Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Best Theater for a Live Show
Since opening its doors in 1987, The Straz has provided the best programing from Broadway to Opera to artistic shows and concerts, in five theaters and provides arts education to youth throughout the Tampa Bay Area with the Patel Conservatory. Grab a bite to eat before a show at one of three on-site Maestro’s dining options. The 2023-24 Broadway season includes sensational shows as Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Book of Mormon, Peter Pan and more.
813.229.7827; www.strazcenter.org The Florida Social Club
Best Historic Venue in St. Petersburg
Originally built in 1924 as a bank in the art-deco style, later in the 1940’s it transformed into a theatre and known as the State Theatre. Now, the building has been transformed into a venue showcasing a variety of artistic performances including aerial acts, contortionists, cabaret, burlesque, bands and more. Available to host for private events and weddings.
727.322.4600; www.thefloridiansocial.com Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Best Entertainment Under One Roof
The AAA Four Diamond hotel and 10 restaurants including Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Italian dining at Cipresso and American fare at The Rez provide plenty of dining options. For an extra sweet visit, check out Sugar Factory. Let the gaming begin with 5,000 slots machines,179 gaming tables and Poker Room with 46 tables. For a true escape, book a relaxing treatment from a massage to a manicure at the Rock Spa® & Salon for a little pampering.
1.866.502.PLAY; www.seminolehardrocktampa.com Tampa Museum of Art
Best Museum for Public Programs
A true cultural gem lights up downtown Tampa and the Riverfront with an exterior LED art display by artist Leo Villareal. The Museum’s new Vinik Family Education Center opened in 2022 expanding the year-round studio art classes, lectures, and tours that allow children, teens, and adults to discover new perspectives and learn different art-making techniques. The Museum is currently continuing with Phase 2 of its 51,000 sq. ft. expansion plan.
813.274.8130; www.tampamuseum.org Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement
Best American Arts & Crafts Museum
Step inside to a bespoke museum that transports to a different era as the building itself has unique architectural elements from a grand atrium, skylights and a dramatic spiral staircase. Its the world’s only museum dedicated to the American Arts and Crafts movement in downtown St. Petersburg. Eat lunch in the Arts Cafe and discover over 2,000 objects primarily from 1890 – 1930 including furniture, pottery, ceramic tiles, metalworks, woodblocks, lighting, textiles and leaded glass.
727.440.4859; www.museumaacm.org Tampa Theatre
Best Historic Movie Palace
The historic Tampa Theater in downtown Tampa offers incredible programing with first-run and classic movies, musical concerts, comedy performances and special events. Take the Balcony to Backstage Tour to discover the stories, secrets and a behind-the-scenes look of the historic gem. Built in 1926, Tampa Theatre was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and is an iconic Tampa City Landmark.
813.274.8981; www.tampatheatre.org Salvador Dalí Museum
Best Mind Bending Arts Museum
Become immersed in the world of Salvador Dalí at the museum showcasing over 2,000 works comprised of oil paintings, watercolors, drawings, prints, photographs, sculptures and objets d’art. Newly opened is the Dalí Alive 360°, an immersive experience celebrating the life and creative genius of Dalí, one of the most influential and inventive artists of the modern era. Surround yourself in 360 degrees of light and sound within a monumental new Museum space: The Dalí Dome.
727.823.3767; www.thedali.org The Sound at Coachman Park
Newest Amphitheater in Clearwater
Opening earlier this summer, The Sound by Ruth Eckerd Hall is downtown Clearwater’s newly reimagined Coachman Park on 19 acres with a 9,000 person open-air performing arts venue. There is both 4,000 covered seating and open lawn space for 5,000. Upcoming shows included Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, Chicago, the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Dwight Yoakam and so much more.
