2017 St Pete Pride Travel Guide

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LGBT TRAVEL GUIDE LIVE LIKE A LOCAL 5 BAY AREA RESIDENTS SHARE THEIR FAVORITE HANGOUTS

AREA MAP

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TA B L E O F CONTENTS

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LGBT TRAVEL GUIDE

AREA MAP 4 - 5 EVENTS 6

BY THE NUMBERS 8 PRIDE WEEKEND 9 PRIDE 5 WAYS 10 - 11

COVER

5 LGBT St Pete residents who discuss their favorite parts of the city in “My St Pete” on page 20.

Guide design by Dash Creative

STAFF

Luke Blankenship, Interim Executive Director

MY ST PETE 12 - 20

BOARD MEMBERS

Scion Crowder, President Laura Legarreta, Vice President Chrys Bundy, Secretary Stanley Solomons, Treasurer J. Aller Susan McGrath Nathan Bruemmer

DIRECTORS OF OPERATIONS Kim Chavez, Volunteer Director Tri Nguyen, Volunteer Director Tavis Geerdes, Parade Director Dan Garcia, Parade Director Danny McAfee, Parade Director George Allen, Festival Director

www.stpetepride.com |

PO Box 12647, St Petersburg FL 33733 |  2017 St Pete Pride

OUR MISSION The purpose of St Pete Pride is to promote unity, visibility, self-esteem, and a positive image of and among the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community of Tampa Bay and throughout the State of Florida by way of cultural and educational programs and activities.

Caladesi Island

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Oldsmar 3

Dunedin

Clearwater 5 Beach

Tampa Internationa l Airport

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Caladesi Island

Sand Key

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Clearwater Belleair Beach

Oldsmar

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Pinellas Park

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Largo

Indian Rocks Beach

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Belleair Beach

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Pinellas Park

Redington Beach Redington Beach

Petersburg is full of St.St.Petersburg

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amazing beaches, great food, impressive museums, and so 43 14 much more. Check Tampa out some of the areas DOWN mustTOWN see places.

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Treasure Island

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Albert Whitted Airport

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RESTAURANTS/ BARS 41

1. 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House

18. The Garage

35. Proper Kitchen & Cocktails

2. The Avenue Eat/Drink

19. Green Bench Brewing Co.

36. Punky’s Bar & Grill

400beachseafood.com theavenuedtsp.com

3. Bandit Coffee banditcoffee.co TAMPA

4. BellaBrava 8 13

6

bellabrava.com

5. The Bends

2729 Central Ave.

properdtsp.com

greenbenchbrewing.com

punkysbar.com

20. Hamburger Mary's Clearwater

37. Pro Shop Pub

hamburgermarys.com/clearwater

proshoppub.com

21. Hamburger Mary's St Pete

38. Red Mesa Cantina

hamburgermarys.com/stpete

redmesacantina.com

22. Hawkers Asian Street Fare

727-202-8931

6. The Birch & Vine thebirchwood.com

7. Bodega on Central

bodegaoncentral.com

8. Bradley's on 7th

bradleyson7th.com

9. The Canopy Rooftop Lounge thebirchwood.com

10. Cask & Ale

thecaskandale.com

11. Cassis American Brasserie cassisab.com

12. Community Café

St. Petersburg is full of communitycafestpete.com 13.

Copper Tail Brewing amazing beaches, coppertailbrewing.com great food, 14. Dog Barimpressive dogbarstpete.com museums, and so 15. Engine No. 9 no9burgers.com much more. Check Enigma out 16. some of the areas enigmastpete.com 17.

