A First-Time Visitors Guide to St. Pete Beach and Clearwater, Florida
Welcome to St. Pete Beach and Clearwater, Florida!
I’ve got your complete first time visitors guide to the St. Pete Beach area so you can plan, eat, dine, and adventure your way through your Florida Gulf Coast family vacation.
Hugging the western coast of Florida just outside of the St. Petersburg-Tampa metro area is a 23-mile stretch of white sand and blue water.
From Caladesi Island State Park at the northernmost point to Pass-a-Grille at the bottom, this beautiful collection of beaches and resorts has something for everyone.
Whether you're visiting for the day from Tampa, or you're here for a week long St. Petersburg family vacation, you'll be dazzled by the wide, flat beaches, the stunning sunsets, and the wide variety of activities.
We’ve been going to these beaches once a year since 2014, and we’ve collected so many fun suggestions at St. Pete Beach for families.
As our kids have grown, we’ve had the opportunity to try out new hotels, restaurants and activities to add to this travel guide.
This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, I will receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.
Updated 3/2024 | Written 9/2015
Map of St. Pete Beach Florida
First, let’s get the lay of the land with my handy-dandy map of St. Pete Beach!
Although the area is often referred to as St. Pete Beach or St. Pete Beach/ Clearwater, this stretch of Gulf Coast is actually composed of a series of communities, each with their own feel.
Moving from the southern most end of the St. Pete Beach-Clearwater area to the north, you’ll find that each area offers unique amenities and an argument for choosing it as your beach home base.
Pass-a-Grille, in the south, is eclectic with a bit of a hippy vibe and Old Florida homes. The coral pink Don CeSar steals the show as you come over the Pinellas Byway bridge.
St. Pete Beach proper is filled with high rises, lots of gift shops and restaurants, and a lively, happening atmosphere.
Madiera Beach centers around a quiet stretch of condos as well as the famous Johns Pass, where you’ll find restaurants, fishing charters and shopping.
Redington Beach and Redington Shores are dominated by high rise buildings filled with condos and vacation rentals, and plenty of restaurants.
Indian Shores and Indian Rocks Beach are both laid back and homey feeling. There aren’t any high rises here, and just a handful of restaurants, but the clean, nearly empty beaches make up for any travel you have to do.
Belleair Shore and Belleair Beach have some beautiful--and gigantic--houses! This would be a great area to host an extended family get-together and rent one of the palatial beachfront homes directly on the Gulf Coast.
Clearwater Beach, at the top of this stretch, always has something going on, and you'll find plenty of restaurants, dancing, and gift shops.
Would You Recommend St. Pete Beach for Families?
Absolutely!
We’ve been visiting there as a family since May 2014 (it was my first ever press trip!), and we loved it so much that we’ve turned it into our summer family vacation spot.
My kids love the idea of the beach, but not the sand, so we need a Gulf coast location that offers the beach plus other things for when they’re over being sandy.
The St. Pete Beach FL area has amazing beaches, but it also has putt-putt golf, a fantastic children’s museum, arts venues, shopping, and more. If you’re willing to head a bit further out, Tampa has even more to do!
Is St. Pete Beach safe?
Yes. We’ve always felt safe on all of our vacations, and we’ve roamed far and wide.
We’ve also stayed at different types of accommodations—hotels, suites, VRBOs, traditional summer rentals—all along the Clearwater-St. Pete Beach stretch, and we’ve felt comfortable with our small kids.
As with any time you’re traveling, use common sense and your best judgment. Make sure your car is locked at night and preferably parked near a security light.
If something feels off, pay attention to that feeling and respond. Be aware of your surroundings at night, and walk in groups.
If you’re traveling with kids, you’re probably locked up tight at 8 PM like we are.
But, if you find yourselves out after dark, you’ll be fine: the restaurants, ice cream stands, mini-golf attractions, and more tend to have good crowds well into the evening.
Is the water clear in St. Pete Beach?
For the most part, yes!
We live on the Atlantic coast, in Charleston, South Carolina, and our water here is anything but clear.
