St Petersburg, Florida - Urban Culture to Watersports, This Vacation Destination Has it All

On a recent trip to St. Petersburg I was amazedplace too. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays baseball
at how truly beautiful the city is and how veryteam have had there home stadium, Tropicana
much there is to do and see there.Field, in St. Petersburg since 1998. Tropicana Field
The city its self has a great skyline with dramatichas also served as the host stadium for the St.
new buildings rising up from it and the oldPetersburg Bowl, an NCAA-sanctioned college
standards like the Pier, which is an eye catchingfootball bowl game since December 2008. The St.
inverted pyramid. I say it's an old standardPete Times Forum is a sports and entertainment
because the Pier has been a fixture of thecenter that hosts over 150 events including
downtown area, in its current form since 1973concerts, ice shows and the circus. The Forum is
and in some form since 1889. Local festivals arealso the home to the Tampa Bay Lightning and
still held there and for a long time communitythe Tampa Bay Storm, an Arena Football League.
were dances too. You can fish, shop, dine there'sIt hosts numerous NCAA events such as the
even a small patch of beach to have fun on andMen's Basketball Quarterfinals and the Women's
an aquarium but the best part is; it's in the middleFinal Four. In 2012 the Forum is slated to host the
of downtown so it's fun and convenient.Frozen Four, which is the NCAA Men's Division I
Tampa Bay itself is also an integral part of life inHockey Finals.
St. Petersburg. Not only is it a beautiful body ofFor all you 'cultural folk' there are things like the
water but it to impacts life in St. Petersburg on aSalvador Dali Museum. The Dali Museum has over
daily basis. Fishing in the bay adds to the local200,000 visitors annually from around the world
economy and you have to cross the Bay atmaybe because houses the largest collection of
some point if you want to get around in St.Dalí's work in the world. Along with the
Petersburg but there is also a lot of fun to be hadever changing exhibits they have two film series,
on the Bay. Sail boaters in particular like it becauselectures and concerts. The Dali Museum maintains
it is very big yet protected which makes it aa strong partnership with the community of St.
great place for the many regattas and races thatPetersburg as well as museums and educational
are held there annually.institutions around the world. The museum
Also, spanning the Bay is one of the moderncontinues to preserve and protect its collective
wonders in America, if not the world - Theworks, while making them open and accessible for
Sunshine Skyway Bridge. As we were going overthe enjoyment and education of all people,
the bridge I was impressed by its size, at overenhancing the public's appreciation of Salvador Dali
five miles long it is the longest cable-stayed mainand his many great works. It's a great place to
span suspension bridge in America. Any day ofspend an afternoon and maybe even introduce
the week there are people all over the old bridge,the kids to a great artist. Speaking of the kids St.
right beside the new one, fishing or taking picturesPetersburg has a great children's museum called
or simply standing staring over the side atGreat Explorations, as well as a Museum of Fine
whatever is passing by be it a boat, pod ofArts, a History Museum, and a Holocaust Museum.
dolphin or a sting ray. It's too inviting not to stopNearby Fort De Soto is also a great place for the
and have a look around which is exactly what wekids to take a look back in time and spend a day.
did. We spent an hour just watching people, takingFor some leisure time there are many beaches
pictures and looking for sealife.around and islands nearby to explore.
If you're a sports fan St. Petersburg is a great