Sugary white sand beaches, summer vibes, tranquil lakes, and a relaxing atmosphere make Pinellas County, Florida, a must-visit travel destination.
This county adjacent to Tampa faces the Gulf of Mexico’s west coast.
It’s renowned for its long stretch of white sand beach, turquoise blue waters, sun-drenched environment, and many attractions.
Three of its most popular cities, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, and Clearwater, have unique tourist attractions.
Meanwhile, Pinellas County’s smaller cities and towns have hidden gems worth exploring.
This county, home to around a million Floridians, has everything you want for a memorable vacation.
Explore this famous travel destination with this list of the things to do in Pinellas County, Florida.
Feel the Ocean Breeze at St. Pete Pier
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St. Pete Pier is one of the top tourist destinations in St. Petersburg.
You can visit this pier along 2nd Avenue Northeast.
This pier, short for St. Petersburg Pier, is considered the city’s landmark.
It’s mainly because of its beachside leisure activities, stretching from Tampa Bay to downtown St. Petersburg.
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Locals and visitors love spending time at this pier.
Some of its must-do activities include watching the sunset and feeling the fresh ocean breeze, making it a recommended relaxing spot.
At the same time, many visitors love to stroll through the pier, while some cast their line to catch some fish in its 26-acre area.
Also, St. Pete Pier has a nearby marketplace to grab food and drinks or souvenir items.
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Explore the Salvador Dali Museum
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The Salvador Dali Museum is a one-of-a-kind art museum solely for the great works of the famous artist Salvador Dali.
You can visit this place along Dali Boulevard in St. Petersburg.
This museum, designed by Yann Weymouth, houses a massive collection of Dali’s artworks.
It includes his rare works, which you can visit through a guided or self-guided tour.
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Visiting this museum lets you experience the surreal brilliance of Dali by seeing his works up close.
Some of the must-see collections inside this museum include the “Enigma.”
It’s a 75-foot-tall artwork with a freeform geodesic dome design from over a thousand triangular glass pieces.
Also, check out over a hundred oil paintings and 2,400 artworks at the Salvador Dali Museum to complete your experience.
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Roam around Fort De Soto Park
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Fort De Soto Park boasts miles of pristine, sandy shoreline and over a thousand acres of natural area across five islands.
You can visit this one-of-a-kind park along Pinellas Byway S. in Tierra Verde.
There are plenty of ways to explore and enjoy the park on land or water.
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It’s home to a historic military fort used during the Spanish-American War back in the day.
In addition, it boasts gorgeous beaches, perfect for various water activities such as swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling.
Fort De Soto Park is also home to a lush flora and fauna, which you can explore through wildlife viewing and birdwatching activities.
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Kiss a Gator at the Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center
The is an excellent place to learn about Florida’s fascinating local wildlife.
You can visit this place along Village Boulevard in Madeira Beach.
It houses alligators, other amphibians, and reptiles, so guests can have a hands-on experience during the tour.
One of this wildlife discovery center’s most exciting or daring experiences is its “Kiss a Gator” activity.
You heard it right.
You can kiss a real-life alligator safely during your visit to this place.
Besides this one-of-a-kind activity, there are plenty of interactive and hands-on activities at this place involving its featured animals.
Overall, there are over 250 rescued animals at the center.
Likewise, 40 American alligators are housed at the Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center.
Reflect on History at the Florida Holocaust Museum
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The Florida Holocaust Museum is a great place to explore valuable lessons of the past.
You can visit this museum dedicated to Holocaust victims along 5th Street S in St. Petersburg.
The museum opened in 1992.
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It houses a vast collection of holocaust artifacts, including documentation, photographs, films, personal testimonies, and other fascinating items detailing the stories of millions that suffered during that time.
Also, the museum aims to celebrate the bravery and resilience of Holocaust survivors.
Whether you’re an avid history fan or an average tourist, plenty of fascinating things await you inside the Florida Holocaust Museum.
Soak up the Sun at St. Pete Beach
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St. Pete Beach is the go-to public beach area in St. Petersburg.
You can visit this gorgeous beach west of St. Petersburg.
Also considered a resort city, this beach area is home to dozens of beachside hotels, resorts, restaurants, bars, and shops that guarantee an extraordinary vacation experience.
Its long stretch of sugary white sand and crystal-clear waters instantly sets your mood to unwind.
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It has a laid-back vibe in the morning, with most beachgoers lying on their towels on the sand, getting their tan lines while others plunge into its waters.
Meanwhile, colorful lights and lively music take over the beach in the evening as restaurants and bars offer drinks and party vibes.
Whether visiting this beach alone or with friends, you’re guaranteed a fantastic time at St. Pete Beach.
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Browse the Florida Museum of Fine Arts
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The Florida Museum of Fine Arts is a fantastic place to explore vast collections of artworks worldwide.
You can visit this art museum along Beach Drive NE in St. Petersburg.
This art museum’s collection spans over 5,000 years of human civilization.
Explore all of its collections through thousands of objects in its exhibits.
Its collection includes masterpieces from world-renowned artists like De Kooning, Wiley, O’Keefe, and Monet, to name a few.
Besides that, it also houses the Southeast’s finest photography collection.
Remember to include the Florida Museum of Fine Arts in your Pinellas County travel adventure itinerary.