That’s why we drive to the Florida Gulf coast for our beach vacations even though there’s a beach less than 20 minutes from my front door.
The St. Pete beach water is a beautiful light blue-green, and you can see straight to the bottom when you’re in shallow water.
It does darken to a slightly cloudier green as you get out to deeper waters, but, overall, the water is beautiful on the Gulf coast.
What’s the St. Pete Beach sand like?
It’s extremely fine and is almost like powdered sugar. We’ve been to a bunch of beaches, and I think that the St. Pete Beach sand is one of the less offensive.
(It’s still sand, so you’ll find it everywhere for weeks after you get home, but it’s a small price to pay for a great vacation!)
The sand on the Atlantic coast—near Edisto Island, South Carolina for example—is much more coarse with tiny shell pieces in it. And some beaches in England have complete stones on them!
Compared to all of that, St. Pete beach sand is perfect for digging your toes into on a warm day and luxuriating in the sun…at least until your kids need a snack and your relaxing is done!
Clearwater Beach v. St Pete Beach: Which is Better for Families?
While you’ll be able to have a great vacation regardless of which location you choose, I lean towards St. Pete Beach for my family.
I still have younger kids (preschooler and early elementary), so we gravitate towards places with lots of activities, access to casual restaurants, and a quiet atmosphere for bedtimes.
On our past trips, we’ve found that the areas around St. Pete Beach—particularly Indian Rocks Beach, Madiera Beach, and Pass-a-Grille—tend to be quieter and more convenient for our family’s needs.
If you have older kids who want lots of water sports activities during the day and you’re not worrying about a specific bedtime at night, Clearwater Beach would be fine.
It does tend to be a bit rowdier at night than sleepy Pass-a-Grille, but it all comes down to what you’re looking for in a vacation experience.
Best Places to Stay in St Pete Beach
As this area is a favorite vacation spot (Clearwater Beach alone draws around 4 million visitors a year), you'll find hundreds of apartments, condos, hotel rooms, and camping spots up and down the beach.
I've had the pleasure of staying at several locations during my visits, which I’ve included below.
I have personal experience with these properties and can recommend them happily to anyone looking for a great St Pete beach hotel, vacation rental or condo!
Cute historic hotel near Pass-a Grille
The Coconut Inn dates back to the 1920s, but it has every modern amenity a visitor could need or want.
We loved relaxing in the pool, which was small but still had plenty of room for my kids to play.
For dinner, you can flip burgers in the outdoor kitchen just steps from the pool.
When you’re ready to go to the beach, walk across Gulf Way and set yourself up on the sand.
Later on, grab one of the hotel’s free bike rentals and cruise along Gulf Way to watch the sunset.
We stayed in an upstairs studio apartment, which was great for our family.
We went when my daughter was still tiny, so she was able to stay in her pack ‘n’ play, which fit comfortably in the corner of the sleeping area.
The small kitchen in the apartment was pretty good for easy breakfasts and sandwiches for lunch.
You might also want to check out the sister properties, Havana Inn and the Sabal Palms Inn, both of which are also in Pass-a-Grille.
The Ultimate in St Pete Beach Luxury Hotels
Don CeSar Hotel, St. Pete Beach defined the beach vacation for the rich and famous for a decade, and that commitment to luxury continues with this bright pink beachfront hotel on the edge of Pass-a-Grille and St. Pete Beach.
During the 1920s, the Don CeSar was the place to see and be seen!
It's been completely restored, so you can now stay where F. Scott Fitzgerald rested his head, only with modern amenities and fresh new decor.
The hotel is beautifully appointed throughout, and there are so many things to do at the Don Cesar that you won’t need to go off-property.
Relax at the spa or meet with a personal trainer in the gym to burn off a few vacation calories.
Then, indulge at one of the restaurants—you can’t forget a sweet treat afterwards at Uncle Andy’s Market.
Eat your ice cream by the two pools and watch the other guests frolic.
There are also several stores in the Don Cesar, too, where you can purchase branded shirts, high end purses, beachwear and toys, or jewelry.
The Don CeSar is pricey compared to everything else on this list, but it was a fun spurge for us.
