Gulf To Bay St. Pete Clearwater FL

There are so many fun things to do in St Pete/Clearwater that you can't go wrong. Immerse yourself in one of nature s escapes? Pick the perfect pint at our loca breweries? Keep the kids entertained for hours? Luckily, they're all in play for your vacation. Follow along as we suggest some of the best attractions we have to offer.

FAMILY FUN THINGS

There is limitless fun to explore in St. Pete/Clearwater, both indoors and out - the amazing beaches aren't even the half of it.

The new St. Pete Pier has been an instant success with restaurants, shops and lots of spaces for people watching or a casual stroll with waterfront views of both downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa. And kids and families are a big part of the equation. The Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center offers an air-conditioned respite devoted to telling the story of Tampa Bay and its unique ecosystem. There are educational displays, an aquarium that showcases many of the species found in local waters and a giant sand box with projected images of turtles, sea urchins and other marine life. There's also a fun marine-themed Glazer Family Playground in the center of the Pier District. One section is meant for ages 2 to 5 and a larger section has climbing features and a lighthouse with tall slides. It has a spongey artificial ground covering and the structures are made of a compact wood that is resistant to decay. The whole family can cool off in the free Splash Pad, a water play area of dancing fountains located next to the grab-and-go Spa Beach Bistro where you can design your own pizza and get a cold drink before taking up a spot under an umbrella to watch the kids play. Make sure to check out the Splash Pad at night, when there are lights and music to go along with the dancing water.

Kids get hands-on learning while playing at the Great Explorations Children's Museum. At "Great-Ex" there are places to climb, experiments to try and tables of building materials to channel their inner architect.

More than 100 animals - including chimpanzees, orangutans, monkeys, reptiles and tropical birds - call the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary home. The sanctuary has served as a peaceful safe haven for these magnificent creatures who are former pets or now retired from the film industry. There are picnic tables to bring your own lunch, and leashed dogs are welcome.

The Replay Amusement Museum is the kind of museum the whole family can look forward to as a hands-on experience. Like a greatest hits of arcade games, it has more than 120 playable games and unique amusement devices that you can play all day for one set price. Bridge the gap between the sweet memories of games of your youth with the latest fascinations of the younger generation.

Kids can be the artist and appreciate the work on display at the David L. Mason Children's Art Museum at the Dunedin Fine Art Center. It features both a gallery and a kids' activity center. Kids can take a painting or pottery class or explore artistic topics in art displays.

Kids can play swashbuckler at Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise while their parents help themselves to free grog (and beer and wine) on the adults-only deck. You can take in the expanse of ocean seafaring scenery while the kids enjoy a treasure hunt, face painting, water gun games, stories and dancing for all ages on the two-hour cruise.

Made famous by the hit movie Dolphin Tale, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium continues to expand its offerings. A new 1.5-million-gallon dolphin habitat allows visitors to see five new connecting pools and their nine viewing windows. In addition to the nose-to-nose encounters with its famous dolphins, you can see the working animal hospital that takes care of wounded marine life. There are also resident otters, sea turtles, and a couple of nurse sharks named Thelma and Louise that guests can feed by hand. Butthe aquarium is, first and foremost, a center for animal rescue, rehabilitation, and release. It has also become a leader in marine conservation, patrolling the beaches for sea turtle nests and famously rescuing and rehabilitating tiny seahorses that were then released back into the wild. And because the story of Winter, the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin that was rescued in 2005 with her tail caught in a crab trap, has resonated with children and disability educators worldwide, she continues to inspire. The loss of her tail prompted the aquarium to fit her with a prosthetic and she has become a symbol of hope. She is also a partner with local hospitals that works with wounded soldiers, many of whom visit for special meet and greets with Winter.

The nightly Sunsets at Pier 60 is a good way to end the day on Clearwater Beach with a festive send-off for the sunset, and a lineup of artisans selling wares, and performers including jugglers and fire eaters. On Fridays and Saturdays, lay out a blanket on the beach for free movies played on a jumbo screen just after sunset.

One of the jewels of the local park system, Largo Central Park not only has inviting shaded playgrounds, but the Largo Central Park Railroad has accurately modeled scale locomotives that families can ride on in a mile-long look through great scenery around the park including a tunnel and waterfall pond. There is no charge to ride the train that runs there on the first weekend of each month.

