Last Updated on November 6, 2023
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The new St Pete Pier is full of activities and fun in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida!
Right across the street from several shops and restaurants, there is so much to see and do in this area from fishing, swimming, dining, shopping, live entertainment, and more.
With stunning views of Tampa Bay, the St Pete Pier will be an experience that you won’t forget!
Want To Check Out The St. Pete Pier From The Water?
👉 Book A Tiki Boat Cruise Around The St. Pete Pier!
Table Of Contents
Walk the pier or take the tram
Try some craft beer at Hops & Props
Learn at the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center
Take the kids to the playground
Let the kids play at the Splash Pad
Watch the street performers and live entertainment
Eat at Doc Ford or the other waterfront restaurants
Drop a line at the fishing deck
Learn about the city at the St. Petersburg Museum of History
Get a drink at Pier Teaki at the end of the pier
Go on a Dolphin Cruise or Sunset Cruise
Visit the downtown shops and restaurants
Take a stroll through the waterfront parks
Catch a movie at the AMC Theater
Restaurants At The Pier and Nearby
Is The New St Pete Pier Beach Open?
This is a common question people have due to the several years of construction and then the opening was delayed due to Covid. Yes, the St Pete Pier is open and it’s also free!
After three years of being built and a cost of $92 million, this new attraction the new St Petersburg Pier officially opened in July 2020.
Walking along the Coastal Thickets boardwalk area at the St Pete Pier
The pier district offers 26 acres of family-friendly entertainment with lots of fun activities for kids.
This destination has easily become one of the biggest, most popular waterfront attractions in Florida!
Here are 16 of the best things to do at the St Pete Pier!
Things To Do At The New
St Pete Pier And Nearby
1. Walk The Pier Or Take The Tram
With several restaurants, vendors, and fun things throughout the pier, it’s definitely worth exploring everything the pier has to offer!
At a whopping 3,000 feet, the iconic structure of St Pete Pier is one of the largest in the United States and in the world.
Walk the distance to the end of the pier or you can take a tram that takes you from the beginning of the pier all the way to the end.
The pier is very wide so there’s plenty of room for foot traffic and the tram.
If you want to get around the pier and downtown area a little easier, consider renting an e-bike!
2. Try Some Craft Beer
After spending some time walking around in the Florida sun, cool off with a beer at Hops & Props.
This place highlights local breweries and has lots of American craft beers on tap.
They have happy hours Monday-Friday 5 pm-7 pm.
Relax on their outdoor patio and enjoy the views while having a craft beer. Pets are welcome, too!
Hops & Props is located at the beginning of the pier in the St. Petersburg Museum of History.
Hops & Props
📍 335 2nd Ave Northeast, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
📞 Phone 727-803-6806
⏰ Hours
- Tuesday-Sunday Noon-Midnight,
- Monday- 5 pm Midnight
3. Discover At The Tampa Bay Watch Center
Close to the end of the pier by the Pier Point Restaurants is the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center.
This non-profit center teaches you about the history and recovery of Tampa Bay’s estuary system.
The Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center has interactive displays, videos, tours, and a touch tank.
They have lots of other programs and events for kids.
Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center
📍 700 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
📞 Phone- 727-291-4103
⏰ Hours
Monday-Friday 10 am-5 pm, Weekends 10 am-7 pm
🎟️ Admission
- Adults- $5
- Kids/Active Military/Florida Teachers- $3
- Toddlers- Free
Things To Do At The New
St Pete Pier And Nearby
4. Take The Kids To The Playground
Located next to the Bending Arc Sculpture is the Glazer Family Playground.
This playground has swings, slides, obstacle courses, and climbing structures for the kids to play at.
5. Let The Kids Play At The Splash Pad
Looking for more ways to keep the kids entertained while at the St Pete Pier?
There is the Splash Pad, where the kids can get run around in the sprinklers and get wet.
There are plenty of chairs and tables nearby for adults to relax at.
The Splash Pad is right next to Spa Beach Bistro, where you can get food and drinks.
6. Watch The Street Performers And Live Entertainment
From the moment you walk on the pier, the area is filled with street musicians, vendors, and other acts showing off their skills, and working for tips.
We even got to see a magician performing for a growing crowd of onlookers.
Right next to the Spa Beach Bistro and the Splash Pad, we were able to watch a couple of street performers entertain the crowd with their acrobatic stunts and jumping through hoops, while we ate pizza.
Things To Do At The New
St Pete Pier And Nearby
7. Eat Some Food At The Waterfront Restaurants
While at the pier, there are several restaurants to try throughout.
If you’re looking for a lively place, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grill is one of the favorite things and ultra-popular seafood restaurant on the water with incredible views of the bay and downtown St. Petersburg area.
You can eat inside or outside on their patio.
Come here for lunch and dinner and enjoy great food such as grouper, baby back ribs, or pork tenderloin while listening to daily live music.
