St. Pete explores permanent ferry dock at St. Pete Pier for service to downtown Tampa

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St. Pete explores permanent ferry dock at St. Pete Pier for service to downtown Tampa

The passenger ferry linking downtown St. Pete and downtown Tampa may soon have a new home on the St. Pete Pier.

As the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) prepares to relaunch the Tampa Bay Ferry, formerly known as the Cross Bay Ferry, the city is evaluating plans to construct a permanent dock near the St. Petersburg Museum of History, according to documents obtained by St. Pete Rising.

When the ferry service began in 2016, it carried passengers on a roughly 50-minute ride from North Straub Park in downtown St. Pete to the Tampa Convention Center in downtown Tampa.

In 2023, when the permit for the St. Pete dock expired, the St. Pete terminus was relocated to the Port of St. Petersburg, south of Albert Whitted Airport.

While the Port location kept the service operational, it’s been criticized by riders and city officials for being out of sight and inconvenient compared to the original downtown stop.

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St. Pete Pier celebrates five years with month-long festival featuring drone show, fireworks, live music, ice cream festival, and more

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St. Pete Pier celebrates five years with month-long festival featuring drone show, fireworks, live music, ice cream festival, and more

Five years ago, the City of St. Petersburg unveiled the long-anticipated St. Pete Pier and its sprawling 26-acre district, reconnecting downtown to the waterfront. Today, it has become a signature landmark, drawing millions of tourists and residents each year.

To celebrate the Pier's five-year milestone, the City of St. Petersburg is hosting PierFest—a month-long series of family-friendly events every weekend in July. Festivities will include live performances by local bands, sand sculptures, a drone show, fireworks, and more at the St. Pete Pier District, located at 600 2nd Avenue NE.

The celebration kicks off on July 4th with the annual St. Pete Pier Run, a 4-mile course that begins near Spa Beach, winds along the scenic waterfront, and finishes at the Pier.

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New coastal cafe Perry's Porch opens this weekend on the St. Pete Pier

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New coastal cafe Perry's Porch opens this weekend on the St. Pete Pier

A long-awaited coastal cafe paying homage to the Sunshine City's history will debut at the St. Pete Pier this weekend.

Perry’s Porch will have a soft opening on Saturday, February 8th at 335 2nd Avenue NE near the entrance of the Pier and adjacent to the St. Petersburg Museum of History. The new cafe is replacing the craft beer bar Hops and Props which closed in 2021.

An official grand opening will be held on Wednesday, February 12th.

Perry’s Porch is being brought to life by Seed & Feed Hospitality, which also owns the popular Mandarin Hide cocktail bar, Trophy Fish seafood restaurant, and the 60-year-old El Cap burger joint.

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Pickleball is coming to the St. Pete Pier

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Pickleball is coming to the St. Pete Pier

Pickleball courts are coming to the St. Pete Pier thanks to a collaboration between the City of St. Petersburg and St. Pete Athletic, a local group bringing a 45,000-square-foot athletic and social club to the Warehouse Arts District this spring.

For two months, from January 17th to March 16th, two pickleball courts will be set up at 660 2nd Avenue NE near the Pier’s splash pad for everyone of all skill levels to enjoy.

“We are thrilled to parter with the City on this exciting initiative that furthers our mission to promote active, social lifestyles in St. Petersburg,” said Founder of St. Pete Athletic Reuben Pressman in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “We cannot wait for St. Pete residents and visitors to enjoy playing pickleball on the beautiful downtown waterfront with the St. Pete skyline in the background.”

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