saharnaz safari

"No, you need it now. "

That's part of the pitch made by Safari at the opening of what's being billed as Canada's first rocket factory. As part of a husband-wife team, Safari and Sohrab Haghighat spoke to CBC News at the headquarters of their company SpaceRyde just north of Toronto in Vaughan, Ont., alongside the first Canadian astronaut to live aboard the International Space Station, Chris Hadfield.

Their goal: to make history as the first orbital rocket to launch from a balloon — meaning lower cost and on-demand access to space. Think a private Uber-like service for cargo "from the Earth to the Moon and anywhere in between," they say.

Safari and Haghighat envision getting cargo to the edge of space by balloon, then releasing it, lighting a rocket and using the power of miniature computers to control where it goes in space.

An 'elegant idea,' says Hadfield

At a price-tag of $250,000 per trip, it's a fraction of the cost of what's currently on offer for a company or entity looking to send satellites into space or get cargo to the moon, Safari says. The competition, Elon Musk's SpaceX, charges over $1.1 million by comparison, she says.

It's an "elegant idea," says Hadfield, who says getting to space now has been accomplished through the "brute power" of burning massive quantities of fossil fuels.

"It's a physics problem," he said, speaking at Tuesday's news conference. "In order to get into orbit, you have to be going eight kilometres a second. Any slower, you fall into the air; any faster, you go out to a higher orbit."

"But there's too much friction," he said. "So you have to get above the air and then you have get going fast enough to stay up there."

Applications here on Earth

That's where the balloons come in.

But the technology isn't just handy for space travellers who might have forgotten something important back on Earth, says Hadfield. It's also got the potential to make it easier to send satellites into low orbit to help send back valuable information about the health and temperature of oceans and the planet as a whole, he says.

Jason Wood, executive director of space exploration and space industry policy at the Canadian Space Agency, imagines other uses too.

"Think about how that could be helpful in remote or northern communities here in Canada to provide sustainable food sources or another example is health care, in terms of remote medicine."

Wood says SpaceRyde is part of a larger shift towards more and more commercial actors providing access to space. The industry, by some estimates, is expected to grow to a trillion dollars per year by 2040, he says.

As for Safari and Haghighat, the two met in Waterloo, Ont. during graduate school.

"That's where we got to know each other and fell in love and eventually got married," he told CBC News.

The pair, married for almost 14 years, are planning their first launch in 2023.

The year after that, their sights are set on the moon.

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How a Canadian husband and wife team plan to send satellites into space

When it comes to launching satellites into orbit, about a dozen countries have their own homegrown launch vehicles that can get them into space. Canada is not among them.

However, a husband and wife team from Ontario are aiming to change that. The couple, who are the founders of SpaceRyde, have opened their own rocket factory north of Toronto.

“This would be a first for Canada,” says CEO Sohrab Haghighat. “And this would also be a first for the world that a private rocket at this price is going to be offered.”

Haghighat and his wife Saharnaz Safari have been developing their launch system for the last four years, initially building a prototype in a garage. Now they have the backing of the Canadian Space Agency and employ more than 30 people.

“It’s going to be historic for Canada getting to space on our own Canadian rocket,” says Safari, who is also the company’s chief operating officer and a graduate of the University of Waterloo.

Their made-in-Canada idea to get to space is unique. They plan to use a high-altitude balloon to carry a small rocket three times higher than most commercial airliners fly. From there the carrier and some smart software will aim the rocket in the right direction, the engine will fire and the rocket will carry its payload into space.

Catching a ride on a balloon means the rocket can avoid the stress of travelling through dense layers of the atmosphere. It would require less fuel, be more environmentally friendly and be cheaper. Their target price to deliver a payload is $250,000, and they would be able to deploy satellites anywhere from a shoebox size, up to about as big as a mini fridge.

“It’s a really sharp idea and it gives you a lot of flexibility that other rockets don’t have,” said former Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield.

Eventually they plan to build a network of small space vehicles that could stay in orbit, and be able to carry tools and supplies to the moon and beyond.

The company plans to launch its first satellite next year and is aiming to make launches from Canadian soil frequent.

“In the next few years we are looking at weekly launches, but ultimately daily,” says Safari.

Her husband, who studied aerospace engineering at the University of Toronto, says he really wants to see Canada have the capability to deliver its own satellites to space.

"In a few years when I read a space book to my son, he's not going to ask me why there is no rocket with a Canadian flag on it. I'm excited."

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Episode 2 – Lift Off: Launching the First Affordable Taxi to Space with SpaceRyde

• October 27, 2021

Our second episode with Saharnaz Safari of  SpaceRyde  dives into space travel, satellites, and women in the space industry. Saharnaz tells an inspiring story of how grit and perseverance led to SpaceRyde launching the first affordable taxi to space. With the space economy projected to be in the trillions in the near future, SpaceRyde’s affordable taxi will enable this massive growth.

About SpaceRyde and Co-Founder Saharnaz Safari

SpaceRyde, founded in 2018, built the world’s first balloon/rocket launch system to launch affordable satellites and cargo to space without ride-sharing. This was achieved after fighting their way to get the first launch permit that Canada had issued for a rocket in 21 years in 2019. In the coming years, SpaceRyde plans to develop a two-way mode of transportation by putting assets into space and bringing back resources to Earth. They plan to leverage the growing satellite market that is expected to grow to $69 billion by 2030, up from the current $3 billion market in 2021.

Saharnaz Safari, with her husband Sohrab Haghighat, co-founded SpaceRyde to disrupt the space industry. Born and raised in Iran, Saharnaz went on to graduate with a master’s degree in bioanalytical chemistry from University of Waterloo and worked as a chemist until she moved to Silicon Valley to complete her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of California Berkeley. Married for over 13 years to her husband Sohrab, who has a PhD and a Master’s in aerospace engineering and was one of the early engineers at Cruise, the power duo have big plans for the future of Canadian space.

To learn more, visit spaceryde.com or contact [email protected].

About Host Patrick McGuire

Patrick is a creative entrepreneur, team leader, and Altitude Accelerator board member who has focused on the sales and success of companies including: HR tech, fintech, sports tech, Software-as-a-Service, cannabis (CBD / THC), nutrition, health and wellness, fitness corporations, and business of all sizes with a love for helping business grow and scale from $500k to north of $50m. With an entrepreneurial mindset focused on team-building, his ethical leadership delivers win-win solutions for his companies and clients.

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Patrick McGuire

Hey, it’s Patrick. Before we start, at the time of this recording, we went through a bit of a name rebranding from RIC Centre to Altitude Accelerator. With that in mind, we hope you enjoy the following interview. Welcome to the Startups Transformed Podcast. I’m Patrick McGuire, your host board member and advisor at Altitude Accelerator, where we help startups scale to new heights. We chat with phenomenal tech business leaders who climbed their way to success within their industry. Our guests delve deep into the lessons they’ve learned along the way so that you can get a head start on your next big idea.

Okay, this is going to be an interesting session. I mean, we’re talking space. We’re talking space travel and satellites, and we’re talking with someone who you might not think would be in this space to start with. Somebody who came from a totally different industry completely. Somebody who is continuously striving to reinvent herself and business and the way that we treat others and the way we think about people in business. And I think that is absolutely amazing. And as you might have caught it, yes, I said she. She is in the space industry, and I’m really excited for it because it’s an underpromoted category for women in space, and we need more women in space.

We need more women everywhere doing more business and doing great things. And Saharnaz is doing great things, and she’s doing it with probably the best partner she could have ever found if they don’t strangle each other first. And you’ll figure that out in a little bit. Saharnaz, thank you so much for joining us. I’m so excited. I appreciate your time.

Saharnaz Safari

Thank you very much, Patrick, super happy to be here.

I mean, let me just talk to it first and foremost. Then I’ll get Saharnaz to actually elaborate on this, of course. But imagine you want to go from downtown Toronto to run an errand. What do you do? Pull out your phone, you Google somebody, you search somebody, you search Uber, you get on it and you go no big deal. But SpaceRyde is creating that same service and affordable taxi, if you will, for satellites. How do we get more stuff up there to do things and efficiently.

So if you have a satellite that you want to send a space, you can easily buy a rocket and send it off with SpaceRyde. And that is pretty cool. You can send it to wherever you need to send it to. You could get it in orbit. You can basically have your own destination based private rocket. That is unbelievable. And before SpaceRyde, satellites would have to get on a bus. They’d have to be on a big rocket and they’d have to share a ride to a popular destination in space.

And the bus ticket might cost two and a half times, three times or more. So with SpaceRyde, why would you pay a higher rate for a bus when you can get to your destination with a cheaper taxi, if you will. Hopefully, I did that justice. But you tell me, what is SpaceRyde all about?

So we are all about utilizing space for a better life on Earth. We use GPS on a daily basis, and we forget that the reason that we have GPS is because we have assets in space because we have satellites in space and we can utilize space better. The bottleneck right now is launch. Satellites have gotten significantly smaller from the time in the 60s, there was Sputnik our first satellite, all the way to now, now, what satellites look like? They’re called shoebox satellites. They’re often between one to 4 kg.

They’re quite small, and these satellites are very powerful as well. They’re launched closer to the Earth. A bunch of them cover the Earth and they can do amazing things. They can provide Internet access to remote locations. You might have heard about Starling. I mean, Starlink satellites are slightly bigger than Shoebox, but they can provide Internet access. They can do remote sensing, for example, oil and gas leaks from pipeline. They can do climate monitoring. So if you’re worried about climate, which I think the majority of people around the world are, we can use satellites for that.

We can monitor what’s happening on Earth in terms of transportation, shipped goods, all that. And you see pictures of that ship got stuck in the Suez Canal and all that is happening with satellites. But these small satellites right now that they’re doing these amazing things, they’re going to be doing more amazing things as we have better sensors and better cameras developed. They don’t have a right to space. They don’t have their taxi to space. They have to sit and wait for a big payload, a big satellite or robotic arm or something like that that is going to a destination to book a rocket.

And then if they’re going to the exact same destination, yes, they can book spaces that are left on that rocket. That is how they get to space right now. And we want to change that.

That’s crazy. I didn’t even think of that level of logistics like, you have to hope that somebody else is going to the same place as you on the same date that aligns with yours and all this stuff.

Who wants to wait that long for a taxi?

Because taxis don’t exist. And this industry for small satellites is going to grow because we have realized what we can do from space and how we can utilize space to have a better life on Earth. But again, the bottom line is launch even right now, half of the market, half of the small satellites, when they get manufactured in the first year, they cannot find any right to space. They’re just sitting there collecting dust. And this market is even growing at a very fast speed right now, it’s 3 billion USD.

And by 2030, it would be 69 billion. So at 3 billion, we can only serve half right now with the bus system that we have.

Wow. So what was the year on that again? You said $3 billion USD today, but it’ll be $69 billion by what date?

• So nine years fromnow.

That is not long at all. And that is a massive industry. And from 3 billion to 69 billion projected, of course, by 2030. And even if you take a piece of that, that’s a phenomenal success story coming.

Yes. And I mean, we are not just going to send assets to space. We are also going to bring stuff back. We are going to bring back resources. And what we are trying to develop at SpaceRyde is this both way of transportation, going to space and coming back, putting assets into space and bringing back resources.

That’s a great idea. Well, first, let’s talk about what you used to do. And then let’s talk about why you’re doing this.

So I graduated with a master’s degree in bioanalytical chemistry from University of Waterloo. So my life was in a lab as a chemist, analyzing things, finding smal l quantities of pharmaceuticals in blood or other biological samples. And I went off to work at a Pharma company, then switched to Life Sciences. I had worked a year before in medical devices. And then I switched back to medical devices. So for ten years, I was part of the healthcare industry. And I started as a chemist in the lab. And then I graduated into managing product launches and what goes into software that controls life science instruments and so on.

And what I realized, I wanted to grow. And I kept changing the industry, thinking that, no, this is not the right fit. This is not the right fit. After a few years in each industry, and then I thought, okay, so I want to grow. I think I need more responsibility because every time I would ask for more responsibility, I remember one time I was leaving a company because I was moving to a different city. And my boss had announced something that they were looking for volunteers to learn a new thing.

And they kept announcing it because no one was volunteering. And I told him I was like, I’m leaving in a couple of months, you know that. But if no one is volunteering, you know, I’m always volunteering. And he laughs. And he’s like, I know about you, but you’re leaving. We need someone who’s staying. So that was always my attitude. I wanted more. And I was like, okay, I need to get an MBA, because that was what I saw in those big companies. I need to get an MBA to get to where I want.

So I ended up at UC Berkeley, got my MBA in two years. During that time, that area, Bay Area, you go and walk into grocery store. You can walk into Trader Joe’s and the people that are stocking shelves are talking about ideas they have to start businesses. Startups were very prominent there. And I got exposed to startups. I got to work with them. And then after my graduation, I got to advise them on the business side of things. And even then, I was still doing it with healthcare startups because that was my background.

And that’s when I noticed that my skill set, I don’t have to stay in healthcare, for example, it can be applied to other businesses. Space is also highly regulated, like healthcare industry. And so I’m using some of that expertise here as well.

That’s really interesting. I’m just going to sort of remind everybody, you don’t have to stay where you’re at. You don’t have to be satisfied where your current living is or your current business is. You can change your path at any time. You are who you plan to be or make it to be. And that’s exactly what Saharnaz did. She said, hey, I’m not satisfied. I’m going to try this. Okay. Saharnaz, why space in Canada? Why are you one of the rare women who are actually making an impact in Canadian space?

I mean, I don’t know why I’m one of the rare women. I want more women. I want to hire more women. So that last question. I don’t know why.

Hold on right now. Get in touch. If you got desires for aerospace space, anything that category technology. Get in touch with this lady. She wants more women to do great things in space. All right. Sorry, Saharanaz, go ahead. I apologize. But why did you get into space in the first place?

Yes. So I am married for over 13 years to my husband, Sohrab, who has a PhD and a Master’s in aerospace engineering and another Masters. But that’s another thing.

So literally a rocket scientist.

Yes! I live with a rocket scientist. And now I work with a bunch of them as well. And we were in the Bay Area. He was one of the early engineers at Cruise, the self driving car company that General Motors bought in 2016 for over a billion dollars. And so he experienced working with Cruise’s CEO. Basically experienced hard growth, building his own team, growing it to over 30 engineers. And at the same time, I was learning how startups work and the business side of things at school.

And we both realized that our mistake was that if we wanted to start a company, we had to have our own money and we had to have a lot of it. We didn’t know anything about venture financing and angel rounds and anything about that before. And so through his experience and my experience at school, we realized that. Okay, let’s start something. And we knew we wanted to come back to Canada. We wanted to live here and we wanted to contribute to the Canadian economy. And we decided to do the move back from Bay Area, which is not very common.

Usually, Canadians move to Bay Area, and then they stay there. We moved back and we had a child in Canada, and Sohrab started with his idea of launching rockets from balloons to make the taxi affordable for small satellites. And I was just helping him on the side because I had other ideas that I wanted to start. And space was not under my radar because I was not an expert in it. So I was just helping him with how to pitch and what is the market size and all those business things that initially a founder needs to know and a technical founder might not even think about.

And at some point, because I was at home and caring for our infant, I was basically spending over 10 hours a day. Every time that my son was asleep, I was working on this. It got to that point. And so I was like, It doesn’t make sense that you’re not a co-founder here. We were a little bit worried that the investment community, they might not be open to husband and wife teams. We had heard that some people just don’t like to invest, and at that point, I was like, I don’t care. You’re the best partner for me on this. Let’s do it together. And we find investors that also have the same view. And we have fortunately found them.

There’s a double commitment. What an amazing team. What a great story. But it is very rare. Oftentimes partners in business will say, choose your partners wisely, super amazing that you guys can do that together. And I’m so glad that he did decide, hey, it’s time that you’re a cofounder because you really are doing a lot of the business hustle. That’s amazing. And you guys are working well together and congrats for that. Very, very rare.

I also want to call out that you went looking for investors that were aligned with this vision and this thinking. That it’s okay to have your best friend and your life partner in business together with you. So that’s a great compliment to you guys, because some people don’t know, and they just go chasing money instead of interviewing money. And that’s what I recommend for entrepreneurs to always be interviewing money. Looking for aligned partners doesn’t just mean they’re partnering business or partnering life in this case or both. But also the partners who are going to contribute to your success in your future. And that includes those venture capitalists and Angels that are out there.

I was going to say we do have, I think two or three couples that have invested as a couple in us as well. So husband and wife teams that are part of our investors. One of them develops Facebook Messenger together and sold it to Facebook and became Facebook Messenger. And the other one s old their startups to Shopify. So, yeah, we do have a couple of investors.

Those are big investors with great stories. And I love that they’re couples. And just like you, they’re doing great things together going through this. Who’s your primary audience? Who are you guys really trying to cater to become your customers? Help me understand that a little better.

We can carry between 82 to 100 kilograms to space. And so any satellite or robotic system that is going close, they call it North Orbit or Sun Synchronous Orbit, where they’re going there. Their satellite is smaller than that. We can carry it for them. The industries that these small satellites serve are telecommunications. As I mentioned before, remote sensing and Earth Observation.

That’s a pretty interesting group. I mean, those companies are always investing in research and development, and they’re always looking for the next edge. And clearly being able to help from space is going to make a big difference and impact their business. But like you said, they might develop some tech that just sits in a warehouse for a couple of years before it can get deployed to space. You’re changing that game. That’s absolutely amazing.

And we do have great Canadian companies that could be our customers. They already have a few of their satellites up. Kepler Communications, for example, became the biggest satellite constellation owner recently in Canada.

We’re doing great things in Canada. We just have to also have the launch capability, which we’re trying to do.

So let me ask this. Tell us something about something that happened early on in your life. You’re originally not from Canada, I’ll let you share that in a moment. And I’d like to know something that’s impacted the way that you work today. Can you tell me a little bit about the story from there that changed the way you do things?

Sure. So I was born and raised in Iran, and there are a lot of human rights that you don’t have when you’re under an authoritarian regime. And especially as a woman, there are more rights that you don’t have. Simple rights, like what to wear, how to speak, what to speak. And I was brought up by my parents in a way that I was constantly fighting to get my rights back. And I did not realize how that had shaped me until I came to Canada because that was my life.

My life was constant fighting to get the simple things that other people have around the world, in other countries. And then I came to Canada. And because of how I was brought up, I don’t give up. So when someone tells me no, and founders hear no all the time on a daily basis from everyone, I don’t take no for an answer. I just do not give up. And that was how I was able to get the first launch permit that Canada had issued for a rocket in 21 years in 2019 for space.

Right. That’s unbelievable. That’s the first license issued to send anything to space in Canada. It took 21 years. And you’re the girl that made it happen.

I mean, before that time, we were issuing launch permits. And then for 21 years, there was no system, no one was launching. There was no application process that was drafted. I had to knock on so many doors to get in.

I mean, aren’t we the country that created the Canadarm that’s famous in space?

 Yes! We are. We just don’t launch them. We have to rely on the US and the Russia and other countries to launch our assets for us to space. And to be honest with you, the whole vaccine situation that we are facing right now and Canada used to have the capabilities of producing vaccine. And we don’t have it right now. In ten years, they’re going to be assets in space and back and forth travel between Earth and other objects in space. And if Canada does not have launch capability, we’re going to get behind the same way that we are behind on vaccine production.

And we don’t want that. We want to be able to be at the forefront of space and we don’t want to be left behind.

I can see that it makes sense. I love the fact that you said, I don’t give up and you have to do that. You have to have that attitude. All entrepreneurs have to have that attitude. And I try and remind everybody that founders have to fight. You’ve got to fight for what you believe in, and you got to keep going until you either succeed, burn out or you fail, and you fail successfully in a weird way. But it’s true. You guys just keep knocking on the right doors and you just don’t quit.

And, well, you’re getting assets out there, which is really cool. And when I say out there, folks, for anyone watching you’re seeing my hand go up through the roof, it’s out to space. So when was SpaceRyde founded?

• We started in September, hiring three engineers.

At that point from May to September. So I tried to get money and no one gave him money. So I convinced him that we should put some of the Cruise money that he earned, our savings, to start this. And so you see how I was hooked by then?

Yeah, you definitely were in.

We had three wonderful engineers. Two of them are still with us. And another one is doing his Masters right now, back to school. And we started going with designing a prototype because no one believes that you can actually launch a rocket from a balloon and it’s feasible mid air. And we wanted to show them that we can do that. So that’s how the company got started.

Interesting. Spinning on that. I know how you got started. We know that you’re putting small taxi Rockets in space and dropping assets up there. Tell me what one of the worst things or experiences you’ve had or what have you learned from that bad experience? Worse decision ever made, that’s how I would say it.

Both Sohrab and I have made- I mean we do make our hiring decisions together. Every candidate that we want to hire. At some point, both of us have spoken to them. But generally, he oversees engineering and I oversee business and operations. And so on both sides, we have made mistakes of hiring the wrong people. I don’t mean incompetent people. I just mean people that were not a good fit for an early stage start up. It’s very different working in a big company and in a small, early stage startup.

And the culture is very different in big companies. Everything is ready. You have a big support system. In early stage start up, you are the one. You have to make it happen no matter what. And so if one day the janitor doesn’t show up. You got to get the garbage out. If that is not good for you because you have a degree, then you’re not a good fit for a startup.

Patrick McGuire</ b> 

Yeah, absolutely.

Before we developed a very concrete hiring process, we’ve made some mistakes in hiring wrong people.

Excellent. I think that’s great advice for all entrepreneurs. Hire fast and fire faster. If there’s not the right fit, we can all get swooned by great people and things that they could do and the things that we think they could do. But the reality is, if that’s not what they want to do, they’re not going to fit no matter how hard you shove that square peg around hole. What’s the most important thing that’s led to your company’s success?

Besides not giving up? We don’t give up. No, we don’t. But I have to say our skill sets are complementary. And the other interesting thing is that a lot of things go wrong all the time. And things that annoy me and get me upset, don’t annoy him as much and the other way around. So we are able to calm each other down and get on with it because for some weird reason, things that are more problematic from my perspective are not as problematic. Or he can see the light at the end of the tunnel from that perspective. So we help each other out.

It’s very good. It’s very rare. You found your life partner, right? Great guy, works hard, but he complements everything you do, and you do the exact same, if you will, for him in family life and in business. Now, I’m not sure how the heck we could even have a conversation about the work life balance with you two. You’re a different breed of teammates. Most people say, yeah, I got to have work life balance. I’m like, yeah, but your work just went with you to work, and your wife went with you to work, and then you went home together and your husband went home with you and work never left.

How is that for you guys? Is that difficult at times?

It is very difficult. We have to put rules where whenever we are with our child. So typically, Sohrab brings our son to daycare in the morning, and I bring him back home. This allows both of us to be at work most of our time. And in the morning, he spends time with our son. In the evening, I spend time with him. And then at some point, both of us are doing the bedtime routine and all that. And during the times that we are with our son, and together we are not working.

We are not talking about work. We are dedicating our attention to him. Now it’s hard to stick to the rule because sometimes things go wrong and you automatically start talking about it. But our son has a good way of reminding us that he’s there.

Then it gets back, too.

But sometimes other people have to tell us. My mom was helping us out during the first lockdown when they closed daycares, and she was taking care of her son while we were working. And she was like, you guys don’t even realize that you’re constantly working, even when you come home.

It’s hard.

You talk about work.

Yeah, and that creeps in. But if you love what you’re doing and you love the people you’re doing it with, which clearly you do, it’s not that difficult to be able to live that lifestyle, whereas other people just don’t get it. They can’t do it. They’re not entrepreneurs. They’ll never understand that. Let me think about a couple of things here. So thinking back to younger, pre-entrepreneur Saharanaz. The young lady who’s thinking, I’m in health tech. Now I’m thinking about entrepreneurship. What are three things that you would have told your younger self about this journey you were about to take?

So the first thing is something that you pointed at. Was that what you study at University or where you end up in your career does not dictate where you have to spend your entire career. You can change that as I did. So don’t feel like you’re stuck. You chose wrong. This is something that I would have told myself.

You still might have been in space, but you would have just done it sooner, perhaps.

I would have definitely had started a company sooner, if not space. The other thing is, it goes back to not giving up. Everything is possible. You just have to find a way to do it. So don’t take no for an answer. Don’t respond to people that say, oh, this is impossible. If you think it’s possible. If the math is correct. In our case, the math and physics has to be correct. Otherwise, obviously, then it’s not possible.

You have to be just a little accurate.

Exactly. If you’re convinced that this works, make it happen. And the other thing that I would have told myself is if something is not working. For example, if you’re at a job and comes a day that you feel like I do not want to go to work, you have to move on, move on, quick, make the decision. Don’t stay in, because I stayed. And I was hoping, okay, maybe they will give me more responsibility. Maybe if I do this, maybe if I ask that. And the fact of the matter was I was in the wrong size of the company, the wrong stage of the company.

For every company that I worked for ten years, I chose incorrectly. And if I had realized that sooner, I would not have spent all that time. So, yeah.

I would say this. Did you choose correctly or incorrectly? Or did you choose correctly? Because all those little steps got you to where you are today. But entrepreneurship is sometimes contracted like a disease, like a virus. And sometimes it’s in your DNA. And you are, well, Iranian Canadian woman in space, you probably just checked a whole bunch of first boxes. And you’re doing a fantastic job at it. Being that this is the RIC Centre Startups Transformed podcast. How did you come into connection? Do you remember who or why you found RIC Centre and tell me a little bit about that?

Absolutely. So one of my classmates at UC Berkeley was a Canadian that had worked at RIC Centre. He came to UC Berkeley one year after I was there, and he was working at RIC Centre before. From the beginning, he knew he wanted to do entrepreneurship. I didn’t know. I started, I was like, I’m going to get an MBA. I’m going to go back to healthcare industry, but now in a more responsible role with more responsibilities. So my first year basically got kind of wasted going in a different direction.

