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Summer Activities in St. Pete

July 23, 2021

Summer Activities in St. Pete
📍 Vinoy Hotel, St. Pete

St. Pete, Summer, Florida, Beach Drive, Vinoy

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This may not be new information, but Florida can get unbearably hot in the summertime. Even on a seemingly cooler day, we’re still over the 90-degree mark. Luckily, St. Pete benefits from a lovely sea breeze, so at least we have that. When it comes to staying cool during the summer, I think it’s all about location, location, location. Here’s a list of some of my favorite activities for even the hottest day in the Sunshine City.

Go Brewery Hopping

St. Pete is known as a beer lover’s paradise. Within city limits alone, there are at least 15 amazing breweries to choose from, with even more a short drive away. Many of these breweries are within walking distance from one another. Pick a starting destination and Uber from one location to the next. Some of my top favorites are St. Pete Brewing, Bayboro, and Cage, but the list goes on and on. For a complete list, check out this article on the Gulf Coast from Visit St. Pete-Clearwater.

Visit an Art Museum

With so many museums to choose from, you could take a whole weekend to explore and still not visit each one. It also makes the ideal escape from the heat and inevitable inclement weather. One of the most notable museums in the city is the Salvador Dali Museum. Outside his hometown in Spain, this museum hosts the largest collection of Dali pieces in the world. For something a little less surreal, I adore visiting the Museum of Fine Arts right in the heart of Beach Drive.

Get a Birds Eye View at the Pier

One of St. Pete’s newest additions is also the focal point. Just over a year old, the new and improved St. Pete Pier isn’t to be missed. On a hot day, take the tram to the end for rooftop cocktails and bites at Pier Teaki. Here you’ll get a full view of the city’s skyline in front of you and a pristine look at Tampa Bay behind you. Because this rooftop bar is several stories up and almost a mile out, it’s also the breeziest spot in town.

Take a Drive to the Beach

Going to the beach in the summer? Groundbreaking, right? Well, on a hot day, it may be the best reprieve. There are so many beaches to choose from that are a quick drive away, but my favorite is always Pass-a-Grille. To beat the crowds and the hottest time of the day, I recommend getting there in the morning. Make a pit stop at Grove Surf and Coffee for a refreshing cold brew lemonade and pastry. Here you can also stock up on any beach essentials you may have left at home. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

Enjoy a Cocktail at the Vinoy

While there are countless places to visit for a great cocktail in St. Pete, the Vinoy Hotel always tops the list. There’s such great energy at this historic, pink hotel. On any given weekend, there’s a good chance you’ll find me at Paul’s Landing. This poolside spot gives you the feeling of sitting outside without compromising on the blissful air-conditioning. What do I order? The Congelado. Always the Congelado! If you’re visiting from out-of-town, this is also my top hotel recommendation. You’ll be able to take full advantage of the resort pool, and I’ll be just the touch jealous.

Dine Along Central Avenue

While Beach Drive has the glitz and glamour of St. Pete, my favorite restaurants are located in the Central Business District. Whenever David and I want a date night with good food, we always try and grab a spot at Baba on Central. Typically, we are happy to eat at the bar, but last weekend they were packed and couldn’t seat us. I learned my lesson and will be making reservations from here on out. Another great option that is just across the street is Wild Child. At either destination, you can expect an incredible meal and even better cocktails.

Get Tickets to a Baseball Game

If you’re searching for AC and entertainment, then look no further than Tropicana Field. Centrally located in the heart of downtown, it’s kind of hard to miss. St. Pete is so proud to be home to the Tampa Bay Rays. Here the stadium is permanently at a comfortable 72 degrees. Grab even the cheapest of tickets and enjoy an afternoon of America’s favorite pastime.

Kayak Through Weedon Island

For the more outdoorsy inclined, kayaking is the perfect activity for you! Weedon Island Preserve is just north of downtown St. Pete, offering over 3,000 acres to explore. The highlight of the park is a 4-mile loop exclusive for kayaking and paddleboarding. If you don’t own a kayak, have no fear! There’s a spot for you to rent or buy all of your outdoor needs.

Just because it’s too hot to handle doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the day. Enjoy the sunny day in St. Pete, wear your sunscreen, and don’t forget to stay hydrated with lots of water!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Paradeco: St. Pete’s Cutest Coffee Shop

June 4, 2021

Paradeco: St. Pete’s Cutest Coffee Shop
📍 111 2nd Ave NE, St. Pete

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One of my greatest joys is when I get to sit and watch the world pass in a cafe. No matter where I travel, whether domestic or abroad, I always make them a priority. Here in St. Pete, I’m a regular at many coffee spots on the local scene. I had been anxiously awaiting the newest arrival for nearly a full year. There was something about their Instagram presence that spoke to me. I truth, I think it had to do with the heavy use of sea greens and bubblegum pinks, my favorite color combo. Paradeco finally was able to open its doors in May, and you know I was one of the first to visit on opening weekend. Let me introduce you to what I’ve officially dubbed St. Pete’s prettiest coffee shop.

Where is it located?

Location, location, location! Paradeco has made its home in the heart of Downtown St. Pete, just off of iconic Beach Drive. Kitty-corner from some of my favorite restaurants (Cassis, Moon Under Water), this is the perfect spot to start your day. Stay and watch the world pass through sweeping windows. If you prefer to take your drink to-go, I recommend walking down to the end of the St. Pete Pier for a great workout. Especially if you get here in the morning hours, street parking is abundant. Although St. Pete is a smaller city, you’ll be in the heart of the metropolitan when filling your coffee habit.

What’s the story?

Tom and Sonya, the owners, are a bonafide power couple who wanted to bring more incredible coffee to the Sunshine City. The name Paradeco comes from their love of Art Deco design from the early 20th century. Since St. Pete is their version of paradise found, the name is pretty much right on the nose. I’ve had a chance to chat with both of them, and I can safely say that they are so incredibly warm and inviting, as is the rest of their team. They are also current members of The Specialty Coffee Association.

What ‘s on the menu?

Since no visit to the coffee shop is complete without David, we each have our personal favorites. While his go-to order is almost always an americano, he was so happy to see pour-over coffee on the menu. I, on the other hand, like to treat myself to an oat milk latte occasionally. As we sat, sipping our drinks, both were made to perfection. For bits to eat, they offer a wide arrange of baked goods, including vegan and gluten-free options. If you want something with a little more substance, there’s also an ever-growing smoothie and food menu that I can’t wait to try.

Why will you love it?

Honestly, just look at the pictures. Once you walk inside and escape the Florida heat, you are greeted by a wave of beautifully combined colors and patterns. No detail, no matter how small, was overlooked. Sometimes, you find places that only focus on an aesthetic for the social media notoriety and skimp on quality. When you visit Paradeco, you’ll be greeted like family and are guaranteed to have an incredible coffee experience. They are such a wonderful new addition to the St. Pete landscape.

As St. Pete continues to grow as a city, and attracts new visitors from around the world, I’m so happy to support the small businesses that make this city special. While I have a genuinely love for some many place in the Sunshine City, Paradeco is now, without a doubt, on my list. Welcome to the neighborhood!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

My Favorite St. Pete Happy Hours

May 7, 2021

My Favorite St. Pete Happy Hours
📍 Downtown St. Pete, Florida

Happy Hour, drinks, St. Pete, wine, Friday, cocktail

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Friday, is that you? No matter the day of the week, I always appreciate a good happy hour. Honestly, who doesn’t? It’s a great way to catch up with old friends, start a date night, or unwind after a particularly stressful work week. The Sunshine City of St. Pete is no stranger to Happy Hour, and in fact, we may have perfected it. Whether you’re new to the area or one of the many visitors to the Conde Nast Traveler picks, here is a quick list of my all-time favorite local Happy Hours.

Intermezzo

At any point of the day, there’s a very good chance that you’ll find me at this Central Avenue cafe. In the morning hours and beyond, Intermezzo serves excellent cups of coffees, cappuccinos, and lattes. Once Happy Hour hits at 5 pm, the atmosphere shifts to focus on incredible cocktails for $7 each. For the genuine Katie experience, I recommend ordering the Rum Punch No. 1. It’s one of my favorite drinks in town, and I could sip on it all evening. An Intermezzo staple is their Branca Brew, an energizing combination of Bourbon, Fernet Menta, and Cold Brew. Their cocktail menu extends far beyond the Happy Hour, so I encourage you to sample the entire menu.

Cassis

Cassis has become a recent regular spot for us, especially on Tuesday when Happy Hour lasts all night. You can expect great drinks and even better snacks from their Small Bites menu at this French-inspired cafe. During Happy Hours (from 4 to 7 pm), select glasses of wine are only $2.50, and martinis are $4.50. I had post-work drinks here very recently and floored when my check was only $10. Trust me, there’s a reason it’s regularly voted the best Happy Hour in Tampa Bay.

Annata and Alto Mare

I list these two different establishments together because they are owned by the same group and are right next store to each other. While Alto Mare and Annata offer different cuisines are fares, they are both sure to make their way to your favorites. Whenever I want to dine some fantastically fresh seafood, I head to Alto Mare. If I’m in the mood for charcuterie boards, I go to Annata instead. Both offer $5 glasses of wine during Happy Hour from 4 to 6 pm, Monday through Friday. Because of their location on Beach Drive, both make a great starting point for a night out.

The Local Breweries

St. Pete is a brewery kind of town. I can think of nearly a dozen local craft breweries around the city off the top of my head. Each has its own personality and spin on Happy Hour. If you live nearby or have an entire weekend to dedicate to it, I highly recommend visiting as many as you can. Many offer a different spin on Happy Hour throughout the week to help you relax with great brews and good conversation. While there’s something to love about each, the breweries I tend to visit most often are St. Pete Brewing, Cage Brewing, and Grand Central Brewhouse.

This list is just a tiny sampling of what St. Pete has to offer. Everyone has their personal favorites, but I love to share my haunts. I rotate through each of these spots regularly, so the chances of seeing me at one of them are pretty good. Cheers to the weekend, and I hope you enjoy your well-deserved Friday Happy Hour, no matter where it is!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.