18 Mar 2014
Welcome to NEW & NOW, which highlights the latest news from the most popular tourism destination on the Gulf of Mexico: St. Pete/Clearwater. Click here for complete high-res photos.
The New York Times Lists St. Petersburg as 2014 Top Global Spot
Affirming the area's growing reputation as a top international destination, The New York Times listed St. Petersburg in its ranking of Top 52 Best Places to Visit in 2014, in the company of the world's most “vibrant cities and spectacular coastlines, unexpected sports and new attractions.”
The global round-up, which appeared in both the national and international editions of The New York Times, showcased St. Petersburg as an example of urban reinvention, noting its “redeveloped waterfront, a stunning Dali Museum, and sophisticated restaurants in place” and historic Central Avenue's “downtown energy,” powered by a renaissance of the craft beer scene and funky new dining and accommodations options.
Complete story.
“Florida Weisse” Darling of Local Craft Beer Boom as Area Sees 14 Breweries Open
From Tarpon Springs to Treasure Island, the best in Florida craft brewing is on the St. Pete/Clearwater beer trail.
St. Pete/Clearwater is enjoying an unprecedented craft beer boom, with 14 craft breweries, the most in the entire state of Florida---from the oldest in Dunedin to the smallest microbrewery on Treasure Island, the R Bar. Brew masters at 7venth Sun Brewery, one of Florida's newest breweries, are adding their own twist to their beer---fermenting it with fresh Florida fruit. Adding the fruit cuts down on the tartness of a typical Berliner Weisse style beer, which is a sour wheat beer originating from Germany. Local enthusiasts have coined the tart and tasty beer as “Florida Weisse”.
Filming for Dolphin Tale Sequel Wraps; Release Set for Fall 2014
Dolphin Tale 2, the sequel to the Warner Bros. blockbuster, just finished filming in Clearwater and is scheduled for release this fall. The list of movies, commercials and music videos shot in St. Pete/Clearwater, is booming. A world-class location, recent film production credits include Magic Mike, Spring Breakers, and Sunlight Jr.
This is on top of an impressive roster of films, TV shows and music videos that stretches back more than two decades, includes Ocean's Eleven, The Punisher and Cocoon, as well as music videos and luxury car ads.
Complete story, downloadable high-res photos & video.
St. Pete/Clearwater Area Wins Best Attraction, Best Sunset and Best Hidden Gem in New USA TODAY polls
Fort De Soto Park was voted Florida's “Best Family Beach” and Anclote Key Preserve State Park notched “Best Hidden-Gem Beach by USA Today readers at the close of 2013. Earlier in the year, Clearwater Beach won “Florida's Best Beach Town” in a USA TODAY reader's poll.
Earlier in the year, Clearwater Beach was named “Florida's Best Beach Town” in a USA TODAY reader's poll. The popular vacation destination also caught renowned travel guru Peter Greenberg's eye, naming it to his list of “Best Beaches in the U.S.” And on top of all that, fresh off its #1 TripAdvisor Beach ranking in 2012, St. Pete Beach was named to Parents Magazine's list of “10 Best Beach Towns for Families” for 2013.
Complete story, downloadable high-res photos & video.
Firestone New Title Sponsor of St. Pete Grand Prix
Now in its 10th year, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will return to the streets of St. Pete to kick off the 2014 IndyCar season March 28-30. All eyes will be on Canadian James Hinchcliffe as he tries to repeat a dramatic win over Helio Castroneves 110 laps (198 miles) on the 1.8-mile temporary course on St. Pete's scenic waterfront streets. Hinchcliffe was the first Canadian to win an IndyCar race since Paul Tracy in June 2007.
Complete story.
New Video Series Promotes Places Visitors Can't Go
Even as the area is being discovered by record numbers of visitors, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater has unveiled a new video series that showcases how much more remains unseen. The “Off-Limits Tour” takes online visitors behind the scenes, to experience iconic locations from a perspective they will never see in real life.
Drones Take to the Skies in St. Pete/Clearwater
Maybe you saw the news about Amazon's plans to ship products via drones at some point in the future. Well, Amazon's not the only organization tapping into state-of-the-art drone technology. In a new video, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater showcases a local photographer who captures images of the area like never before utilizing the unmanned radio-controlled devices.
Complete story.
St. Pete/Clearwater Just Selected, with Tampa, as CityPASS' Newest Major Destination
Tampa Bay is the first Florida destination to have City Pass.
Thanks to a new partnership with CityPass, area visitors will be able to save 38 percent on a package of admissions to five local attractions that will cost $119. The Tampa Bay CityPASS launches on May 20 and includes the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home of Winter the dolphin, and the Chihuly Collection in St. Pete, in addition Busch Gardens and others.
Clearwater Beach Heating Up with New Development
This year is going to be a busy year of development on Clearwater Beach. One project just completed and three other major properties are breaking ground.
The renovation of Shephard's Beach Resort has just been completed, with 93 more rooms and additional parking.
And there is much more: visitors can look forward to three new hotels, all in the works. Ocean Properties is planning to build a 15-story hotel with 230 rooms on a prime piece of Clearwater Beach on the Gulf of Mexico. Marquesas by Ocean Properties & JMC also has plans to build two 15-story towers on the south-end of Clearwater Beach. Finally, construction for the 700-square-foot Wyndham Grand is set to begin in March. Once completed, the hotel will have approximately 450 rooms and 150 timeshares. Last year, St. Pete welcomed the addition of the boutique, luxury hotel The Birchwood (just 18 rooms), on stylish Beach Drive.
