Travelsmart
[ad_1]
Maybe you’re looking for a last minute beach vacation this summer, or perhaps you’d like a Labor Day Weekend getaway. Look no further than St. Petersburg, Florida, which boasts an average of 361 days of sunshine each year. With weather like that, you’re sure to have ample time to relax on the beach and experience St. Pete’s vibrant community.
Beyond the sun and sand, you’ll find plenty of cultural and recreational activities the whole family can enjoy. From fresh seafood to museums and family bike rides, you’ll love St. Petersburg as an end-of-summer destination with kids.
Sunsets at Pier 60
When you’re on vacation, every day feels like a party. Keep that good feeling going into the evening hours by heading to Sunsets at Pier 60 Daily Festival in Clearwater. The celebration runs from two hours before sunset each night until two hours after sunset, so there’s ample time to peruse the artisanal goods and crafts, watch the street performers and grab some food.
Rent Some Bikes
Get some exercise and see everything St. Petersburg has to offer by renting bikes and riding around town. Bike through downtown St. Pete or along the beach walk at nearby Clearwater Beach. You could also opt to do some trails through nature at some of the local state parks. If you’ve got young kids with you, consider renting a surrey.
Salvador Dali Museum
Fans of surrealism will delight in Salvador Dali’s works on display at the Dali Museum. While children might not be as excited about the art and culture, there is plenty at the museum to hold their attention. Out in the garden, kids can check out the labyrinth hedge and the giant mustache sculpture. Once inside, they’ll receive an art scavenger hunt to follow.
Make sure to listen in on the public tour of Dali’s works given by a museum docent. There’s also a children’s audio tour that’s funny and engaging which is free with entrance to the museum. Stop in the Museum Education Classroom for more kids’ activities.
William Dean Chocolate
Popes and Hollywood stars can’t get enough of William Dean confections, so I’m pretty sure you’ll like it, too. Stop by William Dean Chocolate for a box of assorted artisanal chocolate in exciting flavors such as Pear & Ginger Caramel or Mexican Mango.
If you’re in town on a weekend, bring the kids to afternoon tea held at the William Dean store. Your whole family will enjoy the spread of tea, sandwiches, pastries and chocolate.
Fort De Soto Park
St. Petersburg and Clearwater have some amazing beaches, but the drive to nearby Fort De Soto Park is worth it if you have kids with you. It’s one of the most family-friendly beaches in the country, thanks to the sandbar which formed off the coast creating a small pool where kids can splash and play. The sand is perfectly soft and white, and the turquoise water is usually calm.
There’s also a pirate ship playground, a historic fort to visit and kayaks to rent. Parents will love that there are restrooms and pavilions which are perfect for a picnic lunch and a break from the hot sun.
John’s Pass
When you’ve had your fill of outdoor fun, spend an afternoon at John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk. You’ll find myriad restaurants with fresh seafood along with souvenir shops galore. You can simply stroll the boardwalk and enjoy the views if you’re looking for a low-key evening, or you can hop aboard the Pirate Ship for a 2-hour cruise. The Pirate Ship Cruise hosts kid-friendly activities and offers beer and wine for the adults.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is home to Winter, the dolphin with the prosthetic tail featured in the movie Dolphin Tale. She was rescued as a two-month-old and transferred to Clearwater Marine Aquarium for rehabilitation. She still resides there, and visitors can see Winter and her companion Hope in the Winter Zone during daily presentations.
Aside from Winter, kids will love the underwater viewing area, the Otter Oasis and Turtle Cove. Stop by the Education Room for information about the aquarium’s residents and coloring pages for the kids, and let your kids escape from the life-sized turtle net.
Great Explorations Children’s Museum
Families with younger children will love the Great Explorations Children’s Museum for a few hours of play and learning. Kids can crawl through the Touch Tunnel to experience different textures, pretend to do a live newscast at the Live On Air exhibit or create masterpieces in the Express Yourself Art Studio.
[ad_2]You can read more of the news on source
