With an average of 361 days of sunshine per year, St. Petersburg, Florida is fittingly dubbed ‘Sunshine City.' Also commonly referred to by locals simply as St. Pete, this charming peninsular city is located in Florida’s Pinellas County alongside the Gulf of Mexico.

Many come to St. Pete for the highly-rated beaches and beautiful weather, but reasons to stay include the city’s vibrant arts and culture scene and its wide variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Top three things to do in St. Petersburg, Florida

Have fun in the sun at a stunning local beach or park

St. Petersburg offers you tons of options for outdoor recreation. Whether it’s swimming, sailing, fishing, kayaking, parasailing or golfing, there is sure to be something for everyone. During your stay, head to the popular St. Pete Beach, venture a bit further south to the marvelous Fort de Soto Park, or, alternatively, stay close to the centre at the picturesque, 26-acre St. Pete Pier.

Satisfy your intellectual side at a museum or gallery

Once you’re done with the beaches, you might want a change of pace. A visit to one of St. Pete’s renowned museums and galleries will fit the bill nicely. The most famous of these attractions is certainly The Dalí Museum, a waterfront museum unsurprisingly centred around Salvador Dalí.

Join the celebration at one of St. Pete’s 1,000+ festivals and events

St. Pete hosts thousands of different concerts, festivals, and special events each year. Some of the major events held in the city include the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, the MLK Jr. Celebration, and SHINE Mural Festival. In addition, St. Pete ranks as one of the best cities for LGBTQ+ people to visit and live, and it even hosts Florida’s largest Pride celebration.