Museums Near Clearwater Beach, Florida

Clearwater Beach is more than just a beautiful beach. It offers delicious food options, fun family-friendly parties and is located nearby many indoor activities for rainy days or even cool days during a winter trip! Clearwater Beach is located just outside of Tampa and the area is filled with some great museums. From History and Science to famous artwork and Children’s Museums, the museums near Clearwater Beach have something for everyone!

Tampa Bay History Center

801 Water Street, Tampa, FL 33602

“Beginning with a look at Florida’s first peoples, who inhabited the peninsula some 10,000 years ago, and the arrival of European explorers in the 1500s, to Tampa Bay’s modern role as a port city, industrial capital of west central Florida and a draw for tourists and visitors the world over, the History Center tells the story of Tampa Bay’s and Florida’s history, heritage and culture.

The History Center is also home to the Touchton Map Library/Florida Center for Cartographic Education. The only cartographic research center of its kind in the state, the TML/FCCE houses one of the most comprehensive collections of Florida cartography in the world, with holdings spanning five centuries.”

Henry B. Plant Museum

401 W. Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33606

“Since 1933, the Tampa Bay Hotel has been home to the Henry B. Plant Museum and The University of Tampa. The building, renamed Plant Hall, is a National Historic Landmark. The Henry B. Plant Museum holds the distinction of accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums. Its mission is to interpret the history and lifestyle of America’s Gilded Age and the life and significant contributions of Henry Bradley Plant to the development of Florida and Tampa Bay. Original furnishings and artifacts and a dynamic self-guided audio tour immerse visitors in the opulence of the 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel and its rich history.

The building was bought by the city in 1904 after the death of Henry Plant in 1899. It operated as a hotel until 1932. In 1933, the Tampa Municipal Museum was established in the south wing of the first floor in order to preserve the legacy of the Tampa Bay Hotel. The remainder of the building, as well as the property, became home to The University of Tampa. The Museum houses original Hotel furnishings and art objects collected by Mr. and Mrs. Plant from Europe and the Orient. The Tampa Municipal Museum became the Henry B. Plant Museum in 1974. Since then, its mission has been to interpret the Tampa Bay Hotel at the turn-of-the-century and the Victorian lifestyles of America’s Gilded Age for people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of interest. The Museum seeks to transport the visitor through educational exhibits and events to the late Victorian period, the beginning of Florida’s tourist industry, and the early years of the city of Tampa.”

The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts

400 N. Ashley Drive, Cube 200, Tampa, FL 33602

“The FLORIDA MUSEUM of PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS is a museum dedicated to exhibiting important photographic art as central to contemporary life and culture.  FMoPA collects, preserves, and exhibits historic and contemporary works by nationally and internationally known photographic artists.”

Glazer Children’s Museum

110 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, FL 33602

“While learning is often formal and playing is for fun, the Glazer Children’s Museum encourages children to play with purpose in an interactive learning environment.”

The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum)

1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

“Inside The Dali Museum, you’ll find a gallery filled with stunning art created by Salvador Dali in his surrealist views. You’ll have the chance to observe Dali’s creative objects, prints, photographs, works on paper, paintings and book illustrations.”

The Dali Museum is without a doubt worth the drive! Learn more about what the museum has to offer.

Museum of Fine Arts – St. Petersburg

255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

“The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, Florida is the cultural leader of our community. Our comprehensive collection, exhibitions, and programs celebrate art and engage the diverse cultures and communities we serve.”

Museum of Science & Industry – Tampa (MOSI)

4801 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33617

“Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry – we call it MOSI for short – is a scientific playground with more than 100 hands-on activities!

See the stars in The Saunders Planetarium, explore another world in our NASA-funded Mission: Moonbase lunar colony and touch the future in Connectus.

MOSI’s innovative exhibits urge you to ask questions and expand your mind. We show you how cool curiosity can be – there are no tests or quizzes here. We spark conversations about the world and the future among kids and their grandparents, between spouses, and with strangers. There’s no other place like it in Tampa Bay.”

Imagine Museum – St. Petersburg

1901 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33713

“Featuring preeminent works from the American Studio Glass Movement and an extraordinary selection of contemporary glass sculptures from around the world. Imagine Museum has over 500 significant pieces of glass works on display from their 1500-piece collection. The artwork is dramatically displayed throughout the 48,000 square feet of gallery space.”

Mildred W. & Doyle E. Carlton Jr Cracker Country – Rural History Museum

4800 Hwy 301 N. Tampa, FL 33610

“Cracker Country is Tampa’s only living history museum and is located on the Florida State Fairgrounds. It was founded with the purpose of preserving Florida’s rural heritage in 1978 by Mildred W. & Doyle E. Carlton, Jr. The museum holds a collection of 13 original buildings dating from 1870-1912 which were relocated from across the state of Florida. Our buildings range from public buildings like our Terry Store and Okahumpka Train Depot, to private buildings like our Carlton and Smith homes. Today, the historically furnished buildings recreate the lifestyles of the past, and costumed interpreters portray daily living as Florida pioneers.”

Morean Arts Center

Morean Glass Studio: 719 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Chihuly Collection: 720 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Morean Center for Clay: 420 22nd Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712

The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art

150 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

“The James Museum has its roots in the deeply felt passion for art and culture shared by co-founders Tom and Mary James, and in the couple’s love for St. Petersburg, the city where they live.

Years ago, when their travels took them out