The Best Attractions in Pinellas County, Florida
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Sawgrass Lake Park
This local St. Petersburg park features a mile long boardwalk trail and a short 1/2 mile nature stroll. Sawgrass is home to one of the largest maple swamps on the Gulf. It’s one of the best parks to spot an alligator in the region. If you are a bird lover you will also love this park. Egrets, ibis, and heron, amongst many other bird species migrate here in the fall and spring, drawing bird lovers from across the country.
North Redington Beach
This quiet beach is the perfect laid-back alternative to nearby rowdy Clearwater and St. Pete beaches. The charming low-key vibe is hard to find on the Florida Gulf coast nowadays. As a local, this was my favorite place for a quiet stroll. The beach is long, the sand is soft, and the crowds pretty much non existent. Featuring the same smooth white sand and clear waters, you really are not losing much here except for the noisy crowds and commercialization.
Hubbard’s marina dolphin tours
A dolphin sightseeing cruise is a must while visiting the Gulf Coast. St. John’s Boardwalk in Madeira Beach offers a guaranteed sighting cruise which also happens to be incredibly scenic. Along with lots of dolphins, you will also see tons of seabirds and possibly a manatee during your 1.5 mile journey. As an added bonus, this cruise is completely smoke-free! All tours are narrated and sightings are guaranteed or you will receive a free return ticket. Snacks and beer available for purchase.
Alligator watching
Whenever you visit Florida, it’s a fun experience to see an alligator in its’ natural habitat. Summer mating season (May/June) and the winter season (when gators are often seen sunning) are the 2 best times to gator watch. Many parks are known for their large gator populations, particularly St. Pete’s Sawgrass Lake Park and Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. In Northern Pinellas, John Chestnut is your best bet to see a gator in the wild. Don’t ever feed a gator and keep your distance! Even though I see at least 2-3 gators daily on the walk around my apartment, I am still excited any time a gator makes an appearance!
