Top 10 Things To Do, Activities 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."

"It’s not anyone stand out feature, but a host little pleasures that make it an absolute delight to visit. 8 acres and eco friendly, the park hosts two interactive fountains, the video-game/exercise contraption NEOS 360 Ring, shaded picnic spots, dog running areas, and a fantastic children’s playground. Occasionally, there are fre...Read more"

"Why you’ve got to go: This is an incredible city park that has interactive fountains, a lot of open space for kids to run around and several programs organized through the year. What to do: Pack a picnic, take your kids and bring your pets along too!. This is a great way to soak in some Tampa sun."

"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 large number of manatees that are seen in the Tampa Electric power station’s discharge canal has resulted in many people flocking to the Manatee viewing center in order to feast their eyes on these creatures. The Manatee Viewing Center enables you to view and learn more about manatees as well as immersing yourself in their environment. In addition, you can head outside and enjoy places such as the stunning butterfly gardens and gorgeous surroundings."

"One of the fun things to do in Tampa Bay for kids is seeing the Manatees. These gentle giants can be found throughout southern Florida, but are shy and can be hard to find. But we arrived at the perfect time of year."

"St. Petersburg’s Waterfront Parks are a “Jewel on Tampa Bay!. ” Loaded with amenities, you will surely want to make time to visit some or all of these stunning parks. Best of all—they’re free!"

"Otherwise, walk along Bayshore Boulevard and enjoy the historic homes and shops. Have dinner at the Japanese-inspired Water Sushi, a late-night hangout that has live music almost nightly. Consider sneaking across the street for some heavenly dessert at The Harry Waugh Dessert Room at Bern’s Steak House. Stay another night at the Grand Hyatt."

"The Tampa branch of Oishi Japanese Restaurant (restaurantoishi.com) -- there’s another in Orlando -- offers diners a wide array of Japanese-style dishes, including not only hibachi, but also donburi, katsu, sashimi, sushi and tempura. Oishi’s dining room offers a warm blend of classic and contemporary decor, including plenty of bamboo to give the restaurant a distinctively Japanese appearance. Watching the hibachi chefs expertly cook up orders on open grills is a theatrical experience that all diners can enjoy."

"Other good options are St. Pete Beach and Caladesi Island. Accessing St. Pete Beach involves finding a parking space, feeding a meter, and carrying all your gear to the beach. The payoff is sparkling clear water, and soft, white sand. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent, and playgrounds sit directly on the beach."

"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."

"Aqua blue waters rolling in on a white powedered sandy beach, all very clean with change houses and washroom facilities."