Photo by Cathy Salustri
Updated Nov. 27, 3:39 p.m.
An earlier version of this article listed a different discount price for the Uncorked Club membership; we’ve updated the article to reflect this, and include the correct information.
The Gabber Newspaper regrets the error.
After two hurricanes that left many people wrung out (emotionally and physically), a lot of us have been reminded that all our things can disappear in the blink of an eye. This year, we wanted our a-to-z holiday gift guide in Pinellas to focus on experiences. As the saying goes: The best things in life aren’t things. Here are 26 experiences that will give you memories (and photos) that will last a lifetime. And, as always, the money you spend at these local businesses stays in our community.
A-to-Z Holiday Gift Guide in Pinellas
A-C Holiday Gift Guide in Pinellas:
Art is essential to life and with six art museums in St. Petersburg, a membership to one of them is the gift that keeps on giving. Many offer reciprocal memberships with one another and outside institutions in the North American Reciprocal Museum Association’s program. One such spot is Imagine Museum, the dazzling glass museum in the Grand Central District. Its memberships are on sale through Dec. 13. A family membership is down to $150 from $250 and a dual membership is down to $100 from $150. Both include free admission and parking. 1901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. imaginemuseum.com, 727-300-1700.
Boats are intrinsic to our culture but anyone who’s owned one knows how expensive that life is. Luckily there are multiple ways to get on one, but the Florida Tiki Tours experience is especially fun. Embarking from John’s Pass, offerings include the Original Octagon Tiki Boat that seats four ($199.99-$289.99) or the Big Party Tiki Boat that accommodates 18 and has a bathroom ($39.99-$49.99 per person). Hit the water for 90 magical minutes with dolphin sightings likely and fond memories guaranteed. 209 Boardwalk Place E., Madeira Beach. floridatikitours.com, 727-418-6070.
Ceramics classes at The Hive Community Clay. This Gulfport-adjacent studio offers gift vouchers for a variety of classes like drop-in handbuilding ($60), wheel-throwing for date night on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays ($50 per person) or longer-term classes on slab rolling and beginner clay ($220). If playing with clay becomes addictive, as it often does, consider a membership. There are many options, including ones for kids. 559 49th St. S., St. Petersburg. thehivecommunityclay.com, 727-290-6515.
D-G Holiday Gift Guide in Pinellas:
Dinner is more than dinner when it’s a wine dinner al fresco in the Village Courtyard. Stella’s Divine Wine hosts wine dinners, where The Gabber Newspaper’s food writer Chef Morgan Banno pairs her culinary creations with wines from the shop. Dine at long tables under the lights, sample wines, and enjoy the company, all for $100 per person. The next one available is Feb. 14. Stella’s Divine Wine, 2904 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport. 727-303-0976.
Environmentally minded people will love a night hike at Boyd Hill. Rangers show a new side of the park, from gators to scorpions. Everyone learns at this $5 kid-friendly hike. 1101 Country Club Dr., St. Petersburg. stpeteparksrec.org, 727-893-7326.
freeFall Theatre subscriptions include plays —and more. Subscribers can also attend special events like live game shows and cabarets. 6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. freefalltheatre.com, 727-498-5205.
Graffiti school at Overspray Art Space in Gulfport teaches the art of lettering and how to create murals. While its tagline, “Create. Destroy. Repeat.” reminds us of the impermanence of street art, knowing how to make it seriously ups your cool factor. It’s also fun to do with friends of all ages. Classes are $60 per person and includes paint. 5013 20th Ave. S., Gulfport. oversprayartspace.com, 727-771-5359.
Photo by Maggie Duffy
Love To Eat? So Do We!
Check out our restaurant reviews and other food-related coverage!
H-K Holiday Gift Guide in Pinellas:
Helicopter tours of St. Petersburg are a neat, yet potentially terrifying, way to view the city, so consider one for the daredevil on your list. Tampa Bay Aviation offers multiple rides, but the Historic St. Pete one seems the most legit. It departs from Albert Whitted Airport, soars over the St. Pete Pier, then heads north for “exhilarating views.” Fun fact: the nut that holds the helicopter’s main rotor to its mast is called the Jesus Nut, so it’s a fitting gift for the season. tampabayaviation.com, 727-461-5229.
Immersive experiences at FloridaRAMA at the Factory (in the Warehouse Arts District) are ridiculously fun, but if you don’t have a membership, all that fun adds up quickly. An annual membership ($100, individual; $189, dual; and $299, family) make it easy for people to enjoy their off-the-wall, ingenious experiences without paying admission prices in addition to the event prices. floridarama.art.
Jungle Prada Site History Tour — Discover the history of the site, which was a Tocobagan village and has an Indian mound. It’s also considered a potential landing place of the 1528 Pánfilo de Narváez expedition of Spanish conquistadors. Plus, there are peacocks. The 75-90 minute tour also covers the history of Pinellas and the beaches. Tickets are $6-14. 8398 Elbow Lane N., St. Petersburg. discoverfloridatours.com, 727-430-2677.
Kayak tours with Kayak Nature Adventures — Kurt Zuelsdorf started leading kayak tours through Clam Bayou back when it was two parts trash dump and one part estuary. Today, it’s all part of the estuary (thanks in part to his cleanup efforts, among others), and he’s still offering paddle rentals and tours through the last tidal estuary in Boca Ciega Bay. kayaknature.us, 727-418-9728.
Looking for more things to do in St. Petersburg, Gulfport, and the beaches? Check out The Gabber Newspaper’s full calendar of events.
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
L-N Holiday Gift Guide in Pinellas:
LALA’s a karaoke bar/restaurant with a chic underground vibe. Our adoration for O’Maddy’s and the sometimes-questionable vocalizations of those rocking out to “Sweet Caroline” is, of course, undying, but for the karaoke die-hard, a room rental here is a melodious present. 2324 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. lalastpete.com, 727-349-5150.
Medical marijuana cards aren’t exactly something you can give, but they also aren’t the cheapest thing to get. Some of our staff got their cards at Inclusive Care Group, the LGBTQ+-friendly clinic. So take Aunt Martha’s gift card and treat yourself. inclusivecaregroup.com.
Enjoy a ceremonial-style tea service called gongfu cha at the Noisy Crane Tea House. Operating out of listening room/sake bar In Between Days in St. Petersburg, owner KC Cavanaugh sources tea from China, Taiwan, and Japan and serves it with an offering of sweet treats called wagashi. The vibe is zen in the minimally elegant bungalow. It sells gift cards and operates from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. 2340 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg. noisycranetea.com, 727-266-2681.
O-Q Holiday Gift Guide in Pinellas:
Orchestra concerts can soothe weary souls and The Florida Orchestra not only has a jam-packed season but also multiple subscription offers. The Compose Your Own series lets you mix and match at least three concerts from the Masterworks, Pops and Morning Matinees for $50 a ticket (regularly $80 and $65). With a variety of offerings from Mendelssohn to Motown, this subscription gives you the most choice. The orchestra has gift certificates. 727-892-3331.
A wide array of shows and experiences await at The Palladium Theater at St. Petersburg College. Whether you’re into jazz, classical, opera (it’s where St. Petersburg Opera performs), comedy or dance, there’s something for you to enjoy. The theater was closed for weeks after Hurricane Milton damaged it, so we’re happy to see it reopen. 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg. mypalladium.org, 727-822-3590.
Get a group together, throw on your party clothes and queue up at downtown St. Petersburg’s festive nightclubs, like the ‘70s-inspired Good Night John Boy, with a dance floor straight out of “Saturday Night Fever.” Folks love a theme so expect to see Afros and bellbottoms and be prepared to wait in that queue for a while. But waiting can be quality time with your friends, too. It’s having a Masquerade Ball on New Year’s Eve with tickets starting at $20. 16 Second St. N., St. Petersburg. goodnightjb.com, 727-486-9467.
