Visit the museums, many of which have been built and
endowed by private benefactors to showcase their
spectacular art collections. Meet the artists during
the Second Saturday Art Walk and support them by a purchasing
a piece of artwork to take home. Attend a dance performance,
jazz concert and theater production. Watch indie films
from around the world at the annual Sunscreen Film Festival in
April. See the colorful downtown urban art murals, more than
500 to date. Create art at dozens of venues, from glassblowing
and throwing clay on the pottery wheel to sketching at
the James Museum, and taking a painting class with friends.
INSIDER’S GUIDE
TO THE DISTRICTS
The greater downtown area
encompasses six pedestrian and
bicycle friendly districts, each
with its own unique blend of
shops, restaurants, art, hotels
and small businesses. Be sure to
look for the colorful murals on the
sides and backs of buildings.
BEACH DRIVE WATERFRONT
DISTRICT
The Beach Drive Waterfront District
has a sophisticated European vibe,
with upscale restaurants offering outdoor
sidewalk dining, and boutique
shops offering women’s clothing,
shoes, glass art, jewelry and fine
art. You’ll also find several beautiful
parks, a marina, the Renaissance
Vinoy Resort, three museums – the
Dali, Museum of Fine Arts and
Duke Energy Center for the Arts –
Mahaffey Theater. The city’s new
Pier District, scheduled to open in
2020, will offer additional restaurants,
shops and a pedestrian pathway
extending out into Tampa Bay.
CENTRAL ARTS DISTRICT
The Central Arts District comprises
the 300-to-800 block of Central
Avenue and surrounding side streets.
This is the start of the city’s eclectic,
high-energy Central Avenue activity
center with locally owned shops,
restaurants and business. In this district,
you’ll find the James Museum
of Western & Wildlife Art, The
Morean Arts Center and Glass Hot
Shop, the Chihuly Collection, Florida
Holocaust Museum, Florida CraftArt,
Studio@620 and two music venues—
Jannus Live and State Theater.
2019-2020 | St. Petersburg’s Visitors Guide 33
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