Fort De Soto Park
#1 in St. Petersburg, FL
Spanning five small islands, the 1,136-acre Fort De Soto Park lies at the mouth of Tampa Bay and attracts more than 2.7 million visitors a year. The park features 7 miles of waterfront, two fishing piers, a 4-mile hiking and skating trail, picnic and camping grounds and a historic fort. Climb the stairs of the fort for a breathtaking view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, one of the world’s longest cable-stayed concrete bridges. Then, stop by the Quartermaster Museum to learn more about the fort through historic photographs and Spanish-American War artifacts.
St. Pete Beach
#2 in St. Petersburg, FL
St. Pete Beach is a barrier island community just west of St. Petersburg and home to a large swath of award-winning beaches. Pass-a-Grille Beach is a long undeveloped stretch of public beach, perfect for a variety of water sports, including parasailing, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing and kiteboarding. Recent visitors raved about St. Pete Beach, noting the soft, white sand, terrific maintenance and warm Gulf of Mexico waters.
Dalí Museum
#3 in St. Petersburg, FL
Saturday Morning Market
#4 in St. Petersburg, FL
The Mahaffey Theater
#5 in St. Petersburg, FL
Located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, The Mahaffey Theater is a cultural jewel that seats up to 2,031 visitors. Top-quality national and international artists, such as the renowned Florida Orchestra, grace the theater’s stage. The chock-full calendar includes everything from the Clifford the Big Red Dog musical to the Shut Up and Laugh comedy event. Recent concertgoers raved about the seats at the theater, finding them all, including the least expensive ones, to be fantastic in terms of views and acoustics.
Tropicana Field
#6 in St. Petersburg, FL
Weedon Island Preserve
#7 in St. Petersburg, FL
Sunken Gardens
#8 in St. Petersburg, FL
Chihuly Collection
#9 in St. Petersburg, FL
Located on the waterfront, the permanent collection of world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly is displayed in a 10,000-square-foot building on Beach Drive. The entrance is dominated by the iconic 20-foot sculpture of cerise-colored rocks and the inside is brimming with intricate glass works. Pieces showcased in the building that are particular highlights include “Persians,” “Tumbleweeds” and “Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier.”
Museum of Fine Arts
#10 in St. Petersburg, FL
Discover 4,500 years of civilization in the Museum of Fine Arts, located in the heart of downtown. Highlights include masterpieces from Monet and Renoir, a sculpture garden and a Steuben glass gallery. The traveling exhibits and events, such as the Smartly Dressed Fashion Show and Stuffed Animal Night, make multiple visits to the museum worthwhile.