Heavenly St. Pete
Just over 140 miles southwest of our area is a Florida destination that is experiencing a revival on a global scale: St. Petersburg. Co-Founded in 1876 by John C. Williams and Peter Demens of Detroit, the state’s fourth largest city was part of the great railroad development era that created the Florida boom. Named after the famous Russian city, folklore has it that the final name was decided by a coin toss between its founders that resulted in Demens naming the city after his place of birth. It has seen many firsts, including the birth of scheduled aviation. It’s also the home of Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays.
Transforming itself from a city struggling with its historical identity into a dynamically diverse urban center, the past decade has been a golden one for what has become the Floridian Riviera. From fine art to grand-prix racing and fashionably renovated hotels to a sun- drenched beach, St. Pete is everything every Florida destination wishes it could be.
Getting There
St. Pete is located in Pinellas County, at the base of the greater Tampa and Clearwater region. Three hours directly across the entire stretch of the I-4 corridor, it is an easy and uneventful drive on major highways. Get through the hustle and bustle of Orlando and Tampa and you know you’ve arrived when one of Florida’s most impressive gateways, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, leads you across Tampa Bay.
Once there, getting around St. Pete is fairly simple. One thing to look out for is pedestrians; a major initiative called City Trails has been implemented to enhance the walk-ability of the city. As one of the nation’s largest bicycle and fitness trails, it is a dynamic project that elevates the destination experience.
Where to Stay
With its collection of fine accommodations, this destination has no shortage of places to stay that have recently been renovated and refreshed as a result of the great rebirth St. Pete has experienced. With something in every price range and level of luxury, we have a few favorites.
For an über hip and casual place to stay, our favorite pick is the Postcard Inn on the beach. From $99 per night, we absolutely love this mod 1957 Travelodge converted to a high-design hideaway in 2009, with spacious rooms featuring long boards and pinup collages of surfing photos. Each room is a uniquely accented throwback to a time when road trips ruled and surfers were kings. Modernized with Wi-Fi and flat screen TVs, every room, from our Poolside Cabanas and Beach Bungalows to our Custom King, is just footsteps from the warm sand and refreshing Gulf Coast water – and pets less than 25 lbs. are welcomed.
The showplace for the waterfront is the classic Vinoy Renaissance. Touted as one of the few actual luxury hotels on Florida’s west coast, the hotel features rich history and tons of fabulous amenities. With its 360 guestrooms with garden or water views, the suites feature premium bedding, sleek LCD TV’s and all of the other amenities that are to be expected in a hotel where the average night will set you back $259. Cozy up in a wicker rocker on the breezy veranda at the lavish property where visitors come to dock their yachts on the 74-slip marina and take advantage of the exclusive golf course, heated pools, and tennis courts.
The iconic landmark hotel of the city is 4- Diamond Don CeSar Beach Resort. Officially recognized as a treasure on the National Register of Historic Places, there is no better place to watch a Gulf sunset than from your room at this towering pink palace. With its Moorish chimneys, dramatic arched windows and historic appeal, it sets the tone for an amazing vacation. From $199, this Old Florida palace on St. Pete Beach boasts 277 luxurious rooms including 40 suites. Having hosted the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald and FDR, the golden era hotel recently underwent a major renovation last year and still serves as a playground for the rich and famous.
While staying at this famous “Pink Lady” you should reserve a meal for the resort’s signature restaurant, The Maritana Grille. Featuring new American cuisine, you are surrounded by 1,500 gallons of saltwater aquariums and indigenous Florida fish while dining. Call ahead and ask about sitting in a little corner of the restaurant where a triangular table, known as the Chef’s Table, is available to watch food being prepared by the executive chef from a unique menu.
Downtown St. Pete
Downtown St. Petersburg is an example that other Florida destinations look to. Once the area’s largest employment district, it is now one of the city’s hottest residential and commercial neighborhoods. Dominated by the Bank of America Tower, downtown is a metropolitan Floridian city with its high-rises, condos and median age of 31. It is the home of the University of South Florida, St. Pete. It boasts the third largest dedicated public waterfront park system in the country and features something for everyone.
A popular downtown attraction is the inverted pyramid designed St. Pete Pier. With its quaint public aquarium, retail shopping, adventure activities and dining options it is definitely a place to check out.
What to Do
There is so much to do in St. Pete that one trip will probably just what your appetite for a second visit. This is one destination where you can be as active as you want or simply relax on the beach.
On distinct opportunity in this destination is the vast and emerging arts scene. The city has a children’s museum, a Museum of Fine Arts, a History Museum, a Holocaust Museum, and the new Salvador Dalí Museum. Much of the well-deserved hoopla about St. Pete has been generated by this gorgeous new contemporary museum, which has generated worldwide attention in the high-brow arts and cultural circles of the world. The new $36 million, 66,450-square-foot facility houses more of the artist’s works than any other museum outside Spain, including a permanent collection of 96 oil paintings (including the 8 masterworks), 125 drawings and watercolors, 2,500 prints and photographs, 250 objects d’art, and a 5,000 book library. The Dali is such an impressive achievement for this community that the entire trip is worth it if all you do is visit this world-class museum.
For the performing arts, The Mahaffey Theater complex, serves the community with critically acclaimed year round programming through its multiple venues. The city is also home to the Florida Orchestra and the American Stage professional theater group.
Where to Eat
Dining in St. Pete is an absolute pleasure; there is something for every pallet and price range. With plentiful Gulf of Mexico seafood and pan-Latin culinary influences, St. Petersburg restaurants have a unique Floribbean appeal.
Colombia Restaurant on the Pier, a popular St. Petersburg attraction, boasts Spanish and Cuban influenced seafood dishes in an upscale setting with incredible views, while Chacha’s Coconuts, on the top of the Pier, boasts nearby Caribbean influences. Kitschy St. Petersburg beachside gems like Crabby Bills, feature fresh local seafood (including signature conch fritters and iconic grouper sandwiches) and daily beer specials. In addition to Latin, Caribbean and seafood restaurants, St. Petersburg’s many excellent Italian restaurants pay aromatic homage to the city’s 19th century Italian immigrants.
Where to Shop
Shopping in St. Pete is eclectic. The Pier, at the end of 2nd Avenue Northeast, houses more than a dozen boutiques and crafts shops. Nearby Beach Drive, running along the waterfront, is one of the most fashionable downtown strolling and shopping venues and where I love to hang out. Here you’ll find the Glass Canvas Gallery, featuring a dazzling array of glass sculpture, tableware, art, and crafts items by local, national, and international artists. A truly interesting find is the Red Cloud. An oasis for Native American crafts, including jewelry, headdresses, and art – it is one of the region’s most unique shops.
Downtown’s hub is BayWalk, an open-air shopping, dining, and entertainment complex. Here you will find the typical national retailers such as Ann Taylor, Chico’s, Sunglass Hut, some smaller boutiques, and a 20-screen Muvico theater.
For book lovers, Haslam’s Book Store downtown, is a favorite place to browse. Dating from 1933, its collection holds more than 350,000 volumes, making it Florida’s largest bookstore.
For antiques, Central Avenue is a great shopping area. Featuring the Gas Plant Antique Arcade, the largest antiques mall on Florida’s west coast has more than 100 dealers displaying their wares in the space.
St. Pete has been making headlines lately and as we see it, they are all more than well deserved. Of all of the Floridian destinations I love, I really love this heavenly oasis of arts, attractions and accessible luxury that serves as a 21st century model for what Florida is all about.