We loved how insular the entire experience felt.
The Perfect St Petersburg FL Family Resort
The Beach House Suites are a wonderful option for families who want the luxury of the Don Cesar with a bit more room.
We LOVED our time here, and have plans to return here again in the future.
Owned by the Don CeSar hotel, the Beach House Suites are located within walking distance of the Pink Palace.
One great amenity of staying here is that guests at the Beach House Suites get full access to the Don CeSar’s pools and beach chairs.
The guest rooms at the Beach House Suites are done in greys and whites for a clean, modern feel.
Each comes with 1 bedroom and 1 large bathroom.
There’s also a fold out couch for the kiddos.
We loved the full kitchen, which came equipped with pots, pans, and silverware.
After dinner each night, we’d sit out on the balcony and play card games.
Each room has a balcony and ocean views!
The resort puts out big comfy beach chairs on the beach for guests each morning, and there are cabanas to rent.
We got one on our last day, and it was worth every penny! (That’s also the only time I’ve ever had a pizza delivered to the beach!)
When you’re tired of the beach, head to the pool or the Sand Dollar Bar.
Sit on one of the swings and enjoy a frosty pina colada for the ultimate vacation mood.
Kitschy St Pete Beach Motel with Vintage Charm
The Plaza Beach Hotel is your spot in St. Pete Beach for a kitschy experience with a throwback to the old mom and pop stops of the 1950s!
The entire property is decorated in fun, bright colors, which pop against the white sand and green-blue waters of the Gulf.
In each of the hotel rooms, there are 2 beds, a bathroom and a small kitchenette.
The rooms are tiled which helps with the sand that inevitably will make its way into your space.
While you won’t have room to make a 3-course meal here, you do have space for easy breakfasts, picnics, and snacks.
The hotel is aimed towards families and adventurous young travelers, so you'll find plenty of activities on-site, including water sports, a pool, a volleyball net, shuffleboards, a life-sized chess board, and a 9-hole miniature golf course.
The property’s location in St. Pete Beach is super convenient to the Publix at Dolphin Village, one of the only grocery stores in this stretch of beach.
There’s also a Chick-fil-A and CVS nearby.
Plus, Buona Ristorante (a yummy Italian restaurant) and the famed 1200 Chophouse are within walking distance.
Cozy Condos in Indian Shores Florida
Barefoot Beach Resort in Indian Shores has individually owned personal apartments that are rented out by the on-site management company.
This set-up creates a feel that’s more like home and less like a hotel room.
It has all of the amenities of an AirBnB with the assurance that the management team is right there if something goes wrong.
The apartments are all decorated differently: the one that we stayed in was clean and comfortable, and the other guests we talked to echoed that same idea.
We had a 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom unit with a sun porch and full kitchen.
On property, you can swim in the pool or go fishing off the docks in the Narrows.
There are also grills for visitor use if you want to cook your daily catch!
While Barefoot Beach Resort isn’t on the beach, it is just steps across Gulf Boulevard to the gorgeous water.
There’s even a pedestrian crossing zone to get you safely there and back.
Beachfront Madeira Beach Vacation Rentals
For our 2021 St. Pete Beach family vacation, we stayed in Sea Breeze, a high rise condo building near John’s Pass in Madeira Beach.
We ended up loving this area and would return again in a heartbeat.
The Sea Breeze building is large, and every apartment will be slightly different since various rental companies and owners take care of each.
We stayed in Sea Breeze 202, which was an end unit with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
The bedrooms were both large, and the bathrooms were clean and nicely decorated.
Each unit comes with a full ocean view, balcony and outdoor dining furniture, and this is where we hung out every night.
Our kitchen was nice, too: I’d gone on a week long meal prep adventure before we arrived, so we didn’t have to do a lot of cooking beyond heating up the stuff I’d already made.
We loved mixing up drinks in the included blender, serving up big plates of nachos on their dinnerware, and having cold sandwiches and pasta salad every day for lunch.
The apartment rental didn’t come with beach equipment, so we brought our own.
There is a community beach chair storage down in the garage, and no one messed with our chairs or toys the entire trip.
