13 Things to Do at the St. Pete Pier |

The St. Pete Pier has definitely changed for the better, going from absolutely empty to now having a wide variety of things to do.

Larger than a typical pier, there are some points on this 26-acre pier that you don’t even realize you are out over the water.

It is easy to spend a few hours on St. Pete Pier now that there are so many fun things to do there. With a museum, beach, playground, and restaurants, this pier is like no other.

Keep reading for ideas for things to do on St. Pete Pier.

Getting to the St. Pete Pier

Paid parking is available in the parking lot next to St. Pete Pier. Paid street parking is also available in downtown St. Pete and in the Sundial Parking Garage.

The pier is located at the end of 2nd Ave North and is within walking distance of downtown St. Petersburg.

Entry to the pier is always free.

St. Pete Museum of History

St. Petersburg Museum of History is located on St. Pete Pier — The St. Petersburg Museum of History is located on the St. Pete Pier

Located at the entrance to the St. Pete Pier is the St. Petersburg Museum of History.

Open daily, the St. Petersburg Museum of History features exhibits on the history of St. Petersburg Pier, as well as other historical moments, including a baseball exhibit and an aviation exhibit.

An odditorium of unique objects from around Florida is on display at the museum.

Perry’s Porch is a restaurant at the museum. Sit outside and enjoy the views as you eat lunch or dinner. You can also order coffee and drinks at Perry’s Porch.

Group tours are available from the museum, including walking tours, segway tours, trolley tours, and ghost tours.

Another option for a fun history + ghost tour nearby is the Poison, Punishment, and Possession Tour. I took this tour with my kids, sister, and parents, and it even inspired my daughter to go on another ghost tour. They talk about it months later.

Purchase your tickets to the St. Pete Museum of History

Marketplace

Stalls open on St. Pete Pier on weekends. A list of vendors can be found in advance, or visitors can wander through the small shops on their way to the rest of the pier.

Lots of local products are sold at the Marketplace on St. Pete Pier.

Spa Beach

Enjoy a day on the beach right on St. Pete Pier at Spa Beach. Beach volleyball can be played at Spa Beach, and kayaks and SUPs can be launched from the shore.

Chairs and picnic tables are set up on Spa Beach, and visitors can bring picnic blankets or towels to set up on the sand.

Glazer Family Playground

Kids can climb, swing, and explore at the Glazer Family Playground located on St. Pete Pier.

Smaller kids have a separate area to play, though none of the playground is fenced in.

Picnic tables and benches are located at the playground, and a bistro and snack cart is nearby.

Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center

Another museum located on the pier, Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center, is an educational center with hands-on exhibits geared towards the local ecosystem.

During our visit, the theme of The Ribbit Exhibit featured frog and toad species found in Florida.

While I didn’t go in, my kids explored the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center with my mom, and they did not want to leave.

Eco tours are available from the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center. Visitors can spot manatees, dolphins, and stingrays on an eco-tour of Tampa Bay or participate in an interactive science program aboard an eco-vessel.

Programs, such as squid and lionfish dissections, take place on the weekends for a fee.

Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center isn’t just for kids. In addition to the boat rides, they offer adult workshops.

Find more fun things to do in St. Pete with kids.

Pier Dolphin Cruises

Take a boat ride where you are guaranteed to see dolphins (or get your next trip free) with Pier Dolphin Cruises.

Daytime dolphin cruises are 90 minutes long and include a drink, and hour-long sunset cruises include all drinks.

Fishing Deck

At the end of the pier is a fishing deck, a dedicated area for fishing.

Those who wish to fish are welcome to bring their own supplies or rent them from Gator Jim’s Tackle, which is located at the end of the pier.

Gator Jim's Bait and Tackle Stand — Gator Jim’s Bait and Tackle Stand

Picnic Lawn

St. Pete Pier offers plenty of places to sit down for a picnic, including Picnic Lawn.

Sometimes events take place at the Picnic Lawn.

Restaurants on St. Pete Pier

Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro

Located at the entrance to the pier, Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro is open for lunch and dinner daily and brunch on the weekends.

Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro has a large menu including tacos, salads, bowls, sandwiches, pasta, and lots of seafood options.

Spa Beach Bistro

Near the playground, splash pad, and the beach, Spa Beach Bistro serves pizzas, salads, and snacks, and has outdoor seating.

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille

Midway on the pier is Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille. Open daily for lunch and dinner, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille serves soups, salads, sandwiches, and entrees, most of which are seafood-based. Doc Ford’s has a gluten-free menu.

Check their calendar for live music.

Teak

At the end of the pier is Teak with 360-degree outdoor seating.

Open daily for lunch and dinner and for brunch on the weekends, Teak specializes in seafood, serving salads, sandwiches, burgers, tacos, and pasta.

Driftwood Cafe

Also at the end of St. Pete Pier is Driftwood Cafe, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.

In addition to many coffee, tea, and smoothie options, Driftwood Cafe serves salads, sandwiches, and pizza.

St. Pete Tram

On weekends and holidays, a tram runs the length of the pier, stopping at 4 tram stops. The tram is always free to ride.

Artwork on St. Pete Pier

St. Pete Pier commissioned a wide variety of public artworks to be displayed on the pier. Current displays include:

Bending Arc by Janet Elchelman
First Flight by Marc Aeling
Myth (Red Pelican) by Nathan Mabry
Morning Stars by Xenobia Bailey
Olnetopia by Nick Ervinck

Events on St. Pete Pier

Festivals, dance classes, fitness classes, live music, and other events are held on St. Pete Pier. Check out their schedule to see what is on.

Admire the View

chairs on St. Pete Pier — Chairs overlooking the water on St. Pete Pier

St. Pete Pier has many places to sit and enjoy the view. The pier also has pretty walking paths.

St. Pete Pier FAQ

Is the St. Pete Pier tram free?

Yes, riders can board the tram on St. Pete Pier for free.

Can you swim at St. Pete Pier?

Yes, swimming is allowed at Spa Beach on St. Pete Pier.

Is there free parking at St. Pete Pier?

No, paid parking is available at St. Pete Pier.

Things to do Near the St. Pete Pier

St. Pete Pier is located in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, and is near lots of shops, restaurants, museums, and galleries.

Accommodations near St. Pete Pier

The Birchwood

Each room is decorated in a 1920s style at The Birchwood, a 3-star hotel located in downtown St. Pete.

Complimentary breakfast is served each day, and the restaurant, The Birch and Vine, is part of the hotel. A rooftop bar, The Canopy Rooftop Bar and Lounge, is located on The Birchwood.

Hampton Inn and Suites

A pet-friendly hotel with a swimming pool, Hampton Inn and Suites, is located near St. Pete Pier.

Complimentary breakfast is served each day at Hampton Inn and Suites.

Hollander Hotel

Located in downtown St. Pete, the Hollander Hotel is within walking distance of museums, shops, restaurants, and the pier.

Hollander Hotel has a swimming pool with a poolside bar as well as a restaurant, The Tap House, and a coffee shop, Common Grounds.

13 Things to Do at the St. Pete Pier