Vintage Vacationing: Americana in St. Pete
St Pete is a Vintage Vacation Spot - Bellwether is the Place to Experience It. Time travel through St. Pete when you visit these quintessential retro spots.
Sunken Gardens
For more than a century, visitors have flocked to this sanctuary just outside downtown St. Pete. This 4-acre attraction features exotic plants, pink flamingos and more.
Coney Island Grill
This mom-and-pop restaurant has been serving Coney Island-style hot dogs in downtown St. Pete since 1926. Sit on a stool at the old-school lunch counter and watch speedy short-order cooks prepare your burger, fries and milkshake.
St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club
This club has a revitalization story that makes local preservationists proud. Neglected for years, the world's oldest shuffleboard club was founded in 1924 and nurtured back to life a decade ago.
The Coliseum Ballroom
This Mediterranean revival-style building was built in 1924 and still maintains its Jazz Age grandeur with its arched ceiling and shimmering oak floors.
Munch's Restaurant & Sundries
A beloved neighborhood dining spot since 1952, it was showcased on the Food Network's popular Diner, Drive-Ins and Dives. The vintage lunch counter and '50s-era soda fountain take visitors on a tasty trip back in time.
Gulfport Casino Ballroom
Located in Gulfport's artsy waterfront district, this art deco treasure has overlooked the shallow waters of Boca Ciega Bay since 1934. Enjoy dancing and entertainment all week long, but no gambling happens here.
Candy Kitchen
Generations of locals and Madeira Beach visitors know a trip to "Mad Beach" always ends with a scoop of ice cream from this mom-and-pop shop, which is easily spotted by its red-and-white peppermint striped awnings.
Sponge-O-Rama Vintage Museum
This quirky spot in Tarpon Springs is a slice of roadside America. Since 1968, the museum - using vintage dioramas - has educated visitors about the local Greek tradition of sponge diving.