Perfect Getaway in St. Petersburg, Florida

With its gorgeous weather and sunny disposition, it’s no wonder St. Peterburg, Florida, is called “the Sunshine City.” St. Pete is an easy drive from the Orlando area, meaning you can pair your theme park vacation with a city escape that’s just as magical but with a refreshingly different vibe.

On your visit, explore St. Petersburg’s thriving culinary scene, exciting nightlife and stylish hotels – all attributes that make it the perfect place for a weekend getaway. The icing on the cake? It’s just a short drive to America’s favorite beaches.

Day 1: Arts Abound in Downtown St. Petersburg

Downtown St. Pete has undergone a transformation over the last decade, becoming a place where the cool kids hang out, with an energy that’s uniquely its own. In large part, this is because of the artists, makers, chefs and small business owners who live and work here, as well as top museums and galleries that call St. Petersburg home.

To begin your day full of art and culture, head to one of St. Pete’s unique museums – the Dalí with its extensive collection of the famous surrealist’s work; The Chihuly Collection with its fantastical glass art sculptures; the James Museum, displaying western and wildlife art in a stunning new building, or the Museum of Fine Arts, with artworks spanning many centuries a lovely bayfront setting. The Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement is the newest museum in town, and the only one of its kind in the world dedicated solely to this era in American art.

Wonderful cultural institutions just scratch the surface of the art scene here: You can also take a guided mural tour to see some of the 600+ murals in the area (there’s even an annual mural festival) or take a glass-blowing class at the Morean Arts Center’s glass studio. Art lovers could plan their trip around the Second Saturday Art Walk when galleries are open late in the Central Arts District and the Warehouse Arts District.

Outstanding restaurants are found along St. Pete’s Central Ave., as well as sprinkled throughout the city. In fact, Travel + Leisure called out St. Pete as the “Best Food City” in the U.S. The city has a number of celebrity chefs who have appeared on Food Network, including Chef Rob Reinsmith of Wild Child (consistently rated as one of Tampa Bay’s best restaurants); Ronnica Whaley of St. Pete’s Shiso Crispy; and David Benstock of the acclaimed Il Ritorno. Tiny Calida (a very intimate setting with just 26 seats), and even more diminutive Barbouni (at 10 seats) are two St. Pete restaurants that have earned an outsized place in diners’ hearts. Mullet’s Fish Camp is a local favorite that elevates Florida’s famous grouper sandwich, and a whole lot of other fresh seafood. Juno & The Peacock is a stylish newcomer on St. Pete’s upscale Beach Drive.

Day 2: Escape to Nature in St. Pete

If you’re an early bird, take a stroll at dawn at St. Pete’s Vinoy Park or Flora Wylie Park to see the sun rise over sparkling Tampa Bay. Next, relax over coffee and treats at Paradeco Coffee Roasters nearby to plan your next steps in nature.

For an outdoor adventure on the water, head to beautiful Weedon Island Preserve. Rent a kayak or paddleboard here to glide through quiet bay waters and mysterious mangrove tunnels. Keep your eyes open for roseate spoonbills, herons and other water birds (during the winter months, you might even spot manatees). Weedon Island also has a fascinating cultural and natural history center that’s well worth a stop.

If you’d prefer to stay on dry land, St. Pete’s Sawgrass Lake Park has a gorgeous canopy of live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, plus a mile-long boardwalk through maple swamps and pine flatwoods – perfect for spotting turtles and alligators.