VISITORS CAN STRETCH THEIR LEGS ON SEVERAL
WALKING TOURS AT FLORIDA’S BEACH
CLEARWATER, FL – There are several opportunities in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area for visitors to get out and discover the history and natural beauty of the area’s 26 communities collectively known as Florida’s Beach. Walking tours are available for those who wish to explore areas off the beaten path and get a little closer to nature.
In St. Petersburg, two types of walking tours are offered: a historic tour and a gallery walk. The historic tour explores downtown St. Petersburg, stopping at approximately 25 historic sites in two hours. Visitors will explore the early community’s “front yard” – Central Avenue- and it’s “backyard” – Mirror Lake Park. The tours are given on the first Saturday of the month, from November to April and a $5 donation is accepted. Tour-goers meet at the Williams Park Bandshell at 10 a.m. For more information, contact St. Pete Preservation, Inc. at 727-824-7802.
More than 28 galleries participate in the Downtown Arts Association’s Monthly Gallery Walk in St. Petersburg. Visitors start at Gallery Central (on Central Avenue between 4th and 8th Streets) and travel from there to the Waterfront, the Dome and SoHo Art Districts and then on to 4th and 9th Streets North. Tours are given from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the second Saturday monthly. For more information, call 727-821-7391 or 727-822-7872.
The city of Gulfport, located adjacent to St. Petersburg, also has its own gallery walk. On the first Friday and third Saturday of each month, Gulfport showcases the galleries and shops that make up its ArtVillage.
Guests can browse and enjoy a festive evening featuring art, music and more in this pedestrian-friendly historic district. More than 40 galleries, studios, boutiques and restaurants are featured from 6-10 p.m. Many stop to enjoy the bayside view from the Gulfport pier or hop on the trolley for a free tour while others enjoy an impressive variety of entertainment. It is always a wonderful opportunity for good old-fashioned socializing. Many of the shops, art studios and boutiques serve free treats and refreshments in addition to Gulfport’s unique restaurants. For more information call 727-321-7741.
A unique historic walking tour is given on the local island of St. Pete Beach. From mid-January to mid-April, visitors can explore St. Pete Beach’s National Historic District, the only such designated district on a barrier island in the world. The tour begins at the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, which is located in what was the first church built on Pinellas County’s barrier islands. From there, a costumed guide will take tour-goers throughout the rest of the historic district, pointing out notable structures that have played an important part in the island’s history since the 1500s. Tours are offered in the morning, every other Thursday, from mid-January to mid-April beginning at the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, located at 115-10th Avenue. For more information, call 727-360-2491.
Another exceptional walking tour is offered at parks, nature preserves and other natural settings throughout the area by a company called It’s Our Nature. Through nature walks, the company hopes to provide awareness of the ecology and natural history of Florida’s Beach. Several types of walking tours are available. The Nature Awareness Walk with Bird Watching is a moderately paced, 3-mile walk along Honeymoon Island’s Osprey and Pelican Cove trails – home to more than 23 active Osprey nests. Learn bird identification and behavior, along with the habitat and history of this interesting barrier island.
The Nature Awareness Walk with Local Heritage will guide guests on a 3.5 mile nature trail that goes through three different habitats on Caladesi Island, rated among the top five most beautiful beaches in the United States. Heritage adds to the visitor’s experience as they explore the remains of the homestead that represents life living in harmony with nature. The walk concludes with shelling along a spectacular beach and a boat ride back to the mainland.
Another unique nature walk is given at the Brooker Creek Preserve, an 8,000-acre wilderness area located in the northeastern corner of Florida’s Beach. White-tailed deer, wild turkey, bobcat, and rare species such as Catesby's lily, grass pink orchid and Bachman's sparrow, thrive within the borders of the Preserve. The free, 3-mile guided wilderness walks are available every Saturday at 9 AM and last approximately 2.5 hours. Tour guides take visitors through a predefined walk, which may include one or more trails, behind-the-scenes tours, natural history, restoration projects, and other sites. For more information and to make a reservation, call the Saturday Hike hotline at 727-943-4003.
The St. Petersburg/Clearwater area is best known for 35 miles of spectacular beaches, three of which are rated among the best in the United States, and record-breaking sunshine. A variety of attractions, world-class museums, sporting activities and nature-related experiences are also readily available.
For more information on Florida’s Beach, call 1-877-FL-BEACH (352-3224) in the U.S. and Canada, or 1-727-464-7200 internationally. Take a virtual visit to the area on the Internet at FloridasBeach.com or write to: St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, 14450 46th Street North, Suite 108, Clearwater, Florida 33762.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Wit Tuttell at 800-822-6461
or 727-464-7200