Photo by Cameron Healy
Arts All Around!
The Gabber Newspaper covers live theater and art across South Pinellas. And, when we find something worth the drive, we cover art in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota areas.
R-T Holiday Gift Guide in Pinellas:
Reservations at The Pearl Omnivores with fascinating tastes will love dinner at The Pearl. By now, Chef Karim’s camel is a Gulfport legend (better than his filet, which is no small feat), but the restaurant also rotates through elk, ostrich, and other meats you definitely will not find at Outback. 5802 28th Ave. S., Gulfport. thepearlfinedining.com, 727-360-9151.
Star Trolley’s mural tours are a great way to see all the fruits of the decade of the Shine Mural Festival in St. Petersburg. This year’s festival ended on Nov. 17, so the paint is still drying on the freshest murals by artists from around the world. The 90-minute tour on the open-air trolley is led by local artists dishing on all the background details of the artwork and is $45 per person. star-trolley.com, 727-300-2777.
After the past few months, therapy with Gulfport Counseling makes a timely gift for yourself or a loved one who’s struggling to process the trauma of Debby, Helene, Milton, and the often-overwhelming existential angst that seems to pervade recent days. Mark Sieg’s held free group therapy for storm victims, but that isn’t enough for some of us. More than one person on staff at the paper goes to Gulfport Counseling (it’s not easy being a journalist!). gulfportcounselingcenter.com, 727-251-2319.
U-W Holiday Gift Guide in Pinellas:
Wine lovers (and barbecue fans) will raise a glass to their Uncorked Club membership. The Wine House annual membership includes “always happy hour” $2 wine by the glass pricing, 15% off food, 20% off bottles sold to go, $5 off bottles bought for dine-in, and discounts on events throughout the year. The Wine House, 2913 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport. $90, available through Dec. 25, 10 a.m. 727-256-0228.
The Violent Femmes were scheduled for earlier this year but the sold-out show got rescheduled to March 31 (still sold out) and added an extra date on April 1, 2025. Tickets are on sale now on the band’s website, which is where everyone bought pre-sale the first time around, causing it to be sold out on Jannus Live’s. Better luck this time! The ’80s group’s eponymous perfect album was a staple of the Gen X soundtrack. 200 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-565-0550.
Walking tours with Gulfport Arts and Heritage are perfect for the new Gulfportian who wants to learn more about their new hometown’s history. History buffs love these, too. 5301 28th Ave. S., Gulfport. gulfporthistoricalsociety.org, 727-201-8687.
X-Z Holiday Gift Guide in Pinellas:
Battle your friends on an Xbox at The Potion Portal, an arcade and bar where you can also belt out the tunes on karaoke night. There are retro and contemporary arcade games and console games to play. And your more analog pals can enjoy board games, pinball, air hockey, skee ball, and pool. It serves craft beer, wine and coffee (they promise it’s the “fancy kind”). 2329 28th St. N., St. Petersburg. thepotionportal.com, 727-592-2658.
Yoga is a bonding experience, especially in beautiful settings like the classes at Madeira Beach Yoga. Held on the beach at Archibald Beach Park or in the studio or patio overlooking Boca Ciega Bay at the Madeira Beach Recreation center, individual classes are $19 and 5-class passes are $85. 200 Rex Place, Madeira Beach. 727-401-7380.
Try your hand at glass art with a class at Zen Glass Studio and Gallery in St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District. Offerings include making your own wine glass, pendant, beads and even your own pipe — although that one sells out quickly. All classes are $107 per person. 600 27th St. S., St. Petersburg. zenglass.com, 727-323-3141.
We’re the calm during the storm. No hype, only help!
Bookmark The Gabber Newspaper’s storm coverage page for quick access to relevant tropical storm updates. No hype, no guessing, just updates on shelters, sandbags, and closures. And sign up for text alerts to get real-time guidance and prep advice when there’s a named storm heading our way. Also, check out our downtown Gulfport, marina, and beach web cams.
