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Gulfport: A Dash of Gulf, A Drop of History

Gulfport, Florida is a combination of "Old World Florida," and a modern tourist town. This little gem on the Gulf is packed with over 40 galleries, studios, boutiques and restaurants, all within a few short blocks. For a literary excursion, drop in the Small Adventures Bookstore, filled to the brim with roughly 20,000 used books. Poke around. You just might stumble across a first edition or two.

Gulfport is located on Boca Ciega Bay, which leads out into the Gulf of Mexico. This makes Gulfport an ideal spot for enjoying all of the outdoor activities the Bay has to offer. You can parasail, swim, sail, wind surf, rent a charter boat for some deep-sea fishing, or just lounge about on beautiful Gulfport Beach.

Gulfport is conveniently located to other area attractions. Take a day and cross over SR 682 into St. Petersburg Beach, and all the Beaches of Tampa Bay, for some great seafood and sea shell hunting. Head south into Bradenton and cross over into secluded Anna Maria Island. St. Petersburg, with all its historical significance, borders Gulfport and makes for some great exploring!

St. Petersburg: Where the Bay Meets the Gulf

Like much of the Gulf Coast, St. Petersburg, Florida has a history rich in Native Americans, Spanish Explorers, and entrepreneurial settlers. The Calusa Indians left behind beautifully carved shells and weapons made from wood and stone. It is likely that both Panfilo De Narvaez and Hernando De Soto explored the region. Modern St. Petersburg is said to have had its beginning in 1875, when General John C. Williams of Detroit, Michigan, first visited the peninsula. He purchased 1,600 acres from the State at an average of one dollar an acre. Dr. Williams made an arrangement with Peter Demens, a Russian, to lease 500 acres that Demens wanted to use to connect a railroad to the area.

St. Petersburg is perched on Tampa Bay, which leads out into the Gulf of Mexico. It is a wonderful spot for enjoying all sorts of outdoor activities. Some of the popular pastimes include water skiing, sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing (both offshore and inshore) and of course golf and tennis.

A couple of sites in St. Petersburg should not be missed. The Pier, a local landmark since 1899, is a five story inverted pyramid that houses shops, restaurants, services, and special attractions that can be enjoyed by the entire family. The Pier Aquarium caters to those interested in the way the surrounding bay and the Gulf of Mexico works. Great Expectations is a hands-on museum that lets kids (of all ages) experience the thrills, chills, and questions of science.

For the art lover, The Salvador Dalí Museum is the permanent home of the world's most comprehensive collection of the renowned Spanish artist's work. Characterized by its diversity, it includes the Impressionist and Cubist styles of his early period, abstract work from his transition to Surrealism, the famous surrealist canvases for which he is best known, and examples of his preoccupation with religion and science during his classic period.

St. Petersburg is centrally located to a number of other areas that will complete a Florida vacation. Cross Tampa Bay heading south and pop into Sarasota, which is filled with museums, theatres, and any other cultural activity you could want. Or head out to the Beaches of Tampa Bay for some fun in the sun, sea shell hunting, and sunset watching.

If you want to see some of the more touristy attractions in Florida, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Sea World, and all the other theme park attractions of Orlando are less than an hour and a half away.