Top Places To Visit In St Petersburg Florida

Top Places To Visit In St Petersburg Florida

With so many things to see and, do it’s easy to see why St. Petersburg, FL is one of the Sunshine State’s most popular tourist spots. And, while it goes without saying that spending some time on the 35 miles of gorgeous, award-winning beaches is an absolute must, visitors should also take the time to explore some of other unique things the city has to offer. If you are planning a weekend trip to St. Petersburg, here are some of the top landmarks to see.

Sacred Lands Preservation and Education

Situated on a waterfront Indian mound that was once home to the ancient Tocobago tribe, Sacred Lands is a historical preservation site. Visitors are invited to enjoy the pristine land, which has maintained its native flora to make this a forested paradise complete with ancient live oaks draped with Spanish moss, along with the gorgeous peacocks that call it home. Various events are frequently held that allow visitors to view artifacts, listen to Native American speakers, and take part in a biweekly peace mediation circle.

Historic Kenwood

A walk through the historic Kenwood neighborhood easily takes you back to old time America. Exquisite and unique bungalows, representing all styles of architecture, line the sides of the brick streets, while colorful gardens and mature trees are everywhere you look. The St. Petersburg Preservation Society offers guided walking tours and once a year, the neighborhood holds Bungalow Fest, allowing you to come in to several of the homes and admire the renovations they have undergone.

Mastry’s Bait & Tackle

Though it’s not your typical landmark, Mastry’s Bait & Tackle is beloved by both residents and visitors. A classic bait and tackle shop, Mastry’s has everything you need to catch your dinner, as well as a helpful staff that is more than willing to share their fishing knowledge with you. If you aren’t sure about catching your own fish, you’ll appreciate the wide variety of fresh fish, such as snapper, grouper, and mackerel, as well as shrimp that is caught locally.

Downtown St. Petersburg

Although it’s not technically a landmark, downtown St. Petersburg is worth exploring, whether on foot, on the trolley, or on one of the $5 electric mini taxis. Here, you’ll find the Salvador Dali Museum, where you can view the largest collection of the late artist’s work in the world from inside a building constructed with more than 900 glass panels, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Florida Holocaust Museum. Downtown is also home to award-winning restaurants and eclectic boutiques and shops, such as Banana’s Music & Movies, the world’s largest record store, the Morean Glass Studio & Hot Shop, and Strands of Sunshine, which sells locally crafted goods that make great souvenirs and gifts.

Sunken Gardens

Situated on a depressed spot of land, Sunken Gardens is a 100-year-old garden with the feel of a tropical rain-forest. It includes paths that meander along some of the oldest tropical plants in the area, lush greenery and blooming flowers, exotic plants from all over the world, koi ponds, and even cascading waterfalls. The gardens are also home to a variety of birds, lizards, turtles, and flamingos. It’s beautiful, quiet, yet filled with the sounds of nature, and very shaded, thanks to the lush trees and plants.

Weedon Island Preserve

Not only was the Weedon Island Preserve once home to ancient civilizations, it was also the site of a popular speakeasy during the days of prohibition, the Grand Central Airport, and a movie studio. Today, the preserve, which sits on more than 3,000 acres of land, boasts a hands-on Cultural & Natural History Center, guided nature tours, boardwalks, 45-ft. observation tower, Indian mounds, a prehistoric canoe, tunnels, waterways, kayaking and fishing opportunities, and much more. Tons of wildlife have made this preserve their home, including tortoises, birds, crabs, dolphins, raccoons, armadillos, and fish.

If you are planning a weekend trip to St. Petersburg, you might just find that you want to extend your trip after seeing all the area has to offer.

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