St. Petersburg & Clearwater Beach Florida

Florida, the Sunshine State of the USA. It truly deserves this name. Over 300 sunny days a year make this region a vacation spot with guaranteed sunshine.

Florida has been one of the most popular vacation destinations for Germans for years. Sunshine, great beaches, a mix of nature and city, and famous places like Miami or Disneyland attract many German travelers.

After Katrin had already taken a long road trip through Florida, there was still a small piece missing on the map along the west coast of the state: the cities of St. Petersburg and Clearwater. So, in September, I set out to visit these two destinations in Tampa Bay. You can find my personal sights, highlights, and tips in this article.

Enjoy reading and planning your trip.

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We are big fans of TouriSIM. We have used their SIM cards on trips to the USA and Canada several times.

Simply choose the suitable plan on their website, specify the travel period, and order. The SIM card will be mailed to you and activated automatically on the start date of your trip.

This way, you not only save money on expensive roaming fees but also save time and stress at the airport.

The TouriSIM also offers plans for Canada and Mexico. If you are planning a road trip to multiple countries in North America, the TouriSIM is the most convenient solution for staying connected with mobile internet on your smartphone.

If you are planning a trip to Florida, you will also quickly find the offer of the Tampa Bay CityPASS. For $132 (as of Jan 2024), you get admission to the following 5 attractions:

Receive admission to two additional attractions of your choice.

Whether purchasing this pass is worth it depends on which attractions you plan to visit.

If you plan to visit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and another attraction from the list, the Tampa Bay CityPASS pays off with just two attractions. Especially the Fast Lane option makes the pass very attractive for Busch Gardens. If you utilize all attractions, you'll save over $100 in admission fees.

You can purchase the Tampa Bay CityPASS directly online for your smartphone or at the ticket counter of one of the attractions. The pass is valid for nine days from the first use.

1825 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704

The Sunken Gardens are located in the heart of St. Petersburg. The botanical gardens were established in 1911 and initially served for growing papayas and other citrus fruits. In 1920, a nursery was opened, and the first visitors could access the Sunken Gardens. From the 1950s to the 70s, Sunken Gardens were among the most popular tourist attractions in Florida.

Take a break and discover the secrets of the gardens on your own. Various birds living in the garden are interesting for children, as well as the variety of plants that are increasingly rare in Florida.

Note: The last opportunity to enter the gardens is at 4 PM. For the most peaceful experience, we recommend visiting the Sunken Gardens in the morning hours.

Admission: $10

1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

The Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg is the largest Dalí collection outside Europe. The first painting was purchased in the 1940s for $1,750 by the founders. The founders had a longstanding friendship with Dali and his wife Gaia since a personal meeting in New York. Since then, the collection has steadily grown and now includes over 2,000 exhibits.

In addition to paintings by Dali from all his periods, the museum also features works by other artists who inspired the founders.

The most exciting experience at the Dali Museum is the AR Experience. Using an AR headset, you can enter and walk through a painting. Be sure to download the museum app on your smartphone. There is a dedicated room where the app showcases the individual components of a Dalí artwork. My personal highlight in the museum.

Admission: $25 (you can also purchase tickets online in advance)

Tip to Save: If you visit the museum on Thursdays after 5 PM, you can save half the admission price. These tickets cannot be purchased online in advance.

Those who have been following this blog for a while know we are huge fans of street art. In St. Pete, you'll find impressive murals at almost every corner. The reason for this is the annual SHINE St. Pete Street Art Festival. Every year, international and national artists gather and create new artworks throughout the city that you can admire even outside the festival.

You can find an overview including locations and artists of all murals online. If you are interested in a guided tour of the murals, you can book this every Saturday here. The meeting point is a small gallery, the Florida CraftArt Gallery, where you can also view and purchase many more artworks from local artists.

559 Mirror Lake Dr N, St. Petersburg

Looking for something a bit sporty? If you can spend a Friday evening in St. Petersburg, you definitely need to visit the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club.

Shuffleboard is a game where flat discs are played into a triangular field of the opponent using a sliding device. It is somewhat reminiscent of curling. I've tried it myself, and after just a few attempts, I got the hang of it.

Every Friday night, the Shuffleboard Club opens its doors and everyone can join in. From 7 PM, you can play here for 3 hours for a donation. You are welcome to bring your own food and drinks. It's the perfect opportunity to test the game, meet locals, and mingle with the crowd.

Seeing dolphins in the wild is surely one of the most beautiful things I can imagine. These cheerful animals always bring a smile to both young and old. Many of these marine dwellers live in the Gulf of Mexico, and with a tour, you can get up close. At Clearwater Pier, there are various providers offering tours to observe dolphins.

We chose to go with Little Toot. What struck me positively here is that the animals were not fed to come close to the boat. We were very lucky on our tour, and it took only a few minutes before we were surrounded by dolphins. Our captain produced an impressive bow wave with the boat, inviting the dolphins to play.