You will have access to the small-ish pool and hot tub, but it is right on the beach. We loved hanging out in the pool area and listening to the waves!
The management company isn’t on-site at Sea Breeze, but the office isn’t far away.
You can all them 24 hours a day or drop into the office at the Ram Sea in Redington Beach during business hours.
The Best St Pete Beach Florida Restaurants
One thing I love about this stretch of the Gulf Coast is that there are only a few national chains.
Stop into one of the many locally owned restaurants for fresh seafood, a quick breakfast, or some evening cocktails.
Here are a couple of our favorite places to grab a quick bite! All are kid-friendly if you’re traveling in a group with little ones.
Having fun at Hurricane Restaurant in Pass-a-Grille!
Hurricane Restaurant, Pass-a-Grille
.I had some of the best blackened chicken alfredo I've ever tried here, and my husband loved the grouper.
If you’re looking for a Pass-a-Grille beach restaurant, head here so you can watch the sun go down in the evenings or do some people watching on Gulf Way!
Shaner's Land and Sea Market, Pass-a-Grille
We have to include a stop here every time we’re in town!
On our trip where we stayed at the Coconut Inn in Pass-a-Grille, my husband, then-toddler daughter, and I stopped by here at least three times.
There's a delicious sandwich counter for quick lunches, and a huge selection of freshly caught seafood in the back.
I loved the stuffed chicken breasts--we had those two nights in a row.
They have a wide variety of meats and sides that can be cooked in your hotel kitchenette or outdoor grill.
The market also offers a small selection of grocery basics like fruit, veggies, beer, bread.
The Friendly Fisherman, John’s Pass, Madeira Beach
If you want some fresh seafood, head here on your St. Pete beach vacation!
They’d got great hush puppies, which we all scarfed down.
I enjoyed the delicious baked Scrod Jason while my husband and kids got the fried shrimp.
They said it was great (I’m allergic to shrimp, so you’ll have to take their word for it!)
The real star of the show was the fried fish that we’d caught ourselves on an earlier fishing charter that day out of Hubbard’s Marina.
The Friendly Fisherman will fix any fresh caught fish from the Hubbard’s Marina charters for free!
Sweet Brewnette, Madeira Beach
On our first morning of our most recent visit to the St. Pete Beach area, we discovered this place, and it quickly became a favorite.
The pastries are freshly made each morning, and they've got a nice selection of inventive coffees, bagels, and breakfast sandwiches as well.
Plus, it’s right down the street from our Sea Breeze condo (see above) for quick and easy breakfasts and coffee.
Toucan's Bar and Grill, Clearwater Beach
After we'd attempted Frenchy's one night and discovered a 2 hour wait, we began to wander in search of food and came across this place.
It's nothing fancy--a sports bar, really--but it's a sports bar with a great view.
We got appetizers, burgers and wings, and they were on the higher end of pub food.
It’s comfort food at its finest in a walkable location to the rest of Clearwater Beach’s restaurants, shops, and bars.
Try to eat outside if the weather's nice: you'll be able to people watch, and you'll have a view of the Gulf.
Frenchy's Rockaway, Clearwater Beach
This place is a Clearwater institution, and the hours-long wait is a testament to that fact.
To beat the crowds, we went right as they opened one morning.
After eating there, we were glad we'd found a way to try it out.
The conch fritters and spicy dipping sauce were worth the entire trip.
READER REVIEW: I've also heard amazing things about Snappers Sea Grille (St. Pete Beach), Crabby Bill's (Clearwater), and 1200 Chophouse (St. Pete Beach) from my readers, but I haven't had the chance to try them out myself. Next time!
Unique Things to Do in St Pete Beach
I’m one of those people who can’t sit still on vacation, so we’ve been able to explore a wide range of things around St. Pete Beach and Clearwater.
These are all family friendly activities, of course, since we take our kids everywhere, but they’re also great for anyone visiting the area.
The main attractions here are, of course, the beaches in St Petersburg Florida!
Whether you can swim like a fish, crave adventure sports, or simply want to hang out on the beach to read, there’s a place to do it.
