Shopping & Nightlife
Beyond the beach, Tampa Bay has walkable waterfront districts, a fishing village boardwalk and a free sunset party every night. These are the places we send guests when they want to shop, wander or stay out after dark, with real drive times from our homes.
St. Pete Pier and downtown St. Petersburg
4.7The St. Pete Pier is a waterfront destination with dining, events, public art, a children’s museum, fishing and kayak rentals, and one of Tampa Bay’s best views. From there, Central Avenue runs west through downtown with boutiques, galleries, restaurants and bars. The Grand Central District covers about 15 blocks, and the Crislip Arcade, a restored 1926 shopping arcade, sits on the 600 block. Museums along the way include the Morean Arts Center and the Chihuly Collection. It is about 18 to 22 minutes from The Salty Parrot, Hibiscus House and Tortuga Hideaway.
John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk
4.6In Madeira Beach, John’s Pass Village is a turn-of-the-century-style fishing village with more than a hundred merchants, waterfront restaurants and the local fishing fleet. You can also book dolphin-watching trips, boat rentals, parasailing and jet skis from here. It is only about 10 minutes from The Salty Parrot and 11 from Indian Shores Family Oasis, and an easy half day from our homes in Indian Rocks Beach and Largo.
Sunsets at Pier 60, Clearwater Beach
Sunsets at Pier 60 is a free festival that runs every night of the year, starting two hours before sunset and lasting until two hours after, weather permitting. It brings artisans, street performers and live music to Clearwater Beach, and it has been running since 1995. It is about 18 minutes from Casa Blue Horizon.
An evening in Tampa
4.8Across the bay, the Tampa Theatre in downtown Tampa opened in 1926 as an atmospheric movie palace. It is a National Register landmark and still hosts films and events, so check the schedule if you want a night out that feels different. It is 25 to 41 minutes from our homes.
How far is each one?
| Drive time (minutes) | Indian Rocks Beach | Largo | St. Petersburg | Seminole | Pinellas Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Pete Pier | 41 | 25–36 | 29 | 31 | 23 |
| Central Avenue, St. Petersburg | 35 | 20–31 | 22 | 25 | 18 |
| John’s Pass Village | 23 | 23–28 | 10 | 11 | 23 |
| Pier 60, Clearwater Beach | 18 | 19–28 | 33 | 28 | 31 |
| Tampa Theatre | 41 | 26–37 | 35 | 34 | 25 |
Approximate driving minutes from our homes in each area, without traffic. Largo shows the range across its three homes. Real trips vary with traffic and season.
Make an evening of it
Pair any of these with dinner from our dining guide, or start the day at the beach. See where to stay in St. Petersburg, Indian Rocks Beach and Largo, or browse all homes.
Good to know
Yes. It is a free festival that runs every night of the year, starting two hours before sunset.
Shops, waterfront restaurants, the fishing fleet and boat trips including dolphin watching, plus boat rentals and water sports.
Downtown St. Petersburg around Central Avenue and the Pier District has the widest choice of bars, restaurants and live music close to our homes.
About 18 to 25 minutes from The Salty Parrot, Hibiscus House, Indian Shores Family Oasis and our Largo homes, and about 35 minutes from Casa Blue Horizon.
It still hosts films and events in its 1926 building. Check the theatre's schedule and book ahead for popular shows.
It depends on the activity, and the drive-time table on this page shows it for each area. Our homes are in Indian Rocks Beach, Largo, St. Petersburg, Seminole and Pinellas Park, all a short drive from the Gulf beaches.
Stay close to it all
Private pool vacation homes, a short drive from the Gulf beaches: