You can find the pier directly across the street from a plethora of restaurants and shops, with so many things you can do and see.
You can dine at restaurants, go swimming, enjoy some fishing, catch some live entertainment, and so much more! There is so much to do here!
You cannot doubt that with such glamorous views of Tampa Bay, the new pier is a trip you certainly won’t be forgetting any time soon!
So, today, we will look into the things you can do at the pier and local to the pier for a great day, vacation, or weekend in St. Petersburg!
Is St Pete Pier Now Open?
If you have not been to the pier in several years, you may wonder if it is open.
It is true that it was under construction for quite some time, and the pandemic did push back its opening. However, yes, the new St Pete Pier is open, and it is free as well!
It took three years for it to be built and was built at a cost of a whopping $92 million! But now it is open, and it has been since July 2020.
It is a great place to enjoy yourself and is fun for the whole family!
Aside from this, the district actually offers an amazing 26 acres of fun entertainment and activities all family-friendly, and plenty for the kids.
This makes it one of the most popular and largest attractions by the waterfront in the entire state of Florida.
So, ready to check out the new St Pete Pier? Let’s have a look at what you can do while you are there!
1. Try Out Hops & Pops Craft Beers
After you have spent some time outside, enjoying the Floridian sunshine, nothing can beat cooling off with a delicious craft beer at Hops & Pops.
This is a place which highlights plenty of local breweries and keeps many American craft beers on tap. You can also go there around happy hour between 5pm and 7pm Monday-Friday.
They have a peaceful outdoor patio which can grant you plenty of beautiful views to enjoy with your beer, and you can even bring pets here too!
You will find this location at the start of the pier inside the St. Petersburg Museum of History.
Contact Information
Address: 335 2nd Ave NorthEast, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701
Phone Number: 727-803-6806.
Opening Hour
Tuesday – Sunday: 12:00pm – 12:00am.
Monday: 5:00pm – 12:00am.
2. Take The Tram Or Walk The Pier
There are many different restaurants, and fun things you can find around the pier, so it is worthwhile going to explore this area to see what is on offer.
The pier is an incredible 3,000 feet, making it one of the biggest piers in the world!
You can walk the whole distance if you feel up to it, or if you don’t feel up to doing so, you can take a tram.
The tram will take you from the beginning of the pier, right to the end (and back), which also makes the pier fully accessible, even for those who may have difficulty walking such long distances.
It is also a wide pier, so there is ample room for all the foot traffic, as well as the tram.
Should you wish to get around the pier and to the downtown area with a bit more ease, renting an e-bike is also a great option and a quick option!
3. Playground Trip For The Kids
Near to the Bending Arc Sculpture is a playground known as the Glazer Family playground.
Here you will find plenty of slides, climbing structures, swings, obstacle courses, and so on for the kids to play at.
This is a non-profit center that teaches you everything about this history and the recovery of the Tampa Bay estuary system.
It has many interactive displays as well as tours, videos, and an awesome touch tank (very cool!)
There are also loads of events and programs for kids too, so it can be educational and fun for the whole family!
Contact Information
Address: 700 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701.
Phone Number: 727-291-4103
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday: 10am – 5pm
Saturday – Sunday: 10am – 7pm.
Prices
Adults: $5
Children: $3
Active military: $3
Florida Teachers: $3
Toddlers: FREE
5. Enjoy Street Performers & Live Entertainment
As soon as you step foot onto the pier, the whole area will be packed with vendors, street musicians, and others all showing off skills and working hard to get tips.
There will sometimes even be crowds gathering for acts like magicians.
Near the Splash pad and Spa Beach Bistro, you may be lucky to find acts such as acrobats performing stunts, jumping through hoops, and so forth.
If you dine in this area you may be lucky enough to get dinner and a show!
6. Take The Kids To The Splash pad
If you want some ways that you can keep your kids happy and entertained when you visit St. Pete Pier, then the Splash pad is a great thing to do!
The Splash Pad is an awesome place where you can take the kids to run around in the sprinklers and get wet.
Nearby there are chairs and tables around for you to relax, while the kids have a play. It is right next to the Spa Beach Bistro, so you can get food and drinks while the kids let off their steam.
7. Dine At Doc Fords & Try Other Restaurants On The WaterFront
At the Pier you will find plenty of different restaurants well worth trying.
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grill is a lively location. It is incredibly popular and serves delicious seafood on the water with outstanding views of downtown St. Petersburg and the bay alike.
You will be able to eat inside or if you fancy it, outside on the patio area.
You can dine here and enjoy dinner or lunch, and taste some great foods from pork tenderloin, grouper, baby back ribs, and so on. All while listening to some daily live music.
Contact Information
Address: 610 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701
Phone Number: 727-657-8118
Opening Hours
Daily: 11am – 10pm.
You can also find plenty of other restaurants on St. Pete Pier, these include locations such as:
300 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701 727-894-4429
8. Try Out The Spa Beach
The Spa Beach is a gorgeous sandy shoreline that you will find at St. Pete Pier.
It was recently expanded and is a beautiful beach area that is a gorgeous spot to hang out in downtown St. Petersburg.
It is an ideal place in which you can relax and chill in the water.
Enjoy a swim, try your hand at beach volleyball, or if you enjoy water sports, launch off in your paddle boards or kayaks into the waters from this area.
Next to where the beach is, you will find Spa Beach Park. It is a wonderful and relaxing area where you can take a stroll and just enjoy a peaceful walk around!