Florida Orange Groves Winery must see places. floridawine.com

39. The Queens Head

eathawkers.com

thequeensheadbar.com

23. Iberian Rooster

40. Quench Lounge

iberianrooster.com

quenchlounge.com

24. The Independent

41. Red Mesa Mercado

independentstpete.com

redmesamercado.com

25. Kings Street Food Counter

42. Ricky P’s Orleans Bistro

kingsdtsp.com

rickyps.com

26. Lucky Star Lounge

43. Rollin Oats Market & Café

2760 Central Ave.

27. Mad Hatters Ethnobotanical Tea Bar madhattersteabar.com

28. Mandarin Hide

44. Ruby’s Elixir rubyselixir.com

45. Salty’s Gulfport Bar

mandarinhide.com

saltysgulfport.com

29. Meze 119

46. Sea Salt

meze119.com

seasaltstpete.com

30. Old Key West Bar & Grill

47. Silas Steakhouse

727-623-0969

silassteakhouse.com

31. Park & Rec

48. Stillwaters Tavern

parkrecdtsp.com

stillwaterstavern.com

32. Peg’s Cantina & Brew Pub

49. Tryst Gastro Lounge

pegscantina.com

trystgastrolounge.com

33. Pipo's To Go pipos1979.com

rollinoats.com

50. Wine Madonna

34. Pom Pom’s Tea House & Sandwicheria

winemadonna.com

pompomsstpete.com

HOTELS 1. Avalon Hotel

D NLOA W O D2. Beach Drive Inn Bed & Breakfast AP 727-822-2244 H I S M /map T 3. Beso Del Sol m de.coResort tpetepri s727-734-8851 727-317-5508

7. Courtyard Marriott St. Pete Dwtn 727-450-6200

8. DoubleTree Beach19 Resort 727-391-4000

19. The Vinoy Renaissance Resort 727-894-1000

20. Watergarden Inn at the Bay 727-822-1700

1. Busch Gardens

buschgardens.com

48 8 11.49Hampton Inn & Suites St. Pete Dwtn 2. Chihuly Collection 50 4 9 727-892-9900

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12. Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront 11

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727-894-5000

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11 Hotel Indigo St. Pete Dwtn baysho

2nd st

727-821-0777

6 4 9 St Pete House 10. Gay

727-321-5000 727-365-0544

1st Ave S

727-367-2761

ATTRACTIONS

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1st Ave N

727-550-9300

9. Flamingo Resort PARADE START 1

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16. Ponce De Leon Boutique Hotel

18. Staybridge Suites St Pete Dwtn

727-822-7500

d Ave N

6. FL Museum of Photographic Arts

866-508-0265

727-596-1100

6. The Cordova Inn

3rd Ave N

15. Marriott St. Petersburg

727-896-1080

5. Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites

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5. Florida Holocaust Museum

888-809-1588

17. Residence Inn by Marriott Treasure Island

4. The Birchwood

4th Ave N

14. Kimpton Hotel Zamora

727-822-4814 central ave

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moreanartscenter.org

3. Creative Clay/Good Folk Gallery creaiveclay.org

4. Florida Craftsman Gallery floridacraftart.org

flholocaustmuseum.org fmopa.org

7. Morean Arts Center moreanartscenter.org

8. Museum of Fine Arts fine-arts.org

9. Ocean Blue Galleries oceanblue.gallery

10. Salvador Dali Museum thedali.org

11. St. Pete Museum of History spmoh.com

12. St. Petersburg Opera Co. stpeteopera.org

13. St. Pete Sculpture Museum jonhair.com

14. Sunken Gardens stpete.org/sunken

15. Treehouse Gallery treehousegallery.com

VENT

PRIDE WEEKEND THURSDAY 6/21 St Pete Pride Rooftop Kickoff Party

FR I DAY 6/22

The SP2 Concert North Straub Park

SATUR DAY 6/23 St Pete Pride Parade & Fireworks Downtown St. Petersburg

SUNDAY 6/24

St Pete Pride Street Festival Grand Central District

Proud to serve as your gateway to the treasures of Florida’s West Coast since 1971.

to

TA M P A B AY Visit us at TampaAirport.com or follow us @FlyTPA

0510MKT-0917

BY THE NUMBERS A LOOK AT TAMPA BAY’S COMMUNITY

  

AGE: 48.04% are aged 18-54 (average age 36.42)

INCOME: $36,306 per capita income SIZE: 312,157 people identify as LGBT, representing 7.18% of Tampa Bay

SOURCE: 2013. WITECK COMMUNICATIONS

AUDIENCE HISTORY 2003

TODAY

10,000 people

250,000+ people

ECONOMIC IMPACT Over $20 Million in revenue created by St Pete Pride events.

