Attractions Visitor Information Hotels Vacations
Come visit one of the area's favorite places to shop, sightsee, or just relax. The
Pier in downtown St. Ptersburg is a unique piece of Florida architecture that offers
visitors a chance to experience the waterfront in the Tampa Bay area. Situated at
the end of 1/4 mile long approach, this five-story inverted pyramid features shops,
galleries, restaurants, The Pier Aquarium, dolphin sightseeing cruises, pelican
feeding, surrey bike rental, a kid's club, live music, and even boat docks. The
top floor of the Pier features a huge observation deck, giving the visitor a truly
unique view of the Tampa Bay area. Plenty of parking, complete with trolley service,
links The Pier to the rest of downtown St. Petersburg, offering visitors a true
taste of life in Florida.
The Pier
Aquarium is a non-profit public aquarium and marine education center located on
the second floor of The Pier at St. Petersburg. Their mission is to share information
with visitors and students about issues concerning our most valuable natural resource,
the marine environment. The Pier Aquarium invites you to explore diverse marine
environments from around the world, stepping out into our own backyard in Tampa
Bay, and voyaging to the California kelp forests, the Caribbean, and Pacific coral
reefs. A variety of educational exhibits and programs, along with the large permanent
tank environments give visitors an up close look at marine plants and animals both
within and beyond the Tampa Bay area.
Great Explorations, The Hands On Museum, is a museum for children of all ages. Our
mission is to make learning fun! At this hands-on museum, you don't just look at
the exhibits... You touch, move, explore, and experience them. At Great Explorations,
families can stretch mental muscles, test wits and fire up imaginations! Exhibits
encompass the arts, sciences, technology and health.
On
permanent display is the Walk Through Time Gallery and Try History On For Size Gallery,
where visitors can see themselves in vintage costumes through mirrors creating the
illusion of wearing period clothing. Significant artifacts include a canoe of the
Tocobaga Indians from the 1500s, a replica of the world's first commercial airliner,
and a 3,500 year old mummy. In Souvenirs of Florida - From Tasteful to Tacky, the
exhibit traces the earliest souvenirs made of naturally occurring materials such
as alligator teeth and palm fronds from the 1880s through the dreadful kitsch of
the 1960s.
The Museum
of Fine Arts of St. Petersburg was founded by Margaret Acheson Stuart (1896-1980)
and reflects her vision of providing outstanding examples of world art in an inviting,
elegant setting. The museum has the only comprehensive art collection, extending
from antiquity to the present day, on the Florida west coast. See stellar works
in galleries designed for leisurely reflection. In addition, the museum's chamber
music series is one of the finest in the area and presents artists from around the
world in the Marly Room, an exquisite, intimate "concert hall."
World-famous, the Salvador Dali Museum ranks as one of the top attractions in Florida. Daily tours of the museum's fascinating collection will educate, yet entertain you, about one of the 20th century's greatest artist. You are assured of finding something special. Be sure to include time for the Dali Museum in downtown St. Petersburg in your plans.
Florida Craftsmen Gallery, located in downtown St. Petersburg, is the headquarters and showplace for Florida Craftsmen's statewide non-profit organization. The sales gallery represents over 130 Florida fine craft artists showcasing contemporary craft in clay, wood, metal, fiber, glass, jewelry, paper and mixed media. The exhibition gallery presents six exhibitions of national and regional scope annually.
Located
in the heart of St. Petersburg's Museum district, the Florida Holocaust Museum houses
the premier permanent exhibit called History, Hope and Heritage; a compelling history
of individuals who confronted hatred and violence and coped with persecution and
isolation. Through a collection of works of art, photographs and historical artifacts,
you will be guided through a vibrant multi-media presentation.