Score Rare Finds at the Bear Haven Land Company Vintage Toys
The Bear Haven Land Company Vintage Toys is a unique store that collects and sells vintage toys and collectibles.
You can visit this place along E. Tarpon Avenue.
If you’re an avid vintage toy collector, visit this place in Pinellas County.
Amazingly, more than half of the store’s entire collection came from the owner’s family’s collection, including past generations.
The store buys and sells vintage toys and other collectibles and items.
It has vintage teddy bears, jack in the box, merry-go-rounds, carousels, and other toys, perfect additions to your current collection.
Remember to drop by the Bear Haven Land Company Vintage Toys and browse its extensive collection.
Check Out the Artwork of the Chihuly Collection
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Chihuly Collection is another must-see art-related attraction in St. Petersburg.
This place houses the collection of renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly along Central Avenue across from the Salvador Dali Museum.
The place connected with the Morean Arts Center houses Chihuly’s finest works, especially his world-renowned glass artworks.
Chihuly is a famous artist known for his glass-blown masterpieces.
A visit to this place lets you see these masterpieces up close.
At the same time, expert glass artists melt, blow, cool, and add colors to their glass artworks.
For a more immersive experience, you can join one of the workshops of its glass studio or shop for gorgeous glass figurines and sculptures at its gift shop.
Spend an hour or two at the Chihuly Collection for a one-of-a-kind activity.
Take a Plunge at Clearwater Beach
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Clearwater Beach is renowned for its attractive features.
It has a sugary white sand beach with turquoise blue waters, perfect for swimming, surfing, jet skiing, and other water activities.
Like the beaches in St. Petersburg and other locations across Pinellas Beach, this one is also a favorite place for tourists and locals.
Besides its gorgeous beach, it hosts various events and festivals, giving you that lively vibes, perfect for a night out with your friends.
Clearwater Beach has more to discover besides its world-class natural features, making it a recommended attraction.
Explore Honeymoon Island State Park
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Honeymoon Island State Park is a string of barrier islands that serves as a natural preserve and an outdoor destination.
Unlike most parks in Pinellas County, this one is only accessible by boat.
The park boasts several miles of unspoiled white sand beach facing the Gulf of Mexico.
It has numerous beach areas with park amenities such as showers, boat launches, picnic areas, food stalls, and bike rentals.
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Besides its beach, the park has a nature trail to explore a virgin slash pine forest.
On the other hand, you can also visit the Rotary Centennial Nature Center and engage in various nature-related programs like birdwatching.
Spend a day at the Honeymoon Island State Park and explore its unspoiled natural beauty.
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Feel the Nostalgic Vibes at the Replay Amusem*nt Museum
Wrap up your Pinellas County travel adventure by spending a day at the Replay Amusem*nt Museum.
This museum houses over a hundred classic arcade video games and pinball machines from the 1950s.
You can visit this museum along E. Tarpon Avenue.
Video game nerds are guaranteed to drool over the new arcade game boxes and pinball machines that remain operational today.
You can play these with your buddies or family to give you that ultimate nostalgic gaming experience.
Some classic video games you can play at this museum include Arkanoid, Donkey Kong, Dragon’s Lair, Burger Time, Paul Bunyan Pinball, Defender, Mortal Kombat, Pacman, Pacman, Street Fighter, and plenty more.
Before returning home, stop by the Replay Amusem*nt Museum and relive your childhood.
Catch a Show at the Ruth Eckerd Hall
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Ruth Eckerd Hall is a world-renowned massive indoor theater.
You can visit this place along McMullen Booth Road in Clearwater.
The theater can accommodate 2,180 patrons within its 73,000-square-foot building as a performing arts venue.
It’s famous for its near-perfect acoustics, making it one of the favorite venues for orchestral concerts, stage plays, and other live performances since 1983.
Watching a show at Ruth Eckerd Hall offers an incomparable immersive experience.
Meet Animals at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium
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Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a massive attraction haven for injured marine and land animals.
You can visit this place along Windward Passage in Clearwater.
Technically, it’s run by a non-profit organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured and sick marine animals safely back into the wild.
Visiting its aquarium lets you see and meet up close to its rescue animals, such as sea otters, sea turtles, dolphins, and plenty more.
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These are well-taken care of by the aquarium’s volunteer veterinarians.
Thousands of tourists flock to this marine aquarium to meet the precious animals there.
At the same time, it also appeared in various movies and documentaries.
With that in mind, spend the day at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium with your loved ones for a wholesome and fun-filled experience.
Watch Entertaining Shows at the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts and Cultural Center
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Check out Tarpon Springs Performing Arts and Cultural Center.
You can visit this place in Tarpon Springs’ Pine Street.
Like the Ruth Eckerd Hall, this performing arts center regularly hosts various events.
It includes concerts, festivals, stage plays, and visual arts celebrating Tarpon Springs’ unique heritage and culture.
Furthermore, this theater has hosted top-notch shows from famous performers.
Book tickets at the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts and Cultural Center for world-class entertaining shows.
Final Thoughts
Pinellas County, Florida, has virtually limitless possibilities for engaging in exciting activities and visiting gorgeous attractions.
Whether you’re a solo traveler or a group, Pinellas County has something exciting waiting for you.
Check out the best things to do in Pinellas County, Florida!
