Nick's Guidebook
Landmarks
I recommend some of these spots for great outdoor experiences, local scenes, and must-dos.
Great views of downtown and always busy. A spot for all. You can walk, bike, or even take the tram all the way to the end. Along the way there is the museum of (local) history, children’s playground, snack shack, beach, discovery center, marina, and restaurants.
465 moradores locais recomendam
Píer de St. Pete
800 2nd Ave NEGreat views of downtown and always busy. A spot for all. You can walk, bike, or even take the tram all the way to the end. Along the way there is the museum of (local) history, children’s playground, snack shack, beach, discovery center, marina, and restaurants.
Makes for a perfect day out with seasonal exhibits, amazing architecture, a small cafe, and downtown waterfront. Plenty to reflect on here.
1381 moradores locais recomendam
Museu Salvador Dalí
1 Dali BlvdMakes for a perfect day out with seasonal exhibits, amazing architecture, a small cafe, and downtown waterfront. Plenty to reflect on here.
Timeless. Built in 1928 and is still a must-do for a day at the beach. Visit the nearby beaches like Upham or Pass-a-Grille where the locals go for sun.
112 moradores locais recomendam
The Don CeSar
3400 Gulf BlvdTimeless. Built in 1928 and is still a must-do for a day at the beach. Visit the nearby beaches like Upham or Pass-a-Grille where the locals go for sun.
Outdoor stage in the heart of downtown St. Pete. Check the venue schedule for shows, concerts, and events.
114 moradores locais recomendam
Jannus ao vivo
200 1st Ave NOutdoor stage in the heart of downtown St. Pete. Check the venue schedule for shows, concerts, and events.
Dining & Restaurants
This list will reflect a wide spectrum of interests and I can recommend more specific spots based on your ‘tastes’.
Worth the travel. Italian.
If St. Pete has a shot at a Michelin star, it’s this place. Chef David knows what he’s doing and has ‘ghosted’ or helped other local restaurants create their menus. He even beat Bobby Flay (from the Food Network) with his signature dish, short rib mezzaluna with a charred shishito pepper sauce. I get the six course with a wine pairing and enjoy the adventure. You can sit at the kitchen bar to watch all the action too. Good for special occasions or just a memorable meal. I would go here five days a week if I could.
37 moradores locais recomendam
Il Ritorno
449 Central Ave NWorth the travel. Italian.
If St. Pete has a shot at a Michelin star, it’s this place. Chef David knows what he’s doing and has ‘ghosted’ or helped other local restaurants create their menus. He even beat Bobby Flay (from the Food Network) with his signature dish, short rib mezzaluna with a charred shishito pepper sauce. I get the six course with a wine pairing and enjoy the adventure. You can sit at the kitchen bar to watch all the action too. Good for special occasions or just a memorable meal. I would go here five days a week if I could.
Local favorite. Seafood.
Tucked away and hidden, this place embodies St. Pete. Good food, plenty of drinks, live music, on the water, and you can wear sandals any time of day. Expect to see boats pull up & dock for a while at this open-air seafood shack. Very affordable and certainly non-touristy.
23 moradores locais recomendam
The Big Catch at Salt Creek
1500 2nd St SLocal favorite. Seafood.
Tucked away and hidden, this place embodies St. Pete. Good food, plenty of drinks, live music, on the water, and you can wear sandals any time of day. Expect to see boats pull up & dock for a while at this open-air seafood shack. Very affordable and certainly non-touristy.
Regular Neighborhood. Breakfast.
This diner is busy every day and expect a wait on the weekends for good reason. It’s a 15 minute walk from the AirBnB and you can smell the kitchen blocks away. Although the menu is typical of a diner, the food is on another level. Comes fast, fresh, and hot. (Local tip, put your name on the wait list and walk across the street to Blush Tea & Coffee to start your day right.)
94 moradores locais recomendam
Trip's Diner
2339 Dr M.L.K. Jr St NRegular Neighborhood. Breakfast.
This diner is busy every day and expect a wait on the weekends for good reason. It’s a 15 minute walk from the AirBnB and you can smell the kitchen blocks away. Although the menu is typical of a diner, the food is on another level. Comes fast, fresh, and hot. (Local tip, put your name on the wait list and walk across the street to Blush Tea & Coffee to start your day right.)
Local Favorite. Seafood. A St. Pete institution. Been around more than 55 years. The smoked fish is on another level but don’t let the hamburger pass consideration either. The smoked fish spread is the go-to here though with a cheap beer. CASH ONLY.
47 moradores locais recomendam
Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish
1350 Pasadena Ave SLocal Favorite. Seafood. A St. Pete institution. Been around more than 55 years. The smoked fish is on another level but don’t let the hamburger pass consideration either. The smoked fish spread is the go-to here though with a cheap beer. CASH ONLY.
Wish I’d Opened or Thought of Myself. New American cuisine. Relatively new to St. Pete, this upstairs restaurant is tucked away along central avenue’s main block downtown. The menu is seasonal and very inventive. We go here for the wine selection & pairings mainly since the proprietor is a level two sommelier. Ranked #7 in the Tampa Bay Times, this place is good for foodies.
10 moradores locais recomendam
Sauvignon Wine Locker & American Trattoria
241 Central AvenueWish I’d Opened or Thought of Myself. New American cuisine. Relatively new to St. Pete, this upstairs restaurant is tucked away along central avenue’s main block downtown. The menu is seasonal and very inventive. We go here for the wine selection & pairings mainly since the proprietor is a level two sommelier. Ranked #7 in the Tampa Bay Times, this place is good for foodies.
Regular neighborhood but downtown. Small gulf coast tapas plates & a wine shop. It’s all about quality over quantity at Lolita’s. Two steps inside you’re ordering wine at the bar and then they seat you. The menu caters to charcuterie, cheese, and salads but the main dishes are what I go for. The gnocchi & beef in a parmesan truffle bechamel is memorable and the Gambas (shrimp) al Vino is a staple.
38 moradores locais recomendam
Lolita's Wine Market
420 18th St SRegular neighborhood but downtown. Small gulf coast tapas plates & a wine shop. It’s all about quality over quantity at Lolita’s. Two steps inside you’re ordering wine at the bar and then they seat you. The menu caters to charcuterie, cheese, and salads but the main dishes are what I go for. The gnocchi & beef in a parmesan truffle bechamel is memorable and the Gambas (shrimp) al Vino is a staple.
Experiences
For fun-in-the-sun, favorite experiences, and making memories try these.
Hop aboard one of the sailing yachts for a day on the water. Raise the sails yourself or sit back and relax. Expect to see dolphins or a visit to Shell Island. I love this place, started sailing here when I was five years old. (Local tip, go to the Publix grocery next door and buy your favorite beverages/snacks for the cruise. I can lend you a small cooler.)
70 moradores locais recomendam
Dolphin Landings Charter Boat Center
4737 Gulf BlvdHop aboard one of the sailing yachts for a day on the water. Raise the sails yourself or sit back and relax. Expect to see dolphins or a visit to Shell Island. I love this place, started sailing here when I was five years old. (Local tip, go to the Publix grocery next door and buy your favorite beverages/snacks for the cruise. I can lend you a small cooler.)
A brilliant state park that has an old fort, beaches, picnic pavilions, and a ferry to Egmont Key. Easy to enjoy this spot. (Ask for my hammock system for a lazy, breezy day.)
153 moradores locais recomendam
Fort DeSoto State Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway SouthA brilliant state park that has an old fort, beaches, picnic pavilions, and a ferry to Egmont Key. Easy to enjoy this spot. (Ask for my hammock system for a lazy, breezy day.)
Great way to start a Saturday. Open every Saturday 930am to 2pm in the parking lot of the Rowdies soccer stadium. Expect organic produce, locally (spear) caught seafood, regionally raised livestock, craft cheeses, local honey & salts, bread, art, crafts, and clothing to purchase. There are a few food carts/trucks too for simple bites or a full lunch. Grab what looks good and grill it back at the AirBnB poolside.
146 moradores locais recomendam
St Petersburg Saturday Morning Market
230 1st St SEGreat way to start a Saturday. Open every Saturday 930am to 2pm in the parking lot of the Rowdies soccer stadium. Expect organic produce, locally (spear) caught seafood, regionally raised livestock, craft cheeses, local honey & salts, bread, art, crafts, and clothing to purchase. There are a few food carts/trucks too for simple bites or a full lunch. Grab what looks good and grill it back at the AirBnB poolside.
Get out on the water and head over to Tampa for all they have to offer. We like their river walk and the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey club. (I am a huge hockey fan.) Price is $20 round trip. Grab a cocktail while you cruise across the bay; takes 45 minutes to cross. Check the schedule online.
37 moradores locais recomendam
Cross Bay Ferry - St. Pete - Tampa
333 South Franklin StreetGet out on the water and head over to Tampa for all they have to offer. We like their river walk and the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey club. (I am a huge hockey fan.) Price is $20 round trip. Grab a cocktail while you cruise across the bay; takes 45 minutes to cross. Check the schedule online.
Sightseeing
Central avenue has it all; shops, dining, bars & breweries, spots, art. Cruise one side and then the other. Limited on time? Grab an electric scooter to speed things up.
17 moradores locais recomendam
Central Arts District
Central avenue has it all; shops, dining, bars & breweries, spots, art. Cruise one side and then the other. Limited on time? Grab an electric scooter to speed things up.
The murals scattered all around downtown make the Sunshine City unique. Keep an eye out for these beautiful pieces or there is a walking tour you can take.
6 moradores locais recomendam
Shine Mural Festival
1720 Central AveThe murals scattered all around downtown make the Sunshine City unique. Keep an eye out for these beautiful pieces or there is a walking tour you can take.
Community
For life essentials, sunshine city vibes, and local ways, hit some of our favorite staples.
Trusted local grocer for provisions focusing on organics and sustainability. A 15 minute walk one way from the guesthouse. Stock up on beer, wine, produce, deli items, and snacks.
71 moradores locais recomendam
Rollin' Oats Market
2842 Dr M.L.K. Jr St NTrusted local grocer for provisions focusing on organics and sustainability. A 15 minute walk one way from the guesthouse. Stock up on beer, wine, produce, deli items, and snacks.
People come from all over Florida for this place; I spoke to a woman who says she drives over two hours for the meats, cheeses, and wines they offer. It’s a market first with produce, meats, seafood, pastas, baked & dry goods but is also a great place for lunch & coffee. Inside there is a full-fledged coffee bar & roaster. The bakery offers small cakes and deserts. The deli has some wonderful Italian influenced sandwiches. You can easily put together a picnic lunch and dine on their shaded patio or back at the guesthouse poolside. (Pro tip: Consider visiting the Casa di Mazarro’s next door where you can buy home goods, gifts, and souvenirs before going for the food.)
215 moradores locais recomendam
Mazzaro's Italian Market
2909 22nd Ave N People come from all over Florida for this place; I spoke to a woman who says she drives over two hours for the meats, cheeses, and wines they offer. It’s a market first with produce, meats, seafood, pastas, baked & dry goods but is also a great place for lunch & coffee. Inside there is a full-fledged coffee bar & roaster. The bakery offers small cakes and deserts. The deli has some wonderful Italian influenced sandwiches. You can easily put together a picnic lunch and dine on their shaded patio or back at the guesthouse poolside. (Pro tip: Consider visiting the Casa di Mazarro’s next door where you can buy home goods, gifts, and souvenirs before going for the food.)