If splashing in the water isn’t enough for you and your family, I’ve got suggestions for that scenario, too.
Not only will you be able to explore the are more, you’ll come away with a sense of history. Plus, these activities are a great way to spend a few hours!
Feeling Sporty
Try stand-up paddleboarding in Pass-a-Grille, or see how long you can stay on one of those huge water trikes in St. Pete Beach.
Take to the sky! Clearwater offers multiple parasailing outfitters so you can see the water from a new perspective.
Most of the boats leave from Clearwater Beach, though there are a few outfitters who take out from St. Pete Beach.
You can take surprisingly young kids on these parasailing boats—my 7 year old met the height requirement last year—so the entire family can entire an afternoon on the water.
Kayak rentals are a great way to see this stretch of island from the bay side.
It’s a Pirate’s Life for Me
Of all of the St Pete Beach tours, this might be the most fun!
Docking in Madeira Beach, the Pirate Adventure Cruise invites landlubbers aboard to experience the high seas (or quiet St. John’s Pass—basically the same thing).
My kids saw this boat the minute we walked into Madeira Beach, and they would NOT stop talking about it!
Adults can enjoy a beverage or two while the kids join forces with the local pirates to find treasure on board to keep everyone in line with a water gun fight.
The cruise lasts about an hour and a half, which is an excellent space for kids: any shorter and they’d be upset about leaving the pirate ship, and any longer and they’d be bored.
While this isn’t a dolphin tour specifically, there’s a high chance that you’ll see one of these friendly creatures on your trip.
Definitely book early as this is a popular tour!
Shopping in St Pete Beach
Shop ‘til you drop! While there are shops all up and down the Gulf Coast here, you’ll want to head to a few places to maximize your shopping time.
Pass-a-Grille Historic District
Head to the intersection of Gulf Way and 8th Street to explore the best of Pass-a-Grille shopping. Here’ you’ll find art galleries, gift shops, and clothing boutiques right next to some great restaurants.
Don’t forget to stop at Paradise Sweets for an ice cream cone while you’re busy shopping!
Corey Avenue Shopping in St. Pete Beach
You’ll be able to find great clothes, hand bags, souvenirs, home decor and more at this stretch of colorful stores in St. Pete Beach.
Located in the middle of St. Pete Beach, Corey Avenue has been a major draw for locals and visitors alike since the area was created in 1937.
For even more options, visit the Corey Avenue market that’s held each Sunday. Vendors bring their wares out under shady tents from 10 AM -2 PM Sundays year round.
During the summer months, another market is held on Wednesdays from 6-10 PM. Shop a bit, then grab dinner at one of the food trucks on-site.
John’s Pass in Madeira Beach
Filled with creaky boardwalks, a working dock, and dozens of shops, this was one of our favorite places to visit while we were staying at the Sea Breeze in Madeira Beach.
[See notes on our condo above in the “where to stay” section.]
You can find everything here from candy to Lilly Pulitzer, sun hats to lawn decor.
The huge Surf Style store at the center is great for sweatpants, cheap t-shirts, hats, beach toys, and new flip flops.
Hole in One
Don't forget to do that staple of beach vacations: go putt-putting!
There are plenty of courses all along this area.
We had a blast one night at Smuggler's Cove in Indian Shores, where you can pause halfway through your game to feed some alligators.
During the summer months (May-September), these mini golf courses stay open well after dark so you can have some fun after you get done with dinner.
Your own private island
Spend the day at one of the beautiful state parks near St. Pete Beach, and experience unspoiled barrier islands at their finest.
Caladesi Island State Park
Caladesi State Park | source
Caladesi Island State Park is only accessible by ferry, kayak or personal boat, so it's one of the few places to have a Florida Gulf Coast beach almost completely to yourself.
If you’re taking the ferry to Caladesi Island, head to Honeymoon Island’s main dock where the Caladesi Island ferry leaves every half hour beginning at 10 AM.
Honeymoon Island is in Dunedin, Florida, which is an hour drive from St. Pete Beach, and about a 40 minute from from Clearwater Beach.
