Best Things to do in Gulfport, Florida -

Under ten miles from St Pete is the charming waterfront town of Gulfport, Florida.

It’s a hippie town with a fitting, unofficial slogan “Keep Gulfport Weird.” You’ll find a lot of artists and other creatives in this colorful town. Even the cottages are colorful, many are original and no two are quite the same.

Gulfport is a waterfront town often referred to as the Gateway to the Gulf.

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Key Takeaways

Where is Gulfport, Florida?

Gulfport is about 10–15 minutes from downtown St. Petersburg and roughly 10 minutes from St. Pete Beach, making it an easy place to visit while exploring the greater St. Pete area.

I personally think it’s one of the best day trips from St Pete that you can take!

Tampa is approximately 30–40 minutes away, depending on traffic, while Tampa International Airport is around 25–35 minutes away.

Things to do in Gulfport, Florida

Despite being surrounded by larger, busier destinations, Gulfport has maintained a laid-back, small-town feel.

It has its own little downtown area right on the waterfront. Residents of Gulfport take a lot of pride in their city and there are lots of events around the town.

Best Places to Shop in Gulfport, Florida

I love wandering the streets of Gulfport and stopping into all of the small shops. The shops here have a small town feel with each of them selling unique items.

Some of my favorite shops are Paw Paw’s, which has a little bit of everything for dogs and cats.

Beach Bazaar has a little bit of everything; clothes, artwork, antiques, home decor, souvenirs, and more.

Gulfport Beach & Pier

Gulfport sits right on Boca Ciega Bay and has a public beach. It’s a really nice area with volleyball courts, plenty of free parking, and bathrooms.

You can usually find someone playing an instrument or singing, especially on the weekends.

Just know that the bay it isn’t as clear and nice as the gulf beaches in the area and it’s more “muddy” than sandy.

There is also a playground in this area if you have kids.

Two young children stand at a white railing overlooking the Gulfport waterfront on a sunny day. Sailboats and docks stretch across the calm water beneath a blue and cloudy sky.

Two children sit together in the shallow calm water at a Gulfport beach with sailboats anchored in the distance. The wide sandy shallows offer a peaceful place for families looking for things to do in Gulfport FL.

Clam Bayou Nature Park

Clam Bayou Nature Park is a peaceful preserve right on the water.

There’s a trail which isn’t long but gives you a glimpse of natural backwater Florida with mangroves, coastal wetlands, and scenic views.

It’s also a popular spot for kayaking.

Two children run along a curving gravel trail beneath tall palm trees and leafy greenery in Gulfport. The shaded path offers a quiet outdoor activity among the things to do in Gulfport FL.

Gulfport Casino

The Gulfport Casino is not an actual casino. It got its name because casino refers to “a public room or building used for social meetings, dancing, or gaming” and that’s exactly what this used to be.

The Gulfport Casino is a historic site that was built in 1906. It has been used as a station and ticket office, post office, and concession stand.

The building was remodeled in the 1930’s and is currently under construction due to damage sustained in Hurricane Helene.

Playgrounds

If you have kids, check out these playgrounds:

Gulfport Beach Playground – this is our favorite because its waterfront, so you have a view while the kids play
Tomlinson Park
Tonkin Playground at Chase Park

A child crosses a rope bridge on a colorful waterfront playground beneath large blue shade canopies. The climbing structures and artificial turf create a shaded outdoor play area for families visiting Gulfport.

Wave Makers Workshops

Wave Makers Workshops has hands-on art classes. They offer a wide range from watercolor to resin and everything in between.

Grab a Drink

Gulfport Brewery has a nice outdoor atmosphere and very friendly staff. Of course, their beer is great too, and they have a good happy hour from 3-6pm Monday through Friday. If you don’t have plans at one of the restaurants I mentioned above, the brewery has great options. They have somehow managed to master craft beer and their menu; they have genuinely good food.
Wine Bar – food (BBQ), wine, and mocktails. The cutest spot with really fun outdoor seating.
Hurricane Eddie’s is a true beach town type of bar and is a great hangout among locals. They have live music on Fridays and Saturdays and there are plenty of TVs for watching the game. They do not serve food at this location but you can bring food there if you’d like.
Blueberry Patch is a unique venue with open mic nights, live bands, and open jam nights (where participants can bring their own instrument). Their mission is to promote peace, love, creativity, and joy. Their outdoor area is large and filled with unique art. It is bring your own beer (or preferred drink) and you can bring your own food as well. They are only open certain days/times, so check their schedule before heading that way.
Sober Bar – a new bar in Gulfport that serves coffee, kombucha, and mocktails. They also serve breakfast sandwiches in the morning and appetizers in the afternoon.

A family gathers around a wooden picnic table at an outdoor Gulfport restaurant illuminated by bright pink neon signs. A baby rests in a carrier on the table while string lights and neon lighting create a casual evening atmosphere.

Bottles of wine displayed on wooden shelves around a white fireplace with a large geometric wine rack beside it. Pink and turquoise lighting gives the small Gulfport wine shop a colorful atmosphere.

Events in Gulfport, Florida

One of the things I love about Gulfport is how community-oriented it is. People who live here take pride in their community and people who visit love visiting.

There are several community events throughout the year which are loved by both locals and visitors alike.

Gulfport Fresh Market

Every Tuesday, you’ll find the Gulfport Fresh Market. Most markets in the area shut down during the summer months because the weather can be sweltering, but the Gulfport market stays open year round.

They have a variety of food, handmade products, and even local authors. There are also artists and crafters as well as live music.

Geckofest

Gulfport celebrates the end of summer with a celebration called Geckofest.

There is live music, art and craft vendors, children activities, food, street performers, and more. There is also a costume contest, parade, bar crawl, and a street dance.

The event is family friendly and there is no admission charge.

This year it will be held on August 30th.

First Friday Art Walk

On the first Friday of each month, Gulfport has an art walk from 5pm to 9 pm.

The streets will close for artists, musicians, and more, to fill them with their talent and items for sale. They have over 40 vendors!

Best Restaurants in Gulfport, Florida

For such a small town, there is no shortage of restaurants.

Pia’s Trattoria is one of the most popular restaurants not just in Gulfport, but in the whole area. They offer outdoor seating under the twinkle lights. This is a great place for good food and a romantic date.

O’Maddy’s Bar & Grille is another really popular restaurant in Gulfport. It’s always lively and they just opened up more space on their second floor, which overlooks the bay. O’Maddy’s serves good drinks and bar-type food.

Siri’s Gourmet Burgers and Pizza is one of our favorite little spots. It’s quaint and such a hidden gem. They have great pizza, but I personally love their lemon pepper wings.

Where to Stay in Gulfport, Florida

If you’d like to stay in Gulfport longer than a day, there are several accommodations:

The Sea Breeze Manor is a bed and breakfast with a good location and views of the bay. It is in a historical building, built in 1923.

Historic Peninsula Inn is a dog friendly hotel built in 1905. It served as a hospital in WWI and WWII. It is in a great location in the heart of downtown. There is a restaurant on site named after the inn’s ghost but don’t worry, she is friendly.

If you want to stay in downtown St Pete, Gulfport is easily accessible from there.

Are You Ready to Visit Gulfport, Florida?

If you’re planning on visiting Gulfport, I hope this post was helpful to you. There are a lot of things to do in Gulfport, Florida, so you’ll be sure to find something to enjoy. It truly is a gem of a town to visit!