Top 10 Tourist Attractions in St. Petersburg, Florida

Last Updated on January 30, 2023 by Nikki Jain

Sun, surf, sand, and most importantly… serenity! St. Petersburg, Florida is a lively city with just a little bit of everything for all ages. There are massive museums with precious, exclusive exhibits and long, winding beaches that stretch for miles of golden sand.

St. Petersburg also has a bustling downtown center with top-rated restaurants, bars, and entertainment centers just waiting to be explored. With so much to do, it can be hard to do it all. To help with the makings of a proper bucket list, check out this grouping of the top 10 attractions in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Things To Do in St. Petersburg

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1: Sunken Gardens

Sunken Gardens
Flickr/Rain0975

Nestled in the comfort of old downtown St. Pete, the Sunken Gardens are a spectacular featured treasure of the area. It is a place teeming with lush garden life with a wide array of plants, shrubs, and exhibits for people of all ages.

Here there are shaded paths with glimpses of the sun peeking through to light your way, and the wonders of nature all around. It is St. Petersburg’s oldest living museum, and has spent over a 100 years treating its patrons to all the wonders of St. Pete’s premiere botanical garden.

Address: 1825 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704

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2: Fort De Soto Park

Fort De Soto Park
Flickr/Pinellas County

Both a national park and a beach, Fort De Soto is one of the most pristine beaches to be found in Florida. At just over 1,100 acres, this park has just a little bit of everything. From mile long hikes, 7 miles of beachfront relaxation, and two well-maintained fishing piers this is the place to go if you want sunny day options.

It is also one of the nicest beaches in Florida for how serene the surroundings are. Settled on a small island, this is relatively removed from everything else and offers a nice, quiet day by the beach if you hear the waves calling.

Pro tip: As something ‘removed’ from civilization, reception here can be very spotty, and in some places nonexistent. This makes Fort De Soto the perfect place to completely unplug, but not the best place to get any kind of signal.

Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, St. Petersburg, FL 33715

3: The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum)

The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum)
Flickr/Joe Bielawa

Experience art like no other! The Dali Museum is one of the crown jewels of St. Petersburg and is worth all the attention it gets. Outside of Spain, this is the largest collection of artist Salvador Dali’s works in one place.

Here you will be able to explore the mind of one of the famed artists of history, and interact with them like few other museums offer. Outside of the museum, there is an open air garden with a few exhibits such as the Labyrinth, Math in the Gardens, and the Wish Tree.

The Wish Tree is a place where ribbon tied onto the drooping branches hold the wishes of patrons that come through the museum. Wander the gardens, place a wish, and enjoy all that the Dali Museum has to offer in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Address: 1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

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4: Chihuly Collection

Chihuly Collection
Flickr/Roy Luck

A massive collection of some truly stunning artistry done by blown glass. This is a museum seldom seen elsewhere, and is a breathtaking exhibit of color and light. Each exhibit and work of art is done so intricately a story is told in a thousand colorful exhibits. Chihuly is a name that has traveled the states, and this museum is a true reflection of the life and love of all things introspective art.

Address: 720 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

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5: Boyd Hill Nature preserve

Boyd Hill Nature preserve
Flickr/CityofStPete

Seated on the shores of the ethereal Lake Maggiore, the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is one of the best places to embrace the sunny Florida weather. Here you will find over 240 acres of well preserved, well-maintained trails, lake shores, picnic areas, and even tram tours. Explore the great outdoors with the wonders of the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve.

Address: 1101 Country Club Way S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705

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6: Saturday Morning Market

Saturday Morning Market
Flickr/CityofStPete

Make your weekend fresh! The Saturday Morning Market has been a community staple mark ever since its debut in 2002 and runs every year from May to October. Here you will find just a little bit of everything. From delicious, locally grown fruits to intricately hand-made jewelry from local artists in the area, and a fun, happy energy surrounding the whole event. The Saturday Morning market is a great place to start your day off right as you peruse everything that St. Petersburg has to offer.

Address: 101 1st St SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

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7: Weedon Island Preserve

Weedon Island Preserve
Flickr/Calmuziclover

Seeking all adventurers! Weedon Island Preserve is a massive expanse of lush Florida wilderness with plenty of activities to keep you interested all day. Not only are there hiking paths galore, and some truly breathtaking sights to be found, but there is also kayaking and canoeing on the shimmering waters that surround the preserve.

Address: 1800 Weedon Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702

8: Great Explorations Children’s Museum

Great Explorations Children’s Museum

Looking for fun for the whole family? Look no further than the Children’s Museum of St. Petersburg for a fun, immersive, and educational experience that will spark wonder in kids and parents alike. With hands-on experiences, children are a part of the learning process rather than just observing it, and altogether makes for a more in-depth study of all subjects explored.

Address: 1925 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704

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9: Pass-A-Grille Beach

Pass-A-Grille Beach
Flickr/psyberartist

Most people speak of ‘paradise’ as something imaginary, but Pass-A-Grille Beach is real-life proof. Pass-A-Grille is a beach goer’s paradise with miles of golden sand and gently lapping waves and all the sunny seaside benefits of a private beach without the cost. By no means is it entirely vacant, but compared to some of the other spots on the West coast, this is the spot to go if you want nothing but the sounds of the ocean around you.

Address: St. Pete Beach, FL 33706

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10: Mahaffey Theater

Mahaffey Theater
Flickr/CityofStPete

The Mahaffey Theater (also known as the Duke Energy Center for the Arts) is seated comfortably on the waterfront of downtown St. Pete. First opened in 1965, this theater has seen countless shows, concerts, and other events that still act as a regular occurrence today.

While the 2,000+ seat venue is notable in and of itself, it is truly spectacular when in use. During your time in St. Petersburg, go online to the website to see what events are happening during your stay. Grab tickets when you can, and then sit back, relax, and enjoy an event you’re sure to never forget.

Address: 400 1st St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

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