And don’t get me wrong, I love visiting Clearwater Beach, but St Pete Beach is just a short drive away and feels a little quieter.
In this article, we’re going to dive into some of the things that make St Pete great.
Obviously, the beaches here are amazing, but there are so many other fun things to do that you will regret not doing here.
Let’s jump right in!
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My favorite places and things to do in St Pete include John’s Pass, The St Pete Pier, and Pass- A-Grille Beach.
I’m confident that with these activities, you’ll find your favorite things about St Pete, too!
Get The Seafood At Shell’s Restaurant
Ok, for this one, you kind of have to enjoy seafood, right? Well, not necessarily.
I love seafood, and their crab legs and shrimp are awesome, but if you don’t like seafood, you’re not out of luck.
They also have chicken, steaks, and pastas. Shells Restaurant has been around a long time; they’re turning 40 years old soon!
Give them a try and maybe sneak in a piece of Florida Key Lime Pie, too.
If you’re looking for more great restaurants in St Pete Beach, I like and recommend Crabby Bill’s, Buoy’s, and Shrimpy’s Waterfront.
Explore The St Pete Pier
Perhaps my personal favorite, the St Pete Pier is a perfect spot for the family.
With food, entertainment, drinks, and shops, there really is something for everybody to do here.
It’s not just your normal fishing pier (although you can fish here). The St Pete Pier is a huge entertainment district that’s 26 acres of fun.
You can walk or take a tram to the end of the pier- seriously, it’s that big, that they offer rides.
There’s a little beach called Spa Beach that’s perfect to take the kids to, as well as a playground and splash pad.
Other things for the family include the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center and a marketplace with artwork.
Grab sunset views at Pier Teaki (sunsets at the pier are amazing), and you can also grab food and drinks.
For restaurants, there’s also Doc Ford’s Rum Grille & Bar and Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro.
Be sure to plan at least a few hours to spend at the St Pete Pier or make it a day trip!
Visit Pass-A-Grille & Fort De Soto Park
Pass-A-Grille is a small beach community at the southern tip of St Pete Beach.
This is another great place for a day trip since you can walk around the whole area in a couple of hours.
There are several good restaurants in Pass-A-Grille. Paradise Grille, The Wharf, and Brass Monkey are popular restaurants here.
They are just across the street from the beach and nice places to take a break, eat, and have a drink.
I like this area since it’s a bit more secluded on the southern end, and there is a lot of room to spread out.
Speaking of quiet and secluded, while in Pass-A-Grille, you’re just a short drive from Fort De Soto Park.
You can also take a shuttle over to the untouched island of Shell Key. Both Shell Key and Fort De Soto are good spots for snorkeling.
You can take the shuttle to Shell Key from Merry Pier
Check Out A Brewery
If you’re looking for some adult fun, then checking out one of the local breweries is an excellent idea!
Located in Madeira Beach, Mad Beach Brewing is a nice waterfront option since it’s part of John’s Pass, which we will cover next.
Mad Beach has great beers, and they also have several food options, making them a popular brew pub in the area.
If you love craft beers or are just looking for a night out with friends, Mad Beach Brewery is a good choice.
Other breweries in the area worth checking out are Cycle Brewing, Green Bench Brewery, and 3 Daughters Brewing in St. Petersburg.
Shop, Dine & Adventure At John’s Pass
When you’re in the St Pete area, John’s Pass is a must-visit for a day trip!
Located in nearby Madeira Beach, browse the shops for souvenirs, crafts, candy, and more.
When you’re ready to eat they have several restaurants at the village and boardwalk that show off the area’s waterfront views.
My favorite restaurants include Sculley’s Seafood Restaurant and Caddy’s. There are also spots for pizza and bar food.
If you’re looking for live music, tiki vibes, and margaritas, then Bamboo Beach Bar will be one of your favorite stops at John’s Pass.
And if you’re looking for adventure, John’s Pass has several activities on the water, from jet ski rentals, boat cruises, parasailing, and more.
Relax & Swim At The County Beach Park
Located in the heart of St Pete, the County Beach Park is an awesome time at the beach.
Here, you can walk up and down the shoreline for miles, enjoying the blue waters and soft sand beach.
The beach is at the perfect spot on Gulf Boulevard with plenty of restaurants, bars, and hotels within a short walking distance.
Other must-do beaches in St Pete include Madeira Beach and Treasure Island!
Discover Downtown St Petersburg
We already covered the St Pete Pier, which is in downtown St Petersburg, but there is so much more to do in the area!
Downtown St Petersburg is filled with parks, museums, art galleries, amazing restaurants, hotels, and more, making it an awesome place to visit.
While in the downtown area, don’t miss The Museum of Fine Arts, The Salvador Dali Museum, Jannus Live Concert Hall, and the St Petersburg Museum of History, just to name a few things.
For restaurants, don’t miss Ford’s Garage, Parkshore Grill, Birchwood Canopy, and Stillwaters Tavern.
Have More Time In St Pete?
Here are some additional things I recommend doing:
Sunken Gardens
Saturday Morning Market
Kayak through Weedon Island Preserve
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
Walk or bike the Pinellas Trail
Conclusion
As you can see, St. Pete, Florida, is a city full of exciting experiences. Whether you love art, nature, or beaches, you’ll find it here.
If you’re interested in visiting the St Pete/Clearwater area, check out our itinerary for an epic trip!
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Booking a last-minute trip to Florida?
If so, we have you covered. Here are some top recommended tours and experiences!
Top Tours in Florida – Viator
Top Hotels In Florida – Booking.com
Looking To Get Around In Florida?
Check out rental car rates here! 🚗
