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Surrounded by water on three sides, St. Petersburg-Clearwater is a much calmer Florida alternative to nearby Tampa. Since it has placed a lot of emphasis on developing its arts and culture scene, you can rest assured that you will find plenty to do and see during your visit.
Be sure to check out the Salvador Dali Museum for the largest collection of Dali paintings in the United States. Also, the Modern Arts Center has a beautiful, permanent display of glass art by Dale Chihuly. If you want to escape into nature within the city, visit the Sunken Gardens in the Historic Old Northeast neighborhood. With over four acres of greenery, you can get happily lost wandering around the botanical mazes. You can find yourself as far as fifteen feet below street level in this place.
Afterwards, head to one of St. Petersburg’s many top-rated beaches, whether it is Clearwater Beach, Pier 60, Fort De Soto Park, or St. Pete Beach. If you head to St. Pete Beach, it will be hard to miss The Don CeSar Hotel. Looking like something straight out of Wes Anderson’s imagination, this pink castle like resort dates all the way back to the 1920s.
To visit the surrounding attractions of St. Petersburg, rent a car and head to Gulfport. The colorful waterfront town has a growing cafe and art scene. If you happen to be in town during the first Friday of the month, check out the Art Walk, which features a number of local artists. Only an hour and a half away, is Disney World and Universal Studios. Here, you can leave all your stress behind and please your inner child.
