Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, the official tourism marketing and management organization for Pinellas County, has launched its "Still Shining" campaign to let the world know it’s ready to welcome visitors once again. After recently weathering two major hurricanes, the beach community has worked tirelessly to resume operations with nearly 80 percent of the destination now open, including accommodations, attractions, restaurants, museums, shops and more.
“It’s important for everyone to know that St. Pete-Clearwater is 'Still Shining' and ready as always to welcome residents and visitors to our beautiful beaches, amazing arts and experiences, and delicious coastal dining options,” said Brian Lowack, president and CEO of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater. “While our destination experienced serious impact from the recent storms, the images and videos that have circulated do not represent the entirety of the destination and many of our visitors’ favorites are open and ready to welcome guests.”
Beach access is open on Clearwater Beach and many of the surrounding beaches, though some access points may be restricted as re-beautification continues along the 35 miles of beaches. Over the coming weeks, the destination is expected to open additional beaches and parks.
Similarly, much of the destination has quickly resumed operations, including renowned attractions like The Dalí Museum and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, as well as the many other art, cultural and interactive experiences.
In addition to open attractions, restaurants, museums and more, travelers can enjoy major festivals and events taking place across the destination starting in the coming weeks.
- SAVOR St. Pete Food + Wine Festival (November 2-3 at Vinoy Park)
- P1 AquaX (Jet Ski) Finals (November 1-3 on Clearwater Beach)
- SHINE Mural Festival (November 8-17 in downtown St. Pete)
- ANNIKA LPGA Golf Tournament (November 13-17 at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair)
- Rise Up St. Pete Concert Series on the St. Pete Pier (beginning October 31)
The recent hurricane season was unprecedented for the Tampa Bay area with two notable storms impacting the area in quick succession. Visit St. Pete-Clearwater recommends all travelers visiting the destination contact their accommodation providers directly to ensure they have the most up-to-date information. While most of the destination is open for business, some communities still need a little longer to fully recover. For more information about how St. Pete-Clearwater is "Still Shining," including updates on accommodations, attractions and more, visit VisitSPC.com.
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