16 Things to do on the St. Pete Pier

Prepare to spend a day in the sun with endless activities at the St. Pete Pier in sunny St. Petersburg, Florida.

Having called this area home for over 2 years, I’ve explored every nook and cranny of the St. Pete Pier, finding myself going back again and again. The pier never gets old!

This isn’t just a personal favorite; it’s a local favorite that offers something to do for everyone.

Strolling along the waterfront of Tampa Bay, with breathtaking views, delicious food, a beach, things for kids, a place to fish – the list goes on.

You can spend hours on the pier and not have time to do everything.

In this post, I’m excited to share with you a piece of my home and everything the St. Pete Pier has to offer.

From delicious food to hidden gems, along with insider tips to help you make the best of your visit, I’ve got you covered.

I’ll give you the lowdown on everything you need to know about the St. Pete Pier. I’ll even throw in some insider tips to help you make the most of your experience, and make sure you don’t miss out on anything.

Guide to the St. Pete Pier

3. The Marketplace:

If you come to the marketplace Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM at the St. Pete pier, you’ll find several different vendors there.

You’ll be able to find local cuisine, handmade clothes, jewelry, decor, and more!

I love stopping in to get some Hey Mon Caribbean sauce. My dad loves this sauce so much that he gets it shipped to him in Kansas City.

✨ See all Marketplace Vendors and Plan your visit! ✨

4. Family Park:

There’s a large playground for the kids, plenty of shade, and a picnic area for adults. Great if you want to come enjoy the beautiful view and let your kids play.

The cafe is nearby so you can grab lunch from the bistro as well!

5. St. Petersburg Municipal Marina

Visiting the pier by boat? Doc it at the marina attached to the St. Pete pier and walk right up!

You can find rules and regulations about docking your boat here.

✨ Take a Tiki Cruise from the St. Pete Marina ✨

6. Spa Beach

If you want to skip the beach traffic, the pier has a small picnic area and beach right off the St. Pete pier.

There are spots in the sand where you can set up your own chairs or use one of their many adirondack chairs provided.

If you enjoy paddleboarding or kayaking, you are allowed to launch out from here.

7. Spa Beach Bistro

You must visit the Spa Beach Bistro! It’s a casual and affordable option if you are spending your day on the St. Pete pier.

It’s located right next to the splash pad, so a great place to relax and unwind with your family while enjoying some live music and drinks with a view.

8. Majeed Foundation Splash Pad

The Majeed Foundation Splash Pad is located right next to the Spa Beach Bistro. If you want to keep the kids occupied and have lunch with friends, the splash pad is the place to be!

It keeps them cool in the hot Florida heat and is fun for anyone. No one will judge if you make your way in to cool down too!

9. The Tilted Lawn

This lawn faces the splash pad and the bistro. Enjoy a picnic in the sun and cool off at the splash pad or in the bay!

10. Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille

This St. Pete Pier restaurant is a unique blend of Caribbean and South American food. It’s located on the pier with a beautiful view of the water.

There are adirondack chairs just outside the restaurant facing the water so grab a drink from their walk-up bar and enjoy the view!

✨ Make a Reservation! ✨

11. Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center

If you are looking for something educational to do make your way to the Discovery Center.

Located near the end of the pier, you’ll find interactive animal exhibits, hands-on learning about wildlife and ecosystems, and estuary exploration.

Contact:
(727) 291-4103
tbwdiscoverycenterinfo@tampabaywatch.org

Hours: 
Monday – Friday: 10 AM to 5 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 10 AM to 7 PM

Admissions:
Adults (Age 13-61): $5
Child (Age 4-12): $3
Senior (Age 62+): $5
Toddler (3 and under with an adult): FREE
Active Military (with ID): $3
Florida

✨ Plan Your Visit to the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center! ✨

12. Teak

Teak is another St. Pete Pier restaurant located at the end of the St. Pete pier. It’s on the second story of a 3 story building that has a cafe and tackle shop, restaurant, and rooftop bar.

I was pleasantly surprised by Teak. Given the location, I expected it to be touristy and overpriced but it had a welcoming environment and was very affordable.

We started with the charcuterie board and I had the Cavatelli pasta – delicious!

✨ Make a Reservation ✨

13. Pier Teaki

Pier Teaki is a rooftop bar located just above Teak at the end of the pier. A perfect place to grab a drink and watch the sunset.

It has beautiful views of downtown St. Pete and Tampa Bay skyline.

14. Fishing Deck

At the very end of the pier, you’ll find an amazing view of the bay along with a place to fish.

Bring your fishing gear and a couple of chairs to set up for the afternoon. If you don’t bring your gear there’s a tackle shop under Pier Teak with everything you need.

15. Driftwood Cafe

After you’ve spent a few hours on the pier, stop in at Driftwood Cafe and get an espresso and snack.

This is a cute cafe on the ground floor of Teak and Pier Tiki. I love to stop here after I’ve eaten too much food at Fresco’s and need a pick-me-up.

16. Watch the Street Performers

You can’t go to the pier and not see a street performer. Whether it’s snakes or jazz performers, there’s always someone there to entertain.

I particularly love the musicians! It’s great background music while you’re walking around the pier.

Parking at the St. Pete Pier

My recommendation for parking at the Pier is don’t park at the pier. It is usually always full and a hassle to get in and out of.

10/10 do not recommend.

With that being said I will go over the lots that are at the pier and my go to parking spot!

Parking on the Pier:

There are three lots on the pier that are open to the public:

• The Dolphin Parking Lot | 508 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
• The Pelican Parking Lot | 397 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
• Demens Landing Parking Lot in the Marina | 550 2nd Ave SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Weekday Rates
12:00 a.m. Monday – 5 p.m. Friday

• First 4 hs | $2/hr
• 5th hr | $3
• 6th hr | $4/hr

Weekend Rates
5 p.m. Friday – 11:59 p.m. Sunday

• First 4 hrs = $2.50/hour
• 5th hr = $3.50
• 6th hr = $4.50/hr

Street Parking:

Download the park mobile app to pay on your phone and reload as you go!

• First 3 hrs | $2.50 per hr
• 4th hr | $5
• Parking is limited to 4 hours in these locations
• 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. 7 days per week

My Super Secret Parking Spot at the St. Pete Pier:

Ok y’all, the spot that I always park is about a 5 min walk from the pier entrance and it costs $10 for 24 hours. It’s located just across the street from the Marina.

You will also use the ParkMobile App to pay here or there’s a pay station.

It is almost always empty unless it’s being used for an event.

Here’s the location:

Getting Around the St. Pete Pier

Getting around St. Pete Pier is very easy! The pier offers a few convenient options to get back and forth.

If you’d like to walk the pier, it’s very pedestrian-friendly. It marks different lanes and pathways for people to walk vs. where the tram goes.

You can also rent a bike. Bike rentals are readily available if you download the Lime App. You’ll be able to connect your phone to the bike and start your ride!

For a more relaxed experience, there is a free tram that runs back and forth from the start to the end of the pier.

The pier’s layout is designed to be accessible, ensuring that everyone, regardless of mobility, can enjoy all that it has to offer.

With these varied transportation options, getting around the St. Pete Pier is as enjoyable as the destination itself.

FAQ About the St. Pete Pier

Wrapping Up

I have lived in the Tampa area for over 3 years now and the pier never gets old.

You can spend countless hours there enjoying the beautiful views of the ocean and skyline, indulging in food, family fun or just soaking up the sun.

To stay on top of events happening on the St. Pete Pier while you’re visiting check out the official St. Pete Pier website!