How to Visit in St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida is located on the Gulf of Mexico. Tampa is just across the bay and the beaches to the north are lined with small beach towns. This small city surrounded by gulf and bay waters provides a great number of attractions and opportunities to simply relax. Here's how to have a successful visit to St. Petersburg, Florida.
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Instructions
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Plan You Visit
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Choose when to visit. St. Petersburg, Florida has a lot to offer year round. If you would like to lounge on the beaches or participate in other water activities, plan to visit from March to September. If you hope to visit sights such as John's Pass or Tropicana Field, any time of year should be suitable. It'll never really be too cold.
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Reserve a place to stay. Madeira Beach, a 10-minute drive from downtown St. Petersburg, offers hotels, motels and rental houses that are much more affordable than those of the city. There are also many options to stay right on the beach for easy access.
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If you don't have your own car there are rental locations around the airports. Another good option is to simply rent a bicycle. St. Petersburg is well planned for bicyclists, and a trail spans the entire county for further commutes. The trolley system is another great option for getting around the beach.
Have a Good Time Year Round
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Plan to have a lot of fun on the beach during the warmer months (March to September). You can take a walk from the beaches of St. Petersburg up to the John's Pass causeway. Families can have a great time setting up a picnic with a radio and cool beverages on the beach. Kids will be enthralled with their sandcastles and the Gulf of Mexico for hours while adults can relax in the sun. For a little bit more excitement head to John's Pass just a few miles north of St. Petersburg. There you can take a themed pirate cruise, spend the evening on a casino boat or dine right on the pier. Jetski rentals are also available.
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During the cooler months, you can have an amazing time exploring the city of St. Petersburg. There is a very popular farmer's market with great food, music and unique gifts open during the winter months on Saturday mornings. The market can be found from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays at Central Avenue and 2nd Street from October to May. Another great winter attraction is and iconic upside-down pyramid at the end of a mile long pier. This strange piece of architecture houses a variety of shops and dining.
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If you aren't sure when to visit St. Petersburg, there are a few fun activities to plan around. The New York Yankees have spring training in the area, which is open for the public to watch. In November and December you can also participate in the Turkey Trot or the Jinglebell Run--two extravagant runs with thousands of participants for charity. Both runs offer their own unique local charm.
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Tips & Warnings
The spring months can get pretty busy with spring breakers--remember to make reservations ahead of time.
There is a great trolley system that travels from Indian Rocks beach all the way south to St. Petersburg. This is an affordable, efficient and fun way to get around town.
Remember to shuffle your feet when entering the Gulf of Mexico. Stingrays rest beneath the sand near the shore, and a shuffling walk will scare them away before they do any harm.
Sunblock is important year round. Being fairly close to the equator, the sun in Florida can be dangerous even during the winter.
