The Tampa Bay area is full of places to eat, shop, and enjoy the outdoors, but the St. Pete Pier is one of the only places where you can do it all! With 26 acres that includes restaurants, a splash pad and playground, and even a fishing deck, there is something for everyone to enjoy at the St. Pete Pier.

The new pier opened in 2020 after the demolition of the original pier. It sits right on the beautiful St. Petersburg waterfront, making it a great destination for both out-of-town tourists and locals looking to explore and enjoy the natural beauty of St. Petersburg. The pier was designed with walkability and accessibility in mind, and offers activities and attractions that will appeal to everyone from visiting families to older tourists looking to relax in the sun.

Dining Options at the St. Petersburg Pier

The St. Pete Pier is home to numerous drinking and dining options. For people looking for an upscale dining experience, Teak at the top of the Pier Point structure at the far end of the pier offers elegant dishes while a great view of the water and St. Petersburg’s skyline. Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro, located near the entrance of the pier, also offers great views, and is a relaxing place to enjoy fresh seafood or happy hour right on the waterfront. Be sure to grab a table during sunset for a particularly breathtaking view!

More casual options, such as Spa Beach Bistro and Driftwood Café, are also available, and visitors can also enjoy a tropical drink at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille. Whether you’re seeking a romantic date night or looking for a quick bite, you’re guaranteed to find something delicious at the St. Pete Pier.

Experience St. Pete’s Culture

Visitors to the St. Pete Pier have the opportunity to enjoy more than just sunshine and stellar views. At the pier’s marketplace, peruse items from local vendors and find the perfect souvenir to remind you of your trip to St. Pete.

Visitors can also check out some of the art installations around the pier. One sculpture, located in the pier’s Benoist Plaza, plays homage to St. Petersburg’s history as the birthplace of commercial aviation, and is a life-sized rendering of the aircraft that took a pilot from St. Petersburg to Tampa in 1914. Another permanent art piece, made by Tampa Bay artist Jane Echelman, is a massive net sculpture that stretches 428 feet and is constantly in motion with the mind, creating a mesmerizing attraction.

Cool Down and Relax

On hot days, visitors to the St. Pete Pier can take a break at Pier Plaza. This relaxing area offers chairs and shade, and is near a café where you can find snacks and drinks to enjoy while cooling down and taking in the waterfront. Pier Plaza also features a splashpad for kids—and fun-seeking adults—to enjoy, with vertical water jets that will provide plenty of relief in the Florida heat.

Kids can also play at the Glazer Family playground or check out the interactive exhibits and touch tanks at the Discovery Center and Wet Classroom. Run by Tampa Bay Watch, the wet classroom allows guests to get up-close and personal with some of Tampa Bay’s natural ecosystem.

Visiting the Pier

Parking in downtown St. Petersburg can be tricky, but the St. Pete Pier offers on-site parking. Parking at the pier is $2 per hour for the first four hours, then increases to $3 hour after the fifth hour for weekday parking, and weekend parking is $2.50 per hour for the first four hours. Public parking is also available nearby.

To learn more about the St. Pete Pier’s attraction and to plan your visit, please visit their website here.

If you’re planning a trip to the Tampa Bay area, stay with us at Sunshine Cozy Cottages! Our quaint, private cottages in Indian Rocks Beach are steps away from the beach and conveniently located near many Tampa Bay area attractions. We welcome you to enjoy our cute, affordable cottages as your new home away from home!

To book your stay with Sunshine Cozy Cottages, please call us at 727-595-3000 or visit us online at www.sunshinecozycottages.com.