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Home to Disney World, bustling coastal hubs bordered by azure waters and warmer temperatures all year round. Florida is one of the most popular domestic destinations for Americans not setting foot abroad this year.
Although it’s no surprise that Orlando, Miami and Fort Lauderdale will be packed with visitors this summer a lesser-known, alternative seaside resort Also It looks set to see record seasonal tourism, with local authorities expecting a surge in visitors.
If confirmed by Brian LoJack, president and CEO of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, tourism-generated bed tax revenue hit an all-time high in 2023, and if last March’s monthly record is any indication, 2024 will raise the bar even higher.
With fantastic food and well-visited beaches, St. Petersburg has more informal atmosphere and reasonably priced hotels:
Why is St. Pete suddenly rising in popularity?
Located on the Gulf side, in the broader Tampa Bay Area, but not nearly as busy as the city of Tampa itself, St. Petersburg is a vibrant mid-sized community home to approximately 258,000 people.
Like the rest of Florida, it enjoys a… sunnier climate regardless of the season: summers are hot and humid, reaching highs of 90°F, while winters and low seasons are generally mild at best, with an average temperature of 69.8°F.
It’s no surprise that it’s nicknamed ‘Solar city‘: On average, local residents enjoy 361 days of sunshine per year, St. Pete’s reports official website.
With its wide range of water activities and beachside stays, it’s the perfect answer to a busy South Florida.
What is the Sunshine City most famous for?
Except for, well, the great weather.
Saint Petersburg is governed by Pinellas County.
It is an area of outstanding beauty, with a thin, white sandy coast interspersed with resort areas, from Clearwater to Treasure Island and the city of St. Pete itself, and from affordable accommodations to more palatial hotels.
One of the liveliest beach areas in the area, located on a barrier island, St. Pete Beach is best known for its long, wide sandy beach bordered by a clear blue ocean.
A string of luxury hotels tower over the sun-drenched coastline.
The best known of these, the pink washed Don CeSar Hotel may not be the cheapest in town, but it is certainly a sight to behold:
Built with Moorish in mind, an architectural style native to North Africa, and equipped with an outdoor pool, waterfront bar and even a private stretch of beach, it is the height of luxury with room rates from $558. this summer.
Molloy Gulf Motel & Cottages is located on Treasure Island a popular alternative to the more expensive St. Pete Beach resort strip: it starts from an acceptable $143, and you will stay close to St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport (18 km) and from the beach itself.
In the heart of St. Petersburg, Birchwood has been operating since the 1920s.
It stands out for its timeless decor and privileged location, just 500 meters from Spa Beach: for each night’s stay here you have to pay $218. per night.
These are the choices we make only three options off minimum 435 properties with different prices available Booking.com by Pinellas County.
Art museums and sunset cruises
In addition to its paradisiacal beaches, the St Pete area is an underrated cultural destination: the city itself is home Dali Museumwith an extensive collection of surrealist works, while the nearby Museum of Fine Arts concentrates many ancient and contemporary art.
If you are only there for a short time and want to spend more time on the beach and relaxing activities, book the electric cart sightseeing tour at GetYourGuide for $49 is a great way to explore the city’s highlights in a day.
The ride lasts two hours and stops for photos at iconic places such as Downtown St. Pete and the marina, restroom breaks and live commentary from a local guide who can tell you the story unique facts about the founding of Saint Petersburg that you won’t find in travel brochures.
Other highly sought after tours include a sunset cruise overlooking the famous Sunshine Skyway Bridge and a four-hour catamaran cruise to peaceful Egmont Key Island, where you can admire a historic lighthouse and sea views of Fort Dade, $66.67 each.
The new foodie capital of America
Last but certainly not least, St. Petersburg is something of a foodie hotspot, ranking as the best food city in the entire US. InsureMyTrip‘s latest research.
Considering the variety of cafes and bakeries in the city, the presence of farmers markets and even the prices of cooking classes, the unusual St. Petersburg came out on topthat scores highest in several categories:
For starters, it has an average rating of 4.41/5, and we’ll take a guess and suggest it might be related to St. Pete’s privileged location near the Gulf and the plentiful, fresh seafood served at local eateries .
One of the best rated restaurants in town Parkshore grillof an almost perfect rating of 4.5 on TripAdvisorbased on a solid 1,666 reviews to date, and it’s your place to sample local crab cakes and oysters at reasonable prices.
Then of course there is a wide choice of Italian/Mediterranean, Mexican and American dinners: the calamari BellaBrava are particularly tasty, and if you just fancy the usual hamburger and fries, Cody’s Original Roadhouse has the best Bar Burger in town.
Besides great meals, travelers can expect great coffeeand mostly at affordable prices, with the average cost of cappuccino in Saint Petersburg cafes being $4.39, and it also scores points for future development:
Central Park St. Peter is being converted into a five-story court with many more relaxed restaurants, scheduled to open in the fall of 2024: in short, for our fellow food connoisseurs there is never a more exciting time to visit this Florida gem.
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The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
