It’s no secret that St. Pete is the newest hot spot for a girl’s trip in the United States! Known as the Sunshine City, St. Petersburg, Florida is iconic for its award-winning white-sand beaches, water sports, museums, restaurants and art scene! With that being said, St. Petersburg in FL is the perfect place for a girl’s weekend, whether it’s a bachelorette celebration, birthday party or reunion.
St. Petersburg, Florida is in the Tampa Bay area along the Gulf of Mexico! The award-winning St. Pete Beach was TripAdvisor’s No. 1 Beach in the U.S. for 2021. It’s also known for its incredible weather. In fact, St. Petersburg holds the title of the “most consecutive days” with sunshine!
During April 2023, I did a girl’s weekend in St. Petersburg, FL with Caitlin of My Darling Passport and Ashley of World to Wander. What is great about visiting St. Pete is that there’s something for everyone to enjoy. You can sunbathe at the beach, go kayaking in the Gulf, visit a live music venue, shop through the best stores, savor the best food, do a self-guided mural tour and more.
Forbes named St. Pete one of the Best Places to Travel in the U.S. in 2023. What is great about St. Pete, Florida is that it’s a year-round vacation destination! In this article, discover the best things to do during a girl’s weekend in St. Petersburg, FL. The activities below are perfect for your first time at this great place!
**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like. During my time in St. Petersburg, The Saint Hotel hosted me for two nights.
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Traveling to St. Petersburg, Florida
Getting to St. Petersburg, Florida from anywhere in the United States is easy! Even though St. Pete has its own airport called St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, most flights fly into Tampa International Airport.
I flew from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey to Tampa Airport. From there, I took a rideshare to my hotel in St. Pete Beach. You can find affordable flights through Skyscanner!
The primary way we got around during our weekend in St. Petersburg, FL was through ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft.
Other transportation options in St. Pete are the SunRunner, which is Tampa Bay’s first Bus Rapid Transit; the Downtown Looper, which is a free trolley that takes visitors to all the major attractions in the area; the Cross Bay Ferry, which is a high-speed ferry that runs from November through May and goes from downtown St. Pete to Tampa; the Central Avenue Looper, which is a trolley that goes from Bay Shore Drive to Pass-a-Grille in St. Pete Beach and the Suncoast Beach Trolley that goes to other beaches in St. Pete and Clearwater.
Renting a car and using electric scooters via the Veo app are other great ways to get around the St. Pete area.
Click here if you are planning to road trip around the United States and want to rent an RV.
Where to Stay during a Weekend in St. Petersburg
The best hotel to stay at during a girl’s weekend in St. Petersburg, FL is The Saint Hotel. It’s a seaside boutique hotel in St. Pete Beach and features a fun and artistic vibe perfect for staycations, bachelorette parties, 30th birthdays, college reunions and more.
What is great about staying at The Saint Hotel during your St. Pete girl’s getaway is that there is a pool with fun flamingo floats, a hot tub, yard games (like cornhole), lounge seating, beach cruisers and more. It’s a laid-back, barefoot ambiance situated around an artistic community.
Staying at The Saint Hotel in St. Pete Beach:
During my two nights at The Saint Hotel, I stayed in their King Suite with Pool View. Each room and suite at The Saint Hotel has Beautyrest mattresses with super comfortable luxury linens!
My King Suite Guestroom also had partial views of the courtyard and a fully stocked kitchenette with a mini-fridge, microwave, two-burner cooktop and sink. The suite also had a separate seating area, en-suite bathroom, flat screen television and more. It’s the perfect space to return to after the best beach day!
Another reason The Saint Hotel is one of the best places to stay during a girl’s weekend in St. Pete Beach is that it has a fun and trendy restaurant called 82 Degrees. This incredible spot features coastal fare and craft cocktails with views of the Gulf!
82 Degrees offers brunch, happy hour, dinner and late-night fun for hotel guests and visitors. During my girl’s trip to St. Pete Beach, I enjoyed a lovely brunch at 82 Degrees with Caitlin.
I savored the Beach Benedict that came with English muffins, fried green tomatoes and crab cakes. It was topped with a Creole shrimp sauce and served with potatoes. Caitlin enjoyed the veggie egg white skillet with fresh fruit.
I loved the ambiance at 82 Degrees and it’s the perfect spot to make memories with your best friends during your fun weekend getaway!
10 Best Things to Do during a Weekend in St. Petersburg, FL
From visiting fun beach bars to enjoying a girl’s night downtown, discover the best things to do in St. Petersburg this weekend! This incredible West Coast Florida destination will leave you with lasting memories.
Enjoy a Day at the Beach on St. Pete Beach:
Florida’s Gulf Coast features some of the most beautiful beaches with clear waters! It’s no secret that one of the top things to do in St. Pete today and any day is visiting one of the many white-sand beaches!
From award-winning beach parks to fun bars, below are the best places to visit during your girl’s weekend in St. Petersburg, FL for sandy beaches and a good time!
Additionally, if you visit St. Pete Beach from May through October, which is nesting season, you’ll likely come across sea turtles! Not only are these creatures adorable, but it’s also essential to respect nature where you find them and avoid making sand mounds or holes.
Upham Beach Park:
A short walk from The Saint Hotel is Upham Beach Park, one of America’s top beaches!
At Upham Beach Park, you can bring your own beach chairs, towels, etc. or rent a lounge seat and umbrella for $20 USD per person. What is great about this beach is that it also features Paradise Grille, where you can grab food and drinks. (I had grouper nuggets and a spicy margarita.)
Upham Beach Park is a family-friendly beach, so you won’t experience a heavy party scene. There are also volleyball courts to enjoy at this spot and it’s easily accessible with wooden walkways over the sand dunes.
What is also great about Upham Beach Park is that it’s close to the Corey Avenue Shopping District as well as Pasadena Avenue, which boasts many great restaurants!
Undertow Beach Bar:
One of my favorite spots to enjoy one of the best sunsets is Undertow Beach Bar!
Situated near St. Pete Beach’s famous pink palace, The Don CeSar, and Hotel Zamora, Undertow Beach Bar is a great place to make memories during a girl’s getaway! There’s a great beach bar where you can enjoy piña coladas, beer, daiquiris, etc.; tiki huts to sit at and enjoy with your friends; volleyball courts and fantastic sunset views.
There are no lounge chairs and umbrellas to rent at Undertow, so it’s best to bring your own beach chair, umbrellas, towels, etc.
Caddy’s Treasure Island:
Recognized as a Top 10 Florida Beach Bar winner, Caddy’s on the Beach in Treasure Island is one of my favorite places to enjoy a girl’s weekend in St. Petersburg, FL. It’s a fun spot for people in their 20s and 30s to go to for a memorable time.
There are a few Caddy’s locations in the St. Pete/Clearwater area and each spot attracts a different crowd. You can visit Caddy’s Bradenton, which is a fun local Floridian spot; Caddy’s St. Pete Beach for a family-friendly atmosphere; Caddy’s Indian Shores for fine dining; Caddy’s Madeira Beach for more family fun; Caddy’s Gulfport for delicious seasonal food and Caddy’s Johns Pass for another family-friendly go-to.
Unlike Undertow, you can rent lounge chairs at Caddy’s Treasure Island at no cost. Please note that it’s first come, first serve. You can also rent beach cabanas with a $150 USD deposit.
Caddy’s on the Beach is the most popular on weekends and has some of the best live entertainment. Local bands and DJs start playing around 1 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and 4 pm on Thursdays. The top deck also has a fun party called Coupe de View for those 21 and older.
A Rum Runner is one of the top things to enjoy at Caddy’s on the Beach. It’s a staple to Florida’s Gulf Coast and includes pineapple juice, orange juice, blackberry liqueur, banana liqueur, light rum, dark rum and grenadine. It’s usually served in a Hurricane glass, but Caddy’s has their own cups!
Postcard Inn Beach Bar:
Another fun beach bar you must visit during your girl’s weekend in St. Petersburg is the Postcard Inn Beach Bar & Snack Shack. It’s a fun spot for all to enjoy a beach daycation!
The Postcard Inn is a retro-chic hotel with excellent Instagram spots, a beautiful beachfront location and the largest heated pool in St. Pete! At the bar, which is the oldest in St. Pete Beach, you can enjoy Sunshine State classics like fresh fish sandwiches, Miami Vice drinks and frozen beverages.
Even if you’re not a guest of Postcard Inn, you can still purchase a pool day pass for $45 USD (for adults) and $25 USD (for children) where you’ll get access to the outdoor heated pool, lounge chairs, poolside services, beach access with chairs and access to the fitness center. If you’re a Florida resident, you can get a pool day pass at a discount! Anyone with a pool pass can enjoy complimentary beach activities like volleyball and cornhole, plus free WiFi.
For a Postcard Inn beach pass, you must pay $50 USD (for adults) and $30 USD (for children). With a beach pass, you’ll get a beach chair and umbrella from 9 am to 5 pm, chair services, a complimentary cocktail and a bottle of water.
You can also enjoy a VIP Beach Cabana for two starting at $300 USD, a pool daybed for up to four people at $250 USD, a pool cabana for up to four people at $500 USD and a private VIP green space near the DJ for up to 10 adults.
Do Fun Water Sports and Activities at St. Pete Beach:
If you and your friends love a great adventure, you must enjoy the top water sports and activities St. Pete Beach offers during your long weekend getaway. Below are the best things to do in St. Pete today and beyond:
- Enjoy a private or small group boat trip with Dolphin Landings Charter Boat Center. During a boat trip, you can enjoy snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, dolphin watching and more.
- Have fun at the Floating Water Park at TradeWinds Island Resorts.
- Go jet skiing through Frenchy’s Jet Ski & Boat Rentals.
- Try windsurfing and stand-up paddle boarding with North Beach Windsurfing.
- Ride a banana boat through Suncoast Watersports.
- Explore the mangrove islands and see manatees on a kayak tour through Coastal Kayak Tours St. Pete.
- Have a luxury beach picnic and cabana party through The Cabana Club. The perfect spot to enjoy a beach picnic is at the stunning Pass-a-Grille Beach. It features four miles of natural shoreline, making it a relaxing and peaceful experience.
Visit the Best Restaurants and Bars in Downtown St. Petersburg:
Downtown St. Petersburg, Florida was founded in 1815, which makes it a historic city. General John Williams envisioned building a waterfront city with stunning parks and streets, so he traveled to Tampa Bay from Detroit and purchased 2,500 acres of land.
Dozens of years later, Russian aristocrat Peter Demens established the Orange Belt Railway in the area. After the first train journey in 1888, the waterfront city was named after Demen’s birthplace, St. Petersburg, Russia. You can sign up for a guided segway tour to learn more about St. Petersburg’s history!
Downtown St. Pete is filled with talented street art from local artists, renowned restaurants, great shops and fun bars! Central Avenue is the main street where you’ll find St. Petersburg’s best hotspots.
Below are the best restaurants and bars for a girl’s weekend in St. Petersburg, FL. This is where I went during my vacation:
Taverna Costale: One of the best Italian restaurants in Downtown St. Petersburg is Taverna Costale. It’s where you can savor fresh pasta dishes and artisanal pizza and also sip craft cocktails and renowned wines.
This rustic Italian eatery was started by acclaimed Fabio Viviani and features a vibrant ambiance. We all shared a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon with our meals. Caitlin and I enjoyed the orecchiette vongole (clams in a white wine sauce) and Ashley had the salsiccia e broccolini that came with orecchiette pasta, Italian sausage, broccolini, garlic, Calabrian chili, cherry tomatoes and white wine.
Bacchus Wine Bistro: Another one of the best places to eat in St. Petersburg is Bacchus Wine Bistro. Not only is this amazing spot an excellent wine bar, but it has a plethora of mouthwatering small plates.
Bacchus Wine Bar is a great place to enjoy a lovely dinner. We made our own charcuterie board, got a smoked salmon platter and a tasty flatbread to share at this wonderful spot. Everything was delicious! Their peanut butter pie was also incredible.
Dirty Laundry: A fun speakeasy to go to enjoy a girl’s night is Dirty Laundry in downtown St. Pete. When you enter this fantastic spot, it’ll feel like you walked into a laundromat.
You’ll have to pick up the cordless phone, it’ll give you a code that you’ll use at one of the washing machines, and then you’ll enter the bar area where you can grab cocktails, dance to the DJ and have a good time with your best friends. It’s such a blast!
Mandarin Hide: Another fantastic place to enjoy good drinks, great music and fun vibes is Mandarin Hide. From the smoking to the aging process and the bitters used to the glassware, you will surely fall in love with this sophisticated spot!
Other great restaurants and bars in St. Pete:
BellaBrava: This authentic Italian trattoria in downtown St. Petersburg serves excellent pasta dishes, pizzas, salads and appetizers. You won’t be disappointed!
St. Pete Brewing Company: If you’re a beer lover like me, you must visit St. Pete Brewing Company during your girl’s getaway! This brewery believes that sunny beaches provide a great foundation for great beer. You can enjoy IPAs, stouts, blonde ales and more.
Red Mesa Cantina: A great Mexican restaurant to visit during your weekend in St. Petersburg, FL is Red Mesa Cantina. You can savor a tasty Mexican brunch, tacos, margaritas, and more at this trendy spot.
Saigon Blonde: Another fun cocktail bar to visit during your girl’s trip to St. Pete is Saigon Blonde. It’s inspired by 1960s Vietnam when a blonde woman of Vietnamese and French descent opened a haven called Saigon Blonde during one of the most devastating wars. You can enjoy a plethora of great cocktails at this spot!
Maple Street Biscuit Company: There’s nothing like biscuits for breakfast. At Maple Street Biscuit Company, you can get a taste of the American South with different breakfast sandwiches, coffee and mimosas.
Bodega on Central: A great on-the-go spot in downtown St. Pete that is inspired by Latin America is Bodega. You can enjoy Cuban sandwiches, delicious platos and freshly-squeezed juices at this eatery.
Experience St. Pete Pier:
A weekend in St. Petersburg, FL is incomplete without enjoying the St. Pete Pier! This pier dates to the Orange Belt Railway in 1889. It was lined with warehouses, loading docks and more. It later became a bathing pavilion and a popular spot for swimmers!
In 1973, the Inverted Pyramid was placed on St. Pete Pier and it became a gathering center. The pyramid housed restaurants, bars, mini golf, shops, an aquarium and stunning views of Tampa Bay.
The St. Pete Pier closed down in 2013 and reopened summer 2020. It’s now an incredible new attraction that offers fun for all! Not only is there a fishing dock, lawn for outdoor workout classes and sports, a picnic area and playgrounds, but there is also Doc Ford’s Rum Bar, Spa Beach, a coastal walkway, marketplace, local artwork, cultural museums and the World’s First Airline Monument.
Overall, St. Pete Pier is the perfect spot to enjoy gorgeous Florida weather and the best part about it is that there’s always live entertainment on a beautiful weekend!
Explore Fort De Soto Park:
Every city has its signature park and for St. Petersburg, Florida, it is Fort De Soto! If you’re looking for beautiful white-sand beaches with aqua-blue waters, pristine nature trails, great campgrounds and uncrowded fishing spots, you cannot miss out on visiting this incredible park.
If you spend your weekend in St. Petersburg, FL with your furry friend, you’ll love Fort De Soto Park! It’s one of the only places in St. Pete where you can let your dog play off-leash. There is also a dog park and playground they can enjoy!
In addition to relaxing at the beach, you can go kayaking, canoeing and biking. You must also visit Fort De Soto Park’s Historic Fort and Museum to see the fort and learn about the Spanish-American war.
Tour the Salvador Dalí Museum:
Salvador Dalí was a Spanish surrealist artist known for his unique work. The Salvador Dalí Museum has been the heart of fine arts in Tampa Bay and it’s one of the best things to do in St. Petersburg this weekend and beyond.
Not only can you admire works from Salvador Dalí, such as his melting clocks to visual illusions, but you can also check out the special exhibition “Where Ideas Come From: Dalí’s Drawings,” which showcases over 100 rarely seen pieces from his permanent collection.
The Salvador Dalí Museum hosts some of the best St. Pete events, from culinary classes to yoga, DJ performances and art workshops.
Grab Drinks at the Don CeSar Hotel:
Recognized as the Pink Palace and the crown jewel of St. Pete Beach, The Don CeSar is a pretty pink luxury hotel that opened during the Gatsby Era of 1920. During a girl’s weekend in St. Petersburg, FL, it is a must to visit this spot, whether to spend the day at the beach, treat yourself to a spa day or enjoy sunset drinks!
The Don CeSar is one of the best locations to enjoy incredible sunset views in St. Pete. After a day at the beach, get dressed up and head to the Rowe Bar at this historic hotel for some light bites and rosé. This stunning hotel is also an excellent photography spot.
Wander through the Saturday Morning Market:
You cannot miss out on visiting the Saturday Morning Market in St. Pete. Situated in Williams Park, this incredible market is open from 9 am to 1 pm. It allows residents and visitors to shop for local produce, savor delicious local staples and support small local businesses.
Check out the Best Coffee Shops in St. Pete:
Not only does St. Petersburg have incredible restaurants to enjoy during your girl’s trip, but there are also charming coffee shops you must visit! Below are two great coffee bars you cannot miss:
The Blend Coffee & Cocktails: One of the best places to grab coffee and breakfast is The Blend Coffee. There are three locations in St. Petersburg and one in Tampa.
The location I visited was on Central Avenue. It was a drive-thru, but Caitlin and I were able to grab one of the tables outside to enjoy our coffee flights, croissants and breakfast sandwiches.
I LOVED The Blend’s coffee flights and the ones I chose to try were the Spring Cold Brew, Blue Iris (a blueberry-flavored brew), White Chocolate Macadamia and the Pink Flamingo (a strawberry-flavored brew).
Grove Surf & Coffee: Another epic coffee shop to visit during your St. Pete weekend getaway is Grove Surf & Coffee. It’s a specialty coffee bar that also includes a retail surf shop. This space is a wonderful spot to get work done, shop from cute dresses to accessories and catch up with friends!
Attend the Best Events in St. Petersburg, FL:
With its beautiful weather, the Sunshine State always has something fun going on! There are also plenty of significant events in St. Petersburg this weekend and year-round.
Some of the most popular St. Pete events to attend are below:
- St. Pete Pride Parade
- Tampa Bay Rays Baseball Game
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers Football Game
- Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey Game
- Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa
- Tampa Bay Blues Festival
- SHINE Mural Festival
- St. Petersburg Fine Art Festival
- Downtown St. Pete Food & Wine Tour
- Sunset Yoga at St. Pete Pier
Click here to discover more events in St. Petersburg.
Looking for more fun girl’s trips? Check out the below:
14 Best Places to Celebrate a 30th Birthday in the USA
Girl’s Weekend in Scottsdale: Fun Things to Do
12 Things to Do on a Nashville Girl’s Trip
Planning a memorable USA trip? Find more USA travel tips here.
I hope you all enjoyed discovering the best things to do on a girl’s weekend in St. Petersburg, Florida. If you have any questions, please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.
Basic Facts of the United States:
Currency: United States Dollar, Capital: Washington D.C., FL State Capital: Tallahassee, Time Zone: Most of Florida is on Eastern Standard Time, but anything west of Tallahassee is on Central Standard Time
*Anything could happen during your travels. Always make sure you are insured in case there are unforeseen circumstances such as lost luggage/theft, natural disasters, personal liabilities and more. Click here to get insured for your next trip.
Shop my St. Pete Look:
Click here to shop my Poshmark closet!
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It’s no secret that St. Pete is the newest hot spot for a girl’s trip in the United States! Known as the Sunshine City, St. Petersburg, Florida is iconic for its award-winning white-sand beaches, water sports, museums, restaurants and art scene! With that being said, St. Petersburg in FL is the perfect place for a girl’s weekend, whether it’s a bachelorette celebration, birthday party or reunion.
