10 Things to Do in St. Petersburg on a Small Budget

Clearwater Beach is an iconic destination for all sorts of travelers looking to enjoy fun in the sun with inviting waters and soft sands. The sand here has a sugary look to it, shining bright white in the Florida sun. The waters are welcoming, being safe for swimming with a sparkling emerald green hue.

The beach is completely free to access, and the north side of the beach lets you get away from the crowds a bit during busier times. Plus, you'll find a playground by the pier on the beach, which is perfect if you're traveling with kids. You'll find it directly west of downtown across the water.

The St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market is a sizable public market downtown where you'll find a variety of items and foods offered by local vendors. Freshly grown produce and ready-to-eat foods make up much of the offerings here. The food even has an international flair with samples from 15 different countries.

In addition to the food, you'll find several artisan items for sale, including intricate handicrafts and souvenirs. All of it is relatively affordable, but live music and friendly dogs you'll encounter throughout the market mean it can be fun even if you don't buy anything. You'll find it all set up in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg.

Camping in Fort De Soto Park is one of the best activities you can do if you're looking for an affordable way to enjoy a well-preserved and fun nature area. This park features a long, paved nature trail perfect for hiking, cycling, or walking a stroller with your little one.

When you set up camp here, you'll find yourself remarkably close to the water, making it one of the best waterfront camping spots in all of Florida. The park has hundreds of camping sites, and they all have water, electricity, and charcoal grills. You'll find it all a few miles southwest of downtown St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club is a historic complex where you'll find several lighted shuffleboard courts along with a grandstand. The complex here dates back to the 1920s, and it has 65 courts, with 32 of them being lighted so that you enjoy them even after sunset.

Access to the games here is relatively inexpensive, though members of the club can play for free as much as they like even outside of open hours. You can experience it all for yourself right in downtown, just north of Mirror Lake.

The Clearwater Ferry is one of the best ways to get to the beach, and it offers scenic views of the water while bypassing traffic and the need to park. Tickets are notably affordable, and kids, seniors, and veterans all get special discounts.

When you ride the ferry, you'll experience some of the best views of the area as you're crossing the water. Once you arrive at the beach, you're free to explore as much as you like, as there will be plenty of opportunities to catch a ferry back later on. Try it out for yourself from the ferry terminal located just west of downtown Clearwater.

Sunset at Pier 60 is a celebration that's held all year long by the beach's famous pier, where you'll find artisans, performers, and stunning views. As the name suggests, you'll find this celebration held at sunset, and it takes place virtually every night of the year.

When you attend the celebration, you'll see a wide range of street performers as well as live music performances and vendors offering artistic creations. It's all family-friendly and completely free to attend, so don't hesitate to visit. You'll find it all right at Pier 60, which is west of downtown across the bridge in the Clearwater Beach area.

Cycle the Pinellas Trail to experience an unforgettable ride past unique views on a well-maintained path with plenty of benches and water fountains along the way. When you bike this trail, you'll find vibrant greenery as well as water features, and it stretches for a full 38 miles.

You don't have to traverse the entire trail when you go for a ride, as you'll find plenty of places to get off if you like. Plus, water fountains and benches are prevalent throughout the trail, making it easy to take a break. You'll find the trail north of Clearwater by Dunedin.

Caladesi Island State Park is a picturesque park where you'll find an unspoiled beachfront along with quiet paths and plenty of lush greenery. This park is home to what is often considered one of the best beaches in America, as there isn't much development happening nearby, thus allowing for a far more natural look.

Visiting this park will also put you close to towering and vibrant palms that line the walking paths. Without the crowds, it's easy to immerse yourself in nature, and it's all free to access. You'll find it north of Clearwater Beach and west of Dunedin.

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is a well-maintained piece of Florida's native wilderness where you'll find 5 distinct ecosystems and miles of trails. When you trek through the trails here, you'll find yourself passing hardwood hammocks, pine flatwoods, willow marsh, sand pine scrub, and Lake Maggiore shoreline.

If you're interested in bird-watching, this is one of the best places in the area. You'll find dozens of species, including Florida native birds and migrating birds. There is a small fee to enter the nature reserve, and young children get in at a discounted rate. You'll find it all a few miles south of St. Petersburg's downtown area.

The Memorial Causeway Trail is suitable for all sorts of people regardless of skill level and offers scenic views of the area. Along this 5.7-mile-long trail, you'll find yourself crossing the bridge to Clearwater Beach, and you'll enjoy stunning views of the bay along the way.

This trail is suitable for all skill levels, as it's mostly flat and completely paved. Walking, biking, and running are all common here, so you can traverse it however you see fit. Of course, it's all free. You'll find this trail starting in downtown Clearwater and heading all the way to the beachfront to the west.