Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg; credit Ebyabe
St. Petersburg Arts
Salvador Dali Museum
DESCRIPTION: The world’s most comprehensive and incredible collection of works by the famous Spanish master of surreal art, Salvador Dali (1904-1989). The astounding collection began in Cleveland in 1942, when industrialist A. Reynolds Morse and wife bagan their lifelong support of Dalí and his wife, Gala by purchasing his art. For the next 40 years, they assembled the largest collection of Dali artworks in the world. In 1980, the city of St. Petersburg sought out the Morses to build a permanent home for the museum here and in 1982, the dream was realized, if only in a spiffed up warehouse. Now Dali’s surreal masterworks have a home as iconic as the artist and more functional in North Downtown. As the say, the dream is SURrealized.
ADMISSION: see website for pricing options
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Wed & Fri-Sat 9:30a-5:30p, Thu 9:30a-8p, Sun Noon-5:30p
ADDRESS: 1000 3rd Street South, St. Petersburg, FL MAP
PARKING: free on premises
PHONE: 727-823-3767 or 800-442-3254
WEBSITE: https://thedali.org
Mahaffey Theater – Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts
DESCRIPTION: This performing arts facility and concert hall, opened in 1965, is located on the downtown waterfront. The 2,031-seat Mahaffey Theater features European box-style seating, a ballroom space and views of Tampa Bay. This venue has hosted a wide range of comedians like Mike Epps, singers like Chaka Khan, and tribute shows for the likes of Whitney Houston and Tina Turner. Plan on arriving at least 45 minutes before event time. Latecomers are seated at the management’s discretion. It is only a 2-minute walk from the Salvador Dalí Museum. Uber/Lyft pickup is on Bayshore Drive, east side of the Theater, near the fountain.
ADDRESS: 400 1st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL MAP
PARKING: On 1st Street South and turn right at Gate #1, follow the directions given by the parking attendants
PHONE: 727-892-5767
WEBSITE: https://www.themahaffey.com
James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art
DESCRIPTION: Years ago, co-founders Tom and Mary James traveled out West. They were captivated by the art, landscape and wildlife. The art of by contemporary artists moved them and they began buying pieces for their personal pleasure and also to help the artists earn a living. They collected works in oil, in ink, in stone. Works that define genres yet defy labels; works that evoke the spirit of a wide open frontier and the beauty of life in the wild. Since their first acquisition, a vast artistic legacy has grown — one populated by emerging artists and living legends and filled with tribal tradition and classical finesse.
In building this splendid home for a part of their vast personal collection of Western and wildlife art, Tom and Mary also have succeeded in their aim to share their vision and devotion to art with you and thousands of others.
ADMISSION: see website for prices; age 6 & under enter FREE
DAYS & HOURS: Wed-Mon 10a–5p, Tue 10a–8p
ADDRESS: 150 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL MAP
PARKING: on Levels 3 & 4 of the automated South Core Parking Garage above the museum; enter at 101 1st Avenue South
WEBSITE: https://jamesmuseum.org/
Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1965, the museum exterior has a well-deserved aura of substance and international appeal as you approach the giant Kapok tropical tree out front; refelctive of its appeal to diverse audiences, this venue is known for its fine collection of European, Asian, American, Pre-Columbian, Greek & Roman antiquities, and Photographic art; the Hazel Hough Wing opened doubled the size of the original building. The gift shop also has many distinctive baubles, games and books. First Friday of the month brings musical accompaniment by local groups; a Museum Cafe makes it easy to spend a few relaxing hours here.
ADMISSION: check website for pricing options; ages 6 and under FREE
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sat 10a-5p, Sun 1p-5p
ADDRESS: 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL MAP
PARKING: Free parking for patrons available behind the museum
PHONE: 727-896-2667
WEBSITE: https://mfastpete.org
