The Pinellas Suncoast and St. Petersburg Driving Tour 2 1/2 Days
City: St. Petersburg
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Map: St. Petersburg
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As you start your tour from St. Petersburg, the first attraction will be Sunken Gardens. Located along 4th Street North and 18th Avenue North. This wonderful tropical Paradise has 5 acres of many varieties of flowers, uncommon orchids, exotic birds and animals. Next, take 4th Street North to 2nd Avenue North and turn left. Continue to Bayshore Drive and park your car. From this location you can tour the Museum of Fine Arts, the St. Petersburg Museum of History, the Florida International Museum and The Pier. After you enjoy all these sights, head back to your car and drive back to 2nd Avenue North, turn left on 1st Street. Head all the way to 7th Avenue South, turn right, then left onto 3rd Street South. This is where you will definitely want to tour the Salvador Dali Museum and the Great Explorations Center.
Return to your car and head north along 3rd Street for about seven blocks, and then turn left onto Central Avenue. This is the former main street of St. Petersburg. Along this avenue are renovated buildings, antique shops and the Tropicana Field Sports Arena.
Continuing on Central Avenue to SR 693 will now lead you to St. Pete Beach. When you get to Gulf Boulevard, head north 4 miles. This takes you into Treasure Island and then into John’s Pass Village. This area is basically a quiet fisherman’s village with a lot of little shops and restaurants. Driving further north about 3miles brings you into Mederia Beach where you can take a visit to The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, which happens to be the largest, rehabilitation infirmary. You will learn how they care and tend to the needs of the frail and hurt birds and send them back out into the wild.
Continuing north another 14 miles will have you in Clearwater Beach. This happens to be the most active area along this coastline. Popular among the young and energetic, Clearwater Beach has many beachside facilities, shops, cruises and accommodations. Visitors find this spot very interesting. The next activity is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. This is the rehabilitation and research center for sea animals and turtles. When you come to Alt 19, head south for 1 mile until you get to Belleview Boulevard, turn right and you will be at one of Florida’s most magnificent hotels. The Belleview Biltmore was created by Henry B. Plant, and opened for business back in 1897. A tour of this beautiful structure will be a highlight to this tour.
Staying on US 19, going north about 5 miles, brings you up to Dunedin, which is a small old-fashioned township. It’s founders where from Scotland and every first Sunday of the month, one can hear the bagpipes playing. In March and April, the Highland Games festival is brought to life. One can tell that the Scottish decent is very much alive, here in Dunedin. For a real delight, one must visit the two offshore islands that extend west off the Gulf. They are Honeymoon and Caladesi Island. Rated as the third finest beach in the whole United States, no beach lover will want to miss this.
Continuing on another 8 miles to Tarpon Springs, America’s Sponge capital. As these quality sponge beds were discovered in 1905, skilled fishermen were brought here from Greece and Key West. In the 30’s and 40’s Tarpon Springs became extremely popular. Nowadays, people come from all over to enjoy sponge shopping and experience its Greek culture. Returning on Alt 19 until SR 584, you will turn left and then right as US 19 joins and continues south. Keep driving for about 13 miles until you come to SR 686 and turn left. At 49th Street turn left and then the first right, this brings you into Boatyard Village. A lovely old fashioned New England fishing town with lots of charm. Stroll the boardwalks and rustic pathways to discover the shops, restaurants and theater.
Return to 49th Street and keep south until you get to SR 688, then turn right and continue for 5 miles. When you get to Alt 19, continue driving west for two blocks, and then turn left onto 125th Street. This is Heritage Village. This 21-acre site has been brought to life to give visitors an insight to what the early settlement was all about in Pinellas County. You can tour the museum and visit the old store, railroad station, the log house and church. Guides dressed as pioneers will show you the skills that were used back those the days. As you conclude this driving tour, go one block east and turn right on Ridge Road. Head south 5 miles on Alt 19. Turning right will take you to St. Pete Beach along the coast. Turning left will bring you into the city of St. Petersburg.
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