St. Petersburg Museum of History

St. Petersburg has a unique history, and the St. Petersburg Museum of History has shared the city’s stories for 100 years. This must-see museum is open 7 days a week and offers some of the most unique exhibits you’ll find anywhere: The Odditorium with a two-headed calf and a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy. The Flight One Gallery with a working replica of the Benoist XIV airboat. And Schrader’s Little Cooperstown, which tells the story of America’s pastime through the world’s largest collection of baseballs. Much more awaits you, so plan your visit soon.

Parking

The St. Pete Pier offers over 500 on-site parking spaces as well as extensive bike parking and access via the Downtown Looper and Central Avenue Trolley.

For more information, including directions, rates, and nearby parking options, click here.

Pier Point Restaurants

You just might find you’ve worked up an appetite, or thirst, when you reach the Pier Point. Teak, an elevated casual dining restaurant named after the tropical hardwood, is the marquee eatery in the elegant building at the end of the Pier. Located on the fourth floor of the Pier Point structure, Teak offers upscale dining imbued with a Florida flair, and lovely views of Tampa Bay and the ever-growing St. Pete skyline. Up on the roof, you can kick back at Pier Teaki, a modern take on the classic tiki bar. At ground level, there’s the Driftwood Cafe, rising nine feet from the Pier Point deck and connecting to the tilted lawn. It’s a casual walkup spot offering ice cream and snacks. These three places have the same local ownership as the nearby Birchwood, one of of Beach Drive’s hottest spots and home to The Canopy, St. Pete’s premier rooftop lounge.

Olnetopia

Belgian artist Nick Ervinck has added to his vast portfolio of public artworks with “Olnetopia,” a water-like bronze sculpture with a patina finish that is installed near the Pier Point. He describes the organic form as “linked to hollowed rocks and the wild waters” and “represents the dynamic power of life and provides a warm welcome“ to the Pier.

Morning Stars

A mosaic by renowned New York-based artist Xenobia Baily is approximately 23 feet wide and 7-and-a-half feet high. “Morning Stars” consists of several tiled configurations patterned after crocheted mandalas — in different sizes, shapes and colors.

Spa Beach Bistro

This central hub of the St. Pete Pier features a cafe that offers grab-and-go food items, snacks and beverages, and a great place to people-watch. The Pavilion is surrounded by colorful tables and chairs, so you can munch on a snack, sip a drink, enjoy good times with friends and family, or just exhale and enjoy the view.

Myth (Red Pelican)

The pelican has long been a signature emblem of St. Petersburg, and in 2020, the City made it official by naming the brown pelican the City’s official bird. To honor the pelican, Nathan Mabry of Los Angeles has created an origami-style rendering of the city bird in brilliant red that is sure to thrill visitors at the entry of The Pier. The 10-foot-high sculpture has been fabricated from thick aluminum plate metal and coated with a satin painted finish. Look closely as you walk around the Pier; there are smaller red pelicans on display throughout the district!

Majeed Foundation Splash Pad

Keep the kiddies cool — and tire them out in the process. At the Pier Plaza, visitors will find an interactive water feature that is both a fountain and a splash pad, with big and small vertical water jets. On warm days — and there are quite a few in this part of Florida! —  the area will be populated with frolicking youngsters. Of course, parents and grandparents are welcome, too. After a good soaking, visitors will be able to retire to the adjacent Bayfront Health Tilted Lawn to dry-off under the sun and catch a breath. Nearby shade trees are in abundance, along with a covered pavilion to enjoy snacks and cold drinks.

World’s First Airline Monument

St. Petersburg is the birthplace of world-wide commercial aviation, so it’s appropriate that we commemorate that history in a suitable way. The Benoist Centennial Plaza (it’s pronounced “Ben-wah,” by the way) features a full-sized sculpture of the Benoist Airboat that pilot Tony Jannus flew on the First Airline round-trip to Tampa on January 1, 1914. His first passenger that day? St. Pete Mayor Abe Pheil, who paid a then-astronomical sum of $400. Fun historical fact: The exhibit is located on the exact same spot as the hangar used for the World’s First Airline.

Discovery Center and Wet Classroom

This must-experience facility is operated by Tampa Bay Watch, a highly respected environmental organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Tampa Bay estuary. Located on the over-water walkway approaching the Pier Point, the Discovery Center presents all you need to know about Tampa Bay’s unique ecosystem in a way that’s entertaining and hands-on.

From the outset, the city of St. Petersburg was committed to making the Pier both fun and educational. That’s why we’re proud to welcome the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center to the new St. Pete Pier. Established in 1993, Tampa Bay Watch is dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Tampa Bay estuary through scientific and educational programs. The space at The Pier is a must-see for people of all ages, offering interactive exhibits, video presentations, a touch tank, and docent-led tours. The center also houses a classroom space and an open-air wet classroom perfect for school field trips and summer camps. The wet classroom is bordered by walkways with railings and includes a covered observation deck.

