Moving to or building a home in St. Petersburg means joining a community where every weekend feels like vacation. But with so many attractions, restaurants, and activities, newcomers often struggle to discover what makes the Sunshine City truly special beyond the typical tourist recommendations.
As St. Petersburg natives and longtime residents, we at Bettencourt Construction have watched our city transform into one of Florida's most desirable destinations. After 30+ years of building homes here, we've developed deep connections with the community and discovered the experiences that make St. Petersburg residents never want to leave.
Whether you're considering a move to St. Petersburg or planning to build your custom home here, understanding what makes daily life special is crucial to choosing the right neighborhood and designing a home that maximizes your St. Petersburg lifestyle.
Here's your insider's guide to the best experiences St. Petersburg offers—from world-renowned attractions to hidden gems that locals cherish.
The Salvador Dalí Museum An unparalleled collection of Salvador Dali artworks, spanning his life and career, featuring works in many media. The extensive Salvador Dali Museum is home to the largest collection of works by the famous Spanish surrealist outside of Europe. This architectural masterpiece houses the world's most comprehensive collection of Dalí's work, making St. Petersburg an international art destination.
The Chihuly Collection The towering amethyst sculpture outside the Chihuly Collection is just a taste of the other-worldly and fantastical art you'll find within this space, which features the gorgeously-hued, intricate works of renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. This intimate museum showcases the breathtaking glass sculptures that have made Chihuly famous worldwide.
St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) The St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is one of Florida's most comprehensive art collections, with exhibits spanning 5,000 years and over 20,000 works. The museum boasts pieces from famous artists such as Monet and O'Keeffe as well as sculpture gardens, prestigious photography exhibits, and early American Indian art.
You'll be captivated by the giant kapok tree outside St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts, especially if you're here in March, when its scarlet blossoms burst with beauty that would've inspired the likes of Georgia O'Keeffe (whose work you can see inside the museum).
The Mahaffey Theater Located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, Duke Center for the Arts – The Mahaffey Theater is a cultural jewel that seats up to 2,031 visitors. Top-quality national and international artists, such as the renowned Florida Orchestra, grace the theater's stage. From Broadway shows to symphony performances, The Mahaffey brings world-class entertainment to downtown St. Petersburg.
Art Districts and Murals Seven distinct arts districts blend together to create a vibrant arts and cultural destination for visitors and residents alike. The SHINE Mural Festival, Mainsail Art Festival and St. Petersburg Fine Art Festival are just three of the major art showcases. Take a walking tour through downtown to discover incredible murals and public art installations.
Fort De Soto Park Spanning five small islands, the 1,136-acre Fort De Soto Park lies at the mouth of Tampa Bay and attracts more than 2.7 million visitors a year. The park features 7 miles of waterfront, two fishing piers, multiple hiking and biking trails, picnic and camping grounds and a historic fort.
Often referred to as the crown jewel of St. Pete-Clearwater, Fort De Soto Park is a pristine beachfront treasure you'll want to explore more than once, from its award-winning North Beach section to the rare waterfront camping it offers. This is consistently ranked among America's best beaches.
Sunken Gardens An oasis in the heart of St. Petersburg, Sunken Gardens is a 4-acre, century-old living museum in the Historic Old Northeast neighborhood. Walking paths weave through the botanical gardens, adorned with hundreds of species of plants, flowers, exotic birds, and flamingos that add even more vibrant hues to the lush surroundings.
St. Pete's oldest living museum is a botanical paradise in the midst of the bustling city and home to some of the oldest tropical plants in the region.
The St. Pete Pier The St. Pete Pier offers 26 acres of waterfront space for residents and visitors to stroll, bike, dine, drink, shop, swim, take in a concert or attend an event. This $92 million waterfront destination features restaurants, shops, a splash pad, and incredible views of Tampa Bay.
Bayfront Parks North Straub Park is one of a series of bayfront parks in St. Petersburg. It's surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and museums, often hosting community events and private gatherings. These waterfront parks provide perfect spots for picnics, festivals, and simply enjoying Tampa Bay's beautiful scenery.
St. Pete Beach Set on a small island off the Gulf Coast of Florida, St. Pete Beach is known for its white-sand beaches, water sports, and the historic Don CeSar resort. Despite the island's small size, you can find everything you need, from mom-and-pop restaurants and quaint hotels to upscale resorts, art galleries, and shopping.
