Discover the vibrant arts and culture of Tampa Bay.
Arts and culture are a major part of the lifestyle around Tampa. And since the Villages of Citrus Hills is located just over an hour to the north, residents here have the luxury of helping themselves to those cultural amenities any time they want.
Whether you are looking for museums, fine art galleries, an enthralling ballet performance, or a symphony experience, you can find all types of cultural attractions just a short drive south in Tampa.
Here are some of the most popular venues in Tampa that you will want to explore.
Tampa Museum of Art
The Tampa Museum of Art officially opened in 2010 and has become the top venue to see modern and contemporary art. There is a strong focus on visual arts, contemporary photography, and new media.
Every Friday night from 4 pm to 8 pm, the museum runs its “Art on the House” special where the traditional admission fees are waived in favor of a “pay as you will” model. This is a great way to kick off your cultural trip to Tampa.
Tampa Theatre
Designed and built by John Eberson in 1926, the Tampa Theatre is simply stunning. Shows here are typically film screenings of classic movies, but on occasion there are also live performances.
Regardless of what type of show you plan to see, the Tampa Theatre itself is worth the price of admission. Taking in a classic film here following a delicious dinner makes a wonderful night.
Henry B. Plant Museum
Henry Plant was a railroad tycoon operating in the Tampa area during the late 1800s. He famously constructed the Tampa Bay Hotel, which was the most over-the-top hotel of its time.
Today, that hotel has been restored and houses the Henry B. Plant Museum. This is a truly unique museum experience because each exhibit showcases what staying at the hotel would have been like during its prominence.
If you are in the mood for traveling back in time, this is the place to be.
David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts
With five theaters and a rehearsal hall, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts is THE place to catch a live performance in Tampa. You can find everything here, including ballet, opera, symphony performances, and Broadway musicals.
You’ll have to check the upcoming schedule, but if you are looking to catch a live performance in Tampa, there is a good chance it will be at the Straz Center.
The Dali Museum
The Dali Museum celebrates the life and work of Spanish artist Salvador Dali. It is an interesting concept for a museum to focus specifically on one artist. The result of that concept is that you can learn much about Salvador Dali with a visit here.
The museum itself opened in 2011. It contains nearly 100 of Dali’s oil paintings dating back to 1904. In addition to the paintings, there are many other examples of his work in other mediums.
The Mahaffey Theater
The Mahaffey Theater combines the stunning elegance of the Tampa Theater with the impressive live performance calendar of the Straz Center. Throughout the year, you can see everything from Broadway musicals to the famous Florida Orchestra at The Mahaffey.
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts is Tampa’s photography museum. In addition to an impressive permanent collection and constantly rotating exhibits from world-renowned photographers, the museum also hosts photography classes and has its own “Photography League.”
Whether you are looking to catch a live performance, view a stunning photography collection, or explore what staying at the Tampa Hotel would have been like in 1880, there is no limit to where your mind can wander along the Tampa cultural scene.
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