Doc Ford’s
📍610 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
📞 Phone 727-857-8118
⏰ Hours 11 am-10 pm
Other restaurants on the St. Pete Pier include:
Teak Phone 727-513-8325
Pier Teaki Phone 727-513-8325
Driftwood Cafe Phone 727-513-8325
(Teak, Pier Teaki, and Driftwood Cafe are all at the end of the pier on different levels)
Spa Beach Bistro Phone 727-623-9877
Come for pizza and a beer or drink while listening to live music!
📍 501 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro Phone 727-894-4429
Waterfront dining with 2 bars on the St. Pete Marina. Brunch, lunch, and dinner.
📍 300 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
8. Drop A Line At The Fishing Deck
At the tip of the pier, there is a designated fishing area where you can try your luck at catching a big one!
Common fish in the area are tarpon, grouper, king mackerel, sea bass, and red snapper.
Bring your own rods and bait if you would like, but you can also buy fishing gear and supplies at Gator Jim’s Tackle on the pier right next to the fishing area.
Can’t get enough fishing? Try a St. Petersburg Inshore Fishing Charter!
9. Learn About The City At The St. Petersburg Museum Of History
Located near the entrance of the pier, The St. Petersburg Museum of History is a great place to visit to learn about the history of the area.
The museum features artifacts, documents, and pictures related to St. Petersburg’s history.
There are also educational events throughout the year.
St. Petersburg Museum of History
📍 335 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
📞 Phone 727-894-1052
⏰ Hours
Sunday 12 pm-5 pm, Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm
🎟️ Admission
- Adults (18+)- $15
- Seniors (65+)-$12
- Military and Veterans- $9
- Teachers and Students- $9
- Youth 7-17- $9
- Children 6 and under – FREE
Things To Do At The New
St Pete Pier And Nearby
10. Relax At Spa Beach
Spa Beach is a sandy, shoreline at the St Pete Pier.
Recently expanded, this beach area is a nice spot in downtown St. Petersburg to relax and hang out at the water.
Go for a swim, play some beach volleyball, or launch your paddleboards or kayaks into the water from here.
Next to the beach is Spa Beach Park, a grassy area to relax or take a stroll around.
11. Have A Drink At The End Of The Pier
At the end of the pier are the Pier Point Restaurants and a gift shop.
Get some ice cream and snacks at Driftwood Cafe on the 2nd level, or you can go to Teak on level 4 for some upscale casual dining.
Walk up to the rooftop to get to Pier Teaki, which is a nice tiki bar, to try their bar bites or a cocktail.
While here, you can get some amazing views of the water and downtown St. Petersburg.
12. Go On A Dolphin Cruise Or Sunset Tour
Book a Pier Dolphin Cruise or Sunset Tour while you’re at the St Pete Pier!
Pier Dolphin Cruises has been around for almost 30 years and they’re a reputable company.
Their captains are experienced and they tell you a lot about the area while you’re on the cruise.
The Dolphin Cruise is 1 hour and 45 minutes and they guarantee that you’ll see a dolphin.
They also have complimentary snacks and beverages on the boat ride.
The Sunset Cruise is 1 hour and 15 minutes and you see not only the sunset but also lots of birds and other marine life.
You may even get to see some dolphins on the sunset cruise!
The company also does Eco Tours. These are more educational experiences where they take you out on kayaks for field trips, camps, and other programs.
Located at the St. Pete Municipal Marina
Pier Dolphin Cruises
⏰ Hours 11 am- 8 pm
🎟️ Cost
- Adults- $39
- Seniors and Military- $35
- Kids- $19
- 3 and Under- FREE
Things To Do Near
The St Pete Pier
13. Check Out The Downtown Shops And Restaurants
Downtown St. Petersburg is filled with plenty of shops and restaurants.
From the variety of art shops and museums, it’s a trendy area with laid-back vibes.
Ocean Blue is a popular public art gallery on Beach Drive that sells the works of international and American artists.
Shapiro’s Gallery is another art gallery next door. Wyland Galleries is just up the street, too.
Or you can head south a little ways and go to the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art to see Native American and Western paintings and sculptures.
Visit the Sundial St Pete outdoor shopping mall for some shopping, eating, and walking around.
Restaurants Near The St Pete Pier
Here are just a few of the restaurants in downtown St. Petersburg close to the pier.
All of these restaurants are located on Beach Drive, across the street from the bay and pier, with great waterfront views!
400 Beach Seafood & Lounge – Awarded one of Florida’s best restaurants, this is definitely a place to try!
Try their bar bites or enjoy some seafood and spirits.
📍 400 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
📞 Phone 727-896-2400
⏰ Hours 10 am-10 pm
The Canopy Rooftop Lounge at The Birchwood– The Birchwood is a downtown hotel.
Grab some appetizers and drinks at The Canopy Lounge while taking in some breathtaking views of the area.