727.791.7400; www.rutheckerdhall.com/the-sound The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art
Best Museum for the American West
Head West and inside the James Museum in downtown St. Petersburg to discover over 400 pieces of art work depicting the people, landscapes and history of the American West. The artwork exhibition changes as its part of an over 3,000 pieces from the Museum’s Founders Tom and Mary James collection. The museum has over 30,000 square feet of gallery space, a museum shop, and available for private events.
727.892.4200; www.thejamesmuseum.org The Florida Aquarium
Best Natural Environment Aquarium
Check out the new MORPH’D exhibit in the new Mosaic Exhibit Hall that showcases the story of survival of electric eels, paddlefish and more. Opened in 1995 in downtown Tampa, The Florida Aquarium showcases more than 7,000 animal and plant species and helps promote stewardship of the environment, along with conservation efforts. A $40-million expansion plan was recently announced that will include several exciting new experiences; most notably a grand outdoor sea lion habitat.
813. 273.4000; www.flaquarium.org Florida CraftArt
Best Non-Profit Art From Fine Craft Artists
Fine craft techniques and art pieces are shown in the gallery featuring ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, sculpture, and wood from over 220 fine craft artists from around the state on Central Ave. in downtown St. Petersburg. Discover the 30 colorful Murals within a four blocks of the gallery on a weekly walking or biking tour. Each November, The CraftArt Festival, a 2 day juried contemporary craft festival with 100 top fine craft artists, is held.
727.821.7391; www.floridacraftart.org Amalie Arena
Best Multi-Event Venue
From hockey to concerts, the 670,000 square foot arena hosts more than 150 events each year. It’s home to Stanley Cup Champs, the Tampa Bay Lightning starting each September through the entire hockey season. Upcoming concerts include John Mayer, Aerosmith and the Jonas Brothers.
813.301.6500; www.amaliearena.com Museum of Fine Arts
Best Art For Diverse Audiences
The MFA has a world-class collection of works including Monet, Morisot, Rodin, Cezanne, Renoir and Wiley located along the waterfront in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg. The upcoming exhibit Explore the Vaults will showcase rarely seen pairings and drawings.
727.896.2667; www.mfastpete.org ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Best Kid Friendly Zoo
In the heart of Tampa, gather the kids and head to ZooTampa to discover over 1,000 animals set on 56 acres in the heart of Tampa. See animals from Asia, Africa, Australia and Florida including the new Florida Wilds area with the endangered Florida panther. Get up close with special Signature Encounters and Feeding Experiences including the Lorikeet Landing, Manatee Critical Care Behind the Scenes or the Giraffe Encounter.
813.935.8552; www.zootampa.com The Glazer Children’s Museum
Best Place To Explore & Dream
A great place for kids to play with purpose and sized just right for kids to learn and explore. Located in downtown Tampa, The Glazer Children’s Museum is a place for kids to experience learning environments where they can play, discover, come face-to-face with Big John the Triceratops. Get up close and personal with the first-ever large fossilized dinosaur skeleton at nearly 26 feet long and 10 feet high.
813.443.3861; www.glazermuseum.org USF Contemporary Art Museum
Best Contemporary Art Museum in Hillsborough County
On the campus of USF, adjacent to the USF College of The Arts, the museum organizes and presents exhibitions of contemporary art. The collection includes more than 5,000 pieces of contemporary graphics, works on paper, sculptures and photography by internationally acclaimed artists, such as Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg and James Rosenquist. To discover the latest exhibition schedule, check the website.
813.974.4133; www.cam.usf.edu MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
Best Large Outside Concert Venue
Get those covered seats and it won’t matter if it rains, but enjoy the seats on the lawn for that neighborly feeling at some of the largest musical acts performing at the Amphitheatre from country to rock. Shows in 2023 include Sam Hunt, Eric Church, Jason Aldean and Zac Brown Band, and more.
