Things to do in St. Petersburg

With Downtown St. Petersburg clearly visible, Vinoy Park is ideally situated to relax in the ocean breezes and enjoy its entertainment scene. Listen to live music by the sea from acts featuring local and international talent. April’s Tampa Bay Blues Festival is a highlight. The 12-acre (5-hectare) park is big enough to lay down a blanket and not feel crowded.

Salvador Dalí’s work is world famous because of its brilliant depictions of objects that seem to melt into human bodies or natural landscapes. The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg houses the biggest collection of his art outside of Europe.

When you visit St. Petersburg’s Mahaffey Theater, you might feel like you’re walking into a great theater in a European capital. Officially called the Duke Energy Center for the Arts – The Mahaffey Theater, it has a grand ambiance with a 2,031-seat venue that is entirely suitable for big-name events. That has certainly been true over its operating history of more than 60 years, with performances by music artists such as Elvis Presley, Louis Armstrong, Diana Ross, Tony Bennett, Van Halen and many others. Look up the theater’s schedule while you’re in town to discover who’s performing..

Green space in sunny St. Petersburg is abundant, but the intimate Sunken Gardens are something truly special, and a demonstration of craftsmanship. This is not your usual city park: Over 500,000 tropical plants and flowers fill this exotic attraction that is almost hidden behind vine-covered walls.

Cultural St. Pete revels in art, and the Museum of Fine Arts is the richest, most eclectic display the city has to offer. Since 1965, the museum has showcased work from around the world. Art buffs can easily spend the best part of a day exploring its galleries.