5 Amazing Day Trips Within an Hour of Downtown St. Petersburg, FL
When we moved to downtown St. Petersburg in February, we knew we were gaining easy access to beautiful beaches, year-round sunshine, and one of Florida’s most vibrant waterfront cities. What we didn’t realize was just how much there would be to discover beyond our new backyard. Over the past several months, we’ve loved making St. Pete home, and using it as a jumping-off point to explore some of the wonderfully unexpected places tucked throughout this corner of Florida.
While destinations like Clearwater Beach and the St. Pete Pier understandably attract plenty of attention, some of the area’s most memorable experiences lie just beyond the usual tourist trail. From secluded islands and centuries-old Greek traditions to mermaids and cowboys, these hidden gems reveal the quirky, fascinating, and sometimes downright surprising side of Florida that I love discovering most.
And if that sounds like your kind of Florida, it’s exactly the Florida I set out to uncover in my upcoming book, Secret Florida: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure, coming September 30. The book takes readers beyond the Sunshine State’s famous beaches and theme parks to discover unusual history, quirky attractions, hidden places, and fascinating stories scattered across Florida.
Here are five unique destinations worth exploring, all within about an hour of downtown St. Petersburg.
Dunedin
Colorful Umbrellas Brighten Downtown Dunedin
Approximate drive time: 45 minutes
Less than an hour north of downtown St. Petersburg, Dunedin makes for an easy and charming day trip. Its walkable downtown is packed with locally owned restaurants, shops, breweries, and galleries, while the Pinellas Trail runs right through the heart of town. Nearby Honeymoon Island State Park makes it easy to add a little beach time to your visit.
One of Dunedin’s most storied landmarks is the Fenway Hotel. Opened in 1927 during Florida’s Jazz Age, the waterfront hotel became a hub for music and entertainment and was once home to Pinellas County’s first radio station. Today, stop by for a drink at the rooftop bar and beautiful views over St. Joseph Sound.
Want to know more? The fascinating history of the Fenway Hotel is featured in my upcoming book, Secret Florida.
Don’t miss: Enjoy lunch at one of Dunedin’s many locally owned restaurants, such as Crown & Bull, and drinks on the waterfront at Bon Appétit Restaurant & Marina Bar
Enjoying the Waterfront Views in Dunedin
Tarpon Springs
Approximate drive time: 45 minutes
Known as the "Sponge Capital of the World," Tarpon Springs boasts the highest percentage of Greek Americans in the United States. Stroll along the historic Sponge Docks, watch sponge boats unload their harvest, browse specialty shops, and enjoy authentic Greek cuisine.
If you visit in early January, you'll witness one of Florida's most remarkable traditions, and one I feature in Secret Florida. Thousands gather as young men dive into Spring Bayou in pursuit of a ceremonial cross during the largest Epiphany celebration in the Western Hemisphere.
Don't miss: Lunch at one of the waterfront Greek restaurants like, Dimitri’s on the Water, followed by fresh baklava.
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Weeki Wachee’s Legendary Underwater Mermaid Show
Approximate drive time: 60 minutes
Where else can you watch mermaids perform underwater?
Weeki Wachee Springs has delighted visitors since 1947 with its famous live mermaid shows performed in a submerged theater built directly into a natural spring. It’s exactly the kind of wonderfully unexpected Florida attraction I love exploring in Secret Florida. The crystal-clear spring pumps millions of gallons of water each day and serves as the headwaters of the beautiful Weeki Wachee River.
Beyond the mermaids, visitors can kayak through stunning turquoise waters, spot manatees, and experience one of Florida's most iconic roadside attractions.
Don't miss: A paddle down the Weeki Wachee River after the mermaid show.
Arcadia
A Taste of Old Florida at the Arcadia Rodeo
Approximate drive time: 1 hour
Florida may be known for beaches and theme parks, but long before tourists arrived, cattle ranching shaped much of the state's identity.
Arcadia remains one of Florida's most authentic cowboy towns. Historic downtown streets are lined with antique stores, western-themed businesses, and reminders of the region's cattle-driving past. The town's famous rodeo, known as the "Granddaddy of 'Em All," has been drawing competitors and spectators for nearly a century.
Arcadia offers a refreshing glimpse into a side of Florida many visitors never experience, and exactly the kind of unexpected place I loved uncovering while researching Secret Florida.
Don't miss: Exploring the antique shops and historic downtown district.
Caladesi Island State Park
Approximate travel time: 45-60 minutes
With no cars, bridges, or roads, Caladesi Island feels wonderfully removed from the Florida just across the water. Accessible only by water, Caladesi pairs one of the area’s most pristine white-sand beaches with mangrove trails, coastal wildlife, and a fascinating origin story.
Caladesi wasn’t always an island. It was once connected to what is now Honeymoon Island until an 1848 hurricane carved a channel between them, accidentally creating the island visitors explore today.
Paddle the three-mile kayak trail through mangrove tunnels, search for shells and shark teeth, spot dolphins and manatees, or simply enjoy a slice of Florida that still feels remarkably wild.
Don’t miss: Kayaking the mangrove trail for a glimpse of quintessential Old Florida.
Whether you're a longtime local or a first-time visitor, these must-visit gems prove that some of the Tampa Bay area's most memorable experiences lie just beyond the well-trodden path. Get ready to discover a side of Florida that many travelers rarely get to see.