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St Pete Beach Destination Guide
Find your package online or call our reservations team on 0845 313 2956 |
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Introduction |
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This town is often spoken of as one half of the larger entity of "Tampa-St. Pete," and the order of the words gives some clue to St. Petersburg's status: It's the second city of the Tampa Bay region, and its bigger sibling owns many of the area's prominent sightseeing, dining and shopping destinations.
But that's not to say that St. Petersburg doesn't have a lot to offer. It's home to the Salvador Dali Museum , the region's best, as well as several other museums and two shopping malls -- all of which are conveniently located in its bayside downtown area. And those seeking sand and sea will enjoy the city's proximity to the neighboring beach towns of Clearwater Beach , Madeira Beach , St. Pete Beach and Pass-A-Grille Beach . |
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Top Picks |
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- Fort De Soto Park
Fort De Soto Park offers a dose of history along with beautiful surroundings. Fort De Soto, a historic fort built during the Spanish-American War is located on Mullet Key, the largest of the five islands that make up this unique area. The park itself consists of 900 unspoiled acres, seven miles of beaches, two fishing piers, picnic and camping areas, a small history museum and a 2,000-foot barrier-free nature trail for guests with disabilities. Fort De Soto Park also has a 4.2-mile recreation trail, a 2.25-mile recreational canoe trail and a one-mile nature trail. The 12-foot-wide asphalt recreation trail connects the campground with the North and East Beach Swim Centers and the historic fort. Canoe, kayak and bicycle rentals are available at the canoe trailhead. The nature trail in the Arrowhead Picnic area provides a glimpse of some of the native fauna and flora.
- Caladesi Island
One of the few remaining large undeveloped barrier islands on Florida's Gulf Coast, Caladesi is only accessible by boat. It is an ideal habitat for swimming, shelling, fishing, picnics, skin and scuba diving and nature study. The park also has a three-mile nature trail winding through the island's interior. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. A ferry departs hourly from nearby Honeymoon Island. Docks are available on the island for private boats. A snack bar and shelters are also available.
- Dolphin Encounter Cruise
- Salvador Dali Museum
- Sunset dinner cruise
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay - a 40 minute drive away
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Climate |
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| St. Petersburg is generally warm and humid year-round, but there is a noticeable variation between summer and winter. In the warmer months, daytime highs average in the low to mid 80s F/28-30 C, but the sticky conditions can make things somewhat uncomfortable. You'll find it a little cooler along the Gulf shore, where there's a steady breeze. Winters are mild, with daytime highs usually reaching the 60s F/15-18 C, though occasional cold snaps are possible. Lows near the freezing point aren't uncommon, but the warmth usually returns quickly. No matter when you visit, be sure to use sunscreen. |
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Transportation |
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| The St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is about 9 mi/14 km north of downtown St Petersburg, but most visitors will find better connections to Tampa International (TPA), which is about 15 mi/25 km northwest of downtown St. Petersburg, across the bay. Taxis and rental cars are available at both airports. |
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Entertainment |
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| Entertainment ranges from sporting events in Tampa Bay to cinemas to a thriving performing arts scene. Nightlife is mainly centred around the bars and clubs of Clearwater, St Petersburg and Tampa and there are many sunset cruises with live entertainment and cruising. |
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Restaurants |
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| The highlight of Tampa dining tends to be restaurants specializing in Cuban and Spanish cuisine. The Latin influence is most evident in Ybor City, of course. You could just walk around and stop at any little eatery that looks good, or head straight for the venerable Columbia Restaurant. Prices vary widely. But there's more to cosmopolitan Tampa than cafe con leche and black beans and rice. Tampa's restaurants represent virtually every ethnicity. Fresh seafood abounds, including blue crabs and their more popular cousins, stone crabs. A number of steak houses also feature excellent beef, and French and Italian eateries don't disappoint. And the Soho District, which includes all of elegant Hyde Park's South Howard Avenue, is home to some of the finest upscale dining in the city. |
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Shopping |
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| Come discover the sheer variety of malls, shopping villages, outlets centers and specialty stores in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area. |
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Snapshot |
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| St. Petersburg is the largest city in the area and occupies most of the southeastern half of the Pinellas Peninsula. This beautiful city easily becomes your home away from home as you will never be at a loss of what to do. St Petersburg is home to more than 700 events every year, including the International Sail Expo, a fall boat show, a triathlon, powerboat races, and the Regata Del Sol al Sol, a 456-mile yacht race from St. Petersburg to Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Do you love the water and marine life? Fact: St. Petersburg is the southeast's largest oceanographic research center hosting 10 marine institutes. As the city is surrounded by water, it is by default a sanctuary for all things marine related. St. Petersburg also has a thriving arts and culture flare. World-renowned museums abound, from the Salvador Dali Museum to the Museum of Fine Arts. If you are thinking performing arts, there’s the American Stage and Palladium Community Theater. |
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