St. Petersburg, Florida is in the Tampa Bay area along the Gulf of Mexico! The award-winning St. Pete Beach was TripAdvisor’s No. 1 Beach in the U.S. for 2021. It’s also known for its incredible weather. In fact, St. Petersburg holds the title of the “most consecutive days” with sunshine!
During April 2023, I did a girl’s weekend in St. Petersburg, FL with Caitlin of My Darling Passport and Ashley of World to Wander. What is great about visiting St. Pete is that there’s something for everyone to enjoy. You can sunbathe at the beach, go kayaking in the Gulf, visit a live music venue, shop through the best stores, savor the best food, do a self-guided mural tour and more.
Forbes named St. Pete one of the Best Places to Travel in the U.S. in 2023. What is great about St. Pete, Florida is that it’s a year-round vacation destination! In this article, discover the best things to do during a girl’s weekend in St. Petersburg, FL. The activities below are perfect for your first time at this great place!
**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like. During my time in St. Petersburg, The Saint Hotel hosted me for two nights.
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Traveling to St. Petersburg, Florida
Getting to St. Petersburg, Florida from anywhere in the United States is easy! Even though St. Pete has its own airport called St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, most flights fly into Tampa International Airport.
I flew from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey to Tampa Airport. From there, I took a rideshare to my hotel in St. Pete Beach. You can find affordable flights through Skyscanner!
The primary way we got around during our weekend in St. Petersburg, FL was through ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft.
Other transportation options in St. Pete are the SunRunner, which is Tampa Bay’s first Bus Rapid Transit; the Downtown Looper, which is a free trolley that takes visitors to all the major attractions in the area; the Cross Bay Ferry, which is a high-speed ferry that runs from November through May and goes from downtown St. Pete to Tampa; the Central Avenue Looper, which is a trolley that goes from Bay Shore Drive to Pass-a-Grille in St. Pete Beach and the Suncoast Beach Trolley that goes to other beaches in St. Pete and Clearwater.
Renting a car and using electric scooters via the Veo app are other great ways to get around the St. Pete area.
Click here if you are planning to road trip around the United States and want to rent an RV.
Where to Stay during a Weekend in St. Petersburg
The best hotel to stay at during a girl’s weekend in St. Petersburg, FL is The Saint Hotel. It’s a seaside boutique hotel in St. Pete Beach and features a fun and artistic vibe perfect for staycations, bachelorette parties, 30th birthdays, college reunions and more.
What is great about staying at The Saint Hotel during your St. Pete girl’s getaway is that there is a pool with fun flamingo floats, a hot tub, yard games (like cornhole), lounge seating, beach cruisers and more. It’s a laid-back, barefoot ambiance situated around an artistic community.
Staying at The Saint Hotel in St. Pete Beach:
During my two nights at The Saint Hotel, I stayed in their King Suite with Pool View. Each room and suite at The Saint Hotel has Beautyrest mattresses with super comfortable luxury linens!
My King Suite Guestroom also had partial views of the courtyard and a fully stocked kitchenette with a mini-fridge, microwave, two-burner cooktop and sink. The suite also had a separate seating area, en-suite bathroom, flat screen television and more. It’s the perfect space to return to after the best beach day!
Another reason The Saint Hotel is one of the best places to stay during a girl’s weekend in St. Pete Beach is that it has a fun and trendy restaurant called 82 Degrees. This incredible spot features coastal fare and craft cocktails with views of the Gulf!
82 Degrees offers brunch, happy hour, dinner and late-night fun for hotel guests and visitors. During my girl’s trip to St. Pete Beach, I enjoyed a lovely brunch at 82 Degrees with Caitlin.
I savored the Beach Benedict that came with English muffins, fried green tomatoes and crab cakes. It was topped with a Creole shrimp sauce and served with potatoes. Caitlin enjoyed the veggie egg white skillet with fresh fruit.
I loved the ambiance at 82 Degrees and it’s the perfect spot to make memories with your best friends during your fun weekend getaway!
10 Best Things to Do during a Weekend in St. Petersburg, FL
From visiting fun beach bars to enjoying a girl’s night downtown, discover the best things to do in St. Petersburg this weekend! This incredible West Coast Florida destination will leave you with lasting memories.
Enjoy a Day at the Beach on St. Pete Beach:
Florida’s Gulf Coast features some of the most beautiful beaches with clear waters! It’s no secret that one of the top things to do in St. Pete today and any day is visiting one of the many white-sand beaches!
From award-winning beach parks to fun bars, below are the best places to visit during your girl’s weekend in St. Petersburg, FL for sandy beaches and a good time!
Additionally, if you visit St. Pete Beach from May through October, which is nesting season, you’ll likely come across sea turtles! Not only are these creatures adorable, but it’s also essential to respect nature where you find them and avoid making sand mounds or holes.
Upham Beach Park:
A short walk from The Saint Hotel is Upham Beach Park, one of America’s top beaches!
At Upham Beach Park, you can bring your own beach chairs, towels, etc. or rent a lounge seat and umbrella for $20 USD per person. What is great about this beach is that it also features Paradise Grille, where you can grab food and drinks. (I had grouper nuggets and a spicy margarita.)
