2 Days in St Pete, Florida: A Weekend Itinerary
Planning a 2 days in St. Pete itinerary? This laid-back Florida city offers the perfect mix of art, food, breweries, and beach time — perfect for a weekend trip!
Spending 2 days in St. Petersburg, Florida is the ideal amount of time to experience the best of the city. As a local, I love spending time in downtown St. Pete—grabbing coffee at a cute café, watching for dolphins at the St. Pete Pier, and checking out some of the local breweries.
If you’re planning a trip, this weekend in St. Pete itinerary has everything you need! From must-visit rooftop bars to iconic attractions like The Dalí Museum, I’ve mapped out the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.
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🌴 Quick Guide for Planning a Weekend in St. Pete
🏨 Where to Stay: AC Marriott Hotel or Hollander Hotel
✅ Things to do: Salvador Dalí Museum, St. Pete Pier, Downtown Golf Cart Tour, Sunken Gardens, St. Pete Beach
🍹 Food & Drinks: Hawkers, Doc Fords, 3 Daughters, Green Bench, Cane & Barrel, Birchwood Canopy
How to Spend 2 Days in St Pete
On this weekend in St Pete itinerary, I’ve combined exploring the vibrant downtown St Pete with a little beach relaxation for the ultimate weekend getaway.
This 2 days in St. Petersburg itinerary is ideal for couples, solo travelers, or groups of friends that want to explore the best of this vibrant & fun Florida city!
Day 1 of 2 Days in St. Pete – Explore Downtown
Day 1 of this weekend in St Pete itinerary focuses on exploring downtown. Depending on where you stay, this itinerary is walkable but it will be a decent amount of walking.
However, there is also a FREE trolley called the “Downtown Looper Trolley” that you can utilize. It has specific stops which can be viewed on the St Pete Transportation under Trolley Services.
Coffee & Breakfast in St. Pete
Start your day of exploring downtown with some coffee & breakfast! I personally love going to The Blend, because it has a nice atmosphere and they have these delicious iced coffee flights (yum!).
Sunken Gardens
After fueling up with some coffee, head over to Sunken Gardens. This tropical botanical garden is located in St Pete’s historic Old Northeast neighborhood and has been there for over 100 years.
It’s actually one of the oldest tourist attractions in the US as it was originally opened as a tourist attraction in the late 1920’s.
Today, Sunken Gardens is home to over 50,000 exotic plants and tropical birds, including the iconic flock of Flamingos.
It takes around 1.5-2 hours to explore Sunken Gardens. A majority of the gardens are shaded, but I still recommend a morning visit to beat the heat & humidity (especially in the summer months).
The Dalí Museum
In the afternoon, head to one of St Pete’s most popular museums: The Dalí Museum. This museum in St. Pete is an immersive experience into Salvador Dalí’s surreal world, featuring the largest Dalí collection outside Spain.
Some of the highlights include masterpieces like The Hallucinogenic Toreador, immersive exhibits like Dreams of Dalí, augmented reality tours, and the tranquil Avant-garden.
Golf Car Tour of St. Pete
One of the most fun ways to experience downtown St. Pete is by taking this Golf Cart Tour of downtown. On this 2 hour tour, you’ll see the best of downtown St. Pete – from Central Avenue to the St. Pete Pier – plus you’ll explore some hidden gems along the way.
✅ Book the Golf Cart Tour of St. Pete Here
Cocktails at a St Pete Rooftop Bar
There are a few different options for rooftop bars in St Pete, but my 2 favorites are Cane & Barrel and Birchwood Canopy. Either of these make for a perfect spot for a 5pm cocktail in St Pete.
Birchwood Canopy is closer to the waterfront, with views of the bay & St Pete Pier. Their menu offers lite bites and drinks, making it an ideal spot to start your night.
Cane & Barrel is located at the top of the AC Marriott Hotel in downtown St Pete. It has a colorful Havana vibe and a Cuban-inspired menu.
Sunset at the St. Pete Pier
If you are looking for a cool sunset spot in downtown St Pete, I recommend heading to the St Pete Pier. This modern pier is very spacious and has a ton of walking areas, a kids playground, and a few different restaurants.
At the end of the pier there is even a rooftop bar called Pier Teaki. Pier Teaki is the best place to watch the sunset over the downtown cityscape.
