Bayside Tours

Bayside Tours has teamed up with the St. Petersburg Museum of History to give you a walk into the past, or a glide into the future on a Segway® HT.

For those of you that don't follow the techno trends, the Segway® HT is a two-wheeled, self-balancing personal transportation device that runs on rechargeable batteries. It is compact enough to maneuver on a pedestrian sidewalk, yet powerful enough to commute just about anywhere you want to go.

What do I do first?

When you show up for your appointed time, you'll pay and be asked to sign some papers. Next you'll view a 10-minute video that gives you the basics of the Segway's operation.

After being fitted with a helmet, you will step up on the Segway® and get some serious one-on-one instruction. The Segway® moves forward and back in response to simple body movements — lean forward and the machine glides in that direction, lean back a bit and it slows, lean back a bit farther and it stops. You steer by turning the handle with your left hand — the machine literally turns on a dime. In about 10 miutes you'll be gliding around effortlessly... it's really that simple! Now you're ready for the tour.

You'll start your Segway® tour with a key that limits it to just four miles per hour, a similar pace of a brisk walk.

So, what is riding a Segway® like?

You may feel awkward in your helmet, following the tour guide single-file, but you'll soon feel more confident. It is easy to be caught up in the wonderful sights of the waterfront parks and marinas; but, likewise, you'll find passing motorists and pedestrians getting caught up with the sight of you on a Segway® — they will gawk, they will point and most will wave. Suddenly you realize that you're the tourist attraction!

I have taken other Segway® tours, and the overall Segway® experience on this tour is unsurpassed. Depending on the overall ability of the riders, the tour guide may gradually allow riders the opportunity to experience faster speeds — first 8 m.p.h. and the 12 m.p.h. It is amazing to whiz along almost as fast as a small scooter... except there is no noise, no fuel and no polution.

This tour also adds a variety of terrains — like the ramp leading to a look-out point — to make riding the Segway® more interesting. it is fun to see how well the machine effortlessly adapts to different conditions.

It is possible for your legs to tire a bit, but the beverage break and a couple of stops for photo opportunities allows just enough time to stretch those tense muscles and you're ready to be on your way again.

What will I see on the tour?

Bayside Tours offers different tours. Tours take into account the interests of those taking the tour and how familiar they are with the area.

The tour leaves from the St. Petersburg Museum where we learned a little known fact. Did you know that St. Petersburg has the distinction of flying the first scheduled passenger airline? The first trip was made early in 1914, crossed Tampa Bay from St. Petersburg to Tampa. It was also referred to as the "Airboat Line" since it took off from and flew only feet above the water.

Next door to the museum is the unusual landmark — Comfort Station #1, a Romanesque Revival public restroom designed by Henry Taylor to match the nearby downtown St. Mary Catholic Church he also designed. We also took in historical sights, such as the storied Renaissance Vinoy Resort and the Yacht Club, which is said to be one of the oldest yacht clubs in the United States. Along the way our tour also cruised the waterfront along with Straub and Williams Parks.

The rest of the tour passes quickly as you whisk by the marina on your way back to The Pier and finally the museum, enjoying the highest speed on your Segway® and creating your own tropical breeze.

Anything else I should know?

The tour earns its five stars and is highly recommended. I had a great time and would do it again in a heartbeat, although the 1-1/2 hour guided tour isn't cheap — it will set you back $50 for an hour and a half tour or $35 for an hour tour. I believe it's well worth it and found it to be an average cost for most Segway® tours. After all, how else can you get this kind of experience? Certainly most of us cannot afford to buy a Segway® at a cool $4500.

Tours lasting 1-1/2 hours are available twice daily Tuesday through Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. One hour tours are offered Sunday at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. and Monday at 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. There is a weight restriction of 275 lbs. and a person should be physically able to stand for an extended period of time. Originally, there was an age limit of 13 years or older, then a little 8-year-old girl put the Segway® through its paces so well that management will reconsider the age restriction under certain circumstances. And, in case you're wondering if you're too old? An 85 year old has successfully completed the tour. Enough said.

Reservations are necessary and may be made online or by calling 727-896-3640.