One thing I love about Florida is how easy it is to find a beautiful area for relaxation. In many cities, my experience has always been that I had to make major plans for going to the beach or visiting vacation-like destinations. This is not the case with Florida. Here, you could literarily be in the middle of your day and decide to make a stop that turns into a mini vacation.
The first time I visited St. Pete Pier, that was exactly what happened. I didn’t exactly plan to spend my entire morning there. I had some other activities planned in the area but decided to make a stop. When I look back now, I am so glad I did as it has since become one of my favorite places to visit.
History of St. Pete Pier
St. Pete Pier is a very beautiful waterfront in St. Petersburg, Florida. Although it has been redesigned quite a number of times, it is not a new construction. It was actually built in 1889 and the latest redesign opened in 2020. The new space is more modern and is used for dining, entertainment, picnicking and general recreation.
So, when you walk through the park you would see the statue of an airboat. Let me share a little history I learned from one of the plaques around this airboat. St. Pete Pier is actual special. It holds a place in aviation history as it was the site of the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line, the world’s first scheduled commercial airline service. Back in 1914, pilot Tony Jannus flew passengers across Tampa Bay in a Benoist XIV airboat. That single act is considered the beginning of modern air travel.
Fun Facts about St. Pete Pier
The current St. Pete Pier is the fifth iteration of the structure, with previous versions dating back over 100 years.
It stretches into Tampa Bay and has some of the best views of downtown St. Petersburg.
The pier is home to “Bending Arc,” a massive net sculpture by artist Janet Echelman, which changes color with the light.
Fishing is free at the pier’s designated fishing deck, and no license is required. You can bring your own rods, reels, bait and tackle but if you forget something, there is a store called Gator Jim’s Bait & Tackle at the Pier, where you can buy some bait, gear, tackle, net and much more.
The Pier also features a splash pad and playground that is perfect for families with young children.
Admission and Visiting Details
- Admission: Free entry, though some attractions, events, and activities may require a fee.
- Hours: Open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to 11:00 p.m. (individual restaurants and attractions may have different hours).
- Parking for Cars and Bike Parking: In terms of parking, St. Pete Pier has paid parking. There are over 500 parking spaces for cars, with additional street parking nearby. There are also spaces for bike parking. The first four hours of parking costs $2 per hour on weekdays and $2.50 per hour on weekends. Check out information about rates and parking from the official website. Overnight parking is not allowed at St. Pete Pier.
- Electric Vehicles: If you have an electric car, you can charge it for free at the park but you must pay the parking fee.
- The actual address for St. Pete Pier is 800 2nd Avenue NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
- The Pier has a few boat slips for short term tie ups on a first come, first serve basis. You can learn more information about boat slips by visiting the official website.
What It’s Like to Visit
Since the Pier is by the waterfront, naturally, when you are walking up, you will feel a sense of relaxation. The first thing I noticed is that there are quite a number of restaurants to eat. As a foodie, that made me super happy.
It is a great spot if you simply would like to take a walk along the waterfront. If you are like me and enjoy tracking your daily steps, then you would love this destination as there is a large enough area to meet the average daily goals. The entire area is about 26-acres.
The Pier is a great spot for running and riding your bicycle. Every time I visit it there are always people running, exercising, and biking. So if you enjoy biking, especially near water, you would love this spot.
You can also explore the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center.
I noticed there were some boat tours that were taking place and there were areas for boating, kayaking and for those seeking to take cruises.
One very cool activity is the floating tiki bar. At first I didn’t realize that it moves on water and that they offer tours. I simply thought it was a cool hangout spot on the pier. If I try this tour at another time I will let you know how it goes.
There is a gift shop in the area that sells T-shirts, bags, mugs and other souvenirs and so if you would like to take something home to remind you of the pier you can quickly grab something here.
Walking around you will notice that there are so many family-friendly activities to do. When I visited there were people playing pickle ball close by. There are playgrounds and splash pads for children, and loads of areas to sit and just hangout.
On my most recent visit, there were also a lot of beautiful art including some murals, which I really appreciated.
My favorite piece of art in the Pier is called Olnetopia. Just look at this beauty! It was created by a Belgian artist, Nick Ervinck. My first thought on seeing this piece of art was that It reminds me of the splash you see when you toss a rock into water. Then I read the description on the plaque saying it was inspired by “macro photographic images of splashing water,” and I thought how fitting!
I also learned that this area is famous for people who are seeking to propose, so keep an eye out when you visit, you just may witness a beautiful proposal!
Restaurants at St. Pete Pier
There are a number of restaurants around St. Pete Pier including Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille, Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro, Spa Beach Bistro, Driftwood Café, Teak, and Pier Teaki.
On the 4th Floor of the Pier Point structure is the Teak, an upscale dinning restaurant. When you go up to the rooftop, you would find Pier Teaki, which is a modern take on the classic tiki bar.
On the ground level is Driftwood Café, where you can buy ice cream and snacks.
At Spa Beach Bistro, you can buy grab-and-go food items, snacks, as well as beverages.
The views from Pier Teaki are amazing, you are able to enjoy the water and view the skyline from downtown St. Petersburg.
Tips for Visiting
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: So when I say you would be doing a lot of walking, I mean it! It is a large area for sure so you need to have very comfortable shoes otherwise you would defeat the purpose of having a relaxing day.
- Bring Sunscreen: Florida is the sunshine state and the weather lives up to the nickname. So please bring some sunscreen along. I noticed some signs around the Pier reminding people about the dangers of sun exposure.
- Check the Event Calendar: The pier frequently hosts concerts, markets, and festivals so check the calendar to see if they are any events that may catch your interest. Plus if you prefer a quieter experience the calendar would help you decide on whether to visit at different time.
- Dresses and Wind: It’s gets very windy so dresses and flowy skirts might not be the best for this location unless you are wearing a skort. You want to avoid fighting with the wind.
- Arrive for Sunset: St. Pete Pier offers some of the most breathtaking sunset views over Tampa Bay.
- Pet-friendly: The park is pet-friendly however remember that since this is a shared space, and all other visitors are equally trying to enjoy the space, to keep you pets on a leash.
- Electric scooters, electric bicycles, skateboards, and other motorized vehicles: None of these are allowed on the park and I suppose it does make sense since loads of people are always moving around.
- Strollers and Wheelchair Rentals: There are no strollers or wheelchairs for rental. There is however a tram that run every 10 minutes.
Nearby Attractions
St. Pete Pier is located close to several other great attractions including the Dali Museum, Vinoy Park, the Florida Holocaust Museum, and St. Pete Beach.
Most days when I visit St. Pete Pier, I usually plan my day in a way that I pivot to St. Pete Beach. It is usually about 20 minutes away and is a great way to finish off the day.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit St. Pete Pier is during early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat. I find visiting in the Spring and fall to be more comfortable but summer visits also work just fine. Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends. If you truly just want a quiet experience then you should visit during these times.
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