3-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for St. Petersburg, FL

  • Day 1: St. Petersburg Pier & Mahaffey Theater
    5 minutes (1 mile) from Hampton Inn & Suites St. Petersburg Downtown

    The St. Petersburg Pier is a waterfront landmark featuring shopping, dining, and plenty of outdoor recreation. Take a stroll along the pier, rent a boat, or even try your luck at fishing. Just a short walk from the pier is the Mahaffey Theater, home to world-class performances and concerts.

  • Day 2: The Dali Museum & Sunken Gardens
    15 minutes (4 miles) from St. Petersburg Pier

    The Dali Museum boasts the largest collection of Salvador Dali's art outside of Spain. Enjoy interactive exhibits, outdoor gardens, and a gift shop with unique souvenirs. Afterward, head to the Sunken Gardens, a botanical paradise featuring tropical plants and cascading waterfalls.

  • Day 3: Fort De Soto Park & Beach
    30 minutes (18 miles) from The Dali Museum

    Spend a leisurely day at Fort De Soto Park & Beach, a family-friendly destination with nearly three miles of white sandy beaches. The park offers plenty of activities, including kayaking, fishing, and nature trails. Don't forget to check out the historic fort while you're there!

Time and Costs Estimates

  • St. Petersburg Pier (2-3 hours, free)
  • Mahaffey Theater (2-3 hours, prices vary by show)
  • The Dali Museum (2-3 hours, $25/adult, $18/senior, $14/student)
  • Sunken Gardens (1-2 hours, $13/adult, $11/senior, $4/child)
  • Fort De Soto Park & Beach (full day, $5 entrance fee per vehicle)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $85 - $100

Transportation

While many of the destinations on this itinerary are within walking distance, renting a car may be more convenient for visiting Fort De Soto Park & Beach. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are also readily available in St. Petersburg. Estimated travel costs for this itinerary range from $0 - $100, depending on mode of transportation.

Useful Tips

If you have additional time, consider visiting the Chihuly Collection, a gallery showcasing the stunning glassworks of artist Dale Chihuly. For a change of scenery, head to nearby Clearwater Beach for more miles of beach bliss. Those with less time may want to condense the itinerary to two days and skip Mahaffey Theater or Sunken Gardens.

Airports

The primary airport serving St. Petersburg is St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), located just 10 miles from downtown. Another option is Tampa International Airport (TPA), about a 30-minute drive from St. Petersburg. Both airports offer a variety of airlines and ground transportation options for travelers.

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