Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Start at The Dalí Museum on the downtown waterfront; give the collection about two hours, and leave a little time for the striking glass-enclosed entrance and waterfront views. It’s generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., but check the museum’s calendar before you go and book timed admission ahead—adult tickets are roughly $30, with special exhibitions sometimes costing extra. From there, walk about 15 minutes or take a short rideshare to the pier.
Have lunch at Columbia Cafe on St. Pete Pier—the pier outpost of Tampa’s longtime Spanish-Cuban restaurant, with bay views and a menu of Cuban sandwiches, tapas, and paella. Budget about $20–$40 per person; hours can vary, so check before setting out. After lunch, wander the pier at an easy pace: it’s a long walk, but you can turn back wherever the heat or breeze suggests. Allow 1–1½ hours, and bring water and sun protection.
Head to the Chihuly Collection on Central Avenue by rideshare (around 5–10 minutes) or a 20-minute walk. The compact gallery is a good contrast to the Dalí, and an hour is plenty; admission is typically around $20–$25, with current hours and tickets best checked in advance. For the evening, walk or rideshare to Jannus Live downtown. Check its calendar and buy tickets ahead if there’s a show you want—concerts aren’t nightly, and doors and set times vary. If there’s no suitable event, keep the evening flexible around downtown rather than counting on a performance.
Allow 30–45 minutes for the ride from St. Petersburg, plus a little buffer for traffic, and aim to reach Clearwater Marine Aquarium near opening. Spend about two hours with its rescue and rehabilitation exhibits; check the aquarium’s current hours and admission prices before setting out, since both can vary. From Island Estates, take a rideshare or drive over the causeway to Clearwater Beach—usually a short hop, but allow extra time for beach traffic and parking.
Settle in on the sand at Clearwater Beach for two or three unhurried hours of swimming and relaxing. The beach itself is free; rentals such as chairs and umbrellas cost extra, and public parking fills quickly, especially on busy days. For lunch or an early dinner, head to Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, right by the water. Expect roughly $20–$40 per person before drinks and tip; waits can build at peak mealtimes, so a little flexibility helps.
Finish at Pier 60 for Gulf views and, if the day’s schedule allows, local vendors and performers around sunset. It’s a pleasant walk along the beachfront from Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill—roughly 15–20 minutes—or take a short rideshare if you’d rather save your legs. The pier area is free to browse, though vendor and entertainment availability varies by evening; leave time to find parking or arrange your ride back.
Allow about 20–30 minutes to reach Dunedin and get settled before heading to Hammock Park in South Dunedin. Follow the shaded nature trails and keep an eye out for birds and other wildlife; an hour to 1½ hours is plenty. The park is generally open from sunrise to sunset and is free to visit. Earlier is cooler and often better for spotting wildlife.
Head to Café Alfresco in downtown Dunedin for a relaxed lunch near the shops. Budget about $15–$30 per person and check the day’s hours before you go. After lunch, walk to the nearby Pinellas Trail for a stroll or bike ride. A paved multi-use path runs through downtown, so you can choose a section and turn back whenever you like; allow 1–2 hours.
Drive north to Honeymoon Island State Park for a nature-trail hike and time on the Gulf beach. Give yourself 2–3 hours, plus the drive and time to park. The park is generally open from 8 a.m. to sunset, with vehicle entry typically around $8; fees and conditions can change, so check before leaving. Parking can fill on busy days, so aim to arrive with enough daylight for both the trail and the beach. Bring water, sun protection, and shoes that can handle sand.
Allow 20–30 minutes to get to Tarpon Springs and park before starting at Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum. Set aside about an hour for the city’s sponge-diving and Greek-American history; its opening days and hours can vary, so check before you set out. Then wander Tarpon Avenue for independent shops and galleries. The downtown is easy to explore on foot, and an hour or so leaves time to browse without rushing.
Head to Hellas Restaurant & Bakery for Greek specialties—plan on roughly $15–$35 per person, and save room for a pastry from the bakery counter. It’s a popular stop, so allow a little extra time if there’s a wait.
Continue to Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks on Dodecanese Boulevard to stroll the waterfront and browse the Greek-owned shops, then spend 45–60 minutes at Sponge Exchange, a cluster of stores with souvenirs and local goods. Parking near the docks can fill up, especially around lunchtime; if you find a spot downtown earlier, consider leaving the car parked and walking between the areas.
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