Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Saint Pete Beach

"Conveniently located close to downtown and adjacent to the Florida Aquarium, the American Victory Ship is one of Tampa's hidden gems. One of only four WWII ships that are fully-functioning, the Ship is a memorial to the dedicated men and women of the American Merchant Fleet. Almost all areas of the Ship are open to investigation, including the bridge, weaponry, galley and mess halls, crew cabins and Captain's quarters, radio and gyro rooms, and much more."

"The Sunken Gardens has been around for more than 100 years now, having been planted by an avid gardener and plumber in 1903."

"The crown jewel of the St. Petersburg area, Fort De Soto Park boasts five interconnecting islands and 1,136 acres of waterfront oasis along the Gulf of Mexico. Backed by miles of sugary sand, this diverse coastal habitat is a hotspot for outdoor recreation. Spend the day in a kayak, cycle on the scenic trails or search for seashells on its beautiful beaches."

"This is a great park for fishing, swimming, kayaking, and bike riding. There’s even a dog park. Located on the very southern tip of Tierra Verde, Fort DeSoto has a large campground with 238 sites, but reservations are hard to come by, especially in the peak winter season."

"Have breakfast at the Vinoy, then drive half an hour either to the lively St. Pete Beach or to the more isolated Fort De Soto Park. Have some fun in the sun before enjoying a sunset dinner at The Hurricane in St. Pete Beach. Stay the night at the Sirata Beach Resort."

"The Palma Sola Causeway isn't an actual park, but it's one of the area's most popular recreational spots. The causeway is the portion of State Road 64 that spans Palma Sola Bay between west Bradenton and Perico Island. The popularity of the causeway as a recreational spot prompted the City to improve the lighting and sidewalks and add parking bollards and landscaping."

"Looming across the entrance to Tampa Bay is the four-mile-long Sunshine Skyway Bridge, connecting St. Petersburg to Manatee County on I-275. The bridge was built in the 1980s after the original bridge collapsed after being hit by a freighter during a storm. For a toll of only $1.50, it’s worth the ride to see this architectural wonder and get a high view of Tampa Bay."

"Spanning 400 acres north of the city, Sawgrass Lake Park encompasses one of the Gulf Coast’s largest maple swamps. For experiencing nature in the heart of one of the state’s most populated areas, it’s among the top St. Petersburg points of interest. Visit Sawgrass Lake Park to stroll along its mile-long elevated boardwalk."

"Located on the north and south sides of Tampa Bay, the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park is based on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge that connects St. Petersburg with Sarasota and provides an excellent fishing venue. While the piers of the bridge are extremely high above the water, accessible areas around the pier offer excellent fishing, and you can find both shallow flats and deep-water channels. Fish species that can be found here include redfish and spotted sea trout throughout the year while the warmer months bring migratory fish such as cobia, tarpon, Spanish mackerel, and kingfish."

"Grab your rod & reel and plonk down at Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. Reaching state park status in 1994, the pier extends four miles into Tampa Bay. Skyway Fishing Pier State Park runs parallel to the massive Sunshine Skyway Bridge."

"The entire campus is b-e-a-utiful but the minarets of Plant Hall are definitely the most photo worthy backdrop. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by The University of Tampa (@uoftampa) on Aug 26, 2020 at 6:19am PDT"

"The epic sliver of sand that is Pass-a-Grille Beach is the most idyllic barrier-island beach, backed only by beach houses and a long stretch of metered public parking. Here you can watch boats coming through Pass-a-Grille Channel, hop aboard the Shell Key Shuttle to unspoiled Shell Key, and retire for eats and ice cream in the laid-back village center."