Contact: (727) 291-4103

Hours: Sun-Sat 10:00AM to 5:00PM

Admissions

• Adults (Age 13-61): $8
• Child (Age 4-12): $3
• Senior (Age 62+): $6
• Toddler (3 and under with an adult): FREE
• Active Military (with ID): $3
• Florida Teachers (with ID): $3

Bending Arc

Internationally renowned artist and Tampa Bay native Janet Echelman has created one of her famous billowing net sculptures to dazzle Pier visitors. “Bending Arc” measures a massive 72 feet at its highest point and 424 feet at its widest and is perpetually in motion with the wind. The artist titled the sculpture Bending Arc in reference to MLK’s words: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

Janet Echelman, who grew up in Tampa and was educated at Harvard, has several of her billowing net sculptures in prominent places around the world, including one in Seattle commissioned by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Guggenheim Fellow’s artworks meet at the intersection of sculpture, architecture, urban design and engineering, and are often on the scale of buildings and city blocks. They are revered for their ability to move and shape-shift in response to their natural surroundings. The hypnotically immersive “Bending Arc” required 180 miles of twine and more than 1.5 million knots. It represents Echelman’s largest permanent artwork to date in a portfolio that includes huge pieces in San Francisco, West Hollywood, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Porto, Portugal and elsewhere.  In all, her work has been installed in 38 cities on four continents.

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Fishing Deck

Dropping a line into the water has been a tradition at the St. Pete Pier since its earliest days in the late 1800s. The new Pier has a dedicated Fishing Platform built on caissons leftover from the Inverted Pyramid Pier, inviting you to get closer to the water — and the fish. Walk down a small set of steps to a spacious deck that accommodates a multitude of people enjoying one of St. Petersburg’s favorite pastimes in the fish-fertile waters of Tampa Bay.

Feel free to bring your own rods, reels, bait and tackle, but don’t fret if you want to fish on a whim. Gator Jim’s Tackle at the St. Pete Pier provides everything an angler could need — gear, tackle, nets, frozen bait and more. Also on the Fishing Platform is a dedicated fish cleaning station. Pier Gear & Gifts also offers brand-name sunglasses, jewelry, sundries, beach clothing and supplies, and art by local artists.

Glazer Family Playground

At the nautical-themed Glazer Family Playground, you’ll find an expansive, colorful playground conceived by one of North America’s premier playground designers. Your little ones can burn off energy on slides, swings, climbing structures, kiddie obstacle courses, activity nodes and more. This area is conveniently located between the Bending Arc Sculpture and Majeed Foundation Splash Pad.

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille

Of all the places you can grab a bite on The Pier, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is where you’re most apt to find a party. The 10,000-square foot restaurant/bar serves authentic Florida fare and flavors from throughout the Caribbean Rim. A wildly successful destination restaurant with three other locations just south of Tampa Bay, Doc Ford’s takes its name from the main character in over 20 Florida-themed novels by best-selling author Randy Wayne White.

Walking Waterfront

This Pier was made for walkin’. A continuous sidewalk and large pedestrian path allows for all the scenic strolling you’d ever want. You’ll start with terrific views of the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina, its array of majestic boats and the city waterfront, loop south past Doc Ford’s restaurant and then to the Pier.

Family Park and Picnic Area

Just past the Pier Approach, the Family Park is one of the many eco-friendly aspects of the Pier — and a tree-populated park that’s ideal for a picnic. With lots of seating and shade, not to mention plenty of grass and flowers, this area is a charming little world unto itself. It overlooks the North Basin facing toward Vinoy Park and the Vinoy Renaissance Resort. The Picnic Area is also home to smaller events.

Marketplace

Located just past the Pier’s Gateway, the Marketplace features an array of independent vendors selling unique items in kiosks and under 10’x10’ tents. A solar roof structure provides shade as you browse the selections and meet the sellers.

St. Pete’s buy-local culture is represented in this lively bazaar, just a short walk past the Pier’s Gateway. Area vendors showcase and sell their wares in kiosks and beneath 10-by-10-foot tents. Shoppers can browse under a solar roof structure that provides ample shade. The Marketplace features a cast of vendors selling an array of products, many with a local flair.

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Pier Plaza

The Pavilion is surrounded by colorful tables and chairs, so you can munch on a snack, sip a drink, enjoy good times with friends and family, or just exhale and enjoy the view. At the Pier Plaza, visitors will also find an interactive water feature that is both a fountain and the Majeed Foundation Splash Pad, with big and small vertical water jets. Perfect to keep the kiddies cool–while tiring them out in the process. 

Spa Beach

Downtown St. Petersburg finally has a true beach it can be proud of! Spa Beach has been expanded and given a naturalized shoreline, and you can easily get here on foot from anywhere along St. Pete’s gorgeous downtown waterfront. Beach volleyball and other activities abound, and kayakers and paddleboarders can easily launch from this area. If you’re a visitor staying downtown, you can now get sand between your toes without having to drive across town to the Gulf Beaches.

Majeed Foundation Coastal Thicket

The Majeed Foundation Coastal Thicket, which runs along the north side of the Pier, invites you to take a relaxing walk or bike ride through an oasis of native Florida plants, trees and shrubs. Vegetation includes large trees like the wax myrtle, myrtle oak and white buttonwood, as well as sabal palms, palmettos, sea oats, and native grasses. The ADA-compliant boardwalk starts north of the Pavilion and runs all the way to the Pier Point — and it’s illuminated for evening strolls. Even though the Majeed Foundation Coastal Thicket is a shady canopy, it lets in plenty of sun. This stretch of the Pier is ideal for getting outside in the hot Florida summers. And it only gets better in spring and autumn!