As a native Floridian, I’m always on the lookout for places on the peninsula that defy Florida stereotypes. I want more than just your typical beach town, or a sleepy retirement community, or an over-trafficked metropolis. I want character, architecture, hyper-local cuisine, arts, innovation, boutique hotels, and an appreciation for history. St. Petersburg is just that.
St. Pete isn’t trying to replicate the glitz of Miami. Nor does it strive for the refined and immaculate aesthetic of Palm Beach. It even sets itself apart from its neighbor, Tampa, with its own distinct artsy-younger-sibling personality. And after recent battles with hurricanes, the city has made a strong comeback, celebrating several historic milestones in 2026.
Here’s why I think it should be on your must-visit list this year.
The Vinoy Turns 100
Not many hotels make it to 100 years, but The Vinoy will reach that milestone in 2026. Opened on New Year’s Eve in 1925, the Mediterranean Revival building has long anchored St. Pete’s bayfront, hosting celebrities and U.S. presidents. Now, it’s positioning itself as the connective thread between the city’s past and evolving future.
Courtesy Visit St. Pete-Clearwater
“For 100 years, the hotel has mirrored St. Petersburg’s evolution—from a sleepy winter get-away to a yearlong vibrant cultural destination,” says Alice Land, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Vinoy. “We want to honor our architectural and social legacy while reimagining what a historic luxury hotel can be in a modern, inclusive, and creatively driven city.”
The Vinoy’s storytelling and nostalgia are woven into the guest experience: room keycards feature archival photography, postcards inviting guests to mark the moment, and docent-led history tours that point out design details like the original hand-painted cypress ceilings and orange tiles in the lobby. The culinary program is also rooted in a sense of place, featuring fresh Gulf seafood and local purveyors like Salty Sisters and Mother Kombucha.
Courtesy Visit St. Pete-Clearwater
The Art Scene Goes Global
Sarasota often claims the title of Florida’s arts hub, due in large part to the permanent Baroque and Renaissance art collection at The Ringling Museum. But not far away (about an hour’s drive between them), St. Petersburg has an arts scene you’d expect from a city twice its size.
“St. Petersburg truly punches above its weight when it comes to its museums,” says Dr. Jennifer Cohen, Director of Curatorial Affairs at The Dalí Museum. “Between The Dalí Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), St. Pete is hosting exhibitions you’d sooner find in global capitals.” At the MFA this winter, find an exhibition on Caravaggio’s Light. At The Dalí through April, Giacometti & Dalí is on. Dr. Cohen adds, “To see masterworks of this caliber — many of which may not return to the U.S. for decades, if ever—united here, in one city and one season, is nothing short of remarkable.” See it before the works head back to their permanent home in Paris.
The Dalí Museum carries momentum through the year with a special show coinciding with America’s 250th birthday—Dalí in America, opening in May. The exhibition explores the eight pivotal years Dalí spent in the U.S. seeking refuge from World War II—years that shaped his work and America’s relationship with modern art. “It was here [in America] that Dalí found a new audience eager to embrace his signature blend of science, symbolism and spectacle, ” said Dr. Cohen. “No other museum in the world tells this particular story.”
Add in Dalí Alive 360, the museum’s immersive digital experience housed inside the Dalí Dome, and you have a museum experience that appeals to art enthusiasts, families, and first-time museum-goers.
Discover even more art at the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, the Imagine Museum (for glass art), the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, and the Chihuly collection at the Morean Arts Center.
Shine Mural Festival in St. Petersburg.
Art On the Street
St. Petersburg could be called “Mural City.” With over 600 murals, every corner feels alive with artwork. Visitors can tour the murals by bike or by trolley, and learn more about each work or uncover hidden paintings they may have missed. Each fall, St. Petersburg plays host to the SHINE Mural Festival, returning for its 12th year, and even more large scale pieces are added to the walls of the city. The Dalí’s Dr. Cohen says the event is “a must-see moment for visitors who want to experience St. Pete’s creative energy at its peak.”
If it’s local art you’re after, stroll the St. Petersburg Pier in the hours before sunset. Here artisans, vendors, and live performers set up on the over-water promenade while the sun performs its nightly show over the Gulf Coast. The Second Saturday Art Walk brings together all of St. Petersburg’s arts community, and galleries and studios stay open late for visitors.
Robbie Caponetto The Don Cesar Hotel in St. Petersburg.
More Beach
After a devastating 2024 hurricane season where this stretch of Gulf Coast was hit hard by a trio of storms (Helene, Milton, and Debby), St. Petersburg spent much of 2025 recovering from the damage. But in 2026, major revitalization and renovation projects will make a grand entrance. At the top of the year, a $125 million beach nourishment project will be complete, doubling the size of several beaches like Upham Beach and Sunset Beach.
St. Petersburg’s “Pink Palace,” the beachfront Don Cesar, took six months to reopen after the storms. As it comes up on its 98th anniversary in 2026, the property is showing off its resilience, elegance, and Old Florida glamour with updated dining concepts, a refreshed lobby bar, and spa.
Black Crow Coffee in St. Petersburg.
A Blossoming Culinary Culture
In just the past few years, St. Petersburg has earned its place in the conversation of Florida’s culinary excellence. With the Michelin Guide now visiting restaurants in St. Pete, Clearwater, and Tampa, the food scene is rapidly rising to the occasion. Three St. Pete restaurants earned Michelin recommendations. But beyond flashy stars, it’s the quiet local establishments I love here, like the small Izakaya restaurant tucked away in a Florida bungalow—in between days. Here, turn tables spin vinyl at the perfect volume, and the menu remains simple, fresh, and seasonal.
For your morning caffeine fix, stop at Black Crow Coffee where the art filled interior and tropical garden courtyard embody the spirit of St. Pete—eclectic and casual. Try striking up a conversation with the artsy locals that frequent this cafe, or grab a book from Tombolo books next door to enjoy with your latte. Don’t leave without getting a bagel from Pete’s Bagels.
Related: 7 Must-Try Restaurants In St. Petersburg, Florida
A Beloved Local Business Scene
St. Petersburg celebrates its local businesses. For 13 years, the city has celebrated its local business with an annual festival, Localtopia. Over 300 artists, artisans, makers, street performers, and more come together for the event. This love for small businesses is seen in the boutique, galleries, and shops that make for great gifts and shopping, and it’s why St. Pete was selected by Southern Living as one of Florida’s best cities for antiquing. Plan your visit around Vintage Marche, a massive vintage hall open once monthly. It attracts serious vintage lovers and its where you can find genuine vintage in an easy-to-peruse environment.
Read the original article on Southern Living