Before moving to the PNW, I spent a few years in St Petersburg, FL. A city full of hidden cafés and quirky art, St. Pete’s charm lives in its local nooks. Whether you’re planning a weekend or exploring with family, this list highlights creative, affo...
Sections
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👀 SEE
🍴 EAT
🌊 DO
🛍️ SHOP (and coffee)
👀 SEE
A 100-year-old tropical garden with flamingos, koi ponds, and winding walkways. It feels like stepping back in time… lush, peaceful, and full of “Old Florida” magic.
Sunken Gardens
An immersive art maze built by local artists (formerly Fairgrounds St. Pete). Interactive, colorful, and refreshingly weird … like a Wes Anderson dream with a Florida accent.
FloridaRAMA
245 acres of nature trails, boardwalks, and a raptor aviary along Lake Maguire. It’s calm and quiet but full of wildlife … perfect for an early-morning hike or kid-friendly nature loop.
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
A 26-acre waterfront district with green spaces, art installations, rooftop dining, and unbeatable bay views. It’s the city’s front porch, part park, part playground, part people-watching goldmine. You can grab a drink, spot dolphins, and catch the b...
St. Pete Pier
If you’re looking for a place to spend a relaxed, inspiring, lazy-day afternoon, the Chihuly Collection at the Morean Arts Center in St. Petersburg, Florida is a great choice. Admission also includes access to a live glass-blowing demonstration at th...
Chihuly Collection
See a magic show by illusionists Chris Zubrick & Ryan Zubrick. Their show blends family-friendly comedy with grand-scale illusions, big wow factor, no fluff.
Zubrick Magic Theatre
🍴 EAT
Outdoor seafood spot serving local catch + tiki-style cocktails. Simple, unfussy seafood done perfectly … ideal for golden-hour dinners.
Trophy Fish
A laid-back neighborhood gastropub with craft beers, homemade burgers, and an old-Florida porch. Feels local, not touristy. The menu rotates with the seasons, and the backyard vibe makes it a hidden gem for casual date nights. BEST. BURGERS.
The Bier Boutique
Family-owned deli, espresso bar, bakery, and wine shop rolled into one. A sensory overload in the best way … we stock up here for park picnics or drive-home snacks.
Mazzaro's Italian Market
A bright, friendly taqueria serving made-from-scratch tacos and fresh margaritas. It feels like the kind of spot locals keep to themselves … colorful picnic tables, surf-shack energy, and seriously good tacos (and queso!)
Casita Taqueria
A cozy neighborhood bagel shop turning out scratch-made bagels, creative cream cheeses, and breakfast sandwiches that taste like weekend mornings should. Simple, done right, and so fresh you can smell the bake from down the block. Perfect quick stop ...
Pete's Bagels
A classic, NY style subs
Gateway Subs
🌊 DO
Free-form shuffleboard under string lights at the oldest club in the U.S. A total St. Pete vibe … friendly locals, BYOB, and no skill required.
St Petersburg Shuffleboard Club
Paddle through mangrove tunnels and spot dolphins, spoonbills and manatees. Peaceful, wild, and close to town … one of the best ways to see coastal Florida naturally.
Weedon Island Preserve
Small-boat ferry to an uninhabited barrier island for shelling and swimming. Quiet beaches, turquoise water, and just enough adventure for kids or couples.
Shell Key Island | Hubbard's Ferry | Fort De Soto Park FL, 33715
Hands-on experiences with capybaras, lemurs, and sloths in a small sanctuary setting. Equal parts adorable and surreal, it’s hard not to smile the whole time.
Capybara Café Animal Encounters
A laid-back stretch of white sand at the southern tip of St. Pete Beach, with beautiful beaches, local shops, and that “old Florida” charm. Pass-a-Grille feels like stepping into a postcard. It’s perfect for long walks, sunset picnics, or a lazy afternoon of shell collecting. Pro Tip: Park near 8th Avenue to wander through the tiny historic downtown, grab ice cream at Paradise Sweets, th...
Pass-a-Grille
A county park made up of five islands with beaches, bike trails, kayak rentals, and a historic Spanish-American War-era fort. Local Tip: Rent bikes and cruise the North Beach Trail, or take the ferry to Egmont Key for a secluded mini-adventure. Bring...
Fort De Soto Park
🛍️ SHOP (and coffee)
A curated shop downtown featuring goods from 80+ local artisans and small businesses. It’s like the best of St. Pete all in one space … jewelry, prints, home goods, and coffee beans from nearby roasters.
The Merchant - Purveyor of Local Goods
A boutique and salon combining sustainable fashion, local makers, and vintage-inspired style. Pageboy feels like the cool friend who always knows what’s trending but still shops ethically. You can browse their curated items, grab a locally made candl...
St Petersburg's New Vintage Market and Apothecary.
An artsy, sustainability-driven coffee shop with a bohemian edge and zero-waste ethos. The energy is creative, inclusive, and local to the core … reclaimed furniture, art on the walls, and some of the best cold brew in town.
Black Crow Coffee Co Grand Central Dist
A massive vintage warehouse open one weekend a month, full of mid-century furniture, antiques, and quirky Florida treasures. Part treasure hunt, part nostalgia trip. Even if you don’t buy anything, you’ll leave with design inspiration and maybe a wei...
The Vintage Marché
A modern coffeehouse roasting their own beans and serving creative drinks (try the espresso tonic). Minimalist design, quality-first ethos, and warm baristas who remember your order… it’s the perfect “settle in and plan the day” spot.
Bandit Coffee Co.
A dreamy apothecary and lifestyle shop located in the Central District in DTSP offering handmade skincare, botanical perfumes, natural candles, and curated wellness goods, all with a sustainable, small-batch touch.
Every detail here feels intentional, the packaging, the scents, the energy. It’s woman-owned, ethically made in Florida.
Bohemian Reves
Curated indie bookstore in the Grand Central District; strong focus on new fiction and local flavor. Great for browsing new releases and local voices, adds literary depth to your visit.
Tombolo Books
Bookstore + wine bar + coffee bar; woman-owned and sustainably minded. Combines several things to love, books, coffee, local community. Perfect for a slow afternoon.
book + bottle st. pete
A plant boutique offering houseplants + local handmade gifts and event space. Stylish, independent, ideal for bringing a touch of green into a home or workspace.