I did an internship at a big medical device company, and I was like, I’m going to kill myself. I cannot go back to this. And then I started working with startups, and I loved it. And it was the second year. So he started working together in the entrepreneurship things that happen on campus. And so I knew him through that. And when I decided to start to come back to Canada and start the company, I remember that he had worked in entrepreneurship. So he should know the entrepreneurship scene of Toronto.

In Silicon Valley, I knew the accelerators. I knew where to ask for help and that sort of thing. I didn’t know anything about Toronto because when I was in Toronto, I was just working at a big company. So I contacted him and he was like, I used to work at RIC Centre, and they helped entrepreneurs. I was like, oh, can you put me in touch? And then Sohrab got in touch with Pam. And they were like, oh, we love what you want to do. And so that’s how we got connected.

That is awesome. Yeah. Pam Banks, obviously, anyone that talks to Pam Banks that wants to be in entrepreneurship. If they’re still thinking about it, Pam will help you flip the switch and fall off the cliff if you want. It’s a great feeling when you know you’ve got people on your side, that know the path to get you where you need to go. Pam is one of them. And I just want to remind people that, hey, RIC Centre is research, innovation, commercialization. It is a center that breathes excellence, collaboration, community helps guide entrepreneurs.

If your goal is to go to space or go beyond the moon and the stars, RIC Centre can help you do it. SpaceRyde is obviously one of them that has taken advantage of it. What I would also remind you is that if you have a dream, just go for it. Don’t give up. Don’t say no. Don’t let anyone else say no to you. And Saharnaz has done that. I already told all the ladies, but all the guys too to get in touch with you. To reach out to you.

How do we learn more about SpaceRyde? How do we get in touch with you? What’s the best way to do that? Help share that information with us.

Absolutely. So spaceryde.com is our website. We have a careers page. We receive resumes at spaceryde.com and ride is misspelled with a Y. You can follow us on LinkedIn. We’re very active on LinkedIn. We talk about our open positions there. We put pictures, we highlight our staff. So you know, if you’re interested in applying, who you would be working with, who are these people? What are their backgrounds, they’re amazing Canadian talent. We have Twitter and Instagram, Instagram we use for whenever we have fun activities, we take some pictures and put it up there.

So if you want to know the vibe of SpaceRyde and how it is to work there, you can follow us on all these channels. If you have a satellite you want to launch or anything else, you want to launch, [email protected], we will get back to you.

That is awesome. And I’ll tell you folks, I’ve obviously trolled through their social media. There are some cool pictures and videos. I watched one of the test flight videos that you had where you basically had the big balloon and you had the propellers on, I would call the world’s largest drone and you were testing out the control system. So if you guys want to see some images of activities and Rockets, things that will inspire you, just get in touch with these guys, visit their social media, visit their website.

I think it’s amazing. As we’re about to sign off here, my one question for you, given back the hindsight and the forsight that you have now, given the opportunity to be an entrepreneur all over again, starting from scratch. Would you do it?

Absolutely 100%.

That is conviction. Now, I didn’t ask her if she’d do SpaceRyde again. I just said, Would you do it again? And the answer is yes. So I have no doubt in my mind that this woman is going to do something absolutely incredible for SpaceRyde, for Canadian space, for Canadians, for women, for international women. And she’s going to do whatever she wants when she wants and she won’t say no, and won’t give up. And whatever your next venture is will be awesome. But I can’t wait to see so much more success from SpaceRyde.

Saharnaz, it’s been a pleasure. So excited for you. Congratulations to your husband and you. You found the perfect what I would say soulmate and sorry if I’m romantic that way, but I am and you’re an awesome inspiration to everybody, to every culture. So thank you so much for joining us on this session.

Thank you very much, Patrick. I hope that the audience enjoys it. And we have heard from so many Canadians that used to drive to the US to watch Rocket Launches. Hopefully you can see it here in Ontario happening.

That’s incredible. Thank you so much. I appreciate it. Was a pleasure.

Thank you. Same here.

That was SpaceRyde. And that was a heck of a ride with Saharnaz. Have yourself a great day, everybody. We’ll talk soon. Take care.

Thank you for joining us on Startups Transformed Podcast. You can subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed the conversation, a rating or review goes a long way. Recommend the show to a friend. Find us at altitudeaccelerator.com where we we can help you begin your startup journey with access to our workshops, advisors and mentorship opportunities. Be sure to tune in for our next episode.

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S3 EP4: Balloon to the Moon with SpaceRyde

What's a marriage if you don't start a rocket company together? Today we’re chatting with the co-founders of SpaceRyde, COO Saharnaz Safari and CEO Sohrab Haghighat. SpaceRyde is the first on-demand network of rockets with the ability to transport cargo from the Earth to the Moon, and everywhere in between. The innovation making this possible is a launch system that uses balloons to carry rockets beyond the earth's atmosphere before ignition takes place.

Let's take a ryde with SpaceRyde! 

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• Show Space, Eh?
• Published September 18, 2022 at 1:25 AM UTC
• Length 22 min
• Rating Clean

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SpaceRyde wants to make access to space more available and more affordable

Life can be tough for a small satellite operator – it may be relatively cheap and easy to build small sats (or CubeSats, as they’re sometimes called), but arranging transportation for those satellites to get to orbit is still a big challenge. That’s why SpaceRyde is pursuing a novel way of launching light payloads, that could help small sat companies skip the line, and save some cash in the process.

SpaceRyde’s co-founders, wife and husband team Saharnaz Safari and Sohrab Haghighat, saw the opportunity to address this growing customer base by making launches easier by reducing the impact of one of the biggest complicating factors of getting stuff into space: Earth’s atmosphere.

In an interview, Safari explained that SpaceRyde’s technology works by making it possible to use a relatively tiny rocket rather than a huge one by attaching it to a stratospheric balloon and launching from much closer to orbit. Because of the size of the rocket and the lift limitations of the balloons, SpaceRyde ends up carrying much smaller payloads than say, SpaceX or Rocket Lab, but on the upside, clients don’t have to share rides like they do with the big rocket providers.

“Just getting a ride to orbit for these small satellite, even if they have the money, or they want to pay as much as they’re getting charged right now, on big rockets, is a big problem,” Safari said. “Because they have to wait until a mission with their parameters, to the orbit they want, the inclination they want, all that becomes available and then if there’s space, they can, you know, hitch a ride. So it’s more or less like a bus system.”

No one loves waiting for the bus, least of all the emerging crop of space startups hoping to build sustainable businesses. Many of these young companies, like fellow Canadian startup Wyvern , are looking to launch and operate small sats as the backbone of their go-to-market plan. Trouble is, they’re at the whim of whatever primary client current launch providers are serving, with launch condition requirements for the largest, most expensive satellites on board dictating when, where and if launches will happen for the tag-along smaller customers.

“What we’re building is, instead of this bus system, where it’s a set schedule, and it can get delayed,” Safari explained. “We want to give them the taxi or Uber service to space, where they buy an entire rocket and we provide the payload capacity that smaller satellite companies typically use in one launch, and so they can basically buy the entire rocket, and they can put a bunch of their satellites, depending on how big their satellites are, and then they just tell us where they want us to drop it for them.”

SpaceRyde is early in its own journey, having been founded less than a year ago. But Haghighat, the company’s CEO in addition to being Safari’s husband and co-founder, has a PhD in Aerospace, Aeronatical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Toronto and was an early employee of success story Cruise Automation. Safari brings business and sales expertise, as well as a Master’s degree in Bioanalytical Chemistry from the University of Waterloo. But more important than either of their credentials, they’ve already demonstrated a sub-scale prototype of their system in action.

Earlier this year, SpaceRyde launched a stratospheric balloon carrying a scaled down version of their launch platform and rocket in Northern Ontario, Canada. The test wasn’t a complete success – a modification to the off-the-shelf rocket engine they used didn’t work exactly as expected – but it did demonstrate that their in-flight launch platform orientation tech worked as intended, and Safari says the malfunction that did occur is relatively easy to fix.

Next up for SpaceRyde is to work towards a full-scale demonstration of their platform, which Safari says should happen sometime next year. The company is hiring to grow its small team and accelerate its pace of development, and Safari says they’re excited specifically about the potential SpaceRyde has to bring back domestic launch capabilities to Canada – the country hasn’t had a rocket launch in 21 years.

For the private space economy, the startup can’t commercialize its product fast enough: Safari says they’ll be able to offer their launches at “around half” of what their customers would be charged currently (thanks to using mostly off-the-self rocket parts and balloons), but again she stressed that it’s actually not cost, but availability that is the biggest challenge for most.

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Driving back from San Diego to the Bay Area last year, Saharnaz Safari, MBA 16, pondered the ravages of the California drought on the parched farmland she passed.

Safari and Sohrab Haghighat, an aerospace engineer who accompanied her on the trip, started discussing what sort of affordable, practical solutions could be created using drones to help farmers. The talk quickly led the pair to develop an idea for Clima, a startup that aims to use fleets of drones to create rain and snow in drought-ridden areas.

A $5,000 grant Clima received from the newly-launched Dean’s Startup Seed Fund last year is just enough to get the concept off the ground. The $100,000 fund, announced last October, provides grants to early-stage startups that include Berkeley-Haas students.

The first ten grants were awarded last month, and ten more will be announced in April, said Rhonda Shrader, who oversees the new Berkeley-Haas Entrepreneurship Program (BHEP).

The company ideas in the first group of winners range from a wearable hand sanitizer to an app for people with diabetes to a platform connecting consumers with farmers and food producers.

“We’re off to a great start with these ideas that attack pain points in industries ranging from agriculture to healthcare,” Shrader said. “Our student teams are so excited to begin testing their concepts and this fund is generating a fresh level of enthusiasm among our student entrepreneurs.”

The drones that Clima needs are large and expensive—about $20,000 apiece. The company is using its grant to secure a smaller drone so it could get to work developing an algorithm to prove the product concept to investors.

“The fund has been very important in helping us build a minimum viable product,” said Safari, who plans to continue working on the startup after graduation. “It also paves the path to receive additional funding.”

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“Our idea, from conception to where we are now with seed funding, would not exist if Haas did not have such an innovative mindset in the classroom and beyond,” she said. “I have nothing but confidence as we move from innovation to entrepreneurship that we will be supported by the Berkeley network.”

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Up, up and away: Space industry startup is using balloons to launch rockets

SpaceRyde grew from a couple working in their garage, to 30 staff backed by $10 million and championed by Chris Hadfield

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Sohrab Haghighat always wanted to be an entrepreneur, an aspiration rooted in his youth in the Middle East, when he and his father would bond while watching episodes of Due South. The hokey, late-’90s comedy series starred Canadian actor Paul Gross as an excruciatingly polite Mountie, working the mean streets of Chicago with a far less polite American partner, and a deaf, lip-reading, half-wolf/half-dog from the frozen north named Diefenbaker.

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Up, up and away: space industry startup is using balloons to launch rockets back to video.

His takeaway from the show was that Canadians must be, well, excruciatingly polite, and that Canada would therefore be an ideal place to open a business, envisioned in his mind as a breezy, Persian-inspired mountainside café in Niagara Falls, Ont., a place, alas, without any mountains.

“I was telling a friend in Canada about this idea of mine,” Haghighat said. “He said, “Maybe you should visit Niagara Falls first, because your idea might not be as implementable as you think.”

True enough, the café was not to be, but his entrepreneurial ambitions persisted, albeit with a skyward shift in focus: instead of serving good eats, he and his spouse and business partner, Saharnaz Safari, are aiming for the stars with SpaceRyde, a Canadian space industry startup.

“We want to be the Uber of space,” Haghighat said.

That is, they want to offer paying customers, specifically companies looking to send small satellites into orbit, with an on-demand, affordable means of getting them there via a helium-filled polyurethane balloon.

We want to be the Uber of space Sohrab Haghighat

Said balloon will rise carrying a “smart” rocket. At 30 kilometres above the earth’s surface, the rocket’s engines will ignite, and its satellite payload, which could be as small as a shoebox or as large as a mini-fridge, will be delivered to wherever it needs to go in orbit.

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If that all sounds a bit too far out there, consider the trajectory of the suburban Toronto company, which has grown from a husband-and-wife duo, toiling away in their two-car garage, to 30 employees backed by $10 million in seed capital and championed by some high-powered mentors, including Chris Hadfield , the country’s most celebrated astronaut.

“The way they are going about things is clever,” the one-time commander of the International Space Station said. “People have looked at trying to use balloons in the past, but our automation, and our ability to remotely control and the reliability — it kept being self-defeating — but I think we got a real good shot at being at a moment in history now where we can try to make this work.”

The competition is going to be fierce. Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp. has emerged as the dominant player in the multi-billion-dollar commercial space launch market. Companies eager to get their small satellites into orbit pay $1.1 million per 200 kilograms, according to SpaceX’s fee structure.

SpaceRyde has pegged its target price at $250,000 per 150 kilograms, a steep discount, but filling a balloon with helium is significantly cheaper than blasting beyond 30 kilometres in a multi-stage rocket from Earth.

“By launching from a balloon, we are going to bypass all the dense layers of the atmosphere, and it allows us to have a small, efficient and yet very affordable rocket,” Haghighat said.

