The St.Petersburg area of Florida is known for its warm weather and beautiful beaches. But it has much more to offer than just fun in the sun. It is a wonderful destination for adults and children alike. When traveling with kids, make sure to visit two attractions in one – Great Exploration Museum and Sunken Gardens. This duo will keep your little ones entertained without breaking your budget. It draws visitors year round but is especially attractive as an escape from the heat of summer.
Budget Friendly with Kids in St. Petersburg Area
The St. Petersburg area was not on the top of my list of places to visit in Florida. I have to admit, for years I did not give Florida enough recognition. Without much research, I considered it just a beach destination.
When I got older, Pennsylvania’s winters started to wear on me. Usually by the end of February, I was looking for a sunny location to take a break from the cold.
With convenient and inexpensive flights from the Northeast, Florida became my target destination. I would follow the sun with no particular location in mind. In my planning, I was focusing on any free lodging available with my credit card earnings.
This is how I discovered the St. Petersburg area and its attractions. One of the places I recently visited was Sunken Gardens. I immediately fell in love with this beautiful urban oasis. While there, out of curiosity, I also checked out Great Exploration Museum just next door.
Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg
Located in the middle of a bustling city, this botanical paradise delivers a welcomed break from the heat and concrete. It has a charm of a secret garden straight out of an old fashion fairly tale.
Adults and kids of any age enjoy visiting the gardens. Little ones to run freely through the maze of plants while adults take in the beauty and smells of this enchanted forest.
Historical Gardens
This oldest garden in the St. Petersburg area is a home to more than 50,000 tropical plants and flowers. Surprisingly, it is a budget friendly attraction. Admission is $10 per adult, $8 for seniors 62 and older, and $4 for children 2-11. The gardens close at 4:30, way too early in my opinion.
Sunken Gardens offers garden tours, horticultural programs, special events, field trips, weddings, and private and corporate rentals, even a summer camp.
Great Exploration Museum in St. Petersburg
Literally next door to Sunken Garden, Great Exploration was not an attraction I was planning on visiting. I decided to check it out anyway out of curiosity. I thought $10 was worth it to get a feel of the place. Who know, if I have grandchildren, one day I could bring them there.
This museum is designed for small children who are still learning about the world around them. It gives them freedom to explore without a danger of being hurt or damaging things.
Learning about nature, science, and everyday life is the main focus of the museum, but for kids, it feels more like a playground. They are allowed to touch an play with anything they desire.
Exploring the Cove
Side Trips from St. Petersburg Area
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