Fodor's Expert Review St. Pete Pier

Downtown St. Pete's waterfront buzzes thanks to a new, 26-acre entertainment district that's open from 30 minutes before sunrise to 11 pm. With both indoor and outdoor offerings, many of them family-friendly, it's the perfect place to start or finish a day. Highlights include the Spa Beach (finally, no need to drive to the Gulf side!); the shady Coastal Thicket path; the Marketplace, which showcases locally crafted goods; the Waterfront Walk; and the Splash Pad water park for kids.

You can also check out the jaw-dropping, ever-changing Bending Arc installation by Tampa Bay artist Janet Echelman, and learn about marine life at the hands-on Discovery Center. Note, too that the city's renowned Museum of Fine Arts is just a five-minute walk away. Restaurant options include Doc Ford's, with waterfront views at the start of the pier, and Teak, which has water and skyline vistas, as well as a rooftop tiki bar that's the perfect place to enjoy sunsets.