Upham Beach Park is a family-friendly beach, so you won’t experience a heavy party scene. There are also volleyball courts to enjoy at this spot and it’s easily accessible with wooden walkways over the sand dunes.
What is also great about Upham Beach Park is that it’s close to the Corey Avenue Shopping District as well as Pasadena Avenue, which boasts many great restaurants!
Undertow Beach Bar:
One of my favorite spots to enjoy one of the best sunsets is Undertow Beach Bar!
Situated near St. Pete Beach’s famous pink palace, The Don CeSar, and Hotel Zamora, Undertow Beach Bar is a great place to make memories during a girl’s getaway! There’s a great beach bar where you can enjoy piña coladas, beer, daiquiris, etc.; tiki huts to sit at and enjoy with your friends; volleyball courts and fantastic sunset views.
There are no lounge chairs and umbrellas to rent at Undertow, so it’s best to bring your own beach chair, umbrellas, towels, etc.
Caddy’s Treasure Island:
Recognized as a Top 10 Florida Beach Bar winner, Caddy’s on the Beach in Treasure Island is one of my favorite places to enjoy a girl’s weekend in St. Petersburg, FL. It’s a fun spot for people in their 20s and 30s to go to for a memorable time.
There are a few Caddy’s locations in the St. Pete/Clearwater area and each spot attracts a different crowd. You can visit Caddy’s Bradenton, which is a fun local Floridian spot; Caddy’s St. Pete Beach for a family-friendly atmosphere; Caddy’s Indian Shores for fine dining; Caddy’s Madeira Beach for more family fun; Caddy’s Gulfport for delicious seasonal food and Caddy’s Johns Pass for another family-friendly go-to.
Unlike Undertow, you can rent lounge chairs at Caddy’s Treasure Island at no cost. Please note that it’s first come, first serve. You can also rent beach cabanas with a $150 USD deposit.
Caddy’s on the Beach is the most popular on weekends and has some of the best live entertainment. Local bands and DJs start playing around 1 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and 4 pm on Thursdays. The top deck also has a fun party called Coupe de View for those 21 and older.
A Rum Runner is one of the top things to enjoy at Caddy’s on the Beach. It’s a staple to Florida’s Gulf Coast and includes pineapple juice, orange juice, blackberry liqueur, banana liqueur, light rum, dark rum and grenadine. It’s usually served in a Hurricane glass, but Caddy’s has their own cups!
Postcard Inn Beach Bar:
Another fun beach bar you must visit during your girl’s weekend in St. Petersburg is the Postcard Inn Beach Bar & Snack Shack. It’s a fun spot for all to enjoy a beach daycation!
The Postcard Inn is a retro-chic hotel with excellent Instagram spots, a beautiful beachfront location and the largest heated pool in St. Pete! At the bar, which is the oldest in St. Pete Beach, you can enjoy Sunshine State classics like fresh fish sandwiches, Miami Vice drinks and frozen beverages.
Even if you’re not a guest of Postcard Inn, you can still purchase a pool day pass for $45 USD (for adults) and $25 USD (for children) where you’ll get access to the outdoor heated pool, lounge chairs, poolside services, beach access with chairs and access to the fitness center. If you’re a Florida resident, you can get a pool day pass at a discount! Anyone with a pool pass can enjoy complimentary beach activities like volleyball and cornhole, plus free WiFi.
For a Postcard Inn beach pass, you must pay $50 USD (for adults) and $30 USD (for children). With a beach pass, you’ll get a beach chair and umbrella from 9 am to 5 pm, chair services, a complimentary cocktail and a bottle of water.
You can also enjoy a VIP Beach Cabana for two starting at $300 USD, a pool daybed for up to four people at $250 USD, a pool cabana for up to four people at $500 USD and a private VIP green space near the DJ for up to 10 adults.
Do Fun Water Sports and Activities at St. Pete Beach:
If you and your friends love a great adventure, you must enjoy the top water sports and activities St. Pete Beach offers during your long weekend getaway. Below are the best things to do in St. Pete today and beyond:
- Enjoy a private or small group boat trip with Dolphin Landings Charter Boat Center. During a boat trip, you can enjoy snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, dolphin watching and more.
- Have fun at the Floating Water Park at TradeWinds Island Resorts.
- Go jet skiing through Frenchy’s Jet Ski & Boat Rentals.
- Try windsurfing and stand-up paddle boarding with North Beach Windsurfing.
- Ride a banana boat through Suncoast Watersports.
- Explore the mangrove islands and see manatees on a kayak tour through Coastal Kayak Tours St. Pete.
- Have a luxury beach picnic and cabana party through The Cabana Club. The perfect spot to enjoy a beach picnic is at the stunning Pass-a-Grille Beach. It features four miles of natural shoreline, making it a relaxing and peaceful experience.
Visit the Best Restaurants and Bars in Downtown St. Petersburg:
Downtown St. Petersburg, Florida was founded in 1815, which makes it a historic city. General John Williams envisioned building a waterfront city with stunning parks and streets, so he traveled to Tampa Bay from Detroit and purchased 2,500 acres of land.