Despite the formidable challenges, he isn’t some dreamer without technical expertise. He has a doctorate in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the University of Toronto, and he spent several years immersed in the San Francisco tech scene as an early employee and, ultimately, a senior engineer at Cruise LLC. General Motors Co. reportedly paid more than US$1 billion to acquire the self-driving vehicle company in March 2016.

“The summer of 2016 was the greatest summer of my life,” Haghighat said. “No concert, no event, no trip was out of reach.”

Among the highlights, naturally enjoyed with Safari — herself no academic slouch, with an MBA from Stanford University — were multiple Cirque du Soleil performances, an Adele show and several glorious sunsets in Hawaii.

But always hovering in the back of his mind was an idea that the now 40-year-old engineer had been noodling upon ever since daredevil Felix Baumgartner hitched a ride in a balloon-lifted space capsule to 39 kilometres above the Earth, before free-falling back to solid ground.

That 2012 stunt went viral, and Baumgartner’s means of transportation stuck with the self-driving car guy, who suddenly had a whack of money at his disposal from the Cruise buyout, a lifelong dream of starting his own company, and a life partner with the business know-how to help get a startup off the ground.

Moving back to Canada, a country completely lacking in space launch capabilities, was a logical step for a couple who initially met as graduate students at the University of Waterloo in Ontario.

“Sohrab and I do have our disagreements,” Safari said. “But we also have different strengths, and so we have different responsibilities with the company. The truly hard part is not talking about work when we get home, on weekends and on holidays. SpaceRyde is our second child.”

Their first child is a four-year-old boy. Their first rocket was spray painted blue and built in their garage with three other engineers. Needless to say, the neighbours had questions. But most vexing for Safari was trying to get a permit to launch a balloon-lifted rocket in Canada, a place where no rocket of any kind had launched since the 1990s.

“I ended up calling everyone who I thought might have something to do with the space industry in Canada,” she said.

Eventually, the right person at Transport Canada answered, and a permit was issued for the team’s proof-of-concept test launch in North Bay, Ont., three summers ago.

The balloon worked like a charm. But the rocket’s engine, a “hobby” rocket, cobbled together from parts purchased off the internet, didn’t fire.

This was a minor hiccup, Haghighat said, that has since turned into a company plus, because safely returning a fully fuelled rocket to Earth via balloon without blowing anything up seems to have eased the permitting process for future launches.

The next dates are tentatively scheduled for 2024, when SpaceRyde plans to send up a weekly balloon carrying a rocket manufactured in the company’s new factory in Concord, Ont., which officially opens Tuesday.

Hadfield, the old astronaut and mentor, planned to be there, and snacks and beverages were to be served by a pioneering couple whose favourite weekend getaway is Niagara Falls, a place without mountains.

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Noise complaints help bring down launch startup SpaceRyde

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The venture had planned to launch test payloads to sub-orbit and LEO this year before commercial flights.

Jason Rainbow

Jason Rainbow writes about satellite telecom, space finance and commercial markets for SpaceNews. He has spent more than a decade covering the global space industry as a business journalist. Previously, he was Group Editor-in-Chief for Finance Information... More by Jason Rainbow

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Meet the husband-wife duo competing with SpaceX to send cargo to the moon | CBC News

Saharnaz Safari and Sohrab Haghighat, spoke to CBC News about their company SpaceRyde alongside Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian astronaut to live aboard the International Space Station. Their goal: to make history as the first orbital rocket to launch from a balloon.

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Canadian space startups fight to survive during covid-19 pandemic.

Craig Bamford April 13, 2020 Business , News Leave a comment

As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold and the government reacted to help businesses across the spectrum in Canada, startups and pre-startups are struggling to find adequate support.

The Federal and provincial governments have slowly gained respect for their reaction to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Their original programs, criticized for being unfocused and insufficient, have given way to the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) programs that provide support to both laid-off employees and to companies that have lost revenue due to the crisis.

The Wage Subsidy covers 75% of wages for many companies that have lost a certain percentage of revenue, which used to be 30% but has been revised to 15% recently. Coupled with governmental lending programs, this is a welcome change that is helping to prevent business closures and layoffs at many Canadian companies.

There is still a gap in the programs however: Startups and pre-startups. This is a segment of the ecosystem that can’t be ignored. Startups and pre-startups are important to the country’s innovation engine.

The Wage Subsidy formula, significantly, is based on a percentage of revenue. For most startup businesses that are still in the growth stage, there’s little-to-no revenue to be lost. They have expenses, contracts, suppliers, and most especially employees, just like any other company but they’re paying for those things using investment money, debt, and even founders’ savings. We learned from several startups that are graduates from the Creative Destruction Labs’ inaugural space stream, that can be a big problem.

SpaceQ spoke with Reaction Dynamics’ founder and CEO, Bachar Elzein, about the problem. He said that this is a serous danger for Canadian startups. They can’t show lost revenue because they didn’t have revenue, but the process of acquiring and retaining investors has become quite a bit more complex in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. Going to meetings with investors is nearly impossible, and investors are skittish thanks to the economic uncertainty in most of the world’s economy right now. Getting new investment is unlikely at best.

Debt is a problem too. Elzein said that lenders — including federal and provincial lenders — want to see a variety of assets: revenue, materials, contracted sales, equity, and anything else that can be used to pay off the debt. Some new businesses can proffer these things — but technology-focused startups’ greatest asset is their people and their technology, and that may not be easily expressed in ways that will satisfy lenders. Elzein had looked into lenders, but even provincial and federal lenders seem to be reluctant to help companies like Reaction Dynamics, despite their heavily-promoted emergency lending programs.

Elzein recognizes that Reaction Dynamics is better off than most. While acquiring new investors is challenging, their existing investors have been supportive. Elzein said that “we can’t thank our investors enough” for their assistance, which has helped keep Reaction Dynamics going. The Canadian Space Agency has also been of great help, working with Reaction Dynamics to ensure that they get grant money as quickly and efficiently as possible. They’ve retained all of their team, and they’ve been productive: while rocket testing is difficult-to-impossible right now, other tasks can be done (and are being done) from home.

The company is also pivoting to activities that will help with the current pandemic. Reaction Dynamics will be shifting its production capacity towards producing face shields and medical equipment. With Montreal emerging as a key centre in Canada for fighting the coronavirus, Elzein and his team want to do whatever they can to help. They’ve been gratified to learn that, in Elzein’s words, “working with rockets has helped us work with hospitals”, and the revenues from these activities will help them going forward.

But Elzein recognizes that other companies haven’t been so fortunate. He knows that other companies in the industry haven’t been so fortunate, and have followed once-promising space pioneers like OneWeb in having to go into bankruptcy. He calls on the federal government to close this wage support gap, believing that “the banks should be more lenient about these debts”.

SpaceRyde founder Saharnaz Safari agreed. In a statement to SpaceQ said that “even though SpaceRyde has brought direct foreign investment to Canada and has created full-time jobs for Canadian engineers, our company does not qualify for CEWS”, and that “the economic situation has made us re-visit our growth and hiring plans for this year.”

It is possible, even likely that these programs will change. The situation is dynamic, and the government is hurrying to replace non-viable support programs with ones that better suit the situation on the ground. But, for now, startups like Reaction Dynamics will have to do what they can to survive, and hope that after the crisis is over, they’ll be able to continue where they left off.

Another issue which affects a lot of businesses including startups, is the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentives. The government has been slow to provide refunds. In an open letter to the Prime Minister and the government, the CATA Alliance called on the government to “immediately release the $200 million in filed and backlogged Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) claims.”

With files from Marc Boucher.

Tags CATA Alliance Coronavirus COVID-19 Reaction Dynamics SpaceRyde Startup Files

About Craig Bamford

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• 1,417 sqft 1,417 square feet
• 9,927 sqft lot 9,927 square foot lot

Single Family

$83K in 1993

Property details

Property features, room description.

• Total bath(s): 2
• Total full bath(s): 2

Lot size and SQFT

• Living Area: 1417

Interior Features

• Cooling features: Central
• Heating features: Central

Exterior Features

• Block/Stucco
• Roofing: Built Up Tar & Gravel

Listing information

• Year Built: 1955

Find out more about this property.

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RealEstimate℠

The following table summarizes the chart by comparing the earliest historic estimate, last year's estimate, and a forecasted projection to this month's current estimate for each valuation provider.

Our home values come from independent valuation providers, whose solutions are used by many financial institutions, insurance companies, and real estate agents. Each valuation provider applies a unique approach and methodology resulting in a range of values that consumers can use as a starting point for discussions with a real estate agent.

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Property history

Property price, tax history, neighborhood, facts about 7610 par ave n.

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is located in neighborhood in the city of Saint Petersburg, FL.

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See 7610 Par Ave N, Saint Petersburg, FL 33710, a single family home located in the Jungle Country Club neighborhood. View property details, similar homes, and the nearby school and neighborhood information. Use our heat map to find crime, amenities, and lifestyle data for 7610 Par Ave N. The property-related information displayed on this page is obtained from public records and other sources.While such information is thought to be reliable, it is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Properties labeled Not for Sale are classified as such either because we do not have a record of such properties currently being for sale or because we are not permitted, by contract, law, or otherwise, to designate such properties as currently for sale. For the most accurate and up to date status of this or any other property, please contact a REALTOR®.

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59 Fun & Unusual Things to Do in St. Petersburg, Florida

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Nicknamed “The Sunshine City” for its year-round fine weather, St. Petersburg could be one of the best family-friendly places to vacation on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Endowed with gleaming white sands and tranquil clear waters, St Pete Beach is often voted one of the nicest in the country — the perfect place for sunbathing or paddleboarding. Its secluded barrier isles are an ideal place to get away from it all and a trip to its many lush parks and preserves are just some of the best things to do in St. Petersburg .

Explore up to 150 species of palm and cycads, as well as the nearly 500 different plants at Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum. Then, head to St. Pete Pier for the best green space near the sea!

The city has a thriving downtown district with a distinctly bohemian culture and many arts and cultural places to visit, including some of the country’s top museums and galleries.

The nearby city’s of Tampa and Clearwater, with their world-famous theme parks and attractions, are always just a stone’s throw away. But what to do first?

1 – Be astounded at The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum)

One of the 20th Century’s most genre-defying and vital artists, Salvador Dali’s work was as technically brilliant as it was unique. The Spanish-born artist revolutionized the art world with his surrealistic images and flamboyant personal flair.

The Dali Museum is a collection of thousands of items related to the great artist’s career.  Combining a spectacular purpose-built museum with exhibition areas, gardens, a cafe and a center for the avant-garde, this waterfront gallery is one of the most fun places to visit in St. Petersburg.

The James Family Wing holds the museum’s permanent collection of Dalí works, including 96 paintings created by the artist from 1918 to 1970 as well as holograms, sculptures and a lobster telephone.

2 – Cruise the historic city on a segway tour

Why take a bus tour when you can segway? Cruise the city streets on two wheels with these fun segway tours of historic St. Petersburg. Hit all the best sites, including the Victorian-style homes of the Old Northeast, the Tampa Bay area, and the St. Petersburg Museum of History.

Pick up some history on the area’s most famous residents, including the Native American princess Pocahontas, and see historic sites, including the departure point of the world’s first commercial flight, the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat.

Though they may look tricky to maneuver, segways are suitable for everyone and you’ll get the hang of it in no time. Make the most of your time in St. Petersburg, Florida and explore the city on a fun and lively segway tour.

• segway tours in St. Petersburg

3 – Stroll along the St. Pete Pier

The new recreation center of the city, St. Pete Pier has a lot to discover, from shopping, dining and entertainment to sports and parks you’ll find it all here. Dine in style on the rooftop of Pier Teaki or grab a snack at the Driftwood Cafe.

Cool off from the summer heat at the Splash Pad or stroll around the Benoist Centennial Plaza before relaxing on the Bayfront Health Tilted Lawn, there’s something here for the whole family.

Take in the sea views and that fresh sea air as you check out some of the piers artworks, including the Morning Stars Mosaic, the water-inspired sculpture Olnetopia and the stunning net sculpture Bending Arc.

The pier is sure to be your new favorite place to go in St. Petersburg.

4 – Catch a Rays game at Tropicana Field

Home to the Major League Baseball team, The Tampa Bay Rays, Tropicana Field is a must-visit for sports fans while in St. Petersburg. Commonly referred to as “The Trop” by locals, the stadium is the only indoor venue in Major League Baseball capable of hosting events all year long.

• Tropicana Field tickets

As well as baseball games it has also hosted college basketball, football, and pro hockey tournaments. Some of the world’s biggest stars have also performed here including David Bowie, Janet Jackson and the rock group, Kiss.

Check out a Tampa Bay Rays game or see the website to find out what’s happening at The Trop during your time in St. Petersburg.

• Tampa Bay Rays tickets

5 – Find inspiration at the Museum of Fine Arts

For the avid art enthusiast, there’s one place to visit in the city that will appeal above all else – the Museum of Fine Arts . The permanent collection covers almost 5,000 years of human history and creativity and is represented in thousands of objects in various media.

Visitors can see ceramics and porcelains from all over the globe and the museum features a large collection of decorative arts as well as folk art, artworks from indigenous cultures and ceremonial pieces.

