The Top 5 Reasons to Visit St. Petersburg, Florida Now
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A sparkling gem on Florida's Gulf coast, St. Petersburg glimmers between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. Home to some of America's best beaches, a vibrant arts community, farm-to-table dining, and amazing outdoor experiences—St. Pete is a sunny destination that travelers return to again and again. These are the top five reasons why St. Petersburg, Florida should be on your bucket list.
Source: Visit St. Pete/Clearwater
1. THE SHOPPING
With so many hidden treasures to uncover and so many great spots for it—shopping in St. Petersburg is an adventure of its own. Firstly, cultural spots such as the Salvador Dalí Museum and the Dale Chihuly Collection have exquisite gift shops with one-of-a-kind finds. To get your steps in as you shop, head to Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete, where imaginative clothing and decor shops line the hex block-paved sidewalk.
Historic 8th Avenue in St. Pete Beach is the perfect destination to take in beautiful sunsets and historic charm of an Old Florida fishing community—all while browsing the eclectic shops. Discover your favorite high-end brands right in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg at Sundial. The open-air shopping plaza is an oasis in the heart of the city’s bustling downtown center. The plaza’s centerpiece is a nearly three-story working sundial and fountain—a nod to St. Petersburg’s history as the Sunshine City and was designed to keep accurate solar time.
2. THE ART
Soak in surreal brilliance at the Dalí Museum, set on the waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg, and be surrounded by an unparalleled collection of works by renowned artist Salvador Dalí, considered one of the most influential and innovative artists in history. The museum’s collection includes more than 2,400 works of all sorts, including 96 oil paintings, drawings, book illustrations, prints, sculptures, photos, manuscripts and documents.
Source: Visit St. Pete/Clearwater
The imaginative new building’s most outstanding feature is its fantastic window, which captures views of Tampa Bay. The Enigma, as it’s called, is a 75-foot-tall, freeform geodesic dome made of 1,062 triangular pieces of glass, each one a slightly different shape. Enjoy a day at the world-class museum and wander through the awe-inspiring building. Explore the amazing murals and colorful street art that bring St. Pete to life.
If it's an outdoor surface in St. Pete, chances are, there's a bold and brilliant work of art covering it. The city is famous for the murals that adorn its walls (in fact, there are more than 600). There's even an annual mural festival each October, SHINE, which brings artists from around the world to St. Pete to create massive works of public art for all to enjoy. From guided tours to artistic selfie spots—experience St. Pete in full color.
3. THE CUISINE & COCKTAILS
Located in the Downtown South University Park area of St. Petersburg, Lingr Restaurant is the first solo venture of Chef Jeffrey Jew, alumnus of Bravo's “Top Chef” and winner of Food Network's “Guy's Grocery Games.” This is the place where 'to linger' is just what you do. For your artisanal cocktail fix, we recommend trying The Colleen—paying homage to Chef Jew's mother, this delectable cocktail is concocted with a blend of Icelandic vodka, lychee, lemon, and 5-spice cascade berries.
Lingr Restaurant in St. Petersburg, Florida
The Nordic and Asian-inspired restaurant is a mixture of Chef Jew's love of the local area, his heritage and years of culinary experience. Menu creations crafted from sustainable and locally-sourced ingredients take center stage at Lingr Restaurant. Signature dishes include Beef Tartar with hot mustard aioli, pickled beech mushrooms, smoked turnips, Tsukemono cucumbers, miso dashi, and shrimp chips, Crudo with citrus buttermilk, lotus root, Szechuan pepper oranges, and dill oil, Pan Seared Grouper with smoked trout, roe, beurre blanc, charred leeks, and pea shoots, as well as Pan Seared Salmon with hot and sour sauce, braised cabbage, Szechuan pistachios, and chives.
Take the time to indulge your sweet tooth and enjoy one of many decadent desserts such as Spiced Parsnip Cake with mandarin cream, fenugreek and marigolds or Szechuan Spiced Ebelskivers with red bean and Brunost caramel and mandarin jelly. Hungry yet?
4. THE GARDENS
On the waterfront of Tampa Bay, the Dalí Museum Avant-garden creates a unique environment of learning and tranquility. The Avant-garden was inspired both by the local flora and by Dalí’s fascination with duality, art and nature, the Apollonian and the Dionysian. The Grotto at The Dalí is a place of cavernous shade, fabulous plants, dripping and pooling water. The world of the Grotto is one of dampness, fertility, and growth. Water splashes, reflected light from the pond plays on the ceiling, a breeze blows through. The living wall rises on your right. Orchids, Vandas, Phalaenopsis, Oncidium Dendrobiu, and Catteya–grow from their blanket of Sphagnum Moss.
Source: Dalí Museum Avant-garden
Dalí is a landscape painter and the garden diagrams the formal order to be found in both the landscape and in art. Dalí spoke of “le dur et le mou,” the hard and the soft, and this garden caries from hardscape to turf, from Italian cypress to soft fern. There is also a play between Mediterranean plants and the subtropical plants of Florida. Lilies, juniper, papyrus and thyme from the old world grow among wild petunia, sunshine mimosa, wild violets and sabal palm, native to Florida. The drooping ficus stands near the old-world olive. Just southeast beyond the ficus is a gate that, sliding between two stones, provides the entrance to the Labyrinth. The path of crushed limestone leads through the course of podocarpus hedges that curve and and angle abruptly. The path leads to the center of the Labyrinth, which is marked by the tallest cypress tree on the Museum grounds.
5. THE ARCHITECTURE
Visiting the home of one of the city's original developers is a journey back in time. The Safford House Museum has been restored to its Victorian splendor and is open to the public. Today the Safford residence is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house is a fine example of late 19th century Florida vernacular architecture and is filled with period furnishings and original family possessions.
Source: Tarpon Arts
A visit offers the opportunity to experience Florida life more than 100 years ago. The late 1800s, when Anson P.K. Safford and his family resided in Tarpon Springs, was an era of gracious living without the pressures of modern society.
WHERE TO STAY IN ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA
Dramatically perched atop wind-swept dunes with expansive water views in every direction, The Don CeSar is the crown jewel of Florida's Gulf Coast. Since 1928, this monument to glamour and leisure has welcomed sun-seekers, luxury travelers and some of America's most famous and notorious figures. Become part of the storied history of the legendary Pink Palace.
Reconnect with sun, sand and sea. Each one of our freshly remodeled guest rooms and suites offers luxurious amenities and sweeping views of The Don CeSar's coastal surroundings. Bask in the Florida sun at the all-new Beacon Pool Bar & Lookout perched above the two heated outdoor pools. Transform in seaside bliss at Spa Oceana or play in the sugary St. Pete Beach backyard as the sparkling Gulf of Mexico is lapping at your feet.
Note: This information was accurate when this article was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