9. Fishing On The Deck
At the very end of the pier you will find a space designated for fishing. If you enjoy fishing, or fancy trying your hand at it, try your luck at catching a big fish or two.
The most common fish you will find in this area are grouper, sea bass, tarpons, mackerel, and red snappers.
Bring along your own rod and bait, but if you do not have your own, you can buy fishing gear and supplies at the shop on the pier, found right next to the fishing designated area.
The shop is called Gator Jim’s Tackle.
It is the ideal relaxing activity for anyone who loves the sea!
10. Learn At The St. Petersburg Museum Of History
You will find this place near the pier entrance.
The St. Petersburg Museum of History is a fantastic place in which you can learn about the history of the local area.
The museum features documents, artifacts, and also pictures that relate to the history of St. Petersburg.
The Museum also tends to have educational events throughout the year, so it is well worth checking to see what they have got on while you are there!
Contact Information
Address: 335 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33801
Phone Number: 727-894-1052
Opening Hours
Sunday: 12pm – 5pm
Monday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm
Prices
Adults (18+): $15
Seniors (65+): $12
Military & Veterans: $9
Teachers & Students: $9
Youth (Ages 7-17): $9
Ages 6 and below: FREE
11. Relax On A Sunset Or Dolphin Cruise
While you are at St. Pete Pier, it is worthwhile taking the Sunset tour, or booking a Dolphin Cruise.
The Pier Dolphin Cruises are a company that has been functioning for 30 years and have a very good reputation for being a reputable company.
They have experienced captains who can tell you a great deal about the area while you are on the cruise.
The Dolphin Cruise will last an hour and forty-five minutes, and it is guaranteed that during this time you will see a dolphin.
Hence, the name! On this Cruise, you will also get complimentary beverages and snacks as well!
Alternatively, you could take the Sunset Cruise. This will last an hour and fifteen minutes.
You get to see the jaw-dropping sunset, as well as many birds and plenty of marine life as well. There is also a chance you may get to see some dolphins on this cruise as well!
This is a company that can also do Eco Tours, which are more of an educational experience in which they take you on the waters using kayaks for camps, field trips, and other types of programs.
To take one of these trips, go to the St. Pete Municipal Marina!
Contact Information
Address: 400 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, Fl, 33701
Phone Number: 727-647-1538
Opening Hours
Daily: 11am – 8pm
Prices
Adults: $39
Military: $35
Seniors: $35
Kids: $19
Ages 3 and under: FREE
12. Enjoy A Drink At Pier Teaki
At the very end of the pier you will find the Pier Point Restaurants as well as a gift shop.
At this location, you can get yourself some ice cream and enjoy snacks at the Driftwood Café on the 2nd level of the Pier.
However, if you want some more upscale casual dining you can journey up to level 4 and go to Teak!
Go onto the rooftop and go to Pier Teaki, which is a gorgeous and cute tiki bar that does gorgeous cocktails and delicious bar bites!
When you are at Pier Teaki, make sure to really take in the amazing scenery and views across the water and the sights of St. Petersburg’s downtown district.
13. Enjoy The Waterfront Parks
While you are downtown, there is a lot of beautiful green park space to enjoy and walk around.
Some of these parks include North Straub Park, South Straub Park, Pioneer Park, and Vinoy Park.
North Straub Park and Vinoy Park are both connected.
They take you on a walk along the waterfront area where you will find hiking and walking trails, which are found just North of where the pier is.
Then there are South Straub Park and Pioneer Park which you will find to the south of where the pier is.
Vinoy Park is a massive park with well over 11 acres of space to enjoy, you will even find a dog park and a children’s playground in this area.
The Vinoy Marina is nearby as well, so you can pass some time by enjoying gazing at all the boats.
Further North there is a volleyball court which you can enjoy. If you venture up, further North, you will then end up in Flora Wylie Park as you continue.
There is so much space, so if you do not enjoy crowds, it is unlikely you will find them here as these spaces are wide open.
You can even get a tour of the parks and the area downtown, one of these tours is a Segway tour as well!
14. Check Out The Museum Of Fine Arts
If you want to venture in a unique presentation of arts and history, it is worth heading to the Museum of Fine Arts.
There are gorgeous exhibitions and photographic collections.
The museum will offer programs for adults and for youth, you will also find workshops and summer camps here too to fully embrace the artistic culture.
You can venture online to find out the current viewings that they have available.
On their website they will also list upcoming workshops and exhibitions, allowing you to better plan your trip in advance!
Advanced tickets are needed to get into this museum, so be aware, you cannot just buy tickets at the reception. You can purchase these advance tickets on their website really easily, though.
Contact Information
Address: 255 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701
Phone Number: 727-896-2667
Opening Hours
Tuesday – Wednesday: 10am – 5pm
Thursday – Friday: 12pm – 8pm
Saturday: 10am – 5pm
Sunday: 12pm – 5pm
Monday: CLOSED
Prices
Adults: $20
Kids: $10
Seniors: $15
College Students: $15
Florida Teachers: $15
Military: $15
Under 7’s: FREE
15. Dine At Pier Restaurants
If you fancy checking out a few of the parks around in the downtown area of St. Petersburg, we have a list we think you will enjoy.
All of these are found along Beach Drive, which is across the street from the pier and the bay, providing you with some wonderful waterfront views.
