the pink Mediterranean Revival hotels so popular in the early boom years of Florida development. It has a tower and the sort of architectural detail that suggests a European palace.
Ever since its opening in 1925, the Vinoy Park Hotel situated along the waterfront in downtown has been a landmark in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg. The Vinoy Resort provides their guests entertainment throughout their whole stay, without even having to leave the resort, but the hotel is only a short walk from the main sights of St Petersburg if you want to venture out.
450 Seventh Ave Northeast, St. Petersburg
Day Two
The Dali Museum
The Dali Museum is beautiful and modern, and Salvador Dali’s paintings are often dreamlike, making it fun to attempt to interpret them. Aside from Europe, St. Pete has the most Salvador Dali work outside of Spain. Dali focuses on Surrealism, and it’s truly a unique experience! Here, you will find a collection of artwork from every stage of Dali’s career, and exceptional pieces from every medium of his artistic endeavors. The outside bubble glass design catches the eye from both the inside and outside.
Go shopping on Central Avenue
Find a fresh and funky vibe on Central Avenue. With shops and cafes, Central Avenue is where it’s at in St Pete. Starting at the beautiful downtown waterfront and stretching west, Central Ave. invites you to wander along its vibrant boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and bars. Spot murals, shop for one-of-a-kind items, and explore the heart of the local food and drink scene as you go.
Lunch at Bodega on Central
The rustic-chic style eatery is famous for its Cuban sandwich and trust me when I say this is a must order! It might have been the thickest and tastiest I have ever eaten. You will order your meal at the window outside. Usually, there’s always a line but it moves fast! You can’t go wrong with their original Cuban sandwich.
Bodega: 1180 Central Ave, St. Petersburg
Day Three
Fort Desoto Park
If you are looking for a secluded beach, this is the perfect spot! The park is spread out among five islands in the mouth of Tampa Bay. This jewel of Pinellas County has two fishing piers, boat ramps, kayak rentals, and even a dog park, so your furry friend can enjoy the trip with you.
Then, stop by the Quartermaster Museum to learn more about the fort through historic photographs and Spanish-American War artifacts. The Fort itself was built for the Spanish-American War. You can tour the fort to see the remaining canons, old jail cells, and bunkers.
There are miles of pristine beaches to enjoy.
Fort Desoto is Pinellas County’s largest public park and features coastal areas, wetlands, forests, and one of the region’s finest beaches. You’ll find plenty here to explore.
Tips for Visiting St. Petersburg
- Download the Park Mobile App. This will help you pay for parking on your phone instead of using a meter. There is free parking around, but most are paid parking. The parking is affordable, and you can extend the parking through your app!
- Make reservations for anything you can! You will be glad you did!
If you are looking for more fun in Florida, check out the other side of the bay in Tampa. It is one of the best destinations to visit in Florida. The Tampa Bay area offers fantastic Gulf Coast beaches and world-class museums. Historic buildings have been renovated and now house restaurants, bars, and retail stores. So, tag along as we take a Three-Day Trip to Tampa.
