St. Pete Beach is beloved for its powdery white sand, warm Gulf waters, and chill vibe. From downtown shops and restaurants to art galleries, there’s lots to explore in downtown St. Petersburg, too. A trip here blends beach days, boating, and water sports with the area’s museums and downtown’s artsy vibe—offering relaxation and culture in one spot.
What to Do: For a kid-friendly getaway, stay at TradeWinds Resort, where there’s so much to do you won’t need to leave the property. The kids will love the three-story inflatable water slide on the beach, a floating water park, and the chance to snorkel alongside fish inside (it’s super close quarters!) the resort’s RumFish Grill aquarium.
Other activities include pirate shows, roasting s’mores by the fire pits, and DJ trivia. You can also plan a sunset cruise, parasailing, paddleboarding, or take a painting or sea glass jewelry class. During our stay, we took a sip ‘n paint class by the ocean and painted a sunset along the beach scene, which came out a lot better than expected.
For a close-up view of playful bottlenose dolphins, sign up for the Shelling & Dolphin Cruise with Scupper’s Watersports. On this three-hour excursion, you’ll see dolphins along the way to and from Shell Key, where you’ll stop to collect seashells. If you’re lucky, you might even find a few sand dollars.
Other fun spots include historic Merry Pier, a popular fishing and boating spot, and the Evander Preston Gallery, where you’ll find unique jewelry and art by the late artist, brewer and gourmet cook.
The Dalà Museum, which houses an impressive collection by the renowned Surrealist Spanish painter Salvador DalÃ, is a must while in St. Petersburg. Search for the augmented reality (AR) symbols on paintings, then scan the QR codes with your phone to watch DalÃ’s art come alive in 3D.
Where to Eat: TradeWinds has 14 dining spots that range from upscale restaurants to casual grab-and-go. RumFish Grill, home to a 33,500-gallon aquarium filled with tropical fish, an eel and a stingray, is known for its fresh, locally sourced seafood. The Gulf Coast Grouper Escabeche with fried plantains is a local favorite and highly recommended.
Palm Court Italian Grill has a relaxed atmosphere and an elevated menu. Start with the burrata caprese with heirloom tomatoes or the meatballs pomodoro topped with whipped ricotta and fresh basil. The linguini and clams is a standout entrée and the cocktails are not to be missed, either. We love the tiramisu espresso martini.
Off the resort, Paradise Grille, Hurricane Seafood Restaurant, and Shadrack’s are all popular spots.
Where to Stay: Set on 40 beachfront acres, TradeWinds (which is about 40 minutes from Tampa International Airport) has more than 700 rooms and suites spread out across two properties—Island Grand, which is kid-friendly, or RumFish Beach, which has a more relaxed feel. Island Grand has five pools, kayaking, paddleboarding, a high-tide water slide, craft classes, and more. It also offers kids’ camps with activities for children aged 5-12.
Accommodations range from standard hotel rooms to suites and villas, many of which have kitchenettes, living areas, and private balconies spacious enough for families. Rates vary but start at about $216 a night in August for a deluxe room for two adults and two kids with two double beds and a mini fridge. Suites with living rooms and kitchen areas run higher. Deals range from 25% off with a 7-night stay, 20 percent with a 5-6 night stay, or 15 percent off for a 1-4 night stay. Use promo code MORE.
Check out all the St. Pete vacation fun on our Instagram page.
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