Beach Drive runs along the western edge of Tampa Bay through the heart of downtown, and it is the place where St. Petersburg feels most like itself. The boulevard is wide, the sidewalks are generous, and the bay is right there — pelicans on the seawall, sailboats anchored offshore, and a light that turns the water silver-gold in the late afternoon.
The blocks between 1st Avenue North and 5th Avenue North are the most active, with galleries, independent restaurants, and cafes opening onto the street. The Sunken Gardens and the Museum of Fine Arts are steps away. On weekends, the sidewalk tables fill early and stay full late into the evening.
It is equally good on foot as it is by bike — the waterfront trail connects north to Vinoy Park and south toward the pier with almost no road crossings.