Once known for its aging population toodling around on their adult-size tricycles, St. Petersburg, FL, has a new, young, and vibrant reputation. The very best of the “old” St. Pete is still around for visitors to enjoy. But the getting-better St. Pete (now affectionately known as The ‘Burg) earned a Traveler’s Choice “Best of the Best Destination” nod and a Forbes “Best Places to Travel” spot.
Let’s take a look at this city that has it all and at several “Whys?” it should be your next Sunshine Escape!
OK, we might as well start with the reason you’re taking a Sunshine Escape in the first place – THE BEACH! The area’s 35 miles of pristine white sand cradling sun dappled blue water have been named the #5 best beach in the entire world and have held TripAdvisor’s #1 Best Beach in the US spot 4 out of the last 10 years. You’ll leave your footprints and take with you the memory of perfection.
The Art Scene
Image Credit: Depositphotos
2025 USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards ranked St. Petersburg #5 for street art/murals! Curated tours will ensure you don’t miss the good stuff. But there’s nothing like bumping into one of the 600+ building-sized visual serendipities as you wander the city.
Muralists from around the globe and the country join local stars at the SHINE Mural Festival each November, their works displayed in an exceptional outdoor gallery – the City of St. Petersburg itself.
There are galleries galore to explore!
The Craftsman House, a 1918 bungalow, features a working pottery studio, a cafe, and made-with-love items. Their celebrations of the tasty holidays – Ice Cream Day, World Chocolate Day, etc. – are legendary. Buy the bowl; the ice cream is free!
Florida Craftart offers studio and exhibition space next to its spacious showroom where locally-created quality items are available for sale. Their extensive jewelry collection is a knockout!
His works are seen around the world. Here in St. Pete, The Chihuly Collection is housed in a building specifically designed to showcase the works of renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. Architecture and glass blend to create a spectacular experience.
While numerous Galleries and Studios are open daily, Second Saturday Art Walks are like family gatherings where everyone actually likes the cousins! New galleries are added regularly, while long-time faves like Morean Center for Clay and Duncan McClellan Gallery (glass art) continue to light up the roster of 30+ locations each month. Learn, try your hand at something new, gnosh, sip, socialize, enjoy – on an Art Walk.
You’ll discover your own favorite artists and studios in the city’s seven art districts. Neighboring city Gulfport touts a beachy vibe to its art quarter – which is the whole Main Street!
Food and Drink
Image Credit: Marriott International, Inc.
What’s an Escape without awesome food and drink?
Here’s the epic thing about rooftop bars in The ‘Burg: THEY DON’T LOOK OUT ON OTHER ROOFTOPS! Day or night, these venues – especially those along Beach Drive downtown – just dazzle with their views of the Gulf dotted with sail boats and sun twinkles.
At night, a distant Tampa winks “Hello,” and stars respond. Add that the food tends toward delicious and the drinks toward strong, and you’ve got a perfect evening out – and up!
If you can’t find the food that you want in St. Pete, it probably can’t be found. In 2024, the city was named “Best Food City in the U.S.” by Travel and Leisure. There is diversity in national origin, style, price point, decor, ambiance. But you can pretty well depend on excellence in taste and service. Three out of four seasons call for outdoor dining. It’s bliss!
MAZZARO’S ITALIAN MARKET is a wonderland of yummy! Handmade pastas; prepared dishes to take away or eat there; gigantic and beautifully curated cheese and wine sections; coffees; desserts, desserts, desserts! The olive buffet is without competition! Locals love Mazzaro’s – it’s colorful, always crowded, and parking is difficult at best. But it’s worth it. Think Zabar’s South!
And then, there’s the craft beer scene! Over 17 brewers, from small homies to national brewers. They’re almost all within walking/a short taxi hop of each other. And there’s a regional style – Florida Weisse – that brews in local fruits!
The City gives out its own culinary awards, so be sure to check out the spots the locals adore!
Nature
Image Credit: Depositphotos
You can’t not smile at the stilted-legged flamingoes, graceful and awkward at the same time, doing their best to pretend you’re not watching them. They’ve been part of SUNKEN GARDENS since 1955, arriving 40 years after the Gardens were established. Over 50,000 species of plants and animals live in this quiet treasure trove in the middle of the city. They love visitors!
BOYD HILL NATURE PRESERVE’s 245 acres offers tram and walking treks through a variety of eco communities. You can also visit the aviary, where injured raptors are recuperating.
WEEDON ISLAND and SAWGRASS LAKE PARK offer similar experiences. Try SHELL KEY for the best kayaking experiences!
Museums 
Image Credit: Depositphotos
The imagination of Salvador Dali is evident in every aspect of the award-winning DALI MUSEUM. From the eye-popping structure, to the special programs (Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon immersive show!), to the 360-degree immersive Dali experience, to the inspired menu at the Cafe Gala, to the master’s paintings themselves – you have to experience it to believe it.
The Museum of American Arts and Crafts is the only museum dedicated to this gorgeous and popular style. Nearby are several neighborhoods with high concentrations of Arts and Crafts bungalows that offer seasonal tours.
You might ask, what’s a Western themed museum doing in a beach town? The James Museum of Crafts of Western and Wildlife Art is happy to respond. Its mission of “inspiring human connection and transformation” is fulfilled by allowing voices that are often silenced in Western art to be heard in their over 400 paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and other works.
The venerable Museum of Fine Arts has been the center of St. Pete’s art vibrancy for 60 years. From the Masters to the up-and-comers, the exhibits are curated with wisdom and heart. Special programming is inventive: toddler events, scavenger hunts, Nights at the Museum, Art in Bloom… Or just go and sit quietly and enjoy your favorite display.
Only in St. Pete
Image Credit: Depositphotos
The PIER invites people to stroll from the verdant downtown out onto the bay and experience St. Pete uniqueness. You can run, swim, bike, have a bite to eat, enjoy a drink, go to concerts, watch the sun come up, browse the kiosks of distinctive items. The Pier building’s cafes, bistros, and upscale dining options will delight your tastebuds.
If you only eat one meal in St. Pete, make it TED PETERS SMOKED MULLET. Since 1951, mullet and Spanish mackerel have spent 4-6 hours over native Red Oak coals, smoking to perfection. As great as the St. Pete culinary scene is, there is nothing like Ted Peters.
St. Pete’s easy-going, friendly past can be re-lived at VALENTY’S LOUNGE, where the hotdogs and prices are great (really – bottled beer $2/glass of wine $3), the popcorn is free, and “wells are Call brands!” Bartender Julie is a brilliant mixologist with a sparky sense of humor that belies her professionalism.
For the ultimate “look what I brought you from St. Pete” gift – as well as for your own enjoyment – don’t miss the FLORIDA ORANGE GROVES WINERY. Tastings allow you to select your favorite of the 40+ varieties, all locally made. You can even get tropical fruit wine slushies!!! (I actually took a bottle of the lime wine to my host in the Loire Valley. He loved it.)
And…THE SKYWAY BRIDGE! Driving over it is a rush. The view from Maximo Park is stellar, especially at night. And boating UNDER it is…does this thing ever fall down??
Final Thoughts:
Image Credit: Depositphotos
We’ve barely broken the surface here. St. Pete is sunshine, fun shine, nighttime, daytime, all the time, your time. Why should it be your next Sunshine Escape? Better ask Why Not??