Dozens of years later, Russian aristocrat Peter Demens established the Orange Belt Railway in the area. After the first train journey in 1888, the waterfront city was named after Demen’s birthplace, St. Petersburg, Russia. You can sign up for a guided segway tour to learn more about St. Petersburg’s history!
Downtown St. Pete is filled with talented street art from local artists, renowned restaurants, great shops and fun bars! Central Avenue is the main street where you’ll find St. Petersburg’s best hotspots.
Below are the best restaurants and bars for a girl’s weekend in St. Petersburg, FL. This is where I went during my vacation:
Taverna Costale: One of the best Italian restaurants in Downtown St. Petersburg is Taverna Costale. It’s where you can savor fresh pasta dishes and artisanal pizza and also sip craft cocktails and renowned wines.
This rustic Italian eatery was started by acclaimed Fabio Viviani and features a vibrant ambiance. We all shared a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon with our meals. Caitlin and I enjoyed the orecchiette vongole (clams in a white wine sauce) and Ashley had the salsiccia e broccolini that came with orecchiette pasta, Italian sausage, broccolini, garlic, Calabrian chili, cherry tomatoes and white wine.
Bacchus Wine Bistro: Another one of the best places to eat in St. Petersburg is Bacchus Wine Bistro. Not only is this amazing spot an excellent wine bar, but it has a plethora of mouthwatering small plates.
Bacchus Wine Bar is a great place to enjoy a lovely dinner. We made our own charcuterie board, got a smoked salmon platter and a tasty flatbread to share at this wonderful spot. Everything was delicious! Their peanut butter pie was also incredible.
Dirty Laundry: A fun speakeasy to go to enjoy a girl’s night is Dirty Laundry in downtown St. Pete. When you enter this fantastic spot, it’ll feel like you walked into a laundromat.
You’ll have to pick up the cordless phone, it’ll give you a code that you’ll use at one of the washing machines, and then you’ll enter the bar area where you can grab cocktails, dance to the DJ and have a good time with your best friends. It’s such a blast!
Mandarin Hide: Another fantastic place to enjoy good drinks, great music and fun vibes is Mandarin Hide. From the smoking to the aging process and the bitters used to the glassware, you will surely fall in love with this sophisticated spot!
Other great restaurants and bars in St. Pete:
BellaBrava: This authentic Italian trattoria in downtown St. Petersburg serves excellent pasta dishes, pizzas, salads and appetizers. You won’t be disappointed!
St. Pete Brewing Company: If you’re a beer lover like me, you must visit St. Pete Brewing Company during your girl’s getaway! This brewery believes that sunny beaches provide a great foundation for great beer. You can enjoy IPAs, stouts, blonde ales and more.
Red Mesa Cantina: A great Mexican restaurant to visit during your weekend in St. Petersburg, FL is Red Mesa Cantina. You can savor a tasty Mexican brunch, tacos, margaritas, and more at this trendy spot.
Saigon Blonde: Another fun cocktail bar to visit during your girl’s trip to St. Pete is Saigon Blonde. It’s inspired by 1960s Vietnam when a blonde woman of Vietnamese and French descent opened a haven called Saigon Blonde during one of the most devastating wars. You can enjoy a plethora of great cocktails at this spot!
Maple Street Biscuit Company: There’s nothing like biscuits for breakfast. At Maple Street Biscuit Company, you can get a taste of the American South with different breakfast sandwiches, coffee and mimosas.
Bodega on Central: A great on-the-go spot in downtown St. Pete that is inspired by Latin America is Bodega. You can enjoy Cuban sandwiches, delicious platos and freshly-squeezed juices at this eatery.
Experience St. Pete Pier:
A weekend in St. Petersburg, FL is incomplete without enjoying the St. Pete Pier! This pier dates to the Orange Belt Railway in 1889. It was lined with warehouses, loading docks and more. It later became a bathing pavilion and a popular spot for swimmers!
In 1973, the Inverted Pyramid was placed on St. Pete Pier and it became a gathering center. The pyramid housed restaurants, bars, mini golf, shops, an aquarium and stunning views of Tampa Bay.
The St. Pete Pier closed down in 2013 and reopened summer 2020. It’s now an incredible new attraction that offers fun for all! Not only is there a fishing dock, lawn for outdoor workout classes and sports, a picnic area and playgrounds, but there is also Doc Ford’s Rum Bar, Spa Beach, a coastal walkway, marketplace, local artwork, cultural museums and the World’s First Airline Monument.
Overall, St. Pete Pier is the perfect spot to enjoy gorgeous Florida weather and the best part about it is that there’s always live entertainment on a beautiful weekend!
Explore Fort De Soto Park:
Every city has its signature park and for St. Petersburg, Florida, it is Fort De Soto! If you’re looking for beautiful white-sand beaches with aqua-blue waters, pristine nature trails, great campgrounds and uncrowded fishing spots, you cannot miss out on visiting this incredible park.
If you spend your weekend in St. Petersburg, FL with your furry friend, you’ll love Fort De Soto Park! It’s one of the only places in St. Pete where you can let your dog play off-leash. There is also a dog park and playground they can enjoy!
In addition to relaxing at the beach, you can go kayaking, canoeing and biking. You must also visit Fort De Soto Park’s Historic Fort and Museum to see the fort and learn about the Spanish-American war.
Tour the Salvador Dalí Museum:
Salvador Dalí was a Spanish surrealist artist known for his unique work. The Salvador Dalí Museum has been the heart of fine arts in Tampa Bay and it’s one of the best things to do in St. Petersburg this weekend and beyond.
Not only can you admire works from Salvador Dalí, such as his melting clocks to visual illusions, but you can also check out the special exhibition “Where Ideas Come From: Dalí’s Drawings,” which showcases over 100 rarely seen pieces from his permanent collection.
The Salvador Dalí Museum hosts some of the best St. Pete events, from culinary classes to yoga, DJ performances and art workshops.
Grab Drinks at the Don CeSar Hotel:
Recognized as the Pink Palace and the crown jewel of St. Pete Beach, The Don CeSar is a pretty pink luxury hotel that opened during the Gatsby Era of 1920. During a girl’s weekend in St. Petersburg, FL, it is a must to visit this spot, whether to spend the day at the beach, treat yourself to a spa day or enjoy sunset drinks!
The Don CeSar is one of the best locations to enjoy incredible sunset views in St. Pete. After a day at the beach, get dressed up and head to the Rowe Bar at this historic hotel for some light bites and rosé. This stunning hotel is also an excellent photography spot.
Wander through the Saturday Morning Market:
You cannot miss out on visiting the Saturday Morning Market in St. Pete. Situated in Williams Park, this incredible market is open from 9 am to 1 pm. It allows residents and visitors to shop for local produce, savor delicious local staples and support small local businesses.
Check out the Best Coffee Shops in St. Pete:
Not only does St. Petersburg have incredible restaurants to enjoy during your girl’s trip, but there are also charming coffee shops you must visit! Below are two great coffee bars you cannot miss:
The Blend Coffee & Cocktails: One of the best places to grab coffee and breakfast is The Blend Coffee. There are three locations in St. Petersburg and one in Tampa.
The location I visited was on Central Avenue. It was a drive-thru, but Caitlin and I were able to grab one of the tables outside to enjoy our coffee flights, croissants and breakfast sandwiches.
I LOVED The Blend’s coffee flights and the ones I chose to try were the Spring Cold Brew, Blue Iris (a blueberry-flavored brew), White Chocolate Macadamia and the Pink Flamingo (a strawberry-flavored brew).
Grove Surf & Coffee: Another epic coffee shop to visit during your St. Pete weekend getaway is Grove Surf & Coffee. It’s a specialty coffee bar that also includes a retail surf shop. This space is a wonderful spot to get work done, shop from cute dresses to accessories and catch up with friends!
Attend the Best Events in St. Petersburg, FL:
With its beautiful weather, the Sunshine State always has something fun going on! There are also plenty of significant events in St. Petersburg this weekend and year-round.
Some of the most popular St. Pete events to attend are below:
- St. Pete Pride Parade
- Tampa Bay Rays Baseball Game
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers Football Game
- Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey Game
- Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa
- Tampa Bay Blues Festival
- SHINE Mural Festival
- St. Petersburg Fine Art Festival
- Downtown St. Pete Food & Wine Tour
- Sunset Yoga at St. Pete Pier
Click here to discover more events in St. Petersburg.
Looking for more fun girl’s trips? Check out the below:
14 Best Places to Celebrate a 30th Birthday in the USA
Girl’s Weekend in Scottsdale: Fun Things to Do
12 Things to Do on a Nashville Girl’s Trip
Planning a memorable USA trip? Find more USA travel tips here.
I hope you all enjoyed discovering the best things to do on a girl’s weekend in St. Petersburg, Florida. If you have any questions, please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.
Basic Facts of the United States:
Currency: United States Dollar, Capital: Washington D.C., FL State Capital: Tallahassee, Time Zone: Most of Florida is on Eastern Standard Time, but anything west of Tallahassee is on Central Standard Time
*Anything could happen during your travels. Always make sure you are insured in case there are unforeseen circumstances such as lost luggage/theft, natural disasters, personal liabilities and more. Click here to get insured for your next trip.
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2 Comments
Awesome blog on St. Petersburg, Florida. Great place, so many fantastic things to see ~ beautiful shops, great restaurants, breweries and so much more. Loved all the stunning photos. It brought this fabulous place to life. Love the gulf and its beautiful colored waters. Great guide ~ will visit soon. Love you, mom xoxo 👩🏻♥️
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Awesome blog on St. Petersburg, Florida. Great place, so many fantastic things to see ~ beautiful shops, great restaurants, breweries and so much more. Loved all the stunning photos. It brought this fabulous place to life. Love the gulf and its beautiful colored waters. Great guide ~ will visit soon. Love you, mom xoxo 👩🏻♥️
Thank you mom! It was such a fun weekend. Love you too!