Off the beaten track but well worth a visit and a welcome break from the theme parks of Central Florida. On my recent holiday to Florida we had flights in and out of all Tampa on the west of the state. Our inbound flight was scheduled for 22:40 which gave us the opportunity of an almost full day to explore the historic Tampa Bay area.
We had visited St Pete’s Pier previously and it was a tatty experience with ghastly tourist shops over a few floors. The visiting pelicans were an attraction in their own right and were extremely photogenic. I had no idea how much of it has changed. I didn’t recognise it at all and at some points even doubted that I was in the same place. Gone are the tacky shops and a whole district has been built with parks, rest areas and even a complimentary tram to take from the approach to the pier head.
As you approach the pier head now it is like looking at a stadium stand with views over the approach and the beautiful Tampa Bay. There is a classy restaurant on the fourth floor so that you can eat and drink and relax looking over the bay. On the ground floor is a small shop that is stocked with souvenirs but presented very tastefully.
The St. Pete Pier District cost $92m to develop and opened to the public in 2020 after the previous iteration that was constructed in 1973 was demolished. The difference in St Pete Beach now is palpable with its new pier district, multiplex cinema, St Petersburg Museum and clean well kept streets.
It is easy to get confused between St Pete Beach, Clearwater and the city of St Petersburg, Florida. They are two different places but both reachable over Tampa Bay.
Journey time on the I4 from Celebration in the Disney World area was around 90 minutes including the drive across Tampa Bay. Parking at St Pete Beach was simple and we found free spaces that gave us two hours free. Everything is in an easy walking distance and is a refreshing break from the Central Florida area.
USA Road Trips by Max 
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