// WEEKENDER
DAY 2 Eat flaky croissants and French toast at La Croisette on St . Pete Beach , a barrier island filled with white-sugar-sand beaches like Fort De Soto Park , which spans five islands .
Explore Fort De Soto Park ’ s Spanish- American War-era fort , nature trails , museum , and fishing pier . Take a 20-minute ferry ride across the emerald-green waters to Egmont Key to snorkel in near solitude .
Get a taste of old Florida along the fourmile Pass-a-Grille Beach and browse the shops along Eighth Avenue Historic District before taking a 10-minute ferry ride to Shell Key , an uninhabited barrier island . Later , watch the sunset from the third floor of The Hurricane in Pass-a-Grille Beach and dine on the signature grouper sandwich and Mom ’ s 1945 Crab Cake .
// ESSENTIALS
5 miles
ST . PETERSBURG
Eighth Avenue Historic District
Central Ave
Pass-a-Grille Beach
Fort De Soto Park
CALL US
TAMPA
Tampa Riverwalk Hyde Park Village
Dali Museum
Tampa Bay
Ybor City
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
FLORIDA
Tampa
When to go : September to December Currency : USD Language : English Getting Around : Cross Bay Ferry offers seasonal 50-minute rides from Tampa ’ s Channelside District to downtown St . Pete . TECO Line Streetcar connects downtown Tampa to Ybor City . Several water taxis run along Tampa Riverwalk . In St . Pete , the free Downtown Looper connects to major attractions . Free Beach Ride offers van rides along St . Pete Beach and Pass-a-Grille . Both cities have Coast bikeshare .
To book your trip to Tampa and St . Petersburg , contact our travel agency
DAY 3 Begin the day at Oxford Exchange , a bistro , champagne bar and bookstore in downtown Tampa . Enjoy brunch in the sun-drenched conservatory before browsing the store ’ s globetrotting treasures .
Then head for Central Avenue in St . Pete to see the Chihuly Collection by contemporary artist and glass art pioneer , Dale Chihuly . Admission includes glass blowing demonstrations at the Morean Glass Studio and Hot Shop across the street . Central Avenue is home to funky retail shops and restaurants , ranging from a pour-your-own-candle boutique to a quirky teashop . Stop for lunch at New American restaurant and wine bar Brick & Mortar and for a mini cupcake at dessert bar Swah-rey .
Walk east to The Dalí Museum , the largest collection of Salvador Dalí ’ s work outside of Spain . After admiring the surrealist art , explore the lush Avant-garden .
Dine at Rooster and The Till in Tampa ’ s Seminole Heights . Helmed by chef Ferrell Alvarez , the award-winning restaurant serves an ever-changing tasting menu . Conclude with stylish cocktails , retro ambience and live jazz at CW ’ s Gin Joint in downtown Tampa .
Left , from top : St . Pete Beach ; Salvador Dali Museum images : awl images ; getty . MAP ILLUSTRATION : JOHN PLUMER
14 // pos t c a rds