Day 4: St Petersburg Museums & Murals

Trip
Day 4: St Petersburg Museums & Murals

After all that beach-bumming, the time is nigh to inject your vacay with a cool cosmopolitan vibe. Next stop: St. Pete! Haul an Uber or Lyft, or grab your car for the 40-minute ride to downtown. It is brimming with superb restaurants, bars, boutiques, galleries, museums and local breweries with street art almost everywhere you turn.

Drive straight to the Dalí Museum and park – (8:30 – 9:15am)

Parking is just $10 and the cheapest parking you will find in downtown, as you can leave your car here all day! You’ll be able to walk or take a trolley around most sights from here. Next, hop on the trolley towards the Central Arts District to start the day with some scrumptious breakfast.

Breakfast at Maple Street Biscuit Company (9:30 – 11:00am)

The Maple Street Biscuit Company is all about comfort food (or shall we call it guilty pleasures?) and is so worthy of all its rave reviews. Think succulent, golden-brown chicken, deliciously flaky biscuit that dissolves in your mouth, home-made jams and jellies and freshly roasted coffee from the local roastery. Throw in some fried green tomatoes and waffles, and you are all set. (Quite possibly with a slight food coma) Luckily, your next stop is just next-door!

Visit the Chihuly Collection (11:00am – 12:30pm)

The totally captivating Chihuly Collection is a glass wonderland and makes for an immersive experience, adding a memorable splash of color to your Clearwater Beach trip. We recommend starting out in the Theater, where you get to see how artists breathe life into glass – quite literally.

Afterwards, admire the sea creatures in the Sealife room and marvel at the out-of-this-world large-scale installations of the Macchia Forest. The Glasshouse and Garden also make for a nice walkthrough, mixing huge glass creations with real plants and flowers. Pass by the gift shop on the way out to pick something up for yourselves, and mom’s/dad’s/Bob’s/Sue’s birthday.

Check out the murals and try some local brews (12:30 – 2:30pm)

St. Pete Mural MapPixelstix app

Depending on your hunger level, you could aim for a late lunch today and stroll west on Central Ave towards the edgy Edge District to catch some more awe-inspiring murals. Stop by Green Bench Brewing Company for refreshments before you continue walking towards the Warehouse District. You’ll be spoiled for choice with street art and local breweries along the way, and we recommend 3 Daughters Brewing if you are in the mood for some boisterous, bold brews.  

You could take a tour of their tasting room and grab something quick to eat for lunch off one of the food trucks. Or, you could make a loop and turn back towards the Edge District for lunch. 

Grab lunch in the Edge District (2:30 – 3:45pm)

Engine no. 9 possibly have the best burgers in town, with a mouthwatering selection of juicy meats with irresistibly tongue in-cheek names. Or how about Alice in Pain, Demi-God and One Bad Pig?

The award-winning Bodega packs more of a Cuban punch with something for everyone – to be washed down with their home-made thirst quenching juices. After food, jump on the trolley toward the waterfront, which stops right outside the Dalí Musem at the Bank of America high-rise.

Dally around the Dalí Museum (4 – 6:30pm*) 

Redeveloped in 2011, the striking concrete and glass Dalí Museum is hurricane-proof and kind of looks like two totally different structures have collided. Well inside, your eyes are immediately drawn to the spiraling staircase and pillar. The museum offers a comprehensive look at the artist’s eclectic work, which you can easily spend a few good hours to explore.

Outside, the garden offers a nice little break with views over the marina along with the fascinating melting bench with its melting clock (which looks like it’s straight out of Alice in Wonderland!) 

Explore the Marina and Pier (7 – 8:15pm)

Leave your car parked at the museum and walk over to St. Pete Pier. (It is only a 0.7-mile walk.) On your way to the pier, stop by the large fountain for a snap, then continue strolling along Bayshore Drive to enjoy the marina views with fishing boats bopping in the water and take in the awesome Floridian vibe. Continue out on the Pier for amazing vistas. Then head back the way you came and walk over to 

Dinner at Red Mesa (8:15 – end)

At Red Mesa, you’ll find the best of the best Mexican and Latin American fare. Think plump, juicy meats, yummy enchiladas and freshly made churros that melt in your mouth. All of which you can wash down with lovingly handcrafted cocktails. Go on, treat yourself! *responsibly*

Have Sun
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madisonavenue
madisonavenue
14. January, 2021.
Relax a little Wonderful way to relax and enjoy the sun, surf and sand. The air is clean and fresh and people seem nice!
The Bis
The Bis
13. January, 2021.
Clearwater memories Super nice beach, I personally like to stay by Pier 60. Totally worth spending the day at the beach. Parking right at pier 60 by hour, or valet park at the hotels off Cornado (Hyatt, Springhill, and Residence Inn for less than $20 for day) You literally walk across to beach and Pier 60 area is right there. Many shops off the beach area that are worth browsing as well as local bars and restaurants Easy to get to , straight shot from Tampa airport, over the bridge and your there!
Nat C
Nat C
7. January, 2021.
Worth the parking wait What a gorgeous beach. Powder white sand. Plenty of space. Nice waves. Parking is a challenge. Parking is sporadic and hard to find.
Prizzis
Prizzis
7. January, 2021.
Endless beach An immense, wide beach where you can walk for hours or even days. It is lined with the dense row of big hotels, though.
Teresa K
Teresa K
4. January, 2021.
Clearwater Beach Beach was very nice. If you don’t have your own chairs you can rent some. There’s a lot of seagulls around . Be careful if you want to eat chips or anything they will surround you. Besides that you will be satisfied with the area.
Michael R
Michael R
3. January, 2021.
Very nice place First time here and i must say this is a very nice beach, i have no complaints and anyone planning to come to clearwater should definitely do so. I highly recommend ????
circlemfarms
circlemfarms
3. January, 2021.
Nice!! Simple review.. Crowded so show up early to park and get a spot.. But very worth at least a day or two of any vacation! Clean.. have to give Clearwater credit.. it was super clean!!
OKY M
OKY M
2. January, 2021.
Plage ???? tres belles ! La Plage est facile d’accès et très belle ! Le sable blanc magnifique! C est une grande plage idéale avec les enfants
Sandrinna8
Sandrinna8
1. January, 2021.
Clearwater beach review The sand is super soft it does not stick to the skin the water is very clear and cold the beach is very clean and organized.