You will also find more traditional works such as paintings, sculptures and prints. It has a rotating program of temporary exhibitions alongside its permanent collection and hosts a monthly series of lectures, talks and even cinema screenings. Art lovers won’t want to miss this one.

6 – Hike at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

If you would like to make the most of your time in St. Petersburg and explore the very best of the city’s natural landscape, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is a great place to start. It is home to the Lake Maggiore Environmental Education Centre which teaches visitors about the many natural marvels of the preserve.

Looking for a peaceful place to camp? The Terry Tomalin Campground offers primitive camping inside the nature preserve as well as organized nature camps and bike tours. This is especially great for young campers who can learn all about the fascinating web of nature and how it functions inside the preserve.

During your visit to Boyd Hill, why not join one of many nature programs. Take a night hike through the park or catch a speaking presentation on the natural history of the area. As well as its wild and unspoiled beauty, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve really has a full season of activities to enjoy.

7 – Soar over Tampa Bay on a helicopter tour

Okay, what could be better than a helicopter tour over St. Petersburg city and Tampa Bay? Enjoy the invigorating thrill of hovering high above the city on one of these unique helicopter cruises.

Take to the skies in an air-conditioned chopper and see the sites in a truly unique way. Glimpse famous landmarks such as St. Pete’s Pier, John’s Pass and Treasure Island as only a few people get to.

You will cruise over the sparkling waters of Tampa Bay and the luxury beachfront resort, Don CeSar. When soaring high above the barrier islands, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and other wildlife in the waters below. This is sure to be an experience you will never forget.

• helicopter tours in St. Petersburg

8 – Climb the Weedon Island Preserve observation tower

The huge 3,000-acre Weedon Island Preserve is a must-visit for nature lovers in St. Petersburg. Here you can explore the diverse wetland and upland ecosystems that make up important habitats for local plants and wildlife.

The park has a lot of great routes to hike and almost two miles of boardwalk trails, making it accessible to most people. Visitors can check out the preserve’s education center and even borrow a backpack full of useful trail maps and field guides.

You can follow the boardwalk trail through mangrove forests and tidal streams to the park’s observation tower, which on a clear day provides fantastic views of the preserve as well as Tampa Bay and the city’s of St.Petersburg and Tampa. Why not discover this serene slice of Florida countryside for yourself?

9 – Explore the Chihuly Collection at Morean Arts Center

The Morean Arts Center is a fun and engaging contemporary art space on St. Petersburg’s Central Avenue. It is open daily and puts on a series of art and creative classes, events and parties and also has an artist in residence program.

It houses the first permanent collection of works by American artist, Dale Chihuly in a purpose-built facility. Chihuly is known for his abstract and colorful glass constructions and has pioneered the production methods of elaborate glass artworks during his career. On entering, visitors to the gallery are met with a 20-foot sculpture created specifically for the site.

Admission is free, so why not take a class or explore the artworks during your time in the city. It could just be one of the best cultural things to do in St. Petersburg.

10 – Play and learn at Great Explorations Children’s Museum

If you’re looking for fun and educational things to do with kids in St. Petersburg, stimulate their curiosity at the Great Explorations Children’s Museum . Here they can meet the Explorasaurus and play and discover through interactive games and exhibits.

Try the augmented reality sandbox, where a regular sandbox becomes an entire world with gushing rivers and rocky mountains. Explore the creativity in all of us by imagining what simple tools like a pencil and paper can create.

Great Explorations puts on regular workshops with a focus on environmental topics as well as readings and discussions with authors. It also has a store that sells educational toys, of which 100% of the proceeds go back into the museum. Younger kids are sure to love this!

11 – Spot wildlife at Sawgrass Lake Park

Home to one of the largest Maple swamps on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sawgrass Lake Park is a haven for local and migratory wildlife. The park is home to many species of birds, including egrets, ibis, herons, and a few reptiles too, such as native turtles and alligators.

It is a popular stop for migrating birds in the spring and fall seasons and, as such, the park attracts a large number of bird spotters who are eager to catch a glimpse of rare wildlife.  It is also an ideal place to see plants and colorful butterflies in their natural habitats.

Why not bring some snacks and make use of the picnic shelter and barbecue facilities after taking a stroll along the boardwalk nature trail and enjoying the sights. Sawgrass Lake Park surely has something for everyone.

12 – Visit the Florida Holocaust Museum

Dedicated to remembering the millions of murdered men, women and children, Florida’s Holocaust Museum is one of the largest of its type in the country. It houses both permanent and temporary exhibitions and is a vital resource for learning about the horrors of the holocaust and the levels of persecution European Jewish people faced.

The museum was founded in 1992 by Walter P. Loebenberg, a local businessman and philanthropist. Loebenberg himself escaped Nazi Germany for Florida and then joined the United States Armed Forces to serve in World War II.

The poignant exhibitions include one of the few surviving boxcars which were used by the Nazis to transport Jews and political prisoners to the death camps of Auschwitz and Treblinka. It also keeps an archive of video interviews with holocaust survivors as an integral memento for future generations.

13 – Beat the clock in an escape room

One of the most fun things to do in St. Petersburg, for those who like thrills, puzzles and games in equal measure, is to try an escape room challenge! Gather together your team of friends and family and test your powers of deduction and problem-solving in one of these themed games.

Think outside the box as you solve problems and gather clues in these immersive adventure games. You’ll have to work together to make sure you crack all the puzzles in time and escape the room.

Outerlife Studios is one of the city’s premier escape rooms and allows visitors to choose from themed experiences and settings, including a superhero’s headquarters, a locked apartment with a ticking time bomb or a building set to burn. Will you complete the challenge in time?

• escape rooms in St. Petersburg

14 – Relax under the trees at North Straub Park

If the Florida sun is proving too much for you, why not take a stroll down to North Straub Park. Located on the bayfront between St. Pete’s Pier and 5th ave NE, the park has plenty of shady trees to lounge under, including some big old banyan trees with an unusual-looking aerial root system.

The park has plenty of shaded walkways so it’s the ideal place to go for a refreshing stroll in the cool ocean breeze. It also offers stunning views of the north shore and Tampa Bay and you can take a seat right on the waterfront to check out the yachts in the harbor.

Your four-legged friend needn’t miss out either as North Straub Park has a dedicated dog park and keep your eyes and ears open for year-round events and live music occurring on its permanent stage area.

15 – See gopher tortoises at Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge

Stuck out on its own in the mouth of Tampa Bay, Egmont Key has been an important ecological preserve since 1974. The island’s strategic position means it has played a major role in many domestic wars and includes the remains of Fort Dade as well as a 100-year-old lighthouse.

It is now an important nesting site for sea turtles, tortoises and hundreds of thousands of sea birds. A visitor favorite on the island is its large colony of gopher tortoises who definitely aren’t shy of people and can be seen trudging around the pathways and roads of Egmont Key State Park. Brown Pelicans are also a common sight in the area with over 600 of the birds calling the island home.

Egmont Key will be one of the most interesting things to do for nature and history lovers in St. Petersburg. Visitors can check out the historic Fort Dade and its large coastal gun battery, Battery McIntosh and the remains of Battery Burchsted, which now floats just off the island.

16 – Get your tickets to the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

Taking place every March is the event of the year for car lovers in Florida – the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg !

Head down for a racing good time, witnessing the premier racing series of North America, as you learn about the seasoned drivers, and see some of the new talents on the race car scene. Experience one of the most beloved sports in the U.S.!

Do some celebrity spotting while you’re in attendance, and check out the other tons of fun available at the event. Listen to the live entertainment, participate in interactive and race car-themed games, and so much more!

Chill out a bit after the fun at the Speed Zone, or better yet, get to the Beer Gardens for a proper refreshment. Don’t leave without getting your driver’s autograph!

• Grand Prix of St. Petersburg tickets

17 – Go fishing at Skyway Fishing Pier State Park

St.Petersburg is home to a very unique and cool fishing spot in the shadow of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge which spans Tampa Bay. When the Sunshine Skyway was built in the mid-1980s, the old bay bridge was left in place and quickly became popular with local anglers.

It is now considered the world’s longest fishing pier and gives fishermen unrestricted access to the deeper bay waters. What’s better still is that you can drive your car right up to your favorite fishing spot, pretty neat!

You can catch a wide selection of fish here. Common varieties caught at the pier include grouper, Spanish mackerel, red snapper and black sea bass and the bridge is even lit up after dark so you can fish late into the evening.

18 – Check out The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art

Yeehaw! The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art is enough to make even the most skeptical of souls feel patriotic. Its collection features contemporary works, mostly created since the 1980s and includes, paintings, sculptures, jewelry and more.

Many of the themes include historical subjects and recently the museum has focused on a selection of works by living Native American artists. It has separate exhibition spaces devoted to the early west, native life, western frontier and wildlife among others.

The collection of jewelry produced by Native American artists is particularly stunning as well as the diverse and dynamic sculptures depicting powerful images of the old west. Definitely check this museum out during your time in St. Petersburg and renew your appreciation for the good ol’ US of A.

19 – Go kayaking at St. Pete Beach

Consistently voted one of the best beaches in the United States, St Pete’s Beach really has it all. Pure and soft white sands, turquoise water and a relaxed and laid-back vibe, what more could you need?

St Pete’s Beach is a great place for families to relax with the calm gentle gulf waters which are perfect for bathing, and action is just a step away. With fun sports to try right here on the beach such as snorkeling, kayaking and standup paddleboarding there’s enough to amuse those who just can’t sit still.

The beach is located just 10 minutes from downtown St. Petersburg, so you’re never far from the lively city center. Hit the beachfront bars and restaurants to try out the best fresh seafood dishes or stroll along the waterfront at sunset to experience the best of this low-key beach town.

• kayaking in St. Petersburg

20 – Take a boat out from Demens Landing Park

Another of the city’s fantastic waterfront green spaces, Demens Landing Park occupies the space which was formerly the city’s first railway pier. It is named after its creator, Peter Demens.

Laying directly on the waterfront between the Central and South Yacht Basins and in close distance to the AI Lang Stadium and Saturday Morning Market, this park is in the most bustling part of the city’s harbor. It has plenty of benches to sit and relax on as well as large green spaces if you want to throw a frisbee around.

If you plan to venture out onto the water while in the city, the park is a good launch point and has a boat ramp that is available for use. There are also picnic benches and public restrooms. This centrally located park is a great place to visit and soak up the atmosphere.

21 – Explore the Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum

It’s hard to believe that the lush 2-acre tropical gardens of Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum were a mini-golf course not so long ago. This beautiful collection of exotic palms is well worth a visit during your time in the city.

The transformation began in 1976 after a donation of 60 palms of ten different species was gifted by longtime palm admirer, Miss Gizelle Kopsick. The Arboretum was dedicated to Miss Kopsick one year later to celebrate her 100th Birthday.

Over nearly 50 years, the collection has grown to include 150 species of palm and cycads and 500 individual plants. The arboretum is wheelchair accessible and as part of St. Petersburg’s city parks, is free admission.

22 – See amazing Contemporary glass art at Imagine Museum

The newly opened Imagine Museum is one of the first institutions dedicated solely to contemporary glass art in the US. Its collection includes over 1,500 pieces from all over the world as well as a core collection of 500 American studio glass artworks.

This inspiring museum is sure to uplift everyone who visits as it stretches our concept of the applications of glass as a material. The unique pieces collected here display the ingenuity of the individual artists and the wide range of techniques applied in the modern studio glass scene.

The museum displays both permanent and temporary exhibitions and visitors can opt to join a tour of the gallery to gain a deeper insight into the artworks on display. This is a must-see for art lovers but the pieces on display have a diverse appeal that will be fascinating and beautiful to most people.

Definitely check this out.

23 – Cycle the Pinellas Trail

Whatever your preferred way to explore outdoors, be it jogging, walking, cycling or skating — you are bound to enjoy the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail. The trail starts in St. Petersburg and runs all the way to Tarpon Springs, covering a distance of 50 miles.

The trail runs through a number of towns on the way including South Pasadena, Palm Harbor and Clearwater. This unique and level passageway used to be the route of the Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard Air Line Railroads which were abandoned in the 1980s.

Why not take a bike tour of the city to learn a little more about its history and the best places to cycle and walk. The Pinellas Trail has some super-scenic stops to visit along the way including Honeymoon Island near Dunedin and Wall Springs Park in Palm Harbor.

• bike tours in St. Petersburg

24 – Sunbathe at Fort De Soto Park

Pinellas County’s largest public park, Fort De Soto Park covers over 1,100 acres and has a huge amount of things to see and do.

The park is spread out over five islands sitting in the mouth of Tampa Bay and features coastal areas, wetlands, forests and meadows, as well as one of the region’s finest beaches. You’ll find plenty here to explore.

Wildlife lovers can spend the day spotting the wide variety of creatures that live in the area. Since the 1960s, 328 species of bird have been documented in the park. Visitors can hike over six miles of trails that stretch between both coasts and past the historic fort.

The park also has over seven miles of waterfront, almost half of which is blanketed with white sandy beaches, two fishing piers and a canoe trail. With two large swim centers, picnic areas and campgrounds, as well as the Quartermaster Museum, you’ll definitely fall in love with Fort De Soto Park.

