2020 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Update:
Tickets are currently available for the 2020 Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg happening March 13 – 15.
The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is 3-days of fast cars and world-class drivers. It’s also a whole lot of family fun! The St. Petersburg Grand Prix happens around the same time each year. If you’re not a local, March is the perfect time to visit Florida – especially if you’re on spring break or wanting to escape the cold. The Grand Prix takes place over three days (Friday to Sunday), with a series of practice and qualifying sessions prior to the big race on Sunday. Both 3-day tickets and single day tickets are available online at gpstpete.com. You can also purchase Paddock Passes which I highly recommend. It’s really neat to see the race teams getting the cars ready for the race.
Firestone Grand Prix of St Pete is a Family-Friendly Event!
The St Pete Grand Prix is a fantastic event that the whole family will enjoy. Just make sure you’re prepared for the loud cars and lots of sunshine. Take a look at my tips for attending Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg with kids below. We are very fortunate to have the Grand Prix in the Tampa Bay area. I’ve taken my daughter with me to the Grand Prix the last couple of years and she’s become quite a race fan.
In addition to watching the races, there are many activities for kids such as carnival rides, games, and much more, There are also some special Firestone Grand Prix activities and experiences for kids. For example, here are some of the activities from the 2018 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg:
- Support Series Driver Q&As
- Support Series Meet & Greets
- Support Series Paddock Tours
- Opportunity to high five EVERY Verizon IndyCar Series driver during the official pre-race ceremonies!
If you can make it out there on Friday, Day One, there are several driver autograph sessions available. One of the things I love about Grand Prix racing is how much the drivers make themselves accessible to their fans.
I took my 9-year old with me in 2018, and she really got into watching the races. The Grand Prix can be a long 3 days with kids, if you don’t prepare. I tend to over prepare for things and this was one weekend when it paid off.
Tips for attending Grand Prix of St. Petersburg with kids:
- Pack for Florida weather meaning bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a poncho in case of rain.
- Wear comfortable shoes, and I don’t mean flipflops. You’ll be doing a LOT of walking.
- Rest well the night before. The Florida sun and excitement of the Grand Prix races can take a toll on kids. It’s important to get plenty of rest before and after each race day. My little girl was fast asleep the moment we got into the car to head home.
- Bring ear buds or ear muffs for everyone in your family. The races can be very loud. Should you forget, there are some available at the event for purchase.
- Inquisitive kids will really enjoy paddock access to see what’s going on behind the scenes to get cars ready for the race. Paddock passes are available for a separate purchase from Grand Prix admission tickets.
- Stay hydrated. Be sure to drink plenty of water. I brought some electrolytes tablets from home to add to our bottled water, and feel like it really helped us to stay hydrated.
- No outside food or beverages are allowed, so leave your cooler at home. A large variety of food vendors are available at the Grand Prix. Just be prepare to spend the equivalent of theme park or carnival prices.
- Bring along some hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes. You’ll be glad you have them. Things can get a little messy at the races.
- Visit the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Peterburg website and subscribe to email updates. I found these emails updates to be very helpful for planning our time at the Grand Prix.
Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Tickets
In addition to 3-day passes, single day admission tickets are also available. I recommend buying your tickets as soon as they go on sale, to get the best choice of seats. Friday is typically a general admission day, with assigned seating on Saturday and Sunday. There are paddock passes available for separate purchase. Junior pricing admission is available for children 12 years of age and under, making the weekend more affordable for families.
If you’re coming from out-of-town, there are great hotels, many fantastic restaurants and things to do in downtown St. Petersburg. Some within walking distance of the Firestone Grand Prix. I recommend making hotel reservations as soon as you can, since this is such a popular event.
The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is a great time for parents and junior race fans alike. Visit gpstpete.com to learn more.
You might also enjoy reading about LEGOLAND Beach Retreat in Florida or Tips for Getting Passports for Kids.
Awesome tips! I think this sounds like a really fun family actiity! For sure for older kids!
These are all great tips to ensure both parents and kids enjoy this grand prix event. I am sure those cars are loud, but I love loud cars!
I’ve never been to a Gran Prix race before, but always wanted to. Only been to NASCAR so far and it was just too loud!
I know that my husband would love to visit Grand Prix. Sunscreen and a hat are always a must when attending to any outdoor events.
Good to know they have earmuffs for purchase if you need them. I think it would be fun to go!
No doubt my boys would lose their minds on a trip like this! These are wonderful tips and I will keep them in mind if we ever get the chance!
I have never been to one of these races. I have never heard the guys, in my family, talk about a Grand Prix race. Monster trucks and Derbies were talked about and of course, football, baseball, basketball, and hockey! This race is in Florida. I know we wouldn’t travel to see that race. We have to go to Disney World, Universal, etc. Thank you for sharing this information. I learned some new things today.
Thanks for the tips. This looks like fun.
Yep, that does look like big fun. With or without kids, it would be a fun day.