My absolute highlight of the Florida trip. Since it can become a bit rough on the sea, it's advisable to have a camera strap handy if you want to take pictures.

Cost: $22 per person

249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL 33767

I particularly want to highlight this project. Normally, we avoid aquariums because the living conditions for the animals are usually far from suitable. However, at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, this is different.

The non-profit organization is dedicated to ocean rescue. Rescue, rehabilitation, and release are the mottos of the aquarium. Marine animals of all kinds receive medical attention and support here until they can be released back into the wild. Special cases that would not survive in the open sea find a home here and are lovingly cared for.

If you've seen the films 'Dolphin Tale' and 'Dolphin Tale 2', you've already seen the two most famous residents of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium on screen. Winter and Hope are two dolphins that live in the aquarium and give many visitors hope. The walls filled with personal letters from children to the two dolphins clearly show how much value the aquarium's work holds.

You have the option to visit the facility alone or join a guided tour.

Admission: $25 (if you have the Tampa Bay CityPASS, admission is free for you)

937 Douglas Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698

There are over 40 breweries in the St. Pete/Clearwater area. In downtown Dunedin alone, there are 7 within a 5-minute walking radius.

The Dunedin Brewery is the oldest brewery in the area. Countless types of beer are brewed here in small quantities every month, but only 20 barrels per batch. The interior is a fun mix of Scottish rusticity and modern Florida style. An evening visit is definitely worthwhile. Besides good craft beer, there are also good burgers and a snack menu. On weekends, the entire experience is complemented by live music.

7 Rockaway St, Clearwater, FL 33767

The St. Pete/Clearwater region is known for its grouper. Fresh 'grouper' is served everywhere. At Frenchy's Rockaway Grill, right on Clearwater Beach, you can find a fresh grouper sandwich that is second to none. Be sure to try the homemade fries as well.

51 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698

The Olde Bay Café may appear a bit simple at first glance, but it is exactly this simplicity that gives it its unique charm. One special aspect of the café is that all dishes here are not fried. Fresh fish varieties like grouper and salmon or seafood are served on the menu every day. It is highly recommended to ask for the "catch of the day". If you want to try several kinds, you should opt for the fish tacos. 2-3 pieces are filling but manageable in portion size.

170 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Things get a bit fancier here. At Cassis, right by the marina in St. Petersburg, you can treat yourself at any time of the day. Especially after all the American

sins,

you'll find something lighter and healthier here. The salads are very tasty, but the breakfast menu also looks promising.

For an exciting drink, I recommend The Gin!Gin!. A gin cocktail served with a popsicle not only looks great but also tastes extraordinarily good.

1120 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33705

My personal highlight in St. Petersburg. Bodega on Central serves Latin American street food. And the long line is completely justified. The house recommendation is definitely the sandwiches and homemade lemonades. As is often the case in the USA, the portions are quite generous, and sharing makes sense, especially if you're not too hungry.

1041 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33705

While strolling down Central Avenue, I came across this little store. Finally, I could fulfill something that had been on my list for years: a real Ice Cream Sandwich.

An ice cream sandwich requires two cookies and a scoop of ice cream. So far, that doesn't sound too spectacular.

At Sweet Stack Shack, however, you can choose from a variety of cookie types, brownies, and ice cream flavors. Here, there are no limits to creativity.

501 5th Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Right at the harbor of St. Pete, you will find a historic hotel with vintage charm. The Vinoy Renaissance Resort & Golf Club is one of the Marriott Hotels and is a real gem. It was built back in 1925 and is even listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Especially in the evening hours, the old building shines a soft pink at the marina of St. Petersburg.

If you book a room here, be sure to ask for the tower rooms. They are particularly beautiful with a great view over the bay.

430 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767

On the Clearwater beach, many large hotels line up next to each other. Unfortunately, you can't find idyllic solitude here. However, if you still want to stop by Clearwater, you should definitely check out the Opal Sands Resort.

By the way, the hotel's restaurant "Sea-Guini" is worth a visit for dinner even if you're not a hotel guest.

The Lonely Planet for Florida is not just designed for typical backpackers like other Lonely Planet guides. If you are traveling by rental car like I do, you'll find many useful tips and info about places, activities, and accommodations here. However, I no longer rely on the Lonely Planet for accommodations. Still, my favorite guide for Florida, mainly for road trips.

You also find many city maps and historical background information in this travel guide. My recommendation!

A great travel guide with the extension for the fantastic New Orleans. Very comprehensive, noteworthy: the tips for sightseeing and restaurants are (still) not found in other travel guides. The entrance prices listed in the guide are incorrect since inflation has led to significant increases.

Check out the Travel Know-How Guide for Florida here

So far, I haven't been a big fan of Florida. I thought it was just for retirees. But far from it. Florida is really diverse, and the sunshine guarantee makes the state a top vacation destination. Especially families with children have many options here.

I have definitely taken a liking to the Sunshine State and am sure that I will return here. Thank you, Florida, you were truly enchanting.

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