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Florida Arts & Culture

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Florida is a vacationer's paradise and offers a multitude of vacation destinations, attractions and options for every traveler as evidenced by the millions of travelers who visit the state. In addition to the sunshine, beaches and theme parks, Florida offers many excellent cultural venues, events and  festivals to enjoy across the state.

 

Clearwater/St Petersburg/Largo: Outstanding theaters characterize the Clearwater area. The Ruth Eckerd Hall and the Richard B. Baumgardner Center for the Performing Arts are well known and respected for their acoustics and state-of-the-art equipment. The Salvador Dali Museum is home to the largest collection of his work outside Spain.  The Museum of Fine Arts feature world renowned artists.  Great Explorations-The Hands on Museum and The David L. Mason Children’s Art Museum are interactive museums for children.

Daytona Beach:  Although known as the “Worlds’ Most Famous Beach”, Daytona has a developing arts and culture scene that is not to be ignored.  The Peabody Auditorium is home to numerous Broadway shows, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Daytona Beach Symphony Society and the Civic Ballet. 

Gainesville:  The Florida Natural History Museum is the largest museum of its kind in the Southeast United States and the Samuel P Harn Museum on the University of Florida campus is the largest university affiliated art museum in the United States. 

Jacksonville:  The Florida Theatre is a real “throwback” in time to all the beautiful theatres built in the 1920’s and the Cummer Museum boasts more than 5,000 works of art on display.  The Museum of Science and History is a great educational experience for the kids.

Miami:  Miami is known for much more that the glitzy nightlife and incredible beaches.   The city has an active Arts and Culture scene that is second to none.  Miami’s Design District and the Wynwood Arts District is the place to visit.  The Dezer Collection Museum covers the 100 year history of the automobile and the Olympia Theater hosts feature films, live performances and special events.  The Miami Science Museum is a great educational experience for the kids.

Orlando:  Orlando has far more than theme parks to consider and has some of the best museums in the state of Florida.  The Charles Homer Morse Museum in eclectic Winter Park features the world’s largest collection of Tiffany art.  Also in Winter Park you will find the Cornell Fine Arts Museum that features both original and traveling exhibitions.  The Orlando Museum of Art offers numerous annual and off-site exhibits while the Enzian Theater is famous for its productions of feature films and musical performances.  The David L Carr Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Orlando is rapidly gaining notoriety for its Broadway series.  The Orlando Science Center is a great educational experience for the kids.  In Nearby Lakeland, The Polk Theater offers a selection of feature films and comedic performances.

During 2015, Orlando will be opening a multiple entertainment venues that will include a multi-million dollar Performing Arts Center.  This center is ideally located minutes from the Amway Center, home of the Orlando Magic and world class entertainment events. Construction will begin in 2015 adjacent to the center that will create an extensive nighttime entertainment complex.   Rounding out the downtown venues is the construction of the new soccer stadium that will house Orlando's new entry into the world of professional  soccer.  And if that isn't enough, Citrus Stadium will have undergone a multi-million dollar refurbishment and will be hosting current and many new outdoor events in 2014.

There are numerous new attractions that are opening at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World and various theme parks in the area.

Naples/Sarasota:  Along with its beautiful beaches and laid back lifestyle, The Naples/Sarasota area offers at least two world class Museums:  The Patty and Jay Baker Naples Museum of Art which features world class paintings, sculptures & drawings. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art offer American, Asian and European masterworks.

Palm Beach:  Palm Beach offers two museums that are consider as a “must see” and one for the family with children to enjoy.  The Norton Museum features a permanent collection of Chinese, European and American works of art while the Flagler Museum is a step back into Florida’s early days in the railroad industry.  Why not make a weekend out of it and enjoy one of these fine hotels.

Pensacola:  Military buffs will want to visit the National Aviation Museum; the world’s largest of its kind in the world.  

Tallahassee:  The Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee is known for its look back into the states cultural history.

Tampa:  Tampa has a remarkable Arts and Culture scene with a variety of events that are ongoing on a weekly basis.  The cultural scene is centered primarily in the downtown area and there are excellent hotel accommodations nearby.   The Florida Holocaust Memorial Museum and Educational Center  is world class.  The Museum of Science and Industry is an excellent museum for the kids to enjoy!  Check out these excellent entertainment venues and hotels and enjoy a mini vacation in beautiful Tampa Bay.