In addition to typical water activities such as jet-skiing, swimming, and windsurfing, St. Pete Beach offers some unique attractions. Families can go dolphin-watching aboard the Dolphin Racer (dolphinracer.com) or on a Dolphin Landings (dolphinlandings.com) luxury yacht cruise. Families can even rent a kayak and spot dolphins and other local wildlife on your own.
The Pier (stpetepier.com) is a central attraction in St. Pete Beach, which offers waterfront dining, shopping, views of Tampa Bay, and a fishing pier. The Pier Aquarium offers aquatic life exhibits but it also educates visitors on subjects such as hurricanes, Tampa Bay marine animals, and the Florida Red Tide problem.
In case of inclement weather or to get a break from the heat and humidity, you can take advantage of the art museums around St. Pete Beach. The area is home to the renowned Salvador Dali museum (thedali.org), which contains 96 oil paintings by Salvador Dali as well as some drawings and other works in a 20,000-square-foot facility. The Museum of Fine Arts in St. Pete (fine-arts.org) states that it has the only comprehensive art collection extending from antiquity to present on the Florida west coast.
Families with young children can head to the Great Explorations Children's Museum (greatexplorations.org), located near St. Pete Beach, for some learning, playing, and creative activities. According to its website, it is one of the top museums in the state of Florida and one of the top children's museums in the U.S. The museum, located in a 24,000-square-foot facility, features a variety of exhibits, including a giant tree house, a supermarket, a firehouse, and a pizza kitchen. The museum also offers special programs, such as Great Art Explorations, a free art class for kids.
