Weedon Island Preserve
#7 in Best Things To Do in St. Petersburg, FL
Price & Hours
Details
scorecard
- 5.0Value
- 3.5Facilities
- 4.0Atmosphere
The Weedon Island Preserve spans 3,190 acres and comprises aquatic and upland ecosystems. Visitors can take a variety of guided hikes, walk the boardwalks through tidal flats and mangrove forests and fish on the pier. Located deep within the preserve, the Cultural and Natural History Center features an exhibit gallery called "Connecting People and Place" that encourages visitors to reconnect with the environment through 6,000 square feet of interactive exhibits. The center also offers interpretive hikes, workshops and other programs. The hours are Thursday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Recent travelers raved about kayaking the mangroves and bird-watching on the boardwalk. Fishing and picnicking are also popular activities at the preserve. The fishing pier and outlying oyster bars are ideal for catching sea trout, snook and sheepshead. And the four picnic areas and pavilion are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The preserve is open every day from 7 a.m. to dusk. The exact closing time is posted daily at the entrance. Admission is free, although donations are welcome. Visit the official website for additional information about the Weedon Island Preserve.
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2 of 8#1 Fort De Soto Park
Spanning five small islands, the 1,136-acre Fort De Soto Park lies at the mouth of Tampa Bay and attracts more than 2.7 million visitors a year. The park features 7 miles of waterfront, two fishing piers, a 4-mile hiking and skating trail, picnic and camping grounds and a historic fort. Climb the stairs of the fort for a breathtaking view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, one of the world's longest cable-stayed concrete bridges. Then, stop by the Quartermaster Museum to learn more about the fort through historic photographs and Spanish-American War artifacts.
The park is also one of the best places in St. Petersburg to visit the beach. The popular North Beach is recognizable by the large pirate ship playground near its entrance and the myriad of seashells and white sand dollars along its sands. At the waterfront, travelers can also rent a canoe or kayak and navigate the 2-mile paddling trail or try fishing. Recent visitors raved about everything there is to enjoy at the park, especially the lengthy dog beach.
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