Treasure Island and Redington Beach Just north of St. Pete Beach, these barrier islands offer slightly quieter beach experiences while maintaining easy access to dining and entertainment.
Pass-a-Grille Beach The southernmost tip of St. Pete Beach offers a charming, small-town atmosphere with historic buildings, local restaurants, and some of the area's most beautiful sunsets.
Florida Botanical Gardens Whether it's meticulously landscaped or wonderfully wild, green spaces abound in the Tampa Bay area. Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo shows off expertly tended orchids, roses and fruit trees. Perfect for nature lovers and those seeking peaceful outdoor experiences.
Saturday Morning Market The largest Farmers Market in the southeast United States, with over 170 vendors rotating through 135 spaces. An extraordinary selection of prepared food, great crafts, plants, flowers, and more. This vibrant Saturday Morning Market transforms downtown every Saturday with local produce, artisan goods, and live music.
Tropicana Field - Tampa Bay Rays Tampa Bay's own Major League Baseball team, the Tampa Bay Rays, plays in downtown St. Pete at Tropicana Field. Experience Major League Baseball in an intimate, air-conditioned setting perfect for Florida's hot summers.
Al Lang Stadium - Tampa Bay Rowdies Tampa Bay's own professional soccer team, the Tampa Bay Rowdies, take the pitch in downtown St. Pete. Enjoy professional soccer with beautiful waterfront views.
Boat Tours and Water Adventures Spot dolphins with Tropics Boat Tours, or go sightseeing with Sharkey's Glass Bottom Tours or Florida Boat Tours. Experience Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico from the water with dolphin watching, sunset cruises, and glass-bottom boat tours.
Food Tours Enjoy food and drink tastings on the St. Pete Beach Drive & Wine Tours, hosted by Tampa Bay Food Tours, or the Eat St. Pete Food Tour. Discover the city's culinary scene with guided tours that showcase local favorites and hidden gems.
Great Explorations Children's Museum Interactive exhibits designed to engage and educate children of all ages, making learning fun and memorable.
Tropics Boat Tours Family-friendly dolphin watching and sightseeing tours that show off Tampa Bay's natural beauty and marine life.
Vinoy Park Beach A calm, protected beach area perfect for families with small children, featuring playgrounds and picnic areas.
Events are a huge part of St. Pete's vibrant energy and culture. The city hosts numerous festivals throughout the year, including:
Tampa Attractions St. Pete is also close to the many attractions in Tampa. Just 30 minutes away, Tampa offers Busch Gardens, professional sports teams, and additional cultural attractions.
Orlando Theme Parks You're only an hour or two away from bucket-list attractions. Drive just 90 minutes to Orlando and you'll find Disney parks (such as Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom) as well as Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of Adventure and LEGOLAND Florida.
Sarasota Outdoor adventures including kayak tours are among the top things to do in Sarasota. Just 45 minutes south, Sarasota offers additional cultural attractions, beaches, and the famous Ringling Museum.
What makes St. Petersburg special isn't just individual attractions—it's how they all combine to create a lifestyle where culture, outdoor recreation, and community intersect seamlessly. Residents can start their day with a sunrise walk on the pier, spend the afternoon exploring a world-class museum, and end with dinner at a waterfront restaurant, all within minutes of home.
This lifestyle integration is what we consider when designing custom homes for St. Petersburg families. Your home should enhance and complement everything the city offers—from outdoor entertaining spaces that take advantage of year-round perfect weather to home offices for the growing remote work community.
Understanding what you love about St. Petersburg helps inform every aspect of your custom home design. Do you envision hosting sunset dinner parties? We'll design the perfect outdoor kitchen and entertaining space. Are you art enthusiasts who will frequent local galleries? We'll create display areas and storage for your growing collection. Love the water but want privacy? We'll help you find the perfect waterfront lot and design a home that maximizes both views and seclusion.
At Bettencourt Construction, our deep connection to St. Petersburg means we understand how to design homes that don't just exist in this wonderful city—they celebrate and enhance the St. Petersburg lifestyle. We've been building and remodeling in St. Petersburg since the late 1980s, and we've developed a design and build process that leads to unmatched quality, design, and customer engagement.
Ready to start building your St. Petersburg dream home? Contact Bettencourt Construction today to discuss how we can help you create the perfect base for enjoying everything the Sunshine City offers.
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