Best things to do in St. Pete Beach

The soft, white sand and warm waters of St. Pete Beach provide ample opportunities for rest and play. Lie in the sun, splash in the surf, or go for a stroll. The clear water offers great views of the area’s marine life, including starfish and stingrays. Look for dolphins on the horizon. Grab a bite or a refreshing drink at one of several beachfront restaurants. Bringing a parasol is a good idea, as the sun can be very powerful here.

Home to over 500 historical buildings, Pass-a-Grille Beach, Florida sits along St. Pete's Beach. The Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, located in one of the historical homes on 10th Avenue, displays photos, documents, and artifacts from early settlements. Renovated historical buildings and palm trees line the sidewalks, and balconies shade many of the buildings. Enjoy a refreshment at one of the cafes away from the sun, or in the shade of the palms near the beach.

For a glimpse at the creative process of a master of Surrealism, visit The Dali Museum. Here you'll see the largest collection of Salvador Dali's works outside Europe. The museum contains works from the private collection of Albert and Eleanor Morse, Dali's patrons and friends for over four decades. The collection includes 96 oil paintings, 100 watercolors and drawings, and over 1,000 graphics, photographs, and sculptures. Pay special attention to the seven works considered Dali's masterpieces, including a metaphorical representation of Christopher Columbus' discovery of America, which took nearly four years to complete. For a taste of traditional Spanish fare, stop by the on-site restaurant, named after Dali's wife Gala.

Noted for its wide stretch of white sand, Siesta Beach is lapped by the calm Gulf of Mexico waters. Located just minutes from Sarasota, the beach features public restrooms, snack bars, picnic shelters, gazebos, volleyball courts, and showers. The powdery sand never gets too hot for a walk, so you can intersperse your dips in the gentle waves with long walks along the water's edge. Lifeguards patrol the beach all year, every day of the week, making this one of the safest spots for visitors of all ages and swimming abilities. Parking can become a challenge as the day goes on.

Florida's official state art museum, The Ringling includes over 20 galleries filled with European, Asian, and American paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and photographs. Among the 10,000 objects housed here, you can see a world-renowned collection of paintings by Rubens, Velazquez, Veronese, Bernini, Poussin, and Gainsborough. The campus also includes a circus museum, which boasts a huge collection of handbills, posters, costumes, props, parade wagons, and other equipment. The adjacent learning center houses a scale replica of a 1930s circus, claiming status as the largest miniature circus in the world. End your visit with a cup of coffee or tea at the museum cafe, or sit down for a gourmet meal at the on-site restaurant.