Cool off and find some family fun at the Splash Harbour Water Park where you can find water slides, a lazy river and a sun deck. There's even some fun on land including a mini golf course and a game room, and you can mine for treasure and keep the booty you uncover.

At John's Pass, the Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center is home to more than 180 orphaned and rescued wildlife, providing care for a variety of animals that cannot be safely returned to the wild. Its menagerie includes alligators, lizards, pigs, skunks, guinea pigs, rabbits, snakes and sloths. The animals arrive from wildlife rescues, reptile rescues and individual owners who can no longer care for their pet.

Behind the TradeWinds Island Resorts (essentially two hotels: Island Grand and RumFish Beach Resort) on St. Pete Beach, you'll find the High Tide Water Slide, a can't-miss attraction. At three stories tall and 200 feet long, the kiddos are going to see it from anywhere on the island and clamor for a turn. The resorts also offerfloating cabanas, paddleboats, mini golf, dive-in movies and more.

BREWERIES

With dozens of breweries dotting St. Pete/Clearwater, you're only a beer flight away from some of the country's best craft beer and offbeat breweries. While you could always make a pilgrimage to Dunedin Brewery, which lays claim to being the oldest microbrewery in the state, there are scads of excellent options to down some quality suds, from wheats to stouts to IPAs and everything in between. Here's a sampling of the 40+ breweries that call the "Gulp Coast' home. Be sure to check out GulpCoast.com for a complete list and how you can win beer-inspired swag just for visiting.

St. Pete anchors the southern end of the destination with a grand concentration of breweries downtown and in the Grand Central District. They're close enough you can work on your daily step goal and check several out in a single day. St. Pete Brewing Co. boasts a special St. Pete Orange Wheat, a citrusy selection named in honor of the town. Overflow Brewing Company is a great stop for sours and fruit-based beers. The walls are covered in murals and artwork from local artists available for purchase. You can play some bar games or just noodle around with some Lego bricks while you relax, too. And Green Bench Brewing Co. has wide-open grounds and is the base for a widespread canning operation.

Head west to Grand Central District and you have more choices, including Cage Brewing, with a huge property-filled with yard games and pinball machines. Across the street is Pinellas Ale Works, which is especially welcoming to dogs (note their initials). Grand Central Brewhouse is a new restaurant in the neighborhood with a bar serving up beer brewed in house that complements the food and the community. Not too far away is 3 Daughters Brewing, which is the perfect family gathering spot with its spacious warehouse full of plenty of seating, games and a stage for live music.

You can enjoy local craft beer along our beaches, too. Mad Beach Craft Brewing Company offers a large space with an industrial vibe in John's Pass Village in Madeira Beach, while Mastry's Brewing Co., just down the road in St. Pete Beach, is a smaller operation housed in a repurposed gas station.

Rapp Brewing Company is a longtime craft brewery with legendary status, operating out of an industrial park in the middle of St. Pete/Clearwater. Their master brewers continue the late Greg Rapp's mission of experimentation and reviving forgotten styles, so expect a long and varied tap list, including the award-winning Gose, which is a must.

Arkane Aleworks occupies a large spot complete with food trucks on hand at regular intervals. They specialize in sours, with close to a dozen on tap at any one time and featuring names like Nuclear Dessert and Woo-Tang Cran.

Crooked Thumb Brewery is the first of two breweries in town, thriving in a converted auto repair shop. Their trivia nights and annual Girl Scout Cookies-inspired beer event are outrageously popular. The father-son brewing team of Troubled Waters Brewing transformed a Main Street fixture into a colorful space with a Florida-style vibe.

