The 6 Best Tourist Destinations in the St. Pete/Clearwater Area for LGBTQ+ Visitors

If you’re looking to take a little trip to warmer weather to beat the cold this winter, look no further! The perfect tropical destination that’s calling your name is St. Petersburg and Clearwater, Florida. With beautiful beaches, a lively arts scene, delicious restaurants and bars and overall good vibes, St. Pete and Clearwater will be the perfect escape from the cold this winter.

“St. Pete/Clearwater,” according to the official travel site for the United States, VisitTheUSA.com, “is nestled on a sun-drenched peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. With its 56 kilometers of white-sand beaches and lively cultural scene, the destination offers a getaway in paradise.” And getting there is a breeze. The St. Pete-Clearwater (PIE) airport has tons of direct flights, so you can step off the plane and into the sandy oasis! It’s a piece of cake… er, maybe PIE!

And paradise gets even better. St. Pete and Clearwater are great places for LGBTQ+ people to feel welcomed and safe on their travels! It can be difficult to travel as a queer person, since you might not know exactly which places are friendly and which aren’t. Clearwater and St. Pete have made it clear that they’re happy to have all kinds of guests, of course including the LGBTQ+ community.

Here are six places that are especially friendly for LGBTQ+ people that you don’t want to miss out on during your trip!

The Wet Spot

Address: 2355 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33713

The Wet Spot is the newest attraction for LGBTQ+ visitors and locals alike. This pool bar and day club is a little slice of heaven right in St. Pete! Lounge by The Wet Side’s private pool while you’re enjoying delicious poolside cocktails and snacks.

It might be winter here, but down in Florida things are nice and sweaty! You’ll want to dive into the crisp water and cool off when things get hot! Take a dip this winter at The Wet Spot!

Wanna check it out? See all the details on their website: www.cocktailstpete.com/the-wet-spot

COCKtail St. Pete

Address: 2355 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33713

Now if you head to St. Pete/Clearwater for a winter break, you absolutely must go to COCKtail St. Pete! St. Pete’s top award-winning bar, COCKtail St. Pete won the 2023 Tampa Bay’s Best awards for: Best LGBT Bar, Best Dance Club, Best LGBTQ-owned business, Best Drag event, and so. much. more.

You’ll love their stiff drinks, like the “Hey, You Up?” which is a delicious cocktail made of Grey Goose, coffee liqueur and simple syrup or the “Banana Hammock” which has Bacardi spiced rum, banana liqueur, lime juice and demerara syrup! You can also grab one of the other delightful cocktails (each with a name just as cheeky!), or go classic with beer and wine.

And don’t forget about their iconic events! COCKtail St. Pete keeps the good times coming with everything from karaoke to drag to a “Big Gay Sing-along” to HIDE leather night!

For all the details, check out their website: www.cocktailstpete.com

Mari Jean Hotel

Address: 2349 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33713

When you get to St. Pete/Clearwater, you’ll need a place to stay, right? Why not stay in the ~lap of luxury~ at St. Pete’s “premier gay adults only hotel”? This gorgeous, fifty-six room hotel was built in 1926, but has kept up with the city’s ever-changing character. This historic hotel offers a sexy, comfortable vibe and celebrates queerness around every corner! And your room comes with a complimentary continental breakfast and a complimentary wine and cheese happy hour, as well as access to beach/pool towels, and so much more.

With tantalizing room décor and luxurious private rooms, you’ll never want to leave!

For more details or to book your room, check out Mari Jean Hotel’s website: www.marijeanhotel.com

Gulfport

Wanna celebrate your unique and wonderful weirdness? Gulfport’s got you covered! According to visitstpeteclearwater.com, “The friendly, small waterfront community of Gulfport has been celebrating its weirdness since before it was cool to do so. It’s also been a long-time haven for the LGBTQ+ community. The city’s eclectic collection of artists, writers, musicians, and small business owners along with its walkable downtown and sparkling bayfront make this a must-visit place.”

This small town has a larger-than-life vibe, with tons to do and see! Head to the beach for some lovely weather and cool ocean relaxation, or pop in the adorable artsy shops and galleries downtown. You’ll walk past charming old buildings, amazing live music, and you might even see “the tomb of Morris the Cat, the beloved feline who became the city’s unofficial mascot…and whose spirit is said to wander near the [Gulfport]casino”.

Want more info on Gulfport? Check out their website: www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/communities/gulfport

Sunset Beach

Address: 9000 W. Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL 33706

If you need a relaxing day on a beautiful beach, Sunset Beach is the way to go. And if you’re going to a beach… of course it needs to be the gayest beach around!

According to visitstpeteclearwater.com, “Sunset Beach, located on the southern tip of Treasure Island, is a beach lover’s community straight out of a Buffett song. This neighborhood welcomes guests of all lifestyles with open arms and is especially popular with the local LGBT community. On Sunset Beach you will find uniquely decorated houses, tiki huts, white sands, and beachfront bars where bohemian attitudes prevail.”

Take a break from the cold and snow, and relax in the warm sand at Sunset Beach. And of course, you can’t miss their breathtaking golden sunsets!

For more information, check out the Treasure Island information website: www.mytreasureisland.org 

St. Pete Pier

Address: 600 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

There’s a brand-new pier to check out in St. Pete! If you want to take a long stroll through the warm Florida sun, this is the place to do it. According to stpetepier.org, “this gleaming new attraction on the city’s picturesque waterfront promises limitless fun for everyone, from first-time visitors to long-time residents. Its 26 beautiful acres seamlessly combine the peaceful blue waters of Tampa Bay with the vibrant greenery of downtown St. Petersburg’s parks, creating the ultimate place to stroll, bike, dine, drink, shop, swim, take in a concert and more.”

You don’t want to miss out on this gem in St. Pete/Clearwater!

For more information about the pier, check out their website: www.stpetepier.org

Get away to a warm paradise this winter! Check out St. Pete/Clearwater Florida for a great vacay!

http://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com