ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For the very first time, St. Petersburg is being recognized by a prestigious travel magazine as one of the best places to visit in America.
More than 715,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers voted for their favorite cities in the U.S. and St. Pete ranked #10 for large cities, ranking alongside much bigger destinations like Chicago, New York, Washington D.C. and Boston.
Readers of the popular travel magazine recognized St. Pete for its cultural arts scene and close proximity to white sandy beaches.
The award comes on the heels of the new $92 million St. Pete Pier opening in July.
“Condé Nast Traveler has confirmed what 270,000 residents and millions of visitors know: The Sunshine City is one of the greatest cities in the world,” said St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. “My hope is that everyone will come visit us as we emerge from the pandemic and do so safely with masks and social distancing top of mind.
Visit St. Pete/Clearwater CEO and President Steve Hayes also says the award could lead to a large economic impact, as readers of Conde Nast discover St. Pete as a top vacation destination.
“We’re not just home to world-class beaches, but also to a world-class cultural city like St. Pete, which has helped us become the third largest destination in the state."
Launched in 1988, Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers' Choice Awards are billed as the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry and are commonly known as ‘the best of the best of travel.’ Readers offered and ranked their opinions on the world’s best travel experiences. The full list of winners can be found here.
Mayor Kriseman, Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin and Hayes announced the award Tuesday during sunrise at the St. Pete Pier.