Visitor Direct Expenditures: $10 Million.

celebrate the power and beauty of diversity

june 22-24, 2018 MORE INFO ONLINE AT

www.stpetepride.com

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LUNCH: Bodega on Central.

Sitting for a while isn’t your thing, so this Cuban inspired eatery is perfect for you with its walk-up window. Get the Cuban – trust. www.bodegaoncentral.com AFTERNOON: Urban Kai. You’ll hate yourself if you don’t do it, and the waters of Tampa Bay are the best to experience standup paddle boarding. www.urbankai.com DINNER: 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House. Offering some of the best seafood in town, this Beach Drive restaurant offers views of the bay with patio and indoor seating. www.400beachseafood.com NIGHTLIFE: The Canopy. The best views in St. Pete, guaranteed.

Sitting atop The Birchwood, you’ll get full views of the bay and Beach Dr. Enjoy a cocktail by the fire, gather with friends under a cabana, or just mingle at the bar. www.thebirchwood.com/ thecanopy

WHERE TO STAY: Kimpton Hotel Zamora. Located near the “gay beach” along Gulf Blvd, this Mediterranean style 72-room hotel offers spacious and luxurious rooms. www. thehotelzamora.com

Beach Goer

LUNCH: Stillwaters Tavern. OK, so not on the beach. But it’s on the Bay and right in the heart of Downtown St. Pete. Enjoy creative cocktails, gourmet menu, and a patio with a retractable roof. www.stillwaterstavern.com

The

PRIDE FIVE WAYS

The Adventurer

WHERE TO STAY: Hotel Indigo.

You won’t be far from the action in this downtown hotel. And the price point is just right so you can take full advantage of what St Pete has to offer! www.ihg.com

AFTERNOON: Sunset Beach.

This is why you came to St. Pete, and Sunset Beach on Treasure Island is popular within the LGBTQ community as it’s often referred to as the Gulf coast’s “gay beach.”

DINNER: Silas Steakhouse.

Enjoy casual steak and seafood along the Intracoastal that’s just a short trolley ride from your hotel. www.silassteakhouse.com NIGHTLIFE: Enigma Bar & Lounge. The epicenter of the gay scene, this urban style bar has a great cocktail menu and friendly staff. It’s the place to be seen. www.enigmastpete.com

The Partier WHERE TO STAY: Ponce De Leon Boutique Hotel.

Location, location, location. This boutique hotel is located downtown within walking distance to the many downtown bars and restaurants. www.poncedeleonhotel.com LUNCH: Hawkers Asian Street Fare. Let’s face it. You were out all night and your “lunch” is beginning at 3pm. This is why their $3 happy hour appetizer menu from 3pm to 6pm is just for you. www.eathawkers.com AFTERNOON: Busch Gardens. Hop in the car and head over to Tampa to spend some time at Busch Gardens. This park features multiple shows, over a dozen rollercoasters and rides, and even a ride through the Serengeti. www.buschgardens.com DINNER: Red Mesa Cantina. Offering Mexican inspired dishes, this restaurant often features live music. And the margaritas? Yeah, they’re the best. www.redmesacantina.com NIGHTLIFE: Downtown St Pete. As a partier, you know you can’t be tied down to one bar. So, begin your evening downtown along Beach Drive and then make the turn onto Central Ave. Downtown St Pete is full of bars, nightclubs and live music venues.