25 – Spot manatees at Coffee Pot Bayou

The scenic waterfront road, Coffee Pot Boulevard, which skirts by Coffee Pot Bayou has picturesque views of Snell Isle and could be one of the most enchanting spots in St. Petersburg for a stroll.

The Bayou is a great year-round place to spot manatees but especially in the cooler months of the year when the water remains warmer than the surrounding Gulf of Mexico.

The area has charming old waterfront homes with European and Spanish designs and cool tree-lined avenues to explore. The walk over Snell Isle Bridge offers nice views of the historical Renaissance Vinoy Resort and the upmarket neighborhood of Snell Isle.

26 – Pet an alligator at Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center

Ever wanted to get up close to an alligator? Well now’s your chance! The Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center allows visitors to do just that, you can even kiss one if you really want to?!

The center offers shelter and rehabilitation to surrendered gators that were bought as pets and outgrew their homes. Visitors get the unique opportunity to see alligators up close and pet and hold them under careful supervision.

Though the primary draw of the Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center is going to be alligators, there are also plenty of other creatures to get up close to. The center is home to a bunch of unusual and interesting residents including fish, snakes, skunks, lizards, pigs and more.

Don’t forget to show them some love!

27 –  Bike around Maximo Park

Located on Boca Ciega Bay, Maximo Park is both a beautiful waterfront park and also an important archeological site in the city. For thousands of years, the park was home to indigenous American people who fished and lived on these shores. There is information throughout the park about the tribes that once settled here.

Why not take some time to rest under the shady trees and play a game of Tocobaga Disc golf on the specially built 18-hole course. Explore the boardwalk trails and climb the 50-foot observation tower to glimpse some amazing panoramic views of the park.

For the keen fisherman, the park has seven boat ramps giving access to the bay water as well as shoreline fishing areas for those who prefer it. There is also a large selection of picnic shelters available and two playgrounds which is sure to keep the kids entertained.

Maximo Park has something for everyone.

28 – Climb aboard a family-friendly pirate ship

Hoist the sails, don the eyepatch, and get ready for an adventure above the towering Royal Conquest pirate ship! Setting sail from Madeira Beach on Gulf Boulevard (just a short drive north of Treasure Island and St Pete Beach), this stunning vessel promises an amazing day out on the Gulf of Mexico waters for kids and adults alike.

The youngsters can compete in limbo contests, work up a sweat during a little dance party, or cool off in a squirt gun battle — the crew runs interactive activities throughout the 90-minute journey, sure to keep the little ones occupied.

As for the big kids (read: adults), things get even more exciting with the free onboard beer and wine. With several departure times throughout the day (11 am, 1.30 pm, 4.30 pm and 7 pm), you can squeeze it in regardless of your schedule! But ask any former swashbuckling traveler and they’ll attest: the sunset ride is hard to beat.

• pirate ship cruises in St. Petersburg

29 – Campe at Shell Key Preserve

Part of the reason people return to St. Petersburg year after year is for the abundance of unspoiled natural environments it offers, Shell Key Preserve is one such place. An important habitat for nesting birds, Shell Key Preserve includes one of Florida’s biggest areas of undeveloped barrier Islands.

The center of the reserve is a protected area, so not accessible to visitors, but the outer edges have overnight camping facilities which offer the perfect place to really get away from it all. Sleep out under the stars to the sound of the sea lapping the shore and the gentle cry of birds. Paradise!

The Preserve is a great place for wildlife spotting and is a nesting site for sea turtles. Besides turtles, visitors may be lucky enough to spot starfish and fiddler crabs as well as egrets, spoonbills and plovers. Shell Key Preserve is accessible only by boat so plan ahead. Its beautiful beaches are waiting.

30 – Ride the Iron Gwazi at Bush Gardens Tampa

Busch Gardens hardly needs any introduction. This Tampa Theme Park and Zoo has been entertaining visitors for over 60 years with its thrilling white-knuckle rides and attractions. Its newest ride, Iron Gwazi, is the tallest hybrid roller coaster in North America as well as the fastest and steepest in the world.

If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can choose from 25+  nausea-inducing roller coasters that will spin you every which way around. For those that like the more sedate life, take a safari ride and view some of the park’s 200 species of animals, including rhinos, elephants and gorillas.

After a busy day of thrills and spills why not take in some live family entertainment. Busch Gardens has jaw-dropping ice skating extravaganzas, storytime shows for kids, and live music by No.1 tribute bands. A day at Busch Gardens is one of the most action-packed things to do in St. Petersburg and is something the whole family will love.

• Bush Gardens tickets

31 – Pay your respects at War Veterans Memorial Park

The sight of a Walker Bulldog tank may not be the most reassuring thing to see in a park but War Veterans Memorial Park is dedicated to honoring the memory of its Military Veterans.

The park has five dedications, one for each branch of the United States Armed Forces. It also has a battlefield cross monument dedicated to the 18 local members of the armed forces who died in the Gulf War.

The park has some nature trails to explore as well as a playground for the kids and even a boat ramp. Check it out while you’re in the area.

Fun fact! The Bulldog tank you see on entering the park is actually a four-man tank from the Korean War era and was built by Cadillac!

32 – Explore the colorful world of Fairgrounds St. Pete

Those expecting Ferris wheels and funhouses won’t be disappointed for long. Fairgrounds St. Pete is an immersive and explorable art and technology exhibition that is a collaboration of 60 artists. It’s a very unique attraction and you won’t find anything like this elsewhere in the state of Florida.

The perfect place to escape reality, even if just for a while, this playful self-contained world has exhibits based on the weird and wonderful stories and history of the region. It allows you to choose your own interaction and offers visitors multiple ways to engage.

This colorful and abstract world will draw you into its narrative, divulging small chunks of information piece by piece until you are hooked. You may find yourself returning to Fairgrounds St. Pete again and again.

33 – Unwind (with a drink in hand) on a tiki boat!

Bringing the laid-back vibe of the tropics to Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tiki Boat tours are all about the open-air party lifestyle.

Each tour runs for between 90 minutes and two hours and is fully equipped with a sound system, coolers and a licensed captain — so all you need to do is BYO food, drinks, and party hats (even if they’re metaphorical), and you’ll be all set.

Whether it’s a birthday, bachelor party, or even something as simple as a family outing on the water, these quirky vessels promise a great couple hours on the later (especially if you set sail in the late afternoon, in time to catch a sunset).

• tiki boat cruises in St. Petersburg

34 – Crack up with the stand-up talent at Spitfire Comedy House

From sketch, stand-up, and improv, enjoy the different comedic stylings of St. Petersburg’s local comedians as well as national ones at the Spitfire Comedy House !

The shows are typically held Friday-Saturday nights, with some shows taking place on Thursdays and Sundays as well, making it the perfect activity to do in St. Petersburg!

Enjoy a variety of shows, from a 40s-style murder mystery improv musical to a freeform comedy showcase, and interactive comedy shows where the audience participates!

If you’re feeling up for it afterward, you can ask about the improv comedy classes that the club offers to build up your own comedy chops!

With a seating capacity of up to 40 people, enjoy the shows in a small group setting. Children can attend, but it is held at the discretion of parents.

35 – Discover handmade beauty at the Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement

If you need the inspiration to take up a craft, this is where you’ll find it. Step into a showcase of some of America’s best arts, pottery, textiles and more at the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement .

This unique museum is dedicated to the movement that spread across America in the late 1800s and early 1900s, as more people turned to creating their own crafted pieces in retaliation against the mass-produced items of the industrial era.

It features over 2,000 items in a stunning gallery that includes a restaurant, cafe and a children’s gallery that will entertain the kids. Admire the furniture, lighting, photography, tiles and jewelry that Americans created and expressed themselves through.

Located in downtown St. Petersburg, the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement will take you on a journey through the beauty of everything handmade.

36 – Start your weekend with a bang at St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market

One of the most fun things to do in St. Petersburg on a weekend is to drop by the Saturday Morning Market . Start your day the right way with freshly cooked food, locally farmed groceries and live music.

With over 120 vendors on site selling everything from fresh vegetables, meats and cheeses, teas and coffees and even artisan vegan popsicles, you know you’ll find something here you’re gonna love. The market also has stalls selling freshly cooked international dishes so you better bring your appetite.

Pick up some jewelry from one of the artisan craft stalls or choose some locally produced chocolates as a souvenir of your time in St. Petersburg. A trip to the Saturday Morning Market is a must-do thing while in the city and you can find it opposite Pioneer Park and a stone’s throw from Demen’s Landing.

37 – Spot dolphins at play on a boat tour

The calm waters of Florida’s Gulf Coast offer some of the country’s best conditions for boating. The gentle currents and clear green waters, which are lit up by year-round sparkling sunshine, may make you feel like you’ve found paradise on Earth.

One of the most fun things to do in St. Petersburg is to take a boat tour of the surrounding coastline. There are so many different tours to try that there is bound to be something to suit your tastes. Are you an adventurous speedboat kind of traveler, or a laid-back tiki bar boat kind of person?

Maybe you want to explore under your own steam on a kayak or go out to the deeper waters to spot dolphins playing in the surf? There are so many options you are really spoiled for choice.

Simply choose your departure point, whether from St. Petersburg, Tampa or nearby Clearwater and then enjoy the cruise. This is what St. Pete’s vacays are all about!

• dolphin watching in St. Petersburg

38 – Watch the sunset at Albert Whitted Park

With its privileged position at the southern end of St. Petersburg’s downtown seafront district, Albert Whitted Park has uninterrupted views of those spectacular Florida sunsets. The park is located near the airport and has an airplane-themed children’s playground.

It gained its name from the man who brought commercial aviation to the city in the early 1900s. With beautiful views of the yacht marina as well as some of the city’s most attractive buildings, including The Dalí Museum and Mahaffey Theater, this quiet park is a great place to just kick back and relax.

On busier days it’s a good place to watch the city’s Firestone Grand Prix or catch sight of old-fashioned biplanes taking off and landing at the nearby waterfront airport.

39 – Set sail on a magical sunset cruise

Relaxing, beautiful, and oh-so-very romantic, a St. Pete’s sunset cruise sells itself as the perfect way to end a long day of Florida sightseeing.

Hop aboard a luxurious yacht and take in some of the most incredible views St. Petersburg has to offer — from its striking buildings and sandy shorelines, to the colorfully illuminated Skyway Bridge.

With several companies offering these trips — whether it’s with a group of fellow travelers on a 45-foot modern catamaran or a private charter in an intimate sailboat — you can choose an evening cruise that suits your schedule (and budget).

And for something extra special, there are companies who make a point of venturing into high-traffic dolphin areas!

• sunset cruises in St. Petersburg

40 – See the baseball collection at the St. Petersburg Museum of History

It may seem like a dubious title but St. Petersburg’s Museum of History is home to the world’s largest collection of autographed baseballs. It has 4,999 signed baseballs in its collection, including balls autographed by four US Presidents and even Fidel Castro.

Why not 5,000 you ask? The plan is for Hollywood legend, Tom Hanks, to sign the 5,000th baseball when pandemic measures allow it. More than just a baseball collection though, the museum uses these autographed trophies to tell key moments in the country’s history and tell the story of modern American achievements.

There is even a baseball signed by the first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong, how is that for iconic! The museum also has an archive of thousands of photos and over 30,000 artifacts in its collection. Take a look around this fascinating museum during your time in the city.

41 – Drive the Sunshine Skyway Bridge

While in St. Petersburg you have to take a cruise over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to see the exceptional views of Tampa Bay and the nearby cities.

Constructed in the late-1980s to cross Tampa Bay, after the old bridge was badly damaged and collapsed, the current Sunshine Skyway Bridge spans from St. Petersburg South to the north of Terra Ceia. The bridge extends for over 4 miles and at places is towers 190 feet above the water to give the necessary clearance for boats traveling beneath it.

This iconic sight on the Tampa Bay skyline is the second bridge on the site to be named the Sunshine Skyway, the first one was built in the 1960s. Why not take an aerial tour of the bay to and get see the bridge from above? Join a helicopter or light aircraft tour for a unique tour you’ll never forget.

42 – Be amazed by glass art at Duncan McClellan Gallery

St. Petersburg is the place to be for glass art. The Duncan McClellan Gallery is another of the city’s major exhibitions of studio glass and it resides in the most unlikely of places.

Based in a former fish and tomato packing facility, its 7,800 square foot of exhibition space displays work by some of the leading internationally known glass artists.

An intrinsic part of the St. Pete art community, the Gallery is located in the center of the city’s Warehouse Art District. It houses work by dozens of artists and hosts regular exhibitions of contemporary glass art.

43 – Soak up the Florida sun on a boat tour

Enjoy the sunset views from the Gulf of Mexico, as you board the St. Petersburg, Florida: Sunset and Skyway Lights Boat Tour. See as the golden sun sets behind the water, and the lights of the Skyway Bridge begin as you enjoy fresh fruit and refreshments.

The S. Saint Petersburg Pier to Egmont Key Cruise is a 60-minute ferry ride to the stunning Egmont Key. Enjoy views of the turquoise waters, and nature around. Once at Egmont Key, you’ll enjoy 2 hours on its shores to explore the historic lighthouse, nature, and wildlife.

