Instead of one long vacation this summer, we chose several short trips to see more places. We started with a 3-night stay in Charleston, SC, visited my parents in the Georgia mountains in July, and finished the season with a family getaway to St. Petersburg, Florida. Sherry and I had only briefly visited St. Pete back in 2008, so we were excited to explore more of the city with the kids.

Here’s a concise recap of where we stayed, what we did, what we ate, and why we’ll definitely be back.

Where We Stayed in St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg sits on Florida’s Gulf Coast across Tampa Bay from Tampa. While the region offers many beaches, we selected St. Pete for its city and cultural scene—we wanted an artsy, mid-size city vibe with good food rather than a beach-focused trip. It reminded us in some ways of our former hometown, Richmond, Virginia.

We rented an Airbnb just outside the Grand Central District to stay close to downtown. The home was clean, well-stocked, and dog-friendly, but it ended up being less walkable to the places we visited than we expected. For that reason I’m not linking it here. Next time we’d choose a location slightly further east or, for a longer stay, a beachfront home so we could drive downtown when we wanted to explore.

What We Did: The Pier

The St. Pete Pier is the major downtown attraction, so we headed there first. If you picture a narrow wooden fishing pier, think again. The Pier is large, well-designed, and filled with green spaces, dining options, public art, and family-friendly areas. We could have easily spent much more time there if not for hot weather and an afternoon rainstorm.

From the pier’s end you get a great view back toward downtown. A multi-level building near the tip houses several restaurants, and the surrounding areas include lawns, seating, and public art installations.

Two highlights for our family were the playground and the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center. The nature center is small but engaging, dog-friendly, and reasonably priced—perfect for a short, air-conditioned stop. The playground is large, modern, and creative, so our kids had a great time while the grownups relaxed in the shade.

Before the rain arrived we also admired a massive tree outside the St. Petersburg Museum of History—its scale was impressive and a fun photo moment for the kids.

We’d love to return for a marketplace day or an evening when the Bending Arc art installation is illuminated.

What We Did: The Salvador Dalí Museum

The Dalí Museum was another must-see. While an art museum might not seem like a typical family stop, our kids enjoy art and the museum does a good job engaging younger visitors. Exhibits include interactive displays and a VR experience, and there are even AI-driven videos that bring Dalí’s personality to life.

Seeing Dalí’s works up close was fascinating—the detail and surreal imagery kept the kids engaged, and Sherry enjoyed recalling her art history knowledge. We missed the new immersive dome by a single day and couldn’t visit the outdoor garden because of late rain, but the museum was still a major highlight.

We also hoped to visit The Fairgrounds immersive art space, but it was closed during our weekday visit—worth planning for next time.

Explore & Shop

Much of our trip was spent wandering streets and neighborhoods. Central Avenue through the Grand Central District offers many restaurants and shops, and we loved discovering independent businesses like Tombolo Books, a cozy local bookstore we always seek out when visiting a new city.

St. Pete projects an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere—from rainbow crosswalks to supportive signs in storefronts—and the streets are filled with colorful murals and eye-catching storefronts. One favorite mural was on the side of Pete’s Bagels, which also became our favorite breakfast spot.

We also enjoyed playful public art and discovered charming neighborhoods between downtown and Snell Isle. The Driftwood area felt especially lush and jungle-like—driving down Driftwood Road is a unique, immersive experience that reminded us of a subtropical version of a historic neighborhood.

Where We Ate in St. Petersburg

With kids and a dog, our dining choices lean casual, family-friendly, and flavorful. These were our top picks on this trip.

Pacific Counter felt like a sushi-and-poke version of Chipotle. It’s fast-casual, letting you build bowls and sushi burritos to taste. The kids even scored free pineapple whip one day, and everything we tried was fresh and satisfying.

Ceviche was our rainy-day refuge and one of Sherry’s favorites. Sharing small plates expanded the kids’ palates without overwhelming them—the meatballs, croquetas, and pesto chicken were big hits.

Casita Taqueria offered relaxed, dog-friendly dining with reliably great tacos and quesadillas—always a crowd-pleaser for our family. For dessert, La Diperie stood out: you choose a base and then dunk it in a flavored dip before adding toppings—delicious and fun for kids and adults alike.

We also enjoyed visiting the visually striking 2D Cafe and sampled local coffee at Bandit—where a summer-special Bouquet Latte left a lasting impression—and Paradeco, a stylish art-deco–inspired coffee spot worth a stop.

One Last Stop: The Beach

Although our focus was the city, we couldn’t leave without a quick beach stop. After checking out, we drove to Passe-A-Grille—about a 15–20 minute drive—passing the iconic pink Don CeSar hotel. We had an easy beachfront breakfast at Paradise Grille, which is casual, unpretentious, and right on the sand.

Unlike some Gulf beaches with high dunes that separate dining from the water, Passe-A-Grille offers direct beach access—perfect for a relaxed morning before the drive home.

Trip Summary

We left St. Pete eager to return and see more of its neighborhoods, museums, and beaches. For convenience, here’s a short list of the spots we enjoyed during our stay.

• Explore the St. Pete Pier
• Visit the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center
• See The Salvador Dalí Museum
• Schedule a weekend visit for immersive art at The Fairgrounds
• Shop and dine along Central Avenue in the Grand Central District
• Browse Tombolo Books
• Have breakfast at Pete’s Bagels
• Drive through the Driftwood neighborhood
• Enjoy a treat at La Diperie
• Get coffee at Bandit and Paradeco
• Eat beachfront at Paradise Grille in Passe-A-Grille

Other Family Trips We’ve Taken

If you enjoy family travel recaps, we’ve written about other destinations that might be helpful when planning kid-friendly trips. These include weekend guides and longer family vacations across a variety of regions and interests.