From the docks, you'll go on a 20 minute ferry ride through beautiful marshes, and then disembark on the island itself.
The state park does provide beach chair rentals on the island if you don't want to bring your own, but you'll definitely want to pack plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen.
You can stay a maximum of 4 hours on the island before you'll need to return.
Ask at the ticket office or your boat captain if you have any questions about when you need to catch your return ferry.
Your ticket covers a round trip to and from the island.
Pricing: $16/adult, $8/kids 6-12, and free for 5 and under
TIP: You can get a $1 off each person's ticket by using the Caladesi Island Ferry coupon here.
Honeymoon Island State Park
Honeymoon Island was Florida's most visited state park for the last six years.
When you get to Honeymoon Island State Park, you'll have to make a tough decision: head straight to the beach, let your kids play on the playground, or learn at the Rotary Centennial Nature Center.
The beach is wide and beautiful, and it has outdoor showers available for all guests.You can also bring your surfboard to catch some waves.
Other great nature activities include hiking on the more than 2 miles of trails around the park or renting a bicycle at the on-site rental station.
The Rotary Centennial Nature Center has rotating exhibits that introduce key concepts about the local ecosystem and the animals and plants that call this area home.
The center is free for all park patrons, so make use of this great educational resource on your travels!
The concessions stand is a small but packed building serving up burgers, fries, shakes, and more.
Address: 1 Causeway Boulevard, Dunedin, Florida
Fees: $8/car (for up to 8 people)
Party at the Pier
Don't forget to go to Pier 60 in Clearwater at least once on your trip.
During the day, Pier 60 offers up great fishing opportunities on the 1080 foot pier.
Grab some fishing equipment and bait at the pier shop.
See how many dolphins, fish, and birds you can spot through one of the telescopes on the pier.
Your kids will need to check out the playground which is located just to the right of the pier's entrance and in the midst of the large green space near Pier 60.
On a nice day, enjoy the walking paths through the park and see the statue of Theodoros Greigo, who was the first Greek man to come to America.
There's a nightly festival held there (much like the one in Key West's Mallory Square) two hours before and two hours after the sunset.
Check out the street performers and see what the local crafters have on offer.
There's ample parking at the base of the pier.
Address: 1 Causeway Boulevard, Clearwater Beach, Florida
Arts and Culture
If you’ve been reading this blog for any amount of time, you’ll know that I am always, ALWAYS going to find a museum to visit.
Downtown St. Petersburg is only a quick car ride away, where you can experience the city’s nationally recognized arts scene.
Dali Museum
The Dali Museum is an expansive walk through of the life and chaotic genius of the key figure in the Surrealism movement.
Guests will notice immediately that the funky, modern building looks like something right out of Salvadore Dali's artwork.
The form definitely follows function here as you move through each of the rooms learning about Dali's vision.
The rooms that showcase his earlier, more traditional works are stately and lofty, while the rooms showcasing his avant-garde surrealist works are more intimate and smaller.
Several of the exhibits are interactive, incorporating projections, film, and collaborations he did with other artists (like Andy Warhol).
Download the Dali app before you go, and you'll have a self-guided tour available on your phone.
Phone: (727) 823.-3767
Address: 1 Dali Boulevard, St. Petersburg, Florida
Hours: Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Sunday 10 AM-6 PM, Thursday 10 AM-8 PM
Admission: $29/adults; $27/teachers, military, and seniors; $20/teens and college students; $12/kids 6-12; 5 and under free
Chihuly Collection
I love this museum, and each time I visit, I am dazzled by the color and creativity that goes into each one of these pieces.
The tour takes visitors through the major types of glass produced by Dale Chihuly and his team throughout his career.
The museum's walls, ceilings, and floors are painted in deep colors (often black), so that the lit glass pieces pop vibrantly out at you.
You'll learn about Chihuly's sketching process, and how those 2D sketches are then rendered in 3D glass, and you'll see examples of the spirals, spheres, flowers, and chandeliers that define the distinctive Chihuly style.
Towards the end of the tour, there's a small room with a looping video playing on it.
