When you visit St. Petersburg, FL in an RV, you can relax on the beach with a cold drink in your hand, tour a world-famous art museum, or take in a major league baseball game at Tropicana Field. There are also plenty of dining and shopping experiences in downtown St. Petersburg and along the coast. Check out our two-day St. Petersburg itinerary to make the most of your visit.
While there are plenty of hotels in St. Petersburg, consider the convenience of renting an RV. With an RV, you have the freedom to explore all the popular spots at your own pace. Whether you are a couple looking for a compact campervan or a group needing a spacious motorhome, you’ll find an RV rental that suits your needs.
Search RV rentals in the St. Petersburg, FL area.
Preparing for Your St. Petersburg, FL RV Trip
St. Petersburg has tons of RV rental options, from compact trailers to massive Class A motorhomes and everything in between. If you have a large vehicle like a truck or SUV, a towable RV can allow you to unhook your rig at your campsite and use your vehicle to visit the attractions. If you’re flying in from further away, you may want to rent a motorhome or campervan instead to avoid having to secure other means of transport. Some RVshare RV owners even offer delivery service to your campsite to make your vacation even more relaxing.
If you need a little help planning your RV trip, we’ve got you covered:
• How to Rent an RV
• How to Choose the Right RV Size
• How to Park an RV
Choosing the right RV rental is the most important part of planning an RV vacation, but picking the perfect campground comes in a close second. A few things to consider are the campground’s location, what types of campsites they offer, and what amenities are included with your stay. Whether you’re looking for the resort-like experience provided by Travel World RV Park in Clearwater, FL, a family-oriented experience like the one at St. Petersburg/Madeira KOA, or a boondocking adventure in a campsite at Fort DeSoto State Park, everyone will find their perfect fit in and around St. Petersburg.
Find other campground options in our comprehensive list of top-rated campgrounds in St. Petersburg, FL.
Day 1: City Explorers
Morning: Take in the Arts
Due to its stunning geodesic design, the Salvador Dali Museum will thrill art lovers before they even walk through the door. It’s home to the most extensive collection of Dali’s work outside of Spain. The museum also hosts various exciting events throughout the year, so be sure to check out the latest happenings during your visit.
Lunch: The Classics With a Twist
Located on Beach Drive, only a few blocks from the St. Pete Pier, Stillwaters Tavern is the perfect stop for your lunch. Chef Jeffrey uses local ingredients to put a spin on classic American dishes like burgers, steak, fish, and more.
Afternoon: Tiptoe Through the Tulips
After filling up on traditional American cuisine, stroll through the Sunken Gardens while you let your lunch settle. This attraction is conveniently located in downtown St. Petersburg. It features six acres of tropical plants, waterfalls, and a few species of exotic birds.
Setting Up Camp
After spending a few hours exploring the city, it’s time to head over to your campground and get your RV set up. You’ll want to check in at the front desk, and then you can set about parking your RV and getting hooked up to the utilities. If the process seems daunting, you could have the RV delivered to your site instead. Many RV owners will deliver and set up their rigs for you; filter for delivery options when looking for your rental.
Dinner: Food With a View
Now that you’re all set up in your campsite, you can either have a cookout at your RV or head back into the city for dinner on the waterfront at Doc Ford’s. Located on the St. Pete Pier, they feature indoor and outdoor seating areas with views of downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay.
Day 2: Beach Bums
Morning: Search for Seashells
If you want to take advantage of some of the best bird and marine life viewing and shelling in the area, hop on a ferry at Merry Pier and cruise over to the unspoiled island of Shell Key. The first ferry leaves at 10 a.m., and if you want to get the best shelling experience possible, it’s a good idea to be on the first boat of the day.
Lunch: Grab a Bite on the Boardwalk
No trip to St. Petersburg, FL, would be complete without a visit to John’s Pass, the most popular tourist attraction in Pinellas County. This little village has tons of shops and restaurants right on the boardwalk. While you’re there, you can grab a bite to eat at The Boardwalk Grill. Tourists and locals both rave over their lobster rolls.
Afternoon: Stroll Along the White Sand Beaches
When you glimpse the glistening white sand beaches and clear emerald waters of St. Pete Beach, you’ll have no trouble seeing why it was named Tripadvisor’s No. 1 Beach in the US in 2021. If you’re looking for hours of family fun, head to Upham Beach Park for surfing and beach volleyball. If you’d rather have a laid-back day, visit the quieter Pass-a-Grille Beach.
Evening: Take a Night Tour
If you’d like to experience the water off the coast of St. Pete Beach in a whole new way, Sharkey’s Glass Bottom Fish Feeding LED Night Tour might be just the adventure you’re looking for. Your guide will lead you along St. Pete Beach, past the Pinellas Bayway Bride, and out to the Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve so that you can see fish through the glass bottom boat.
Day 3 and Beyond in St. Petersburg, FL
If you can spend more than two days in St. Petersburg, FL, there’s so much more to do, including:
• Visit an amusement park: Busch Gardens is just 32 miles away. The park has thrill rides, family-friendly rides, and tons of special events. There’s even a 30-minute safari!
• Take in a game: Tropicana Field, home of the MLB Tampa Bay Rays, is in St. Petersburg. If you visit when the Rays are in town, pick up some tickets and go to a game. If there aren’t any games during your vacation, you can still tour the field to check out the famous Rays touch tank and learn about the history of Tropicana Field.
Winter Activities
If you visit St. Petersburg, FL during the winter holiday season, check out the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo. From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, the garden transforms into a winter wonderland with more than 1 million twinkling LED lights. St. Pete Beach also gets into the spirit of the season with an annual holiday boat parade and tree-lighting ceremony.
Indoor Activities
If you have a rainy day or just need to beat the heat while you’re in St. Petersburg, there are lots of things to do indoors. If you’re traveling with young children, you can keep them busy for the afternoon at the Great Explorations Children’s Museum. Being stuck inside doesn’t need to mean sitting still for adults and older kids, either. At Vertical Ventures rock climbing gym, you can literally climb the walls or test your skills on diverse bouldering terrain.
A weekend of adventure, shopping, dining, and relaxation awaits you in St. Petersburg, FL. Whether you want to stroll through museums or bask in the sun on white sand beaches, there’s something for everyone. Renting an RV for your trip gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, and with so much to see, you might discover you’re not ready to leave when your two-day visit is over.