The

Art Enthusiast WHERE TO STAY: The Vinoy® Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort. It was named by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the Historic Hotels of America, and is situated directly along the parade route. www.marriott.com LUNCH: BellaBrava. This casual Italian restaurant is located within walking distance to many of the galleries and museums that you’ll check out during your visit. Try the lobster mac, you’ll thank us later. www.bellabrava.com AFTERNOON: The Dali Museum. Dedicated to the work of Salvador Dalí, this

artistic building houses the largest collection of Dalí's works outside Europe. www.thedali.org DINNER: Sea Salt. Their use of salts is almost an art within itself. This seafood restaurant is located within the Sundial St. Pete, the gym of downtown. www.seasaltstpete.com NIGHTLIFE: Mandarin Hide.

Cocktails and art. It’s almost a match that should’ve happened long ago. Nonetheless, it’s here now and it’s at The Mandarin Hide. www.mandarinhide.com

The

Hipster WHERE TO STAY: Avalon Hotel. This centrally located hotel offers a great home base in St Pete. The rooms offer an art deco vibe, and hotel features a pool, a funky lounge, and is within walking distance to the 600 Block. www.avalonstpetersburg.com LUNCH: Red Mesa Mercado. This is an urban drive-by dining style restaurant unique to the streets of Mexico and offers recipes rich with flavors and fresh ingredients. www.redmesamercado.com AFTERNOON: The 600 Block of St Pete.

Central Ave between 6th and 7th Street is filled with local art galleries, music venues, and bohemian style boutique shops. www.facebook.com/the600block DINNER: The Queens Head. Situated within the Grand Central District, dine al fresco in a private cabana with live entertainment at this Britishstyle bar and restaurant. www. thequeensheadbar.com NIGHTLIFE: The Bends. Nothing in St. Pete define hipster like The Bends.

There’s no sign. Just look for the finger pointing to the entrance. www.facebook. com/thebendsbar

ST PETE Some of the area’s finest give us the lay of the land

Ashley brundage

Birthplace: Tampa, FL Occupation: National Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion for PNC Financial Services Group Seafood or Cuban food: Fresh grouper without a doubt. Such amazing restaurants by the beach.

Favorite annual event: Grand Prix of St Petersburg - it’s an intriguing combination of fast, loud, and fun.

Favorite LGBT event: I love our takeover of the Mahaffey Theater with our annual Equality Florida Gala. Food, dancing, performances, and activism at its best!

St Pete in one word is: Innovative What’s a St Pete must-see: St. Pete Mural Tour What makes St Pete unique as a city: St. Pete for me has always been a place of excitement, with its avant-garde artist scene, its flourishing food frontier, and its constantly growing city centerand all nestled between the gorgeous beaches on the Gulf of Mexico and beautiful Bay-front Beach Drive.

A St Pete must have: Crab Cakes from the historic Vinoy Hotel.

St Pete’s best hidden gem: The Avenue - hands down the BEST Burgers, and AWESOME tater tots!

Local St Pete hero: Steve Kornell first openly gay city commissioner for St Pete and a great voice for our community.

Favorite place to eat: Mazzaro’s Italian Market Favorite brunch in town: Cider Press Café. My wife and I were excited to have a local place she can easily brunch with gluten free and vegan options.

Favorite happy hour: Hands down this would be Quench Lounge in Largo. The drinks are affordable and the atmosphere is even better!

Favorite attraction: Ft. Desoto Park, because of the rich history of the military outpost there. It’s neat to walk around the entire fort then hang out at the nearby beach.

Favorite beach: I love Sand Key for the large sand area and how close you are to Clearwater beach.

Favorite nightlife spot: Canopy at the Birchwood - great drinks and atmosphere. It also helps to have an amazing water view.

What’s on your St Pete bucket list: I would love to try parasailing as I am sure the views of the beach from the water would be really cool.

Miguel Fuller

Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia Occupation: Radio Morning Show Host – HOT 101.5 – The Miguel & Holly Show Seafood or Cuban food: Cuban – love me some Cuban sandwiches!