Stay here for a few minutes to hear from the artisans at the Chihuly Studio on their process and vision.
My kids went for the first time in 2021, and they are still talking about their experiences there.
We went to the Indianapolis Children's Museum last summer, and they were amazed to see a massive Chihuly chandelier in the main lobby!
Phone: (727) 896-4527
Address: 720 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, Florida
Hours: 10 AM-5 PM Monday-Saturday, 12 PM-5 PM Sunday
Admission: $20/ adults, $13/ kids 6-18
Morean Arts Center
The glassblowing demonstrations at the Morean Arts Center come bundled into your Chihuly Collection tickets and are well worth a half hour or so.
Museum of Fine Arts
The final stop in your arts adventure is the Museum of Fine Arts, located in the heart of St. Petersburg.
Here, you can explore two floors of sculpture, paintings, and photography ranging from ancient art to contemporary pieces.
We loved the themed pamphlets available, which helped us guide our kids to pieces they'd find most interesting.
We took our two children (who were 5 and 7 at the time of our visit), and they enjoyed walking through looking at all of the different types of artwork.
If you'd like to learn how to incorporate more learning into your family travels, sign up to get a FREE PDF below:
2022 NOTE: Normally, there's a cafe and museum store in the large main room of the Museum of Fine Arts, but that's been removed due to pandemic concerns. I'm hoping they both reopen soon!
Fish Friends
Located in Tampa, which is about 45 minutes from St. Pete Beach, the Florida Aquarium is a great rainy day activity!
Your family will be able to explore dozens of tanks filled with fish, jellyfish, sharks, penguins, alligators and more.
We loved the huge geo-dome that houses the Florida wetlands section.
Here, there are all sorts of walkways and staircases to explore the different types of animals and habitats that can be found in Florida.
Check to see when the animal shows are going to be.
We were able to learn about penguins during our visit and meet one of the penguins who lives at the Florida Aquarium.
Beyond the animals, there’s more to do at the aquarium from getting a caricature done to jumping in the outdoor splash pad.
BUDGETING TIP: If you’re planning to spend time in the St. Petersburg and Tampa areas during your Clearwater-St. Pete Beach stay, you’ll be able to to do the most popular activities, including the Florida Aquarium, for a great discount with the Tampa CityPass.
Learn more here >> Tampa City Pass
Fort De Soto Fun
Historic Fort De Soto is one of our favorite places to go in the St. Pete Beach area.
It is just south of Pass-a-Grille and St. Pete Beach and makes for an easy day trip.
From the Don CeSar to the Fort De Soto gate, it’s a total drive time of 12 minutes (super convenient!).
Visitors Center
The visitors center is on the beach and right next to the historical fort. You can use the restroom, grab a burger at their grill, or shop for a souvenir in the packed shop.
Bike Rentals
Head just outside of the visitors center to rent a bike or surrey at the kiosk. We found the rates to be reasonable and have gotten a surrey rental on our last several trips.
There’s something so fun and old fashioned about riding around in the beach surreys!
Boat Tours
If you'd like to explore a little off the beaten path, I highly recommend the boat tours that leave from the park's two docks (make sure you're aware which one your ferry will be docked at!).
The Egmont Key tour requires a 15 minute ferry ride to an island that once housed an entire military city. It leaves from inside the park at the dock on Anderson Avenue.
You can see the lighthouse that guided ships around the shallow waters of the island, then you can walk the many paths of the island to explore various parts of the old military compound.
The old city on the south end of the island is haunting and captivating as the red brick roads are the only thing of substance that remain of this once complete town.
Go shelling on the northern end of the island, and you might find a shark's tooth or two. If you'd rather go snorkeling, hang out by the area where your ferry docked: the water is warm and shallow there.
The Shell Island Key ferry takes visitors to a beautiful uninhabited island from the Fort de Soto boat ramp (it's just before the ticket booth). We did this tour on the last trip, and it was so much fun to walk around with only a dozen other people on the two islands we visited that day.
Fort De Soto historic site
Back in the park itself is the titular Fort De Soto historic site.
Built in the last years of the 19th century, the fort here and on nearby Egmont Key never saw any action.
