Gulfport may be small, but it has a personality that feels completely its own. Tucked along Boca Ciega Bay just minutes from St. Pete, this colorful waterfront city is known for walkable streets, independent shops, weekly markets, casual restaurants, a thriving arts scene, and a laid-back Florida feel that is getting harder to find anywhere else in Pinellas County. If you are looking for things to do in Gulfport, FL, the best approach is a slow one. Park once, wander Beach Boulevard, follow the water, step into a local shop, grab something to eat, and leave room for a market night or a stop at the museum. Here is what to put on your list.
The Best Things to Do in Gulfport FL Start on Beach Boulevard
Beach Boulevard is the beating heart of Gulfport’s walkable downtown. This is where you will find colorful storefronts, local restaurants, galleries, boutiques, and plenty of places to slow down and people-watch. The nearby waterfront gives the whole area a relaxed coastal feel without turning it into a typical tourist strip. Start near the water end of Beach Boulevard and work your way through. You can browse shops, grab lunch at a local spot like Pia’s Trattoria for Italian or Stella’s for a casual breakfast, or continue toward Boca Ciega Bay for a view that makes it easy to understand why people keep coming back. The appeal here is not any one stop. It is the way everything comes together in one walkable stretch.Recommendation: Go late morning or late afternoon so you can walk comfortably, shop a little, and still have time to catch the waterfront before sunset.
Spend a Morning at the Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market
The Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market is one of the city’s signature weekly events. Every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., local vendors, makers, artists, and food sellers take over the downtown waterfront district with fresh produce, prepared foods, baked goods, and handmade goods. Because it runs during the day on a weekday, it is a great option for visitors who want a lively but easygoing way to explore the city outside of weekend crowds. This is a good place to find small gifts, local products, and handmade pieces that feel more personal than anything from a big-box store. It also gives you a natural reason to explore Beach Boulevard while nearby shops and restaurants are open. Recommendation: Arrive closer to opening at 9 a.m., bring a reusable tote, and plan to get lunch somewhere on Beach Boulevard before the market wraps up at 2 p.m.
Catch the Gulfport Night Market
What was once known as the Art Walk and IndieFaire has evolved into the Gulfport Night Market, and it is one of the best things to do in Gulfport FL if you prefer an evening outing. Held on the first Friday and third Saturday of each month from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. along Beach Boulevard, the Night Market features local artists, makers, and boutique-style vendors offering handmade goods, art, jewelry, clothing, pet products, and packaged artisan foods. Admission is free. The event has more of a stroll-and-shop feel than a traditional farmers market, and the surrounding restaurants and bars mean you can easily turn it into a full evening out. Live music from nearby venues tends to spill into the street, adding to the atmosphere. Recommendation: Make it a low-key date night or a fun outing with friends. Walk the market first, then choose a restaurant once you see what is busy. Check visitgulfportflorida.com for the current month’s dates before you go.
See Gordon the Gecko McFly at Shore Boulevard
One of Gulfport’s most photographed landmarks sits just outside the waterfront area on Shore Boulevard. Gordon the Gecko McFly is a 14-foot gecko sculpture created by local artist Ray Domingo, unveiled during the 22nd Annual GeckoFest. It has become one of the most recognizable and shareable spots in the city and a perfect symbol of Gulfport’s quirky, creative character. The surrounding stretch of Shore Boulevard along Boca Ciega Bay is worth a slow walk on its own. The waterfront views here are some of the best in the area, especially at golden hour. Recommendation: Stop here for a photo, then walk along the waterfront toward the beach or back toward Beach Boulevard to connect the two ends of Gulfport’s most scenic stretch.
Relax at Gulfport Municipal Beach and the Pier
Gulfport’s beach is not the biggest in Pinellas County, but it might be one of the most peaceful. Located along Shore Boulevard on Boca Ciega Bay, it is a quiet, low-key spot with a fishing pier, picnic areas, and some of the best sunset views in the area without the crowds you will find at larger Gulf beaches. Williams Pier extends 521 feet over Boca Ciega Bay, making it a solid spot for fishing in deeper water. This is an easy stop to pair with a Beach Boulevard walk, especially in the late afternoon when the light on the bay is at its best. Recommendation: Take your time and just sit with the view for a while. Gulfport’s beach rewards people who are not in a hurry.
Explore Clam Bayou Nature Park
For a quieter side of Gulfport, head to Clam Bayou Nature Park. Located south of 29th Avenue South off Miriam Street, the park is part of a protected estuary and offers a completely different experience from Beach Boulevard. Mangroves, marsh views, natural vegetation, birds, and kayak-accessible waterways replace the shops and restaurants of downtown. This is a great stop for nature lovers, casual walkers, birders, and anyone who wants to see Gulfport beyond its waterfront core. It is also a reminder that some of the most interesting places in this area are not polished or commercial. They are simple and worth slowing down for. Recommendation: Go in the morning for cooler temperatures and better bird activity. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water, especially from spring through fall.
Shop at Gulfport Beach Bazaar
Gulfport Beach Bazaar on Beach Boulevard is one of those shops that fits the town perfectly. It carries a mix of coastal gifts, vintage finds, decor, jewelry, clothing, accessories, local art, and Gulfport-themed items. It is the kind of place where you walk in for a quick look and leave with something unexpected. For visitors, it is a smart stop if you want a souvenir that actually feels connected to the place. For locals, it is worth revisiting for gifts, cards, and little finds that are hard to come by elsewhere. Recommendation: Stop in after walking Beach Boulevard, especially if you want a Gulfport T-shirt, a coastal decor piece, or something small and local to bring home.
Visit the Gulfport History Museum
The Gulfport History Museum is a worthwhile stop if you want more context behind the city’s personality. Gulfport has a layered local history, and the museum connects the current artsy waterfront town with the people and stories that shaped it over time. This is especially worth doing if you are already planning a slower Gulfport day. It gives you a better appreciation for the city beyond the restaurants and waterfront views, and it pairs naturally with the Discover Gulfport Walking Trail. Recommendation: Visit the museum first, then use the Discover Gulfport Walking Trail to explore the surrounding streets with fresh eyes. The shorter First Discovery Loop is a good starting point for first-time visitors.
Come Back for GeckoFest
If you want to see Gulfport at its most festive, plan a visit around GeckoFest, held each year over Labor Day weekend. The annual event features live music, more than 200 vendors, kids’ activities, street performers, food, and drinks along Beach Boulevard from morning through evening. It is free to attend, pet-friendly, and runs all day. It is one of those events that captures exactly what Gulfport is at its best: local, colorful, and completely its own thing. Recommendation: Check visitgulfportflorida.com for the exact date each year. It books up the surrounding restaurants fast, so plan ahead if you want to eat nearby.
Plan Your Gulfport Day
There are so many great things to do in Gulfport FL that it is easy to fill a full day without ever feeling rushed. Walk Beach Boulevard, catch the Tuesday Fresh Market or the Night Market, sit by the water at the pier or along Shore Boulevard, visit the History Museum, shop local, and take a quiet break at Clam Bayou. Whether you are planning a weekday market morning, a Night Market Friday, or a full day in town, Gulfport offers a relaxed and genuinely local experience that feels different from anywhere else in the area.
Whether you are planning a weekday market morning, a Night Market Friday, or a full day in town, Gulfport offers a relaxed and genuinely local experience that feels different from anywhere else in the area. If markets are your thing, we rounded up the best markets in St. Pete and Gulfport in one guide so you can plan your whole weekend around them.