📍 340 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
📞 Phone 727-896-1080
Parkshore Grill is a downtown waterfront restaurant known for its seafood and steaks.
Dine inside or eat on their outdoor patio overlooking the pier and bay area.
📍300 Beach Dr. NE #104, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
📞 Phone 727-896-9463
⏰ Hours 10:30 am-9:30 pm
Stillwaters Tavern is a restaurant directly across from the pier, with a full bar, and they make their own homemade sausage here, too.
Try their seafood or one of their other entrees while having a cocktail on their patio overlooking the waterfront area.
📍 224 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
📞 Phone 727-350-1019
⏰ Hours 11 am-9 pm
14. Take A Stroll Through The Waterfront Parks
While downtown, there is plenty of green space to walk around and enjoy!
We walked through both North Straub Park and Vinoy Park.
The parks are connected and take you along the waterfront area with walking and hiking trails, just north of the pier.
(South Straub Park and Pioneer Park are just south of the pier.)
Vinoy Park has over 11 acres of space; there is a dog park and a kids’ playground here.
You can also check out all the boats parked at the Vinoy Marina.
There’s also a volleyball court further north and you’ll run into Flora Wylie Park as you keep heading up.
It’s easy to follow social distancing at the parks with so much space!
Looking for a tour of the parks and downtown area? Try a segway tour!
Things To Do Near
The St. Pete Pier
15. Visit The Museum Of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts offers a unique presentation of history and art through its exhibitions and photograph collections.
The museum offers youth and adult programs, as well as summer camps and workshops.
Go online to see what they currently have for viewing and the upcoming interactive exhibits and workshops.
Advance tickets are required to visit the museum and these can be purchased on their website.
The Museum of Fine Arts
📍 255 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
📞 Phone 727-896-2667
⏰ Hours
- Tuesday/Wednesday- 10 am- 5 pm, Thursday/Friday- Noon- 8 pm
- Saturday- 10 am- 5 pm, Sunday- Noon- 5 pm, Closed on Monday
🎟️ Cost
- Adults- $20
- Seniors/College Student/Military/Florida Teacher- $15
- Kids- $10
- Under 7 years old- FREE
👉 Want to see more art? Take the St. Pete Art And Mural Biking Tour!
16. Go See A Movie
If you’re looking for more entertainment while in downtown St. Petersburg, you can see a movie at the AMC Theater.
The theater is right next to Stillwaters Tavern and other restaurants and shops.
It’s also just across the street from the park and pier area.
AMC Theater
📍 151 2nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
📞 Phone 727-502-9573
St Pete Pier Restaurants
Doc Fords
Teak
Pier Teaki
Driftwood Cafe
Spa Beach Bistro
Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro
Restaurants Near The St Pete Pier
400 Beach Seafood & Lounge
The Canopy Lounge
Parkshore Grill
Stillwaters Tavern
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Need Tickets For St Pete Pier?
No, you don’t need pier entrance tickets to St Pete Pier. You can just show up and admission is free.
Just note, that there are special events that happen throughout the year that you may need tickets for.
What Is The St Pete Pier Operating Hours And Address?
The St Pete Pier is open 30 minutes before sunrise and closes at 11 pm.
800 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Is There Parking At St Pete Pier?
Pier Drive has metered parking spots and there are 2 parking lots by the pier.
You can pay for parking using one of the Pay Stations.
There is also more street parking throughout the city of St Petersburg and there are more parking garages, as well.
Just be sure to follow specific instructions for parking in the area where you park.
For more parking spot details in St Petersburg go here.
Where To Stay In St. Petersburg
🏨 The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club is a historic landmark in this area.
This 4-star, upscale hotel was built in 1925 and sits right across from the Harbor and Vinoy Marina.
The resort has a spa, 5 restaurants, a coffee shop, a gym, a bar, an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a sauna, and of course, the golf course
The Vinoy
📍 501 5th Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
🏨 The Birchwood is another nice hotel option right across the street from the water.
This 3-star hotel is conveniently right on Beach Drive, just a couple of blocks from the pier and 1 block from the Museum of Fine Arts.
The hotel has Birch & Vine Restaurant and The Canopy rooftop bar.
The Birchwood
📍 340 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
🏨 If you’re looking for a less expensive option downtown, The Hyatt is a good choice.
This is another 3-star hotel and not far from the pier.
The Hyatt has an eatery, convenience store, coffee shop, fitness room, and a rooftop pool.
The Hyatt Place
📍 25 2nd St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
All 3 recommendations are within walking distance of the pier and downtown activities!
Final Thoughts: Things To Do At The St Pete Pier And Nearby
With plenty of entertainment and things to do, The St Pete Pier is one of the best attractions near Florida’s Gulf Coast!
If you’re looking for more fun things to do on Florida’s Gulf Coast, check out these beautiful beaches in Anna Maria Island!
Booking a last-minute trip to St Petersburg Florida?
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Top Tours Near In St Petersburg – Viator
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