DESTINATION FLORIDA | St Petersburg

The New York Times named St. Petersburg
as one of the “52 must see places in the world”.
Yes, the world!

APPLE NEWS names St. Pete one of the "15 HAPPIEST TOWNS IN AMERICA!"

Touting its museums and rich cultural scene, a thriving craft beer industry, and its ranking as one of America’s Top 10 most beautiful cities, St.Petersburg’s a must-see stop on any traveler’s Tampa Bay itinerary. Just a half hour from Tampa or Clearwater, St. Petersburg – once known as a retirement destination – was just ranked as Florida’s No.1 spot for relocation among millennials.

As the gateway to the I-4 high-tech corridor, St. Petersburg can hang its hat as a great spot for new business and tech start-ups, a thriving arts climate, one of North America’s largest and most beautiful downtown waterfronts and a climate that holds a world record for the most consecutive days of sunshine!

The city hops after dark. A thriving craft beer industry and a 24/7 downtown attracts the region’s largest clusters of bars and entertainment spots in the Tampa Bay area. Along Beach Drive, stylish open air cafes line a European-style promenade overlooking a ribbon of green city parks and the sparkling waters of Tampa Bay. In between, discover great shopping at Sundial or throughout downtown, or the eclectic homegrown businesses in the Grand Central District.

Ranked as America’s No.1 Arts Destination, and its No.1 crafts town, the Sunshine City is home to a surprising number of museums, including the world famous Dali Museum, Dale Chihuly’s only permanent collection of his glass art, and an acclaimed Museum of Fine Arts. Add to that a rich performing arts scene, including the home of the Florida Orchestra, and the cultural lover will be captivated by what’s on exhibit or on stage. Don’t miss a trip to downtown St. Petersburg, and discover for yourself the warm hospitality that has made the Sunshine City famous.

Food and Drink Magazine

This Gorgeous Coastal Florida Destination
Was Just Named the Best Food City in the U.S.
Get ready for a great meal in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Getting a great bite to eat is usually at the top of every traveler's mind when visiting a new destination. In fact, according to one 2023 study, 83 percent of travelers believe food "helps shape their trip" and "leaves a lasting impression" of a destination. If you're among this group of jet-setters, then plotting out a vacation to Florida may be a fit for you.

To find out which cities across the United States are the best destinationsdug into the research to find the average rating of restaurants in 99 of the most populated cities in the nation, along with each city's number of cafes and bakeries, the number of farmer's markets available, and the prices of cooking classes. After looking at all the intel, it named St. Petersburg, Florida, the best spot for food-focused people.
"St. Petersburg scored the highest across multiple categories. With an average rating of 4.41, foodies can be assured there are plenty of great options to choose from," the findings, shared with Travel + Leisure, revealed. "Located right near the Gulf, fresh seafood options are abundant. With the affordable price of a three-course meal at $57.50, even those traveling on a budget can enjoy a delicious meal out."

Beyond a great meal, travelers can also expect to find fantastic coffee — and an affordable one at that, with the average cost of a cappuccino going for $4.39, a full 71 cents cheaper than the study average of $5.10. The future also looks even brighter for the area. The study also shouted out the recent news of the plans to develop Central Park St. Pete, a five-story food hall with bars, restaurants, and casual dining spots. It's slated to open sometime this year, making the latter half of 2024 a fantastic time to visit.

Following St. Petersburg in close second is Richmond, Virginia, which is home to the most farmers' markets — a whopping 56 — out of all the cities that were a part of the study. Its coffee culture is also notable, too, with a cup of coffee going for just $4.08. However, the city lost out on the top spot as its average mid-range three-course meal for two costs about $80, which is slightly higher than the study average of $75.92.

Joining these destinations at the top of the study's chart is Milwaukee in third thanks to its high number of bakeries, cafes, breweries, and affordable dinners out. It is followed by Cincinnati, which is home to the most affordable cooking class options with an average of $44.18 for the experience. And rounding out the top five is Fort Wayne, Indiana, which has the most affordable bakeries, with artisan bread costing an average of just $2.23.

“Food has become a popular reason for Americans to travel, and the U.S. doesn’t lack options," Sarah Webber, the director of marketing at InsureMyTrip, said in the study's findings. "With endless opportunities for foodies, the hope is this study narrows down the options for travelers while highlighting destinations they may not have considered."

EXCITING ARTSY ST PETE