813.740.2446; www.livenation.com American Stage
Best Regional Professional Theatre
Entering its 46 season, the American Stage promises a season that is wildly entertaining, inviting, bold, and rings clearly with an invitation to connect. Producing Artistic Director, Helen R. Murray hopes that if anyone ever wonders where or how they belong, the art we make at American Stage will let them know that they belong. Art in the Park is Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
727.823.7529; www.americanstage.org The Palladium Theatre at St. Petersburg College
Best Affordable Venue for Music
Support the artists that showcase their talents at the historic gem in downtown St. Petersburg, the Palladium Theatre which hosts a variety of concerts and performances featuring genres of classical, jazz, blues, theatre, opera, Celtic, comedy, dance, educational, literary, community events, and more. The venue is comprised of two theaters, the Hough Hall seats 850 and The Side Door seats 175.
727.822.3590; www.mypalladium.org Ruth Eckerd Hall
Best Performing Arts Venue in Clearwater
Since opening its doors in 1983, REH provides a variety of programing from seasonal favorites in musical acts and comedy performances. The team at REH also manages Ruth Eckerd Hall On The Road program and education classes and instruction to over 46,244 students.
727.791.7400; www.rutheckerdhall.com Duncan McClellan Gallery
Best Local Glass Gallery
Located in the Warehouse Arts District in St. Petersburg, the gallery and outdoor space showcases the glass works with rotating exhibits featuring national and international artists. Owner, Duncan McClellan created the DMG School Project to provide educational opportunities to artists and the community to showcase glass as a creative medium, along with classes available in the Hot Shop.
855.436.4527; www.dmglass.com Jannus Live
Best Outdoor Music Venue in St. Pete
Known for the eclectic variety of bands and performers, look to the iconic, outdoor venue in downtown St. Pete to discover new DJs and artists. The venue is standing room only and is a fun gathering spot to watch the numerous concerts from local and emerging artists to national artists.
727.565.0550; www.jannuslive.com Imagine Museum
Best Contemporary Glass Museum
It houses a reflection of color, motion and light with a 1,500 piece collection of contemporary glass art. On display are more than 500 pieces representing 55 artists with masterpieces. Find unique gifts of jewelry and home accessories in the Museum store.
727.300.1700; www.imaginemuseum.com Chihuly Collection-Morean Arts Center
Best Collection of Colorful Glass Art
The art work of renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly is part of a collection that was created in a building specifically designed for the spectacular works. Located in the Central Arts District in downtown St. Petersburg, The Chihuly Museum is part of The Morean Arts Center consisting of three venues that have been part of the arts community for nearly 106 years. Check out the art of glass blowing in a Hot Shop Demonstration or try it yourself with a Hot Shop Glass Experience.
727.896.4572; www.moreanartscenter.org Florida Holocaust Museum
Best Living Memorial Museum
Let us never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust. The St. Petersburg museum has evolved into the preeminent source of Holocaust information and one of the foremost Holocaust institutions in the country with original artifacts, videos, photos and programming. Scheduled to open Sept. 30 is We Share The Same Sky, an exhibition that tells the story of Holocaust survivor Hana Dubová and her granddaughter, Rachael Cerrotti, who spent more than a decade retracing her grandmother’s wartime history.
727.820.0100; www.flholocaustmuseum.org The Mahaffey Theater
Best Waterfront View Theater
Located on the waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg, the 2,031-seat cultural theatre offers unique programing including national and international artists and performances in pop, rock, comedy, dance and more. The Florida Orchestra also calls this theatre home when performing in St. Pete. Comedian Taylor Tomlinson is scheduled in November, along with the Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet for the holiday season.
727.892.5767; www.themahaffey.com The Studio@620
Best Home for Community Visual & Performing Arts
There are a variety of events on the programing calendar from concerts, film screenings, literary readings, dance performances, theatre productions, yoga classes and art exhibitions that truly are meant to entertain and educate the community. Since 2004, this art studio created by a group of passionate and creative people have been dedicated to artists, it’s audience and volunteers.
727.895.6620; www.thestudioat620.org |