• boat tours in St. Petersburg

44 – Take a run in Vinoy Park

In a perfect position looking out over Tampa Bay, Vinoy Park is one of the city’s most visited attractions. It hosts some of the city’s major outdoor shows like the Tampa Bay Blues and Reggae Rise Up music festivals, The Festivals of Speed Car Show and food fests throughout the year.

featuring lengthy trails throughout, it’s an ideal place to walk or cycle and if you’re looking for somewhere to take your morning run, this place can’t be beaten. The cool breezes blowing in off the bay and sea views are sure to give you all the inspiration you need to get outside and run.

45 – Cruise the bay on a jet boat

A surefire way to see bottlenose dolphins in Tampa Bay is to take a ride on the Dolphin Racer speedboat . Cruise the beaches and waterways of the Gulf Coast on these thrilling and fun adventure rides.

The local population of bottlenose dolphins are a curious bunch and are drawn to the Dolphin Racer as it powers through the bay. They love to play and surf in the boats wake and jump alongside to catch a glimpse of the people onboard.

The trips last for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours and features narration from the team members. The crew is so confident that you will spot dolphins that they even offer a free ride to those who don’t. What are you waiting for?

46 – Explore the lush and tranquil Sunken Gardens

A tropical paradise in the middle of the city, The Sunken Gardens has been wowing visitors to the area for 100 years. It contains some of the best established tropical plants in the region and its collection includes 50,000 specimens including plants, flowers and grasses.

This tropical wonderland was created as a hobby garden by a local plumber in the early 1900s on a six-acre piece of land that formerly held a lake. The rich and fertile soil of the lake bed made the perfect environment for The Sunken Gardens botanical collection.

Visitors can explore its landscaped miniature waterfalls and flowing ponds and see the gardens flock of pink Florida flamingos. Visiting this secret garden in the midst of the busy city might be one of the most invigorating things to do in St. Petersburg and is sure to be a big hit with nature lovers.

47 – Shop, eat and relax at John’s Pass presented by Nathan Shirk Realty

If you’re looking for a one-stop destination for shopping, dining and entertainment in St. Petersburg, John’s Pass will likely fit the bill. With stores selling everything from clothing, apparel and jewelry to sweets, collectibles and Cuban cigars, there’s a lot to see here.

Take a family tour with lunch on the triple decked ship, Calypso Breeze , or board a tiki bar boat for a relaxing booze cruise around the bay. Try your hand at fishing or visit Splash Harbor Water Park for a wild afternoon on the slides.

Afterward, hit up one of the cafes or restaurants to grab a bite to eat and an invigorating coffee or cold beer. The choices are huge and you’re sure to find great fresh seafood, tasty grill and barbecue dishes and all your fast food favorites.

48 – See a live show at Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater

On the downtown waterfront within a stone’s throw of The Dalí and the Museum of Fine Arts is one of the city’s largest and finest performing arts venues. The Mahaffey Theater first opened its doors in 1965 and since then has been the place to go in St. Pete for live performances of all types.

Now known as The Duke Energy Center for the Arts, Mahaffey Theater hosts, on any given week, orchestral concerts, Broadway musicals and plays, stand-up comedy shows and touring live bands. Its position at the heart of the city’s waterfront makes it a beautiful venue to visit at any time of the year.

49 – Revel at the bungalows and landscapes at Historic Kenwood

Step back over 100 years just a few minutes from Downtown St. Petersburg. Historic Kenwood is a charming neighborhood with bungalows built in the 1920s when real estate in Florida first flourished.

Stroll along brick sidewalks and imagine the old times, as you admire their well-kept landscapes and rows of trees lining the streets. You can time your visit during the Bungalow Fest in November when the homeowners open their doors and give tours to visitors.

See amazing gardens and get some inspiration, while checking out independent locally-owned coffee shops, restaurants, bars and boutique stores. This eclectic place has something for everyone — even for your furry friend like The Dog Bar . If you want to fully experience the vibe of Historic Kenwood, you can stay for a night or more at the art deco Avalon Hotel less than a two-minute drive from the neighborhood.

Hollander Hotel is also highly recommended and has over 20 craft beers and delicious cuisine to indulge yourself in at the Tap Room and Grill. Courtyard St. Petersburg Downtown is a historic hotel with modern amenities that is sure to tick all the boxes.

50 – Pick your aperitivo at Mazzaro’s Italian Market

Mazzaro’s started out as a coffee roasting business nearly 30 years ago and soon became the locals’ go-to place for anything Italian — stopping by here is one of the essential things to do in St. Petersburg and you won’t leave empty-handed for sure.

This Italian deli has got everything you need to satisfy your Mediterranean cravings such as coffee, wine, cured meats, cheeses, handmade pasta, pizza, bread, pastries, gelato and many more!

Mazzaro’s cellars include the largest selection of Italian wines in Florida. Not sure which wine to bring home? Join one of the free wine tasting sessions every Friday and Saturday lunchtime and get top recommendations from the staff.

51 – Scour the city on a scavenger hunt

Looking for a fun way to explore the city? Why not try a scavenger hunt to discover the best of St. Petersburg’s highlights. Gather together your team and hit the streets for a unique self-guided game experience.

Simply download the app and follow clues and directions to locations around the city. Here you will have to use your eyes and intuition to answer trivia questions and solve puzzles. Uncover the history of the city, explore at your own pace and enjoy working together in these light-hearted and informative challenges.

• scavenger games in St. Petersburg

52 – Shop retro at ARTpool Gallery – Vintage Clothing Boutique & Vinyl Record Store

If you love to shop for vintage, retro and kitsch items, you’re gonna love ARTpool . This independent gallery, clothing boutique and record store is one of the most fun places to visit in the city to pick up those pre-loved gems from a bygone era.

The gallery portion is not restricted to paintings and prints but reflects the eclectic tastes of its owners. In fact, you may find something here that is so unique it defies explanation. The vinyl record store is a great complement to the vintage clothing on offer and will appeal to the crate diggers and record enthusiasts.

ARTpool hosts regular creative get-togethers and a monthly independent craft market. Beware though, you may come out with something fun and frivolous which you didn’t expect.

53 – See rescued otters at St. Petersburg’s aquariums

If you toured the bays and beaches of the region and want to see its most spectacular sea creatures up close, St. Pete has some excellent aquariums to visit.

See rescued native sea creatures at Clearwater Marine Aquarium , including dolphins, sharks, sea turtles and pelicans. Many of the creatures here were in some way injured and cannot be returned to the wild but are well looked after in purpose-built habitats. The aquarium also has freshwater creatures such as its adorable river otters, Walle and Boomer.

The area’s other large facility, The Florida Aquarium , has some fascinating exhibits with native and exotic wildlife habitats. Visit the jungles of Madagascar to see lemurs and tomato frogs, then go deep beneath the sea to witness the elegant dance of the moon jellyfish.

54 – Tour the best craft breweries

After a long day of exploring and beachcombing, you might just be in the mood to check out some of the city’s best craft brews — and where better to go than straight to the source.

3 Daughters Brewery is a great place to start. Sample some of its fruity IPA’s flavored with Florida oranges, mango and watermelon. It also does some more traditional blonde ales, red ales and porters and has a bar with over 40 brews on tap.

For a selection of great beers and whiskies paired with hearty barbecue dishes, URBAN Brew and BBQ is the place to go. This Central Avenue restaurant is family and dog friendly and has a laid-back and relaxed ambiance. This is a great place for bourbon and whisky lovers with a large selection to choose from.

The Cider Press Cafe has a good choice of local and international beers, wines and ciders and also serves up a wide selection of light lunches and snacks. It is a good centrally located place to pick up beers and wines to go.

55 – Experience exciting flavors at the locals’ favorite restaurants

Satisfying your taste buds is part of the deal when you’re in town. Make sure to try some of the best restaurants and their unique and modern take on the traditional cuisine highlighting local ingredients —  including, of course, the best fresh seafood.

Head to 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House if you want to enjoy your surf and turf in a serene atmosphere. This seaside restaurant chooses products from local farms and breweries to stock its menu. For a starter, try Oyster Rockefeller partnered with BBQ Margarita.

Craving for a home-cooked meal? Famous for its fried chicken, PoFolks Restaurant is known for homestyle Southern cooking whether you want vegetables, catfish or barbecue grilled dishes. Give in to your cravings for fish, steak or chicken in its “all you can eat” on Fridays and weekends.

For classic Mexican dishes and cocktails, Red Mesa Cantina has fantastic traditional dishes and a wide selection of tequila. Taste the Shrimp Los Cabos served with avocado, cilantro, sweet tomato cocktail sauce and fresh tortilla chips. Dine next to the fountain in its outdoor courtyard and enjoy the delightful flavors this family-owned restaurant has to offer.

A local favorite, Bodega on Central is a “hole in the wall” known for its Cuban sandwiches and freshly squeezed fruit juices. Locals also recommend its delicious platters which you can diversify according to your preference (including vegan and vegetarian options). Check out the “Frita of the Month”, a Cuban-style hefty burger with exciting toppings.

56 – Take a trolley pub crawl

If you want to sample the St. Pete nightlife, you should definitely try a pub crawl of the city’s best pubs and bars. You could walk, or you could hop on to one of the city’s fun and rowdy trolley tours.

Join other party-goers to pedal your way around the city, stopping at the best drinking holes on the way. Pick up a little history from your trolley captain and best of all, don’t worry about driving.

• pub crawls in St. Petersburg

57 – Have a drink in the best rooftop bars

Where better to while away those sunny Florida evenings than in the city’s best rooftop bars. Enjoy the sunset over a cold beer or cocktail and start your evening the right way.

The Canopy Rooftop Lounge , located on the top floor of the Birchwood Hotel, has beautiful views over North Straub Park and the North Yacht Marina. It is a pretty chic hotel with a good selection of reasonably priced dishes on offer.

Some of the city’s other great rooftop bars include Pier Teaki , at the end of the 2nd Ave NE Pier, Level 11 over at St. Pete Beach and The Cambria Hotel at Madeira Beach. Wherever you choose to go, you’ll be greeted with beautiful sea views to make an evening worth remembering.

58 – Enjoy all the fun for hours at the Historic Manhattan Casino

Step in for a fun time at the Historic Manhattan Casino, located in the lively Grand Central District. Historically known as a meeting space since the mid-20s, the casino has been renovated to reflect modern times while maintaining its community and history intact.

Check out the many things to do inside, from eating your heart out at the food hall to enjoying the soirees that take place here.

Check out the packed calendar, where you can attend everything from film screenings and watch parties, to the dozens of opportunities to join fun mixer events, comedy shows, private concerts, fashion shows, and so much more!

Locals recommend visiting for Sunday brunch as well, or the Jazz concerts on Saturday.

59 – Have a laugh at the Bonkerz Comedy Club

Making St. Petersburg and the country laugh since 1984, the Bonkerz Comedy Club has won the hearts of many, including a few celebrities, as one of their favorite comedy clubs, originally started in St. Petersburg.

The Bonkerz Comedy Club is one of the main comedy venues in Florida, so if you’re looking for a good show, you’ll find it here! The club hosts many celebrity comedians, as well as locals, from pop culture comedy to crude comedy, and relatable comedy – it’s all here!

Shows are typically held every 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month, so be sure to plan ahead!

Pro tip: Buy your ticket ahead of time to receive a $2 discount! Also, seats are first come first serve, so make sure to arrive 1 hour before the show starts!

Where to stay in St. Petersburg?

Check out the comfortable digs inside Crystal Bay Historic Hotel , featuring a 24-hour front desk, shuttle services for guests, and beautiful views out to the terrace and gardens. Breakfast is served daily, which includes vegetarian and vegan options. This hotel is only 3.4 miles away from John’s Pass.

The Holiday Inn Express St. Petersburg North doesn’t disappoint with its highly rated clean rooms, filling breakfast options, and secure free parking. At just a short distance away is the Tropical Sunken Gardens, the Tropicana Field Baseball stadium, as well as a few other notable sights.

Welcoming guest with rows of palm trees, large pools, and beautiful and clean rooms is the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park . Soak up the Floridan way of life at this hotel, and focus on working on your sun tan in the lounge chairs by the pool, or working up a sweat in the state-of-the-art gym.

• best hotels in St. Petersburg

Where to go next?

If you’re in search of exploring other incredible cities and things to do in Florida , then look no further! Go people-watching at the famous Pier 60 in Clearwater as the sunset rolls in, or better yet, set sail on a Pirate Cruise full of non-stop fun activities!

Get nerdy at the Henry B. Plant Museum in Tampa , and afterward devour the goodies inside Ybor City for a taste of Tampa. Hit the mangroves on a kayak in Sarasota , or for the art lovers, head to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art for stunning works of art.

Take on all the water parks in Kissimmee , from Island H20 Live to Aquatica Orlando, and then wander back in time through Old Town Kissimmee for night fun! Create the perfect picnic to enjoy at Bok Tower Gardens in Orlando , or learn more about some of the local marine life in Crystal River.

Final thoughts

We hope you enjoyed our list of fun things to do in St. Petersburg! Which one was your favorite? Is it the mouthwatering restaurants, or the historic homes of Kenwood? Or perhaps it’s the stunning beaches like Fort De Soto Park?

