The Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida showcases works by the famous surreal artist Salvador Dali. Located at the heart of St. Petersburg by the waterfront, the museum is beside the roads Bay Shore Drive, Dan Wheldon Way, and 5th Avenue Southeast. The entire structure of the museum was inspired by the peculiarity of Salvador Dali’s works, with a spherical, geometric-styled glass atrium enveloping the spiral staircase at its entrance and walls composed of thick concrete to protect the rest of the building from the hurricanes in Florida.
Apart from educating the public about Salvador Dali himself, the museum intends to promote understanding of various types of art such as surrealism. With 96 well-preserved oil paintings, more than 100 watercolors and drawings, 1,300 graphics, photographs, sculptures, and more in its enormous, periodically rotating, and innovative exhibits, it’s no wonder the museum continues to catch the eye of the public today.
Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg-Clearwater - one of the highlights of 9 Best Things to Do in St. Petersburg and Clearwater and 9 Best Things to Do for Couples in St. Petersburg (Read all about St. Petersburg - Clearwater (and vicinity) here)
photo by Dan Lundberg (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
What are the highlights of the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg-Clearwater?
The Salvador Dali Museum features the grand paintings: The Hallucinogenic Toreador, The Ecumenical Council, Geopoliticus Child Watching the Birth of the New Man, The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, and The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory. These time-consuming, large-scale paintings invite diverse interpretations. The last painting is a 1954 recreation of his 1931 piece, The Persistence of Memory. Geopoliticus Child Watching the Birth of the New Man has been dubbed Dali’s most easily recognized painting.
Temporary shows and exhibits often draw attention at the Salvador Dali Museum, frequently relating to either Dali’s style of art or events from his life. Sometimes the exhibits feature modern artists with a connection to Dali or surrealism. In addition, there are over 7,000 important volumes, documents, and recordings in the Museum Library relating to Dali’s life, art, and the Avant-garde.
photo by Art Anderson (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
Where to eat and drink in the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg-Clearwater?
Cafe Gala is a Spanish cafe at the museum with healthy, vegetarian-friendly options. You don’t even need to visit the museum first to partake in its delicacies and enjoy its similar decor. Tapas are the cafe’s specialty, providing light menu items and those that are more filling.
Near the Salvador Dali Museum are Gratzzi Italian Grille and The Hangar Restaurant & Flight Lounge. The authentic Italian and Tuscan cuisines at Gratzzi Italian Grille will have your mouth watering in a high-standard establishment with high-quality flavor paired with an impressive presentation. On the other hand, the Hangar Restaurant & Flight Lounge offers vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free options amongst its American classics. Breakfast meals are provided at the airport bar all day. The Hangar Restaurant & Flight Lounge supplies a range of beverages with a jazz jam session every Monday night.
photo by Dan Lundberg (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
What else is good to know about the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg-Clearwater?
The Salvador Dali Museum commonly hosts family-friendly events such as holiday card workshops, poetry performances, fundraising activities, and artistic lectures such as coffee with a curator. The approximate time spent to visit the museum is 2 to 3 hours.
Similar cultural attractions near the Salvador Dali Museum include the Museum of Fine Arts, The Great Explorations Children’s Museum, and the Sunken Gardens. The Museum of Fine Arts is St. Petersburg’s oldest art museum, with collections from over 4,000 years and select masterpieces of African art, European paintings, and American photography. A children’s museum, preschool, and program center all in one, The Great Explorations Children’s Museum supplies a splendid variety of hands-on activities to spark interest in learning. Further exploration can be found at the Sunken Gardens, a botanical park with a centuries-old historical background.
Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg-Clearwater
Location: 1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
Open: Friday–Wednesday from 10 am to 6 pm, Thursday from 10 am to 8 pm
Phone: +1 727-823-3767
Start planning your trip
Where to stay in St. Petersburg - Clearwater (and vicinity)
Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
The Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk
Sirata Beach Resort
Clearwater Beach Hotel
Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Convention Center
Hotel Flor Tampa Downtown, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Pier House 60 Clearwater Beach Marina Hotel
Shephard's Beach Resort
