The Pier at St. Petersburg is More than Just a Shopping Area

The Pier in St. Petersburg, Florida is a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex located on the water, boasting a long and varied history. This structure had its start in 1926 as the Million Dollar Pier, a casino-style Mediterranean Revival structure that housed an open-air ballroom and observation deck. It was long used for community gatherings of various sorts. Demolished in 1967 and replaced by a park, the St. Pete Pier was rebuilt in the early 1970s and reopened to the public in 1973 under the ownership of the city of St. Petersburg. It was renovated again in 1988 to provide a more updated look.

Today, The Pier is the centerpiece of St. Petersburg's waterfront district and features shops, restaurants, an aquarium, and a variety of opportunities for both water- and land-based recreation. It is no longer a Mediterranean-style building but rather a contemporary structure that is shaped like an inverted pyramid. An evening light show illuminates the building in a wash of different colors and tall palm trees line the promenade-style entrance.

The Pier accommodates about a dozen retail shopping establishments including stores that sell women's and men's fashions and a number of specialty items. Most of the shops are small, boutique-style stores that are particular to this location. There are also a few specialty food stores including a winery, a bakery, and a candy and nuts shop.

Restaurants at The Pier include both sit-down fare and take-out eateries. Waterfront full-service eateries include the famous Columbia Restaurant, Florida's oldest restaurant, known for its Spanish/Cuban cuisine and flamenco-dancing entertainers. A small food court, located on the dockside of the pier, feature places to grab a quick snack or an informal lunch or dinner.

There's much more to do than shopping and eating at The Pier. An establishment known as Boating at the Pier offers opportunities to enjoy a sailing, fishing, or motor cruising adventure on the waters off St. Petersburg, Florida. Guests can also hop aboard the Dolphin Queen, departing several times a day from The Pier. This 70-person catamaran scours the Tampa Bay in search of dolphins and manatees and other local marine animals and birds and provides a good look at some of the city's most elaborate homes.

The Pier Aquarium Community Marine Education Center, located on the third floor of the complex, includes a Fresh Fish Theater, touch tanks, and more. In addition, avid anglers can fish off The Pier 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Fishermen can cast their rods off the catwalk on the east side of the pier. (Out-of-town visitors need fishing licenses.)

The Pier also hosts a number of special events throughout the year, about 300 annually, including fundraisers, community dances, music fests, arts and crafts shows, and much more. Most activities are free and open to the public.