Beat the Winter Blues with a Trip to This Always-Sunny Florida City

Leave the winter blues at home and visit St. Petersburg, FL — where the only blues you will find are bright, clear skies. I am very partial to this place because I used to live there, and I have very fond memories of exploring this great Gulf-side city. I have also traveled to this place many times to escape harsh winter weather. So when you are looking for a warm place to stay, you won’t find a better place than St. Petersburg. I want to focus on some of my favorite places in Florida to visit while soaking up as much sun as possible. So follow along, and I am willing to bet that after reading this, you will be ready to book a trip to feel the satisfying tickle of sun-kissed skin once again. 

The first thing you will need to do on an epic sunny trip to St. Pete is book yourself a great place that utilizes the great outdoors. You might be tempted to spend your days touring the city, but if you want a chill day, then hang out by the pool at this home-base Airbnb right in the center of the city. The location will help you get everywhere you need to go quickly, with the added benefits of a cozy place to sleep and an outdoor courtyard to get comfy in as you relax. On a rest day, lounge by the pool, curl up with a book on the upstairs balcony, or enjoy the greenery in the pavilion. Now that you've got your place secured, let's hit the town!

If you visit St. Pete during the winter, the beach is one of the best places to go, and you will have plenty of options when it comes to a sandy oasis. Clearwater Beach is a great location, especially for skimboarding, while Pass-A-Grille is an excellent spot to avoid the crowds. Just down the road is the popular powdery white sand of St. Pete Beach, or head to the more remote Fort De Soto, which is completely worth the extra effort.

Whichever one you choose, you can soak up the sun, splash in the water (don’t forget to do the sting ray shuffle), look for unique sea shells, and walk along the calming shore. St. Pete is a peninsula, so you are never too far away from the cool ocean breeze and a place to dip your toes in the sand. 

Another spot that is a must while visiting St. Pete is downtown. Over the last decade or so, downtown has undergone a massive resurgence and public interest. Many cool, unique rooftop restaurants and shops have emerged, making it a great place to visit on your trip. Find a nice spot to eat outside to enjoy some of that amazing Floridian weather, followed by a trip to the pier.

The pier has undergone a few changes over the years (I still remember when it looked like an upside-down pyramid), but with those changes came a lot of interesting new things to do. If you have kids, then a stop at the Glazer Family Playground is a must. This cool nautical-themed space is perfect to spark the imagination of young minds — and as a big kid myself, I still love playgrounds. 

Stroll the streets downtown and eventually make your way to the Gizelle Kopsick Arboretum. This small little forest by the oceanside is surprisingly full of many different palm trees. I had no idea that there was that much variety to one of my favorite trees until I took the short walking path in this Arboretum. Enjoy the small palm fronds low to the ground to the soaring high king palms. When you are done, there is yet another beach to see only steps away.

During my travels, whenever it got closer to the end of the day, I would head to one of the beaches on the west side of the city, like St.Pete Beach or Pass-a-Grille, to watch the sunset. Watching the sun ease over the oceanic horizon and ignite the sky with flaming, beautiful colors is an absolutely unforgettable experience.

There is never a dull moment in St. Petersburg, FL, and I cherish every visit. There seems to be no end to the fun you can have in the sun, and I've hardly ever seen a day without beautiful weather. The winter is a great time to plan a trip from any of the colder northern states to warm up.  And just because I love St. Pete, I’ll tell you about one more hidden gem on the southern end of the city. Boyd Hill is a small nature preserve that I have a lot of fond memories of and a great place to go to enjoy a stroll. 

No matter which location(s) in St. Petersburg you choose to spend time in, I'm sure it's going to be a treat. And if you need more suggestions to spruce up your travel plans, check out our itinerary planner for personalized recommendations.