One Day In The St. Pete Area
Morning
Start your day with museum hopping in St. Petersburg. Grab a St. Petersburg Trolley Downtown Looper map from the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and plan what thing to do downtown. Start with two of St. Pete’s finest cultural institutions: The Florida Holocaust Museum , which recounts the horrifying episode with quiet dignity, and The Dalí Museum , a chronological journey through artist Salvador Dalí’s life and career.The Downtown Looper also will take you to the Museum of Fine Arts , the St. Petersburg Museum of History and some local restaurants and hotels. Hop off at your leisure and pay 50c each time you reboard.
Afternoon
Lunchtime options abound at Fresco's Waterfront Bistro . Sip lemon drop martinis, munch some Yucutan spring rolls or garlic mussels and savor the harbor view. Dine at Marchand's Bar & Grill in The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection . This beautifully restored Mediterranean-style food place overlooking Tampa Bay evokes Florida’s golden resort era. Check out the historical photos and property timeline just off the lobby.The call of the beach is impossible to resist, so after lunch hop in your car and drive 25 miles northwest to Clearwater Beach , one of the best places to go throw down a towel and breathe in the salty air. Dip your toes in gently lapping waters or churn up a few waves with a rented personal watercraft. Services ranging from umbrella rentals to parasail rides to adventure travel abound along this 3-mile-long, family-friendly beach. Pier 60 makes an ideal retreat for shade and a snack, maybe even a little fishing.