St. Petersburg vacation rentals

Old world charm at Saint Petersburg vacation home rentals

St. Petersburg has a couple of nicknames to match its personality. Call it the Sunshine City when you're picturing its beaches that sparkle under bright blue skies. Call it St. Pete's when you're reminded of its casual, cool, creative vibe. St. Pete's used to be known as a place where spring breakers could party the night away and retirees could enjoy peace and quiet the rest of the year. The spring breakers and retirees still love the city, but new fine arts museums, modern restaurants, and craft breweries attract young couples and families, too.

Attractions near Saint Petersburg vacation rentals

The fabulously weird-looking Salvador Dali Museum – it's a concrete block with what looks like giant glass blobs oozing out of cracks in the exterior – is a great example of St. Petersburg's sophisticated brand of fun. The free guided tours are hailed by visitors and locals. Just a mile away is the Chihuly Collection, a gallery of Dale Chihuly's glass works that offers glass-blowing demonstrations at the affiliated Morean Arts Center across the street. St. Pete's Museum of History is unique, too, featuring a 3000-year-old mummy and the world's largest collection of autographed baseballs.

A mix of beachy relaxation and urban fun

St. Pete's doesn't take its coastal location for granted. The city has the third-largest waterfront park system in North America. That's 7 miles of promenades, boardwalks, and beaches used year-round for festivals, outdoor concerts, and other public events. Oh, and let's not forget what beaches are normally used for: families, spring breakers, and snowbirds flock to St. Pete's sandy shores to sunbathe, surf, camp, and kayak. By day, walk the picturesque downtown streets and hit up the shops and museums. By night, enjoy the restaurants and stylish bars on Central Avenue and 3rd and 4th Streets.

Day trips from Saint Petersburg vacation homes

St. Petersburg is an ideal base for exploring all of Clearwater. Vacation homes are available near places like Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a marine park with educational exhibits and dolphin encounters, and Honeymoon Island State Park, a beach park with opportunities for swimming, fishing, and beachcombing. You could also visit the Florida Botanical Gardens, a cultivated garden with local and tropical plants and natural habitats.

Local weather for your stay in Saint Petersburg vacation homes

Your St. Petersburg vacation rental will be swathed in a humid subtropical climate that makes springtime heavenly and summer a tad stormy. March through May is the most popular travel season, with lower rainfall, lots of sun, and highs in the 70s and 80s. June through November is hurricane season. Temps are hot and humid is high, but prices drop and the beaches are still inviting. The sun keeps shining in the Sunshine City through winter. Temperatures cool down to the 50s and 60s, and it'll be easier to spot a manatee.

Saints alive! Saint Pete's is alive with watery wildlife

Set in an area that's more than 55% water and bordered by bayous and bays on three sides, your St. Petersburg vacation rental will be close to the wonders of wetland wildlife. On Riviera Bay lies Weedon Island Nature Preserve, 3,700 acres of aquatic and wetland ecosystems. You can sign up for a guided hike or spot turtles, lizards, and seabirds on your own as you stroll the boardwalks and kayak through the mangroves. The Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum gives you a glimpse of less marsh-y forms of plant life, 800 palm trees to be exact.

Transportation options to and around St. Petersburg

Fly into Tampa Intl. Airport (TPA), the closest airport, located 16 mi (25.7 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you might consider flying into St. Petersburg-Clearwater Intl. Airport (PIE), which is 10.1 mi (16.2 km) away.

Regional cuisine in Saint Petersburg

Florida’s Gulf Coast has some of the best cuisine in the state, especially in Saint Petersburg. It combines the traditions of Tampa, such as smoked fish and Cuban food, with local ingredients and flavors for a unique culinary culture. Just visit a restaurant near your vacation rental to sample smoked mullet, schio ramen, white anchovy crostini, southern fried chicken, or any other Gulf Coast treat.