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Geno / Q105The SunRunner service that takes you from downtown St. Petersburg to the beach has become pretty popular. The Tampa Bay Times reports about 600,000 have ridden the free bus so an expansion has been announced. There will now be a stop on 1st Avenue near the Sundial parking garage so that visitors to the St. Pete Pier can hop on board. It's about a 5 minute walk both from the Pier and that Cross Bay Ferry which takes you over to Tampa.
The money for the expansion will come from $5 million in federal money that was left over from the original project, according to the article. They say about 3,700 ride the bus on a given day. The service will remain free at least until October. But they say the plan is to keep it free for another year after that. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
The sun sets over downtown St. Pete as the new St. Pete Pier welcomes visitors for the second night on July 7, 2020. Grab a bite to eat, enjoy some music, shop hit the beach, let the kids run through the water or just take in a beautiful new view of St. Petersburg.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
Welcome... let me show ya around.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
This week you need a reservation to get it, but I got one without a problem just an hour before the visit.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
Use the hand sanitizer station on the way in near the solar panels because I did not see the others when I was roaming around.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
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The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
Cool touch - when the vendors are not open, the displays close up to show art.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
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The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
Geno / Q105.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
Lots of cafes and snacks.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
The sprinklers light up in different colors at night.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
Live music adds a nice touch.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
There's lots of space to stretch out.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
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The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
The walk takes about 10-15 minutes to get to the end of the pier.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
Free!
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
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The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
The airport and Dali museum in the distance.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
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The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
There were a few food trucks out, but more vendors will be out on the pier this weekend.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
Don't expect bargains downtown St. Pete these days. But the prices weren't outrageous.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
Fancy art. Or a blob. You be the judge.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
Hammock! Bring a hammock next time. Great idea!
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
Geno / BBGIThe design was debated forever... but I think most will like the results when seen in person.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
Lots of lawn space to relax.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
Wanna fish?
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
Fish cleaning station...
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
The view looking toward St. Pete from the end of the pier.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
Yes, there's plenty of room to fish!
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
This will be a fun spot to take the wave runners out to!
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
What's a Florida attraction without a gift shop?
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
Oh you know there's always going to be a tourist trap postcard / t-shirts shop.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
The views of the St. Pete skyline from the rooftop bar/restaurant are pretty stunning.
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
Geno/Q105View from your table if you get the right one!
The St. Pete Pier Welcomes Visitors
Quite a view of the sunset from the top level restaurant.