By the start of World War II, the area had stopped being used as a defensive position, but it did serve as a testing area for bombs.
At the end of World War II, Pinellas County took over the property and continues to run it today.
Kids will love walking through the empty rooms of the fort, climbing on the remaining cannons, and exploring the nooks and crannies of this once lively place.
One room in the fort serves as a historical review of the fort, and you can see photos of it being built and lived in.
The Sunken Gardens
We stumbled upon this place while we were at the St. Petersburg Children's Museum, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our most recent trip.
About 100 years ago, a plumber bought this property and slowly began to drain parts of it and add plants all over it.
He and his wife got curious passersby asking them about the project, which ended up turning into a steady stream of paying customers.
The family held onto the property until 1999, when the city of St. Petersburg purchased it.
Today, it's a popular tourist, wedding, and picnic destination as visitors are able to wander through the more than 50,000 tropical plants throughout the property.
There are several animals who live there including a cute parakeet that greets you with "hello, baby!"
Take your time walking through the paths of the garden as you'll encounter water features, massive palm trees, little ponds, and more.
It's amazing to think that it was all swamp at one point!
We enjoyed a picnic near one of the tables towards the front of the garden: they are well marked on the map that comes with admission.
From St. Pete Beach, the Sunken Gardens are about a 20 minute drive. They are located in the Crescent Lake area of St. Petersburg.
Phone: (727) 551-3102
Address: 1825 4th Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida
Hours: 10:00 AM-4:30 PM Monday-Saturday, 12 PM-4:30 PM Sunday
Admission: $15/ adults, $12/seniors, $6/ kids 2-17, free under 2
St. Pete Beach Travel Guide Tips
While the stretch of land from Pass-a-Grille to Clearwater is only 23 miles long, you won't go anywhere quickly.
If you have dinner or activity reservations, make sure to allot plenty of transit time.
Between the busy areas of St. Pete Beach and Clearwater, stoplights, and everyone being on island time, traffic is often fairly slow.
The red tide tide can come on suddenly.
PIN ME!
This algae growth occurs 30-50 miles off shore and is swept into the shallower waters by the currents.
When the red tide is present, your eyes will burn and your throat will sting much like you’ve got a cold coming on.
For particularly sensitive people, it can cause nausea or vomiting.
You’ll also start to see large quantities of fish wash up dead on the shore. (Please don’t play with these dead fish like we saw one little girl doing. Yuck.)
When the red tide happens, its usually sudden, so you can’t plan your vacation around it.
For our June 2021 trip, there was a red tide bloom on Madeira Beach right where our condo was, and it wasn’t fun to be out on the beach after the first few days.
Thankfully, it was a small bloom and we were able to go to nearby beaches and activities to get away from it.
In short, it won’t ruin your vacation, but you might have to shuffle your plans a little. You can check the red tide report for Florida here.
Make sure you clarify which side of the land your hotel is on.
There's water on both sides of the St. Pete Beach/Clearwater area, but if you're interested in an Gulf view (and not just a "water" view), it's worth a call to your hotelier.
Carefully choose where you'll stay.
Because the ambiance in each area of St. Pete-Clearwater is so different, you'll want to make sure that your accommodations match your expectations.
If you're looking for lots of nightlife and restaurants within walking distance, St. Pete Beach or Clearwater are safe bets.
If you'd rather enjoy quiet evenings and uncrowded beaches, head to Pass-a-Grille or Indian Rocks Beach.
Madeira Beach is a good compromise: John’s Pass has restaurants, bars, shopping, and tours, but the resorts just up Gulf Boulevard are extremely quiet at night.
There aren't many grocery stores directly on the Gulf coast.
While there are a few scattered here and there, you might find that the closest grocery store might actually be back towards St. Petersburg, Seminole, or Largo.
Use that GPS, and don’t spend more time in the car than you have to!
I hope this St. Pete Beach visitors guide was helpful!
If you’re planning a vacation here and want some feedback on your itinerary, email me!
Have you visited the St. Pete Beach/ Clearwater area? What did you like doing there?
