While east coast cities like Miami and Fort Lauderdale give Florida a dose of international cool, the west coast of the state has plenty of hip sights and sounds that are worthy of a family getaway. St. Petersburg, located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, is one of those spots, with sun-drenched beaches and a charmingly quirky/artsy vibe all its own. Looking for a rundown of family-friendly spots in St. Pete & nearby Clearwater? Check out our 25 favorites.
1. Take a gander at some of Dale Chihuly’s bright and colorful glass creations inside the Chihuly Collection. Here, whimsical glass sculptures of flowers, fauna and funky-colored shapes will make your kiddos feel as if they’ve taken a trip down Alice’s rabbit hole and right into Wonderland. While it might seem that a glass museum and children are a precarious mix, most exhibits are placed out of the way of curious hands.
2. After you’ve taken your tour of the Chihuly, watch the art form come life at the Morean Art Center’s Hot Shop, where you can see resident glass artists do their thing.
3. Stroll around the 600 block of Central Avenue and take in the quirky clothing and jewelry shops before grabbing a healthy, sweet treat at Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops, where you’ll find flavors ranging from blueberry goat cheese to sweet potato crunch.
4. If you’re looking for a bit more of a substantial bite, stop by Engine No. 9 for some of the best burgers this side of Florida. Kids will love the multiple hot dog toppings and in-booth TV sets while grown-ups sip on locally-brewed beer.
5. If you prefer a more outdoorsy stay, camp out at Fort De Soto Park, which is made up of five keys (islands), family camp sites, playgrounds, swimming centers and tons of nature trails to see local flora and fauna. Honeymoon Island State Park, where you can swim, fish and shell plus get your nature fix, has been the Florida’s most visited state park for several years.
Honeymoon Island from VSPC
6. Pop into Creative Clay, a non-profit that gives people with disabilities access to art studio space. Pick up some pieces created by the artists in the Good Folk Gallery, or, for a donation, kids will get a kick out of exploring their art thrift store, where they can take home a few gently used art supplies.
7. St. Petersburg’s beach consistently ranks as one of the best in the country. Let the kids run around on the pristine shoreline and construct an epic sand castle. If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, you can also opt to take part in one of the many watersports offered on the shore.
8. Go fish (or watch the regulars) on the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. The creation of the new Sunshine Skyway Bridge between St. Pete and Sarasota meant the old bridge could be turned into the world’s longest fishing pier. You’ll experience great views and catches including snook, tarpon, grouper, cobia and red snapper. If your kids get antsy for a snack, there’s some available for sale along the pier along with drinks and bait.
9. Let your kids channel their inner architect as they build zany contraptions at Great Explorations, the area’s first children’s museum. You’ll also find exhibits like a tunnel full of sensory delights, a climbing net and pretend play supermarket.
10. Send your kids on a surreal scavenger hunt at the Salvador Dali Museum, where they’ll be tasked with finding the artist’s most popular works throughout the space. Then, let them get lost (don’t worry, they’ll only think they are) in the garden labyrinth. Find kids story time every Wednesday and Thursday, or crafts on Saturday
11. At the Florida Holocaust Museum, kids will get a memorable history lesson on the Holocaust through immersive and thoughtful exhibitions.
12. As the day winds down, head over to the Rum Runners Bar & Grille at Sirata Beach Resort where the whole family can chow down on fish tacos and enjoy live music right on the beach.
13. Or, wander over to the Guy Harvey Outpost and roast some s’mores as the sun sets.
Guy Harvey Outpost by TradeWinds
14. Stop and smell the roses (or, tropical flora, in this case) at Sunken Gardens, a living museum that’s home to more than 50,000 tropical plants, some more than 100 years old, and flowers. Kids will get a kick out of the flamingos who call the gardens home.
15. Baseball season? Check out the Tampa Bay Rays schedule and catch a game at Tropicana Field (also known as “the Trop”), a domed stadium with a 10,000-gallon tank touch pool filled with sting rays. No game? You can still tour the stadium!
16. Putt putt your way around the old-school mini golf grounds of Polynesian Putter, where large Easter Island-style sculptures and faux coiled snakes embrace the tiki culture of the 50s throughout 18 tricky holes.
17. Take a short cruise to see dolphins, visit the Shell Key (yes, you’ll find great sea shells here!) and snorkel in the gorgeous water off St. Pete Beach. They provide all the snorkeling equipment, floating noodles and a cooler on board for drinks.
18. Or, if you have older kids in tow, Island Kayak Tours offers guided kayak tours through the mangroves of Shell Key. Don’t be surprised if you get up-close-and-personal with a dolphin or manatee during your adventure.
19. Built in 1928, The Don CeSar hotel was once a playground for literati like F. Scott Fitzgerald and an MTV set for Tom Petty. Today, roam the grounds of “The Pink Palace” and take in the architecture before tucking into the famous Don CeSar Sunday brunch at the Sea Porch Café.
20. Visiting over a weekend? Don’t skip a trip to the Saturday Morning Market, where you can snag artisan grocery items, ready-to-eat foods from across the globe, hear live music and see surprises like balloon artists, face painters and performers.
21. Stick around for a Clearwater sunset at Pier 60, where every night is a sunset celebration complete with music, performers, food and crafts. Kids can also enjoy a romp around the gigantic beach playground, one of the largest on the Gulf!
Pier 60 from VSPC
22. Take a 40-minute trip north and say ‘hi’ to Winter and Hope, the famous rehabilitated dolphins at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Your kiddos will get a kick out of meeting some of the animals from Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2—both of which were filmed here.
23. If you’re craving more outdoor adventure, trek around the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, a 245-acre park along the shores of Lake Maggiore. Not only are there many nature trails and boardwalks that allow you to see tons of wildlife, there’s also an aviary for injured birds of prey, an education center and playground and picnic site.
24. John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk is a fun outdoor shopping destination with delicious bites to eat, not to mention clothes, toys and treats to take home as souvenirs. If you’re staying in St. Pete’s or Clearwater, you can even schedule a free beach ride to get there.
25. Wynwood isn’t the only place to find murals galore. Find more than 70 works of art on the buildings of the Central Arts District in downtown St. Petersburg. You can take a formal guided tour, or just scout out your favorites for the dreamy Instagram opportunity.