Clearwater's Grindhaus Brew Lab is a favorite, with beakers of beer available during movie nights and a homebrew store selling the wares for you to make your own. Southern Lights Brewing Company specializes in handcrafted small-batch ales and lagers. Clearwater Brewing Company is a new-ish spot, opening up near the border with Dunedin, across the street from a fabulous barbecue joint

Speaking of Dunedin, this town should certainly be on your list. Beyond the aforementioned Dunedin Brewery (known locally simply as "the brewery") you can take your choice of more than a half-dozen other options in the quaint downtown. Among them is Caledonia Brewing, which is housed in the old Dunedin Times newspaper office - a publication once operated by a teetotaler. House of Beer recently opened a covered pavilion in their already sizable beer garden. Just down the Pinellas Trail is Cueni Brewing Co., which can make a mean Belgianstyle Ale. And of course, the original 7venth Sun Brewery still operates out of its strip mall on Bayshore Boulevard (Graffiti Orange Wheat is a must).

Within Palm Harbor's historic downtown, de Bine Brewing Co. features several high-ABV choices. Stilt House Brewery is located directly off the Pinellas Trail and is a great spot for cyclists looking for a tasty rest stop.

Recently this Greek-American enclave is looking to rival its southern neighbors in the number of breweries per capita. Tarpon Springs boasts a renewed downtown and some new locations joining Silverking Brewing Co., which operates out of the old city jail just off Tarpon Avenue. Two Frogs Brewing Company is a father and son business in a refurbished storefront that specializes in American Beers. Brighter Days Brewing Company and Unrefined Brewing are both nearby, with large decks for outdoor quaffing. Down at the famous Sponge Docks, 5 Branches Brewing offers a brand-new option for people looking to cool off out of the sun.

BARS

Whether you're an early bird or a night owl, there are plenty of bars, canteens and lounges ready to serve you what you need.

Expansive views of Tampa Bay are on tap in DTSP (local lingo for downtown St. Pete), where the city's new pier features Pier Teaki, a rooftop bar that offers a new take on old fashioned Tiki bar classics. The owners also run The Canopy, the breathtaking lounge atop The Birchwood boutique hotel on Beach Drive. The fun continues in the Edge District. Wine bar and bottle shop Cellar Masters takes its vino seriously, if you want some true viticulture. And if there's a game on anywhere that you want to watch, Ferg's Sports Bar will find you a TV playing it somewhere in its sprawling campus. Pro tip: Order the wings. A 1930s-era gas station has been transformed into Swingers, a brunchy patio bar. The new Grand Central Brewhouse offers beers and bites in a suds-crazy town, with a splash of wine thrown in. If Fido made the trip with you, head next door to The Dog Bar, a unique full-service bar that is also an off-the-leash dog park.

There's no shortage of bars along the Gulf. But if you're looking for a bite to eat, Frenchy's Rockaway Grill opens right onto the beach, sharing a parking lot with Palm Pavilion, another choice spot.

The Dog & Parrot is a classic pub with live music and a Ping Pong table. Also on Gulf Boulevard is Mahuffers, an institution with a million stories to tell and walls covered in dollar bills from patrons past.

This tiny town features The Friendly Tavern, a lived-in and lively spot to grab a beer and listen to local musical talent.

There are plenty of places to go if you're coming in off the sand. Bamboo Beach Bar plays its live music from its patio. Mad Pub, just a couple of doors down, specializes in craft beer.

Treasure Island has plenty of restaurants with bars, but LGBTQ+-friendly Caddy's Treasure Island is perhaps the most well-known of them all, with a winning combination of DJs and sunsets just feet from the shoreline.

Among the resorts on St. Pete Beach, the Undertow Beach Bar is a distinguished beachfront tavern with plenty of deck space, while PCI Beach Bar at the edge of the pool area in the retro Postcard Inn draws people from both the street and the sand. Just next door is Jimmy B's Beach Bar, where you can pop over and listen to live bands. Down in Pass-a-Grille, you can end your day with a bite to eat and watch the sunset from the rooftop decks at either The Hurricane or The Brass Monkey. The boutiquey Berkeley Beach Club also offers sunset views (as well as a killer brunch) at its rooftop bar featuring a collection of craft cocktails.

This town is a popular destination for visitors from near and far. Among the many cozy pubs is Reboot Arcade & Bar, which offers dozens of electronic diversions, should you want to get in out of the heat. The dog-friendly dive Skip's Bar is right on Main Street, offering you and your pooch plenty of people-watching in the heart of the action.