Dinner in St. Pete’s Edge District
If you’re looking for a dinner spot in downtown St Pete, check out Hawkers. Located in the Edge district, this cool & laid back restaurant offers an Asian-fusion menu, craft cocktails, and beer. Its a unique place to enjoy some delicious food.
Nightlife, Breweries, & Bars in St Pete
Downtown St Pete is home to lots of breweries, dive bars, cocktail bars – basically anything you can think of. They even have a dog bar for those traveling with a furry friend.
Some of the most popular bar streets in St Pete include Central Ave and 1st Ave North. There are also some classier restaurants on Beach Drive.
A few of my favorite places for a night out in St Pete include the following:
3 Daughters Brewery
Green Bench Brewing
Dirty Laundry (Speakeasy)
Crafty Squirrel
No Vacancy
The Ale & Witch
The Dog Bar
Day 2 – Explore St Pete Beach
On Day 2, head out to the beautiful St Pete Beach. The beach is located about 20 minutes from downtown and you can either drive yourself or take an Uber.
Tropical Brunch at the Getaway
Before heading out to St. Pete Beach – enjoy one of the best hidden gem brunch spots in St. Pete, The Getaway. The Getaway offers a delicious brunch menu in a tropical setting, making it an ideal spot to add to your St. Pete itinerary.
While this waterfront restaurant is located the opposite direction of the beach and about 15 minutes north of downtown, its worth the drive in my opinion! Plus, if you don’t have time for a full sit down meal, you can check out the Patrona Coastal Cafe located next door.
Beach Day at St Pete Beach
No trip to St Petersburg Florida is complete without checking out one of the nearby beaches. While there are several to choose from, I’d recommend heading straight over to St Pete Beach.
St Pete Beach is an easy 20 minute drive from downtown, and about 30 minutes coming from the brunch spot that I recommended.
What I love about the St Pete Beach is that they have comfy beach chairs and cabanas you can rent, so that you can relax and enjoy a beach day.
Lunch & Drinks at Coconut Charlie’s
While at St Pete Beach, head to Coconut Charlies for some lunch. This insta-worthy beach bar is the perfect place to indulge in some tropical drinks like a frozen pina colada.
In addition to bar seats & tables, you can hangout in one of the oversized hammocks or play a game of sand volleyball.
The Don CeaSer
If you’re driving through St Pete Beach, keep an eye out for the famous pink palace – The Don CeaSer.
This elegant, luxury hotel opened during the 1920’s Gatsby era, and is famous for its pink facade. It’s also hosted many US presidents and celebrities, including F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Where to Stay for 2 Days in St Petersburg, Florida
For this weekend in St Pete itinerary I’d recommend staying downtown St. Pete. Here are a few of the best hotels:
AC Marriott Downtown St Pete
Located in the heart of downtown St Pete, this hotel is walking distance to many attractions, restaurants, and bars.
The hotel is also home to the popular rooftop bar Birchwood Canopy. The rooms are modern, and amenities include an outdoor pool and fitness center.
✅ Book Your Stay at AC Marriott Downtown St Pete Here!
Hollander Hotel
A boutique hotel in downtown St Pete that is highly-rated. The hotel features eclectic-style rooms, a pool with a pool bar, a tap room bar & grill, and an outdoor terrace.
✅ Book Your Stay at Hollander Hotel Here
FAQs: 2 Days in St. Pete Itinerary
Yes! Two days in St. Pete is just enough time to experience top attractions like the Salvador Dalí Museum, St. Pete Pier, and Central Avenue’s local shops and restaurants. With a smart itinerary, you can also fit in some beach time at St. Pete Beach or Pass-a-Grille.
St. Pete is very walkable, especially downtown. For a 2-day trip, you can easily explore most sights on foot or use the SunRunner Bus, free downtown trolleys, or Uber/Lyft. If you’re visiting the beaches, you can simply use Uber or drive.
For a short stay, consider staying downtown for easy access to museums, dining, and nightlife. Popular options include boutique hotels near Beach Drive or waterfront stays. If you’re more beach-focused, St. Pete Beach is a great alternative.
The Wrap Up: 48 Hours in St Petersburg, Florida
And just like that, your weekend in St. Pete itinerary comes to an end! From exploring the artsy streets of downtown to relaxing on St. Pete Beach, this city truly has it all.
Whether you came for the arts, the food, the beach, or just a little sunshine, I hope you have the best time visiting one of Florida’s coolest little cities!
