Saint Petersburg, Florida is an Art Lover’s Getaway

When you hear about Saint Petersburg, Florida, you probably don’t associate it with fantastic art collections.  But, you should!   Saint Petersburg isn’t just about those beautiful, sparkling Gulf of Mexico beaches.   Two of Florida’s (and the nation’s) best art museums are found right here:  The Dali Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.   So, go ahead and head to the beach in the morning.  Then, spend the afternoon soaking up some of art’s greatest masterpieces.

The Dali Museum houses the most comprehensive collection of Salvador Dali works in The United States.  Dali, best known for his surrealist paintings, also dabbled with Impressionist and Cubist styles.  This impressive collection features some of Dali’s most iconic works from 1917 through 1970.   Among the collection highlights are Self Portrait, The Average Bureaucrat, and The Hallucinogenic Toreador.  With 96 oil paintings and over 100 drawings and watercolors, visitors can easily spend a few hours taking it all in.   Special events and programs are scheduled throughout the year, including the popular Breakfast with Dali for Families.   For more details, visit www.thedali.org.  Click on the Special Offers tab for a $2 coupon off admission.

The Museum of Fine Arts is one of Tampa Bay’s cultural gems.  It’s the region’s only museum that houses more than 4,500 years of art under one roof.   Art lovers will thoroughly enjoy taking in the works of Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir that adorn the walls.  History buffs will enjoy the Pre-Columbian pieces and the Greek and Egyptian antiquities on display.   We recommend taking the General Docent Tours that are offered daily (and included in your admission.)  The tours are entertaining and highlight the collection’s most impressive pieces.  Then, relax in one of the beautiful gardens and gaze out over sparkling Tampa Bay.  For more details, visit www.fine-arts.org

Looking for more vacation ideas?  Then, visit our website, greatamericanvacationideas.com , for complete travel guides to destinations around the country!