St. Petersburg, Florida, has plenty of sunny beaches to enjoy, but did you know that the city also is home to several unique museums? If you stay in a vacation rental in St. Pete, make sure to check out a few of the city’s famed museums. Here’s the skinny on St. Petersburg’s museums:

1. The Dalí 

The Salvador Dalí Museum is home to more than 2,400 artworks, including 96 oil paintings, 200 watercolors and drawings, and other items. Fans of this Spanish avant-garde artist will marvel both in the art and the building itself, which has a modern look that reflects Dalí’s unique style. The Dalí Museum is located very close to St. Pete’s waterfront, so you’re in a prime spot to explore other parts of the city. The museum frequently has travel exhibits from other well-known artists, such as Pablo Picasso.

2. The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art

You may be staying in Florida on the U.S. East Coast, but you can feel like you’re out west when visiting The James. That’s because this 26,000-square-foot gallery features the personal collection of American Western art from Tom and Mary James. Much of the art focuses on American Western history and American Indian cultures, but you also will find some interesting wildlife photography.

3. Museum of Fine Arts

Art lovers, take note. You’ll find your muse at St. Pete’s Museum of Fine Arts. The museum’s collection covers 5,000 years of art history and has more than 20,000 works. It features artists like Claude Monet and Georgia O’Keeffe. 

4. Great Explorations Children’s Museum

Need something to keep the kiddos occupied? Then look no further than Great Explorations. Kids can do lots of hands-on activities, from steering a boat to building with Legos to creating art.

5. Museum of American Arts & Crafts Movement

This new addition to St. Pete (it just opened in September 2021) is the only museum in the U.S. focused on the American Arts and Crafts Movement. The Arts and Craft Movement took place from about 1890 to 1930. The movement focused on hand craftsmanship, honesty in materials, and depiction of the natural world—all still valued today, according to the museum website. You’ll enjoy both the works on display as well as the museum’s modern design and its location in the downtown waterfront arts district.

6. St. Petersburg Museum of History

Discover more about St. Pete’s history here, with artifacts, documents, and photos. The museum’s Benoist Pavilion has a replica of the world’s first commercial airliner, which made the first scheduled commercial flight from St. Pete.

7. Morean Arts Center

The Morean Arts Center is not completely a museum but deserves a listing here. That’s because this interactive, arts-focused community space includes both rotating exhibits and classes. One permanent, popular exhibit is the Chihuly Collection, which showcases the unique artwork from studio glass artist Dale Chihuly.