Favorite annual event: St Pete Pride Weekend – what is better than 200,000 plus people descending on your city and celebrating love and equality?!

Favorite LGBT event: St Pete Pride Street Festival – There’s nothing better than walking around and seeing big and small businesses show support for the LGBT community.

St Pete in one word: Relaxed What’s a St Pete must-see: The Canopy. Whenever someone visits I love taking them up there to look at the Bay. What makes St Pete unique as a city: The food, the people, the community and especially the art.

A St Pete must have: I’m a hamburger person so all the different choices at The Avenue make my mouth water.

Local St Pete hero: Mayor Rick Kriseman – it starts from the top.

When you have someone who

fights for equality at the top, the rest of the city takes notice.

Favorite place to grab a bite: Bella Brava – the drinks and the Italian food is magical.

Favorite brunch in town: The Oyster Bar! It doesn’t get better than being able to pour your own mimosas!

Favorite happy hour: Engima – their 2 for 1 prices with strong drinks is a favorite of mine. I have so many Engima chips stacked up.

Favorite beach: Treasure Island.

Nothing like seeing your friends on a Sunday after the beach laying out.

Favorite nightlife spot: Enigma – the happy hour place turns into one of my favorite spots for a good drag show!

What’s on your St Pete bucket list: Still haven’t been to a Rowdies game. I really want to make that happen this year. I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t been to Dalí yet, either.

Your perfect day & night out in St Pete: Brunch at the Oyster Bar, drinks afterwards at Mandrian Hide, one pit stop at Enigma for drinks, then spending the rest of Sunday Funday at the Flamingo!

Josh Cruz

Birthplace: Hartford, CT Occupation: Comm. Director Seafood or Cuban food: Cuban Favorite annual event: St. Pete Grand Prix Favorite LGBT event: St Pete Pride of course!

St Pete in one word: Welcoming What’s a St Pete must-see: The Dali Museum What makes St Pete unique as a city: St. Pete is not afraid to be weird. This is the Portland of Florida.

A St Pete must have: Lechon Plato at Bodega. Almost as good as my abuela’s…sorry grandma!

St Pete’s best hidden gem: Weedon Island Park is a local’s natural oasis – paddle board or kayak Riviera Bay. Local St Pete hero: Ashley Brundage - she totally embodies the diverse spirit of this city.

Favorite place to grab a bite: Bandit Coffee - technically not food, but the best coffee in the city!

Favorite brunch in town: The Birch & Vine. They change the menu seasonably, but great service is always a staple.

Favorite happy hour: Intermezzo – technically not a happy hour, but the craft cocktails and vibe could easily make you think you’re in NYC’s Nuvo-cool Lower East Side.

Favorite attraction: St. Pete Beach Favorite beach: Sunset Beach.

Drink, party, YOLO – enough said.

Favorite nightlife spot: Enigma - DJ Craig Dirty and the queens have really turned this into the premier LGBT nightlife spot – without any pretensions.

What’s on your St Pete bucket list: Caladisi State Park - you can only get there by ferry, but it has idyllic undeveloped beaches just north of Clearwater Beach.

Your perfect day & night out in St Pete: Paddle boarding off Northshore Park, brunch with the boys at Birch & Vine (request the Reilly Room for groups 8+), relax on Sunset Beach for the day, Dinner at Brick and Mortar and dance the night away at Enigma.

Best day trip destinations: Gulfport - it’s authentically bohemian and down-home. It’s a Cape Cod village’s Florida cousin.

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T H E RO M A N T I C P I N K PA L AC E . . .

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#THEDONCESAR #STPETEPRIDE 3400 GULF BLVD, ST. PETE BEACH, FL 33706

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Court Bishop

Birthplace: Clermont, Florida Occupation: Content Director at Media Garage Group, Inc. Seafood or Cuban food: Cuban Favorite annual event: Keep St. Pete Local’s “Localtopia” at Williams Park downtown Favorite LGBT event: St Pete Pride!

