Things to See and Do Around Saint Petersburg, Florida

If you're visiting the Saint Petersburg, Florida area, there's no shortage of things to do. Whether you're looking for something physical and outdoors or mentally stimulating in the air conditioning there's something around Saint Pete to interest you.

It's located on an island near Saint Petersburg, Florida and was ranked as the number one beach destination in the U.S. by TripAdvisor. There's no shortage of fun things to do, in the water or out. Para-sailing, dolphin watching, snorkeling, swimming, sailing, and skim boarding are some of the activities you can enjoy at Saint Pete Beach. After a day in the ocean you can catch a movie while enjoying a glass of wine or go shopping at an outdoor art market.

Great Explorations is a museum with lots of hands-on exhibits for the little ones. The exhibits include Fit4AllKidsVille, which teaches children about healthy living, and My First Market, where kids can get familiar with grocery stores and checkout counters. One of the kid favorites is the Veterinary Office, complete with toy medical equipment and real x-rays.

Right beside Great Explorations, the Sunken Gardens have tropical plants and flowers from all over the world. Stroll along a path past waterfalls, ponds, parrots, and flamingos. The official website says "this 100 year-old garden is home to some of the oldest tropical plants in the region".

Encompassing 1,136 acres, Fort Desoto Park is the largest park in Pinellas County. It has three miles of white sandy beaches and seven miles of waterfront. The five islands that make up the park have an abundance of plant, sea, and wild life.

Fort Desoto Park offers numerous amenities including restrooms, campgrounds, food stands, a dog park, and playgrounds.

The Salvador Dali museum in Saint Petersburg has the largest collection of Salvador Dali's surrealist art anywhere. Over 2,400 of his works are housed in the museum that Architectural Digest called one of the ten most interesting museums in the world. Tours teach about the Spaniard, known for his subconscious imagery, and his art.

The area known as "The Pier" encompasses 26 acres. The actual Pier is a five story building overlooking Tampa Bay which houses restaurants, bars, an aquarium, places to shop, and more. The area also includes a marketplace full of kiosks and tents where vendors sell unique items, the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center, parks, swimming areas, concert venues, and more.

The Holocaust museum has one permanent exhibit called History, Heritage and Hope. The exhibit teaches about the history of the Holocaust through photos, videos, and other artifacts. Many smaller exhibits change from time to time.

The official website says, "The Florida Holocaust Museum honors the memory of millions of innocent men, women and children who suffered or died in the Holocaust. The Museum is dedicated to teaching the members of all races and cultures the inherent worth and dignity of human life".

Have you visited any of these destinations in Saint Petersburg, Florida? Did I miss any must-see attractions?