A Day in Downtown St. Petersburg: What to See and Do

Downtown St. Pete is genuinely walkable, which is not something you can say about every Florida downtown. Between the Pier District, Beach Drive, and Central Avenue, you can spend a full day on foot and barely repeat a block.

St. Pete Pier

The anchor of downtown's waterfront — 26 acres of green space, restaurants, shops, a beach, a fishing deck, and a discovery center, extending out over Tampa Bay. It's free to walk, and it's the single best orientation point if you're spending a day downtown. Go early for a quiet walk, or near sunset for the view.

The Dalí Museum

Home to one of the largest collections of Salvador Dalí's work outside of Spain, in a building that's a piece of art on its own — a glass entryway and skylight built specifically to house the collection. Worth it even if museums aren't usually your thing.

Chihuly Collection

A permanent exhibit of Dale Chihuly's glasswork on Central Avenue, a short walk from the Dalí — the two are commonly paired into one afternoon.

Museum of Fine Arts & St. Petersburg Museum of History

Two very different museums within walking distance of each other — a broad fine arts collection, and a history museum that's been telling the city's story for a century, including exhibits on early aviation and local history.

Beach Drive & Central Avenue

The two corridors that hold most of downtown's restaurants, bars, and shops. Beach Drive runs along the waterfront with a more polished feel; Central Avenue (and the Edge and Grand Central districts along it) has more of an eclectic, gallery-and-craft-beer character.

Ready to eat? See our pick of the best restaurants downtown right now.

Wondering what the commute looks like from home? Check current availability at The Waverly — a short drive from everything above.

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