Saving Tips for a More Enjoyable Vacation in St. Pete Beach, Florida
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Do not let the economic slump rob you from a well-deserved break to St. Pete Beach
With 4.5 miles of white sand beaches, dolphins cavorting not far off shore, excellent weather, and an array of recreational opportunities, St. Pete Beach is a picturesque seaside destination for the entire family. St. Pete had a 2005 US census population of about 10,000 which swells to around 20,000 when thousands of tourists and snowbirds flock to this city during the winter season.
Apart from its beachfront attractions, the city is also home to first class art and cultural museums. You will also be enchanted by its lively nightlife, scenic state parks, and one-of-a-kind cafes. Enjoying your visit in St. Pete, however, does not mean you have to burn a hole in your pocket as there are a lot of ways to stretch your vacation budget. You can start by booking a hotel well in advance to avail of their cheaper early bird rates. Most hotels in the city also offer lower rates during off-peak season. The weather is fine all year round so you can still enjoy a fun vacation in St. Pete without the large crowd of tourists and at less cost.
Finding the More Affordable Accommodations in Saint Pete Beach
St. Pete beach offers both luxury accommodations like the TradeWinds Island Grand Beach Resort and Loews Don CeSar Hotel, as well as moderate and low-priced motels, inns, apartments, and B & B’s. Some local residents also rent out single family homes. You can find a lot of excellent lodging places in St. Pete even if you’re on a tight budget. The Waves condo offers 2 rooms and all the amenities of home for as low as $540 a week. The Blind Pass offers two-bedroom apartments for 5 persons, complete with heated pool, full kitchen and bath for $650 a week. They also provide their guests with discount coupons for Sea Critter’s cafe.
The intracoastal area of St. Pete offers both waterfront and non-waterfront accommodations, all within just a few minutes of the beaches. The Gulf side of the city includes numerous public beaches, some single family rentals, condos, and motels. If not having a direct beach frontage is not much of a problem to you, then staying in a non-waterfront hotel can save you some real cash. There are inns and motels like the Island’s End Resort and the Lamara Motel Apartments that charge at reasonable prices. Whatever your taste and budget, you will always find yourself just a stone’s throw away from the white sand beach. The view of the water and beach is always available for you to enjoy.
Dining on a Budget
Aside from its calm waters and sunny beaches, St. Pete invites both residents and tourists to visit its restaurants that range from inexpensive to upscale. It has numerous dining places in every price range from expensive fine dining to affordably-priced beachside bar and grills that offer happy hours. If you don’t want to splurge in places like Fetishes Fine Dining or the Maritana Grille, then you can dine on a budget in restaurants that are just as popular such as Vito & Michael’s Pizzeria, Sea Hag’s Bar and Grill, The Wharf, Village Inn, Skidder’s Restaurant, and Pj’s Oyster Bar. Many fast foods and major restaurant chains also have outlets in the city.
Exploring St. Pete Beach without Spending Much
Having the best time in St. Pete Beach does not necessarily mean you have to spend piles of cash. In fact, you can indulge yourself in a number of exciting and memorable activities that won’t hurt your wallet, which include the following:
• Watch the sunset with your significant other or have a romantic date on the beach at the Sunset Beach.
• Take pleasure from great bird watching opportunities or you can spend the afternoon working on your tan at the Shell Key, an underdeveloped barrier island.
• Know a thing or two about history of the barrier islands in the area by visiting the Gulf Beach Historical Museum.
• Bring out the adventurer in you by spending the day doing some exhilarating water sports activities (i.e. boating, beachcombing) at the Pass-a-Grille Beach.
• Spend the whole day relaxing in any of the public beaches in St. Pete, which can mostly be accessed, and opened to the public, for free.
• Go biking, rollerblading and nature trailing at the Fort De Soto Park.
• Hike along the Pinellas Trail while taking advantage of some unique photo opportunities.
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