A DAY ON THE ST. PETE PIER

How to eat, play, learn and shop!

story and photos by Kiva Williams, @thefunfoodiemama – from our media partners at TampaBayDateNightGuide.com

We’ve all been there: You can’t find a sitter, but still want to get out and explore. One of our favorite areas to plan a family day date is at the St. Pete Pier! Situated along the waters of Tampa Bay, the Pier is ideal for picnicking, biking, relaxing, waterfront dining and so much more.

EAT

The St. Pete Pier offers a variety of dining options, from fast casual to semi fancy. Whether you enjoy eating from a hot dog stand or getting dressed up to dine out and catch the beautiful sunset, the Pier has you covered. DOC FORD’S is a popular date night location amongst the locals. Their Yucatan Shrimp is a fan favorite from the menu, and you just can’t beat the waterfront views from any seat in the house, whether indoors or outdoors. Get there early to grab a seat to catch the sunset. You won’t be disappointed. PIER TEAKI is one of the highlights of visiting the Pier. It’s a rooftop bar with breathtaking views overlooking downtown St. Pete. It’s a must see, so definitely have your camera ready to capture some beautiful moments. The menu includes a selection of bar bites and signature cocktails. This is also a great place to bring out of town guests as the views of St. Pete are top notch! Please keep it mind that after 8pm, it’s 21+ only. TEAK (not to be confused with Pier Teaki) can be found on the 4th level. Come dressed to impress and enjoy an elevated dining experience. The seafood selection is top notch and has rave reviews. It’s also a great place to host a large family gathering or corporate dinner. SPA BEACH BISTRO is the Pier’s outdoor casual dining cafe located near the playground and splash pad. Enjoy pizza, chicken tenders, fries and ice cream. If you enjoy pizza but follow a vegan diet, they have options for you too! I really like that they are easily accessible to a large part of the Pier. Plus, there are a lot of kid-friendly options if you’re bringing the kids along. This is also a good spot to pick up picnic provisions.

Other dining options are FRESCO’S WATERFRONT BISTRO, which is great for outdoor dining and weekend brunch, and DRIFTWOOD CAFE for snacks and ice cream.

PLAY

If you’re planning to make date night a family outing, the St. Pete Pier is home to an amazing playground. They really had kids in mind when they built the Glazer Family Playground. I like that it has two parts, one for the younger kids and one for the older children. Climbing up and down the designated play areas and using the slides are two of my children’s favorite thing to do at this playground. Be prepared for your kids to put up a fight when it’s time to leave.

The Pier also has a splash pad area and a beach. Yup, there’s a beach at the St. Pete Pier! Bring your swimsuits and towels because getting wet and cooling off after a hot Florida day is a must. You can also launch your own kayaks and paddle boards from this area. Pack a picnic to make it a complete date.

And, if you’re wondering can you fish at the Pier, the answer is yes! There are designated fishing spots toward the back of the Pier. If you’re not prepared, Gator Jim’s Bait & Tackle will take care of you with fishing gear for rent and purchase.

ART

One of the most unique aspects of the St. Pete Pier is the artwork. Stroll over to the Bending Arc, an impressive aerial sculpture that’s more than 400 feet wide and up to 72 feet tall at its highest point. Fun fact: It’s completely made of lightweight fiber. Other works include a huge colorful mosaic comprised of crocheted mandalas and several sculptures.

LEARN

The Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center is a must-see when at the Pier, especially if you are with the kids. Operated by Keep Tampa Bay Watch, the indoor museum has several interactive exhibits to experience. You can learn about the estuary and even peek at what life is like underneath the red mangroves.

One of the more prominent displays is One Second Wave, a sculpture created out of more than 1,500 plastic bottles—the number of bottles thrown away every second in the United States! It’s a reminder that we need to do what we can to reduce our use of single use plastics to keep microplastics out of our oceans.

There’s also a touch tank with live sea creatures like sea stars and horseshoe crabs! You can even meet the Discovery Center’s newest residents, ornate diamondback terrapins Bertha and Ruby.

Tickets are $3 for kids ages 4-12, active military and Florida teachers, and $5 for anyone else 13 and above. tbwdiscoverycenter.org KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Admission to the Pier is free, but parking is not. Metered parking is available in two designated lots for $2–$2.50 per hour for the first four hours. Download the ParkMobile app before you go; this makes it super easy to pay for a spot once you arrive.

The St. Pete Pier is bike-friendly and dog-friendly, but make sure your dog is on a leash.

Hours are daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to 11 p.m.