St Petersburg, Fla – In July 2020, the St. Pete Pier in downtown St. Petersburg, FL had its long awaited opening. This sprawling 26 – acre design showed up at the perfect time amidst the coronavirus. The outdoor design offers something for everyone. For the little ones, a splash pad, discovery center, and beach plus rooftop bars, art pieces, restaurants, and incredible views for adults.
When you first walk up to the pier off the streets, your welcomed by a charming little market. This shaded area offers local products such as jewelry and clothing in small kiosks and is peppered with beautiful artwork. On your left you will also find the St. Petersburg Museum of History, which covers 99 years of St. Petersburg stories.
As you continue on the St. Pete Pier you will be greeted by a magnificent piece of art, ‘Bending Arc’ by Janet Echelman. This massive 424-foot structure transforms with the wind and glows multiple colors when it gets dark. Underneath the art piece is a massive park and even though there are no events at the moment due to the coronavirus, this area will serve as a great spot for small concerts, festivals, and morning markets.
Just beyond that is a mega playground. Need I say more?
You’re about halfway down the 1,000-foot pier and are welcomed by a splash pad for kiddos and a tilted lawn that has usually a couple of musicians set up. This is a great little spot to grab a lemonade at Spa Beach Bistro (more on that below) and enjoy the views. Also, in this area is access to the beach , Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille, and a great lounging spot right near the water.
This next long stretch can be brutal if it’s hot out, so be prepared with a drink and a hat. You will see the pier building in the distance and on your way, there will be the Discovery Center by Tampa Bay Watch. This is an ecosystem focused museum that offers touch tanks and an outdoor classroom.
The very end of the St. Pete Pier is a great fishing deck complete with a bait shop! The pier building itself is gorgeous and offers 360-degree views and three different restaurants. Our favorite activity is to get a drink and sit on the great lawn at sunset. The skyline of St. Pete is absolutely gorgeous and the people watching is fun too.
Top Three St. Pete Pier Tips
After a couple trips, here are our top tips!
- Go early (or late): During the hot months of summer, the sun can be brutal and there isn’t a ton of shady spots to take a break. Heading out to the pier early in the morning or later in the evening will make for a much more enjoyable trip.
- Bring your walking shoes! The pier is massive and you will get some serious steps in during your visit. Our first trip we walked almost 2500 steps in under an hour! But we didn’t plan well, so we were in flip flops and of course uncomfortable. You could also rollerblade, scooter, bike, or take the tram up and down the pier. And remember the pier is dog-friendly! Including water fountains just for them.
- Make reservations if you plan to eat while exploring the St. Pete Pier. There are tons of great spots to grab a bite, but it can get crowded quickly. Set yourself up for a relaxing evening by planning in advance and getting a great spot.
St. Pete Pier Eateries
Quick Bites:
- Spa Beach Bistro – a little outdoor café great for grab and go items and make-your-own pizza’s. Situated right near the splash pad, it’s perfect for hanging out under an umbrella and enjoying the day.
- Driftwood Café – located at the bottom of the big pier building and next to the great lawn, it’s a casual spot for a coffee in the morning or a drink while enjoying the sunset. It also offers ice cream, bagels, and take-out sandwiches.
- Pier Teaki – a rooftop bar with incredible views. This busy spot offers fun frozen drinks and high-end cocktails and has bar bites to pair with it. This is the perfect spot to end the evening, although you will likely be close to many others.
Restaurants:
- Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro – located right when you walk up, you’ll have a really nice view of the marina docks. This American-style restaurant will serve up some Florida classics like ceviche and fish taco’s, you can’t go wrong!
- Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille – a Caribbean style restaurant perfect for a casual lunch or dinner. Located right on the water, it offers great breeze’s on the deck and refreshing drinks.
- Teak – the cream of the restaurant- crop, this high-end restaurant is located on the middle deck of the pier building. They offer a range of small-plates as well as full entrée’s and of course, has incredible views of the water.
Overall, this is a great addition to St. Petersburg. It offers so many activities for every age and groups alike. COVID has dampened the grand opening they anticipated, but it has still been a huge success this summer. Plus, it makes for a perfect staycation activity for our local friends. As it continues to develop, it will only increase the tourism in St. Pete and continue to build up this great little city.
Cheer’s to Chasing Our Compass!