Whichever it is, let us know! We hope your future travels take you to this Floridian slice of paradise.

Happy travels!

13 Things To Do In Saint Petersburg | Russia’s Most Beautiful City

By Author Christian L.

Posted on Published: January 17, 2021  - Last updated: September 11, 2021

Categories Europe , Destinations , Russia

Once known as Leningrad and before that Petrograd, Saint Petersburg, Russia, is the country’s second-largest city. Set next to the Neva River, close to the Baltic Sea, this city is home to over 5 million people.

It’s the world’s northernmost city, founded by Peter the Great and named after Saint Peter the apostle. Once home to the Tsars of Russia, it is today known as the country’s cultural capital.

With iconic sights such as Hermitage Museum, Nevsky Prospect, Peterhof Palace, and so much more, it has a fascinating heritage ripe for exploration. Without further ado, let’s dive into the 13 best things to do in St. Petersburg. 

Top Things to do in St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg, Europe, has grown into one of the top tourist destinations on the continent. Although it might get very cold in winter, there are still plenty of things to do – and the summers are absolutely perfect! Saint Petersburg is one of the prettiest cities in all of Europe .

Keep reading for some of my favorite choices. 

1. Visit The World Famous Hermitage Museum

One of the city’s most popular attractions (with over 3 million items in its esteemed collection), State Hermitage Museum showcases everything from fine art to ancient artifacts. 

Even if you don’t plan on entering inside, the exterior is an architectural gem in itself. The columns are all in white with green/gold facades that can be viewed from the river or Palace Square.

If you’re visiting St. Petersburg, Russia, your trip would not be complete without stopping past this world-famous landmark. It’s also a great activity to do no matter what time of year you are visiting – and a perfect way to escape those cold Russian winter days. 

There are six buildings in the museum complex in total. Five of which – Winter Palace, Small Hermitage, Old Hermitage, New Hermitage, and Hermitage Theatre – can be accessed by the public.

Within, you’ll be treated to Egyptian collections, artifacts dating from ancient Mesopotamia, and classical Greek jewelry, pottery, and sculptures. This is any historical culture lover’s dream. 

Keep exploring, and you will find collections of prehistoric relics from the Palaeolithic era to the Iron Ages, European fine arts, Impressionist works, Catherine the Great’s personal collections, and so much more.

In fact, you’ll need an entire day or possibly longer to explore this incredible museum complex. If you only have limited time in St. Petersburg, be sure to add this museum to your itinerary! There are also guided tours available if you want a more educational experience. 

Did you know? The Hermitage Museum is the world’s second-largest art museum.

2. Take in a Performance at Mariinsky Theatre

The Neoclassical Mariinsky Theatre is home to Russia’s revered opera and ballet companies.

The theatre – named after the wife of Tsar Alexandra II, Empress Maria Alexandrovna – has been here since 1860 when it was known as the Kirov Theatre.

This magnificent building, since it opened, has hosted stage performances and premieres from Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky and famous ballets such as Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. 

Today, in addition to hosting live performances, the theatre has its own record label, which focuses on releasing music by Russian composers Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninov.

If you enjoy the arts and are going to be in St. Petersburg for several days, book tickets to see a world-class performance – you won’t be disappointed.

3. See Jewelled Eggs at the Faberge Museum

The House of Faberge was founded in St. Petersburg in 1842 by Gustav Faberge. Originally a jeweler, he became famous for designing jewel-encrusted eggs for the Tsars of Russia and is arguably the most famous goldsmith of the modern era. 

Today, you can view these iconic collection pieces in the Faberge Museum. It showcases 4,000 items in total, including Faberge Easter eggs, jewelry, silverware, home decor, and fantasy-themed objects.

The incredible jeweled eggs are famous all over the world, and there are several museums dedicated to them. But if you want to learn about Gustav Faberge, his family, and how it all began, this is the museum to visit. You can purchase a ticket in person or online. 

4. Spend an Hour Canal Cruising

St. Petersburg is built on 42 islands, and once upon a time (before bridges were constructed), cruising was the only way to navigate the city.

On a Golden Ring boat tour, you’ll see some of St. Petersburg’s iconic sights along the Kryukov Canal, including St. Nicholas Cathedral, Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, and the Mariinsky theatre.

You’ll dip beneath the famous colored bridges on Neva River whilst enjoying views of Peter and Paul Fortress, Vasilyevsky Island, and the Summer Garden. This is truly one of the most breathtaking ways to take in all the beauty that St. Petersburg has to offer. 

This tour also only takes around an hour, so you’ll have plenty of time to revisit your favorite spots throughout the day!

5. Discover Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

One of St. Petersburg’s architectural masterpieces is the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood.

This former Russian Orthodox Church was completed in 1907 and is built in Baroque, Neoclassical, and Russian Revival design. It is one of the city’s main attractions, with ornate domes, intricate frescoes, and 7,500 square meters of mosaics inside. 

If you don’t wish to enter, you can gain incredible views from Griboedov Canal. But if you do venture inside, you’ll be rewarded with interior frescoes and mosaic works depicting biblical scenes and figures created by celebrated Russian artists of the time.

The Church of the Saviour of Blood is built on the spot where Emperor Alexander 2 was assassinated in 1881 – hence the name. So, not only will you be able to appreciate the fine architectural designs, but also explore an important part of Russian history. 

6. Take a Rooftop Walk-in St. Petersburg

If you have viewed the city from canals and rivers, try it from the rooftops! You can take a guided rooftop walk in the city, seeing streets and skylines from an elevated perspective.

One particular tour to highlight is the Official Rooftops Excursion of St. Petersburg. Just a few minutes from Nevsky Prospect, these sites offer vistas of Fontanka River and Trinity Cathedral – and that’s just the first roof.

The second roof boasts views of St. Petersburg’s old center, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Kazan Cathedral, and the Church on Spilled Blood.

This is a truly incredible way to see the city in all its glory, plus the tour provides you with binoculars so you can see everything in great detail.

7. Admire Nevsky Prospect’s Magnificent Architecture

The main street of St. Petersburg is Nevsky Prospect. Begin at the intersection at Stroganov Palace before venturing to Kazan Cathedral. While you walk, take in the monuments dedicated to Catherine the Great and browse goods at The Passage – Nevsky Avenue’s premier department store.

This store was quite the trailblazer. It opened its doors in the late 1840s and was one of the first buildings in Russia to use gas for lighting. Then, in 1900, an electric station was installed on an underground floor.

Once you’ve finished shopping and enjoyed a fresh cup of coffee, continue to the Russian National Library – the oldest public library in Russia – and Alexandrinsky Theatre (which was built for the Imperial troupe of Petersburg).

8. Visit the Island of Peter and Paul Fortress

Set on an island connected by bridges, Peter and Paul Fortress is instantly recognizable from its needle spire, which dominates the skyline. The fortress was originally built to defend the maritime city from Swedish invaders.

However, Peter the Great defeated the opposition before it was even completed! It has since served as a military center and prison for political dissenters and, latterly, as a museum.

Inside the vast complex, you can see Peter and Paul Cathedral, visit the resting place of the Romanovs, and watch military processions or the firing of the noon-day gun.

It’s a great day trip for anyone interested in Russian, maritime or military history. There are also plenty of group walking tours available. 

9. Sample Russian Vodka in a Ryumochnye

A visit to Russia wouldn’t be complete without sampling the local drink – vodka, and the best place to do this is in a Ryumochnye. This is a specific style of 19th-century Russian drinking house that not only offers some of Russia’s best vodka but also a short history lesson.

You could call it a bar, but it’s more than that – most mainstream Ryumochnye have a definite Soviet vibe and are places for working men to kick back and enjoy vodka with their buddies.

Beverages come in bottles or shot form, and some places offer self-service and snacks.

If that sounds too hardcore for your taste, there are updated versions of Ryumochnye in the city, like Mayak in St. Petersburg, where you can gain a similar experience. 

10. Enjoy local Saint Petersburg Craft Beer

Although most people think of vodka when visiting Russia, you can also enjoy some of the best craft beer in Saint Petersburg . Russia’s second-largest city has an exciting, rapidly growing craft beer scene, in part due to its history and geography.

Historically, the Russian empire was influenced by Northern Europe, and the Dutch & English beer-drinking culture eventually made its way here. Today, Saint Petersburg is home to a growing number of modern microbreweries, cool taprooms, and stylish bars.

Saint Petersburg is also home to Stepan Razin Brewery, the oldest brewery in Russia (now, of course, owned by Heiniken). It opened in 1795, but today the building is known as the Saint Petersburg Beer Museum, showcasing the history of beer in Russia and the Soviet Union.

Russia’s largest and most popular brewery, Baltika, is also located in Saint Petersburg, and it’s possible to take a tour of their huge brewery.

11. See the Majestic Catherine Palace

A stately palace of blue and gold, Catherine’s Palace is located 26 kilometers south of St. Petersburg. Named after the wife of Peter the Great, this place was originally a two-story modest building commissioned in 1717.

The exterior, which stretches for one kilometer in circumference, is surrounded by woodlands, lawns, gilded balconies, and reliefs. However, the interiors are even more impressive.

With great halls, a white dining room, an amber room, and more. It’s the perfect place to step back into history and discover what life was like as a Russian aristocracy.

12. Explore Peterhof Palace

If you’re going to visit Catherine Palace, you should tour Peterhof too. It’s a 40-minute drive away, but you can even take a hydrofoil speed boat from right behind the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg center.

Sitting close to the Baltic Sea, Peterhof Palace was constructed by Peter the Great to be Russia’s version of Versailles. The opulent residence surrounded by sculptures, fountains, and tiered staircases leading to the grand entrance evokes mystery and the history of a bygone era.

Inside it is lavishly decorated with dazzling chandeliers, one-of-a-kind artworks and beautiful ceiling frescoes.

On a guided tour, you can learn more about the palace’s history. Discover the Throne Room, Portrait Hall and Peter the Great’s Oak Study. You’ll see dining rooms set for dinner, grand ballrooms where dancing and gatherings would take place, and décor which defies time.

The palace offers great insight into his life and legacy, and if you are interested in history, art and interior design, you’ll love it.

Want to know more about Peterhof?

13. Spend a Day by the Finnish Border at Vyborg

Just over an hour from central Saint Petersburg by train is the city of Vyborg. It sits on the Gulf of Finland and was first settled back in the 12th century. The city has been occupied by Finnish and German forces and suffered extensive damage during the Second World War. However, it has since been rebuilt. 

It’s a charming center to wander around, with narrow cobbled streets, a medieval castle, and Finnish art nouveau structures sprinkled throughout. An easy day trip from St. Petersburg, it can also serve as a stop-off point if you’re crossing into Finland to continue your adventure.

Want to know more about Saint Petersburg?

Where is St. Petersburg | Is St. Petersburg in Europe?

If you want to know “Where is Saint Petersburg?”, you’ve come to the right place. Beautiful St. Petersburg is located in northern Russia. Russia is a massive country, so it is no surprise that many people want to know “Is Saint Petersburg in Europe?”. The answer is yes. 

How to Get to Saint Petersburg

The maritime city is well linked to Europe by air, sea, rail and road. Depending on where you’re traveling from and the rest of your itinerary, you can use one of the following ways to arrive at St. Petersburg.

You can fly into Saint Petersburg through Pulkovo International Airport. There are around 1,100 international flights a week and 1,200 domestic flights operating in and out of the local airport.

Although many flights from European cities to Saint Petersburg are direct, you may have to change flights if flying from further afield.

It’s also possible to travel to St. Petersburg by train. The most popular (and most frequent) routes operate from Moscow, Helsinki, and Tallinn. However, there are options to travel from other areas in central Europe, central Asia, and eastern Europe by rail.

There is a central bus station in Saint Petersburg, with services to and from Moscow, Pskov, Novgorod, Vilnius, Riga , Tallinn and Helsinki. Some of these journeys can be long and arduous.

Therefore, thorough research and choosing the right bus company is important.

Baltic Sea Cruises also operate to St. Petersburg as part of a larger itinerary, and St. Peter Line Ferry sails from Helsinki in Finland and Tallinn in Estonia.

Exploring Saint Petersburg, Russia

Saint Petersburg is the 5th most populous city in Europe and also a leading tourist destination. Although people sometimes forget about Russia, this city is breathtakingly beautiful and provides plenty of cultural and historical attractions.

Now that you know where to go, I hope you have an amazing time in Russia’s most beautiful city.

Friday 19th of January 2018

Thank you! So great review about our St. Petersburg!

What to do in St. Petersburg in 1 day - Probe around the Globe

Thursday 11th of May 2017

[…] more about the beauty of St. Petersburg from the Unusual […]

Friday 17th of June 2016

Which hostel did you stay at? I am potentially thinking of going to Russia for World Cup 2018 after my World Cup trip to Brazil two years ago. Saint Petersburg is one of the host cities, and so I am very interested in learning more about this city and recommendations from fellow travellers who have been.

Christian L.

I stayed at Soul Kitchen Junior, and I will go so far and say its by far the best hostel I have ever stayed at!! Anywhere in the world, no other hostels even get close to it:)