7 Fun things to do in downtown St. Pete that are within walking distance to each other

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There are so many great places to visit around the Tampa Bay area, but there's truly nowhere quite as hip as St. Pete. From beaches to boardwalks, psychedelic museums and mural walls, this city is nothing short of entertaining. So if you're looking for fun things to do in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, then look no further --this list will take you there. 

The best part is, there are plenty of parking spaces in the area and everything on this list is in close enough proximity that you can walk to it. Better yet, if you don't like to walk then you can rent some electric bikes or scooters to ride around town with. Scooters are parked on almost every block, so you won't have too look too hard to find one! 

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it will at least get you started on your downtown adventures! I also highly recommend stopping by at night on the weekends and checking out the mirage of clubs and bars --but that's for another article. 

1. Check out this alleyway of mural walls

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There are so many mural walls to be found throughout the city, but there's a really cool alleyway full of some paintings including the infamous shark that eats you. You could literally spend an entire afternoon here doing a photoshoot against these epic backdrops, and it's totally free. The location of the alley is â€‹696 1st Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

2. Get lost in a psychedelic world at the Salvador Dali Museum 

We are all familiar with Dali's melting clock artwork --but you can really step into his psychedelic mind at this museum dedicated completely to his work. My personal favorite part of the entire museum is the garden area featuring a few real-life replications of his most iconic paintings. Tickets to the museum for non-passholders start at $25.

3. Grab an unusual bite from Datz

If you like aesthetically-pleasing food then you'll need to add Datz to your itinerary. This American-food eatery in downtown takes your favorite bites and puts a deliciously unique twist on them. (Their french fries are delicious, by the way. I highly recommend them!) You can check out more from their menu here. 

4. Have a lazy day at the pier 

I have written about the pier time and time again because it's really one of the best spots to hang out in the downtown area. It has a beach area (pictured above) which is great for picking up shells at low tide, plenty of restaurants, entertainment areas, gift shops, and even a small discovery center on site. The pier itself is free to visit, but some of the amenities aren't and parking along the pier is a couple of dollars per hour. You could easily spend an entire day here, so plan accordingly! You can learn more about the pier here. 

5. Walk or bike along the miles of waterfront trails

There is a beautiful, easy, paved trail that goes for miles along the bay connecting several of the local parks. You can start out on at the pier or at one of the other waterfront parks, like Vinoy Park, and use it as an excuse to "park hop" all day! The views from the trail are absolutely gorgeous, and don't be surprised if you see a lot of ocean wildlife along the way.

6. Travel back to the Wild West at The James Museum

Perhaps one of the most underrated museums in the area, The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art is one of my personal favorites. Despite my known love for all things Wild West, I was admittedly among the people who didn't realize how much Native American history and culture is right here in the city (Seminole Heights, for instance) and this museum does a great job of  highlighting their beautiful heritage locally and afar. It's truly a wonderful spot to gain new appreciation for the world and cultures around! 

7. Take a dolphin-spotting cruise

Located conveniently at the pier dock, this dolphin-spotting cruise will take you for a ride you won't soon forget. The cruise lasts nearly two hours and guarantees you'll see a dolphin. Tours start at $39 for adults.