For a dose of civilization, walk among the shops and restaurants of revitalized downtown St. More outdoor recreation awaits at Merry Pier, where pelicans congregate in the gentle waters and fishermen angle for their next catches. The park features piers and shallows for fishing, a canoe trail, and the Paw Playground, where dogs can play unleashed. Pete Beach, is a good place to experience Florida’s natural beauty. The district is also home to the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, where volunteer docents share interesting facts about the secret histories of the beachfront’s iconic houses and hotels.įort De Soto Park, about 10 miles from St. The town’s historic district, Pass-a-Grille, is lined with specialty shops and bars with lively decks, and a white-sand beach points into the bay like a ship’s bow. PetersburgĬonsistently ranked among the top beaches in the United States, St. Pete Beach, Florida: White Sands and Beach Bars near St.