St Pete in one word: Independent What’s a St Pete must-see: It’s hard to choose one but I’d recommend a St. Pete mural tour.

There are mural maps online for the Type As who need a plan of action. Crazy photo ops!

What makes St Pete unique as a city: The genuine nature of the people and small businesses here. Everyone is “in it” together and more than happy to help one another out. It’s refreshing.

A St Pete must have: My top 3 are: 1. Local artist Chizzy’s “World Tour” tees; 2. All the delicious local craft beer you can drink (responsibly); some of my favorite breweries; 3. The Saturday Morning Market, St. Pete Indie Market or any pop-up market. They’re great for people watching and soaking up the vibes of the city.

St Pete’s best hidden gem: The local metaphysical shops such as The Looking Glass, Wings Bookstore and Roots of the Sun Local St Pete hero: Our Mayor, Rick Kriseman Favorite place to grab a bite: The Burg Bar & Grill. Great burgers and Greek food. Amazing craft beer selections.

Favorite brunch in town: The Mill - the food and craft cocktails are as aesthetically pleasing as the space.

Favorite happy hour: Punky’s Bar & Grill or FarmTable Kitchen downtown (upstairs at Locale Market).

Favorite attraction: The Dalí Museum. There are always new exhibits highlighting collaborations between Dalí and other artists.

Favorite beach: I’d recommend Sunset Beach (“The Gay Beach”) to people who want to have a more lively, party-type environment.

Favorite nightlife spot: Green Bench Brewing.

What’s on your St Pete bucket list: Standup at an open mic night.

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Eric Skains

Birthplace: Houston Occupation: Regional General Manager of Sprint (former Executive Director of St Pete Pride) Seafood or Cuban food: Cuban Favorite annual event: Localtopia is a true collection of all things St Pete Favorite LGBT event: I’d be biased if I said St Pete Pride, but I will anyway. Seeing the entire city come together in celebration of diversity is amazing. It’s rainbow flags from downtown to the beaches!

St Pete in one word: Diverse What’s a St Pete must-see: The Central Avenue Art Block What makes St Pete unique as a city: For a mid-sized city, it’s loaded with museums, art galleries, local breweries, the best beaches in the US, a diverse night-life, shops and entertainment.

A St Pete must have: A “London.

Paris. Tokyo. St Pete.” shirt. They can be found everywhere.

What would you say is St Pete’s best hidden gem: Caladesi Island. It’s a great experience and is completely secluded. It’s only accessible by boat, so it’s less crowded than other beaches.

Local St Pete hero: Larry Biddle.

Larry has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Tampa Bay LGBT community.

We enjoy many things in St Pete because of Larry.

Favorite place to grab a bite: The Avenue. Their 50 cent wing nights are great!

Favorite brunch in town: The Oyster Bar. Buffet and unlimited Bloody Mary’s. Enough said.

Favorite happy hour: Enigma.

They have great 2 for 1 specials until 9pm!

Favorite attraction: The Dalí Museum. The architecture of the building is worth seeing alone.

Favorite beach: Fort Desoto Beach. It has one of the few dog beaches around.

Favorite nightlife spot: MacDinton's St Pete, Mandarin Hide, The Bends, Tryst and Bar@548 make up my top 5.

What’s on your St Pete bucket list: Kayaking through Caladesi Island.

Your perfect day & night out in St Pete: Lunch downtown followed by some shopping along Central Ave. In the evening, dinner along the beach while watching the sunset over the Gulf.

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GET YOUR PRIDE ON. It’s the perfect getaway: 35 miles of white-sand bliss, surreal museums, quirky neighborhoods and 1000 things to do. Start with St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach, ranked in the Top 5 U.S. Beaches by TripAdvisor in 2017 – or Treasure Island’s Sunset Beach, the LGBTQ hot spot. Then, hit up St. Pete’s Grand Central District, host to Florida’s largest Pride parade, and cap the night with a moonlight stroll along Tampa Bay. The vibe is yours.