Adventure-seekers should try locating Molly Goodhead's, a true locals spot in tiny Ozona. The walls are dotted with moose heads and beer signs, and several selections are stored in an ancient, ice-filled bathtub behind the bar.

Bar Fly is a prime outdoor Florida eatery with a good bar menu, with live music on the weekends. If the sun is starting to head to the horizon, head across the street to Smugglers Island Pub to keep your ice cubes from getting too dry.

Beach Drive gets plenty busy when the sun goes down. Start with some vino at Annata, home of a huge wine list and even bigger charcuterie boards. Champagne and sparkling wine fans will want to stop in at Flute and Dram, and those looking for a clubby vibe will want to check in at Tryst Gastro Lounge.

Central Avenue is home to a long line of hot spots. On the 200 block you can pay homage to St. Pete’s longtime resident Mastry’s, a lived-in dive bar that’s been in business for more than 80 years. Nearby is the more upscale Mandarin Hide, a mixed-drink favorite with the dress-to-impress crowd. For another vintage cocktail option, Saigon Blonde works overtime to bring a 1960s Technicolor version of a Vietnamese nightclub to life. Up the street is Whiskey Exchange, a stock market-themed bar that boasts a long ticker-tape of its namesake liquor and other drinks.

You can grab a can of PBR and play a round of pool at The Blue Goose, on the edge of the Edge District. Down the street is Enigma, a dazzling and colorful gay-friendly bar featuring drink specials served throughout several rooms, a patio and dance floor. No Vacancy offers guests at its kitschy hotel-themed bar a wide range of punch bowls, cocktails and shots, plus frozen drinks for those hot days.

The Grand Central District offers some unique options, too. The Saint is a new speakeasy-style cocktail bar that’s just off the main drag. Be aware that this classy joint has a dress code! Trophy Fish is another outdoor oasis that specializes in Florida cocktails and amazing fresh seafood.

The waterfront establishments really get rockin’ when the sun goes down. Shephard’s Tiki Beach Bar and Grill is a prime party spot with bottle service and DJs, while the Sandbar at the Opal Sands Resort features tasty frozen treats of the alcoholic variety.

The restored Fenway Hotel gave a nod to its history as the former home to a radio station with its HiFi Rooftop Bar, offering breezy views of St. Joseph Sound and Caladesi Island.

There are several more options on Main Street, where Blur Nightclub recently opened up the front of its building to show off its expansive bar, live DJs and drag shows. Next door is Crown & Bull, with an expansive patio space and room for both dining and drinking.

Sonder Social Club is a popular spot to enjoy a creative and well-crafted cocktail among the town’s many breweries.

Wine Society is a new wine bar with a progressive wine menu and small plates in the revitalized Tarpon Springs downtown. If you’re looking for more of a neighborhood bar feel, try the Eagle’s Nest Lounge across the Anclote River from the Sponge Docks.

Safety Harbor’s growing downtown has its own signature spot with Gigglewaters, billed as a “social club and screening room.” Sure, you can get a good brunch there, but you can also plan a dinner with craft cocktails and a meal in the 32-seat private mini-theater in the back.

Gulfport, south of St. Pete, has a lively downtown area on Boca Ciega Bay. Try your karaoke skills at O’Maddys Bar & Grille or head next door to play games like darts and skee-ball at the open-air bar at Salty’s.

SPORTS

With near-perfect weather year-round St. Pete/Clearwater is a haven for professional sports, recreation and some of the biggest events in the entire country. What are you in the mood for today?

Let's start with America's Pastime. The Tampa Bay area has a particularly rich baseball history that dates back to St. Pete's first spring-training games a century ago, including many played by the legendary Babe Ruth (who once walloped a 600-plus-foot homer into a local hotel) and the New York Yankees. Today, the Philadelphia Phillies call BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater home during spring training, while the Toronto Blue Jays prepare for the new season at TD Ballpark in Dunedin. You can also catch their local minor-league affiliates, the Clearwater Threshers and Dunedin Blue Jays. The spring-training headquarters of the Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles - in Tampa, Bradenton and Sarasota, respectively - are all easy drives over Tampa Bay. St. Pete is home to Major League Baseball's exciting Tampa Bay Rays, who clinched their third American League East (AL East) championship in the 2020 postseason and made it all the wayto Game 6 of the World Series. Catch a Rays game at the gloriously air-conditioned Tropicana Field (aka "The Trop"), where notable AL East teams like the Yankees and Boston Red Sox regularly visit during the season.

If you're a soccerfan, you can't miss a Tampa Bay Rowdies game atthe picturesque Al Lang Stadium on the downtown St. Pete waterfront. Join the Rowdies' exuberant fanbase, including their official Ralph's Mob fan club, to cheer on the USL Championship pro soccer team, who recently advanced all the way to the Championship Final in the 2020 season. If American football is more your speed, takea brief jaunt over to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa to watch the National Football League's Tampa Bay Buccaneers play. Hockey lovers can witness the fast-paced action of the Tampa Bay Lightning, two-time National Hockey League Stanley Cup winners (including their most-recent Cup victory in 2020), at Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa.

Changing speed (literally), the annual Firestone Grand Prix brings powerful IndyCars roaring through closed streets along the normally peaceful St. Pete waterfront every March. Keep that need-forspeed appetite satiated at the Hooters Clearwater Offshore Nationals in the fall, one of the top boat races in Florida.

The PGA TOUR's Valspar Championship is held at the renowned Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club in Palm Harbor for a week of great golf in the sunshine each spring, bringing with it some of the world's top golfers and thousands of spectators. Speaking of major golf tournaments, the LPGA's Pelican Women's Championship returns to Belleair in November. One of the premiere multisport events in the U.S., the St. Anthony's Triathlon celebrates its 38th yearthis spring with great fan support, tremendous competition and a course winding in and out of beautiful downtown St. Pete.

In addition to hosting two college bowl games each year (the Gasparilla Bowl in December and the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day), Raymond James Stadium hosted what's arguably the largest, most-significant game in the world of sports in 2021: Super Bowl LV, the Tampa Bay area's fifth Super Bowl.

If you're in the mood to get out of the stands and into the action, St. Pete/Clearwater is a veritable athlete's paradise, offering everything from golfing and hiking trails to paddleboarding and volleyball. Stretching from St. Petersburg north to Tarpon Springs, the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail is an urban pathway perfect for a casual bike ride or a long jog. St. Pete Run Fest features three days of family-friendly festival fun that include running events, live music, craft beer and more. For a leisurely evening of classic Old Florida fun, head overto the St. Pete ShuffleboardClub (founded in 1924)andenjoy some "open shuffle" at its popular weekly Friday Night Shuffle event.

Golfers rejoice: Florida offers more golf courses than any other state in the U.S. and, with nearly 40 courses itself, St. Pete/Clearwater is certainly no exception. Play a round at the Donald Ross-designed Dunedin Golf Club, a true hidden gem on the National Register of Historic Places;or hit the links at the Mangrove Bay municipal course in St. Pete, which features well-maintained greens and straightforward design. Also in St. Pete, the par 72-course at the Vinoy Renaissance Golf Club has lots of water and gorgeous scenery for guests staying at its nearby resort.

If you want to switch things upa bit, try FootGolf, a combination of golf and soccer, at Largo Golf Course, Dunedin Stirling Links or Treasure Bay Golf and Tennis in Treasure Island. You can play disc golf on wooded courses like the Tocobaga Disc Golf Course in St. Pete's Maximo Park and Taylor Park Disc Course in Largo.

SHOPPING

Carefully created with wood, paint and poly rope, the double-sided Hanging Style JourneyMarker is personalized to include mileage to your favorite destinations. Handmade by the St. Pete-based crafters at JourneyMarkers. $139 (comes with five mile markers). journeymarkers.com

Catch some rays on the sugar-white sands of the Gulf beaches with this vibrant Tropical Stretch Boardshort with elastic waistband. Available at Atlas Body + Home in St. Pete's Edge District. $70. atlasbodyandhome.com

Winter and Hope, stars of the Dolphin Tale films, are part of this six-piece Marine Life Rescue Moveable Action Figure Playset, available at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. $29.99. All net proceeds directly support the aquarium's mission, cmastore.seewinter.com

Utilizing photos and wood, local artist Darren Crew creates pint-sized versions of the St. Pete/Clearwater area's most iconic signs and scenes. Available at Gulf Planks kiosk at the St. Pete Pier Marketplace. $25. gulfplanks.com

From Lori's Soap and Sponge Market in Tarpon Springs - the home of sponge divers - a luxuriously creamy, skin-loving goat milk soap with natural yellow sea sponge. Firm in texture and hypoallergenic, these sponges are ideal for those who prefer a bit more exfoliating ability. $6.25. lorisoaps.com

The largest independent coffee roaster in Florida and a local favorite, Kahwa Coffee Roasting Company offers this nifty Cold Brew Bundle for $29.99. Includes a pitcher, two boxes of cold brew pods and a reusable silicone straw. $29.99. kahwacoffee.com

Stay hydrated on the beach, boat or at home with an indestructible, BPA-free/ silicone-based Silipint Tumbler. Available in five unique colors at The St. Pete Store for $13. thestpetestore.com

ZaZoo'd on Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete offers these whimsical eight-inch indoor/outdoor pillows with a retro illustration of the Sunshine State. $69.99. getzazood.com

Music lovers must pay a visit to Bananas Records in St. Pete; not only to peruse the largest collection of vinyl in the world, but to pick up these hip Bananas Buttons as well. $3-$10. bananasrecords.com

Handcrafted and signed by artist Abra Gorby, this beautiful beige gem flower collar contains freshwater pearls, quartz, glass crystal and more. Available at Syd Entel Galleries in Safety Harborfor $165. sydentelgalleries.com

St. Pete Eats: A Cookbook is stocked with healthy recipes from over 30 eateries around the "Burg." Limited copies available for $20 at Pier Gear & Gifts, The St. Pete Store and Sunken Gardens, stpeteeats.org

American-made and eco-friendly, Solmate socks are bursting with bright colors, incredibly cozy and comfy, and playfully mismatched. Buy a pair at the Dunedin Fine Art Center. Prices start at $17. dfac.org

Every long or short sleeve shirt purchase you make from Able Threads supports the nonprofit organization, The Arc of Tampa Bay, and directly benefits people with intellectual and development disabilities. Prices range from $20-$46. able-threads.com

MARKETS

The St. Pete/Clearwater area has a number of charming outdoor markets brimming with goods sold by local artisans, crafters and chefs. It's a fun outing to fill yourtote bag with fresh produce, pick up some souvenirs or find unusual decor to dress up your home. They are all pet-friendly and have a great small-town vibe where people regularly chat up the sellers. Or just sit for awhile to have a snack and people-watch, take in live music, enjoy the weather and smile at the tiny dogs in strollers passing by.

The granddaddy of the area's open-air markets, this is the longest-running and most popular market, drawing roughly 10,000 visitors each Saturday. Since it launched in 2002, it has become a weekend favorite for residents and visitors alike, and also the largest farmers market in the Southeast. They come to the giant market for live music, arts and crafts vendors, farm-fresh fruits, flowers and veggies. Come hungry, because the ready-to-eat food stands sell everything from pastries and coffee to empanadas, Thai noodle bowls and barbecue.

This funky, artsy town has a weekly market to match its quirky personality. Set in a charming historic waterfront district, it is a great place to find locally produced honey, hot sauces, produce, meats, skin care products and candles. Local artists and crafters are even there creating works as you watch, while area musicians keep the tempo hopping. Look for the "Keep Gulfport Weird" bumper stickers on cars. They mean it, so just go with the eclectic and welcoming vibe, and take a stroll.

The area's largest monthly vintage market is located in the heart of the Warehouse Arts District in St. Pete. If you are looking for that uniquefind, the market has more than 15,000 square feet of space to hunt for unexpected treasures and curiosities. From Victorian dolls and dainty teacups, to midcentury furniture and funky collectibles from the past, they pride themselves on having the most experienced pickers on hand to salvage retro treasures.

This St. Pete urban farm offers an on-site farmers market where you can buy leafy greens and herbs that are grown in a hydroponic, high-technology-based environment that's so sophisticated you don't even have to wash the leaves. They sell their insanely delicious greens to local restaurants and grocery stores, but you can buy them in their market.

This weekend market at Oldsmar Flea Market draws dozens of vendors selling furniture, local produce, gourmet food, antiques, household items, clothing, electronics, jewelry, and much more. And that's just the crafter section. The rest of the sprawling Oldsmar Flea Market, which has been around for more than 40 years, covers 28 acres and is one of the biggest markets on Florida's west coast.

Every Sunday, the Gazebo at John Wilson Park brings a farmers market that's also stocked with local hand-crafted items, food vendors, produce, fresh orange juice and a changing variety of items each week. Go early for breakfast or stay through the afternoon and enjoy lunch on the gazebo lawn while listening to live music. Enjoy a walk through quaint downtown Safety Harbor after your visit to the market.

This open-air fresh market in scenic Pioneer Park supports more than 60 local vendors selling a mixture of produce, plants, eggs, meats, cheeses, fresh baked goods, take-home foods, fresh flowers and locally made handicrafts. There's live music, and the beautiful park and downtown invite strolling, perhaps to one of the many craft breweries nearby.

Head to the beach on a Friday morning, where, for more than a dozen years, this market has offered a variety of crafts, produce, art, collectibles, foods, jewelry, and live music at the Treasure Island Community Center Park.

This community-minded market offers free space to local nonprofits and a place for local artists and farmers to show off their wares, including hydroponic and organic produce, local raw (and delicious!) honey, Florida-grown plants and herbs, and gourmet and ethnic foods that are offered on a rotating basis - so you never know what you'll find. Family and pet friendly, and the beach is right across the street.

Held along the blocked-off streets of the main shopping district of St. Pete Beach, it feels more like a street festival than a market, with the smells of kettle corn, barbecued meats and the thump of live music. You can make a day of it by starting your morning with shopping, checking out the galleries and boutiques along Corey Avenue, and it's within walking distance of nearby restaurants for breakfast or lunch.

A bit farther south on the skinny southern end in Pass-A-Grille, a block-wide beach hamlet, the weekly Art Mart is set up on the patio next to the Paradise Grille concession stand on the beach. Curated by the Suntan Art Center, it aims for an eclectic experience of original work of all media from artists, crafters and designers. You'll find paintings of varying techniques, jewelry, photography and even bejeweled kitchenware.

St. Pete's Creative Clay, which helps people with disabilities achieve independence through art, conducts an outdoor art market on the first Friday of the month. It is presented by their Transition students, a group of all ages and abilities who are mentored, taught and empowered to become working artists who learn to create, market and sell their work. There are also food trucks and live music on site.

EVENTS

Being an outdoor paradise with ideal weather lends St. Pete/Clearwater to hosting world-class events year-round. From enjoying music along the waters of Tampa Bay to cheering on sports’ biggest names to fun on the famous sugar-white sand, you can plan trip after trip around special events. Check out the full up-to-date list of diverse celebrations at VisitSPC.com/Events.

VISITOR CENTERS

Just about anywhere in the St. Pete/Clearwater area, you can find helpful Visitor Information Centers. They can help you find the best restaurants, get discount tickets and most even have local merch to take home with you.

AMPLIFY Clearwater Downtown Visitor Information Center (600 Cleveland St., Suite 100, Clearwater)

AMPLIFY Clearwater Visitor Information Center (429 Poinsettia Ave., Clearwater)

AMPLIFY Clearwater Visitor Information Center at Pier 60 (1 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater)

Metro's LGBTQ Welcome Center in the Grand Central District (2227 Central Ave., St. Petersburg)

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport Baggage Claim (14700 Terminal Blvd., Clearwater)

St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce (100 2nd Ave. N, Suite 150, St. Petersburg)

Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce Kiosk at John's Pass Village (12902 Village Blvd., Madeira Beach)

Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce (1 Pinellas Ave., Suite #A, Tarpon Springs)

Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Visitor's Center (100 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs)

Gulf To Bay St. Pete Clearwater FL - Gulf to Bay St. Pete Clearwater FL

THINGS TO DO

PASSPORT TO FUN ACTIVITIES

FAMILY FUN THINGS

BREWERIES

BARS

SPORTS

SHOPPING

MARKETS

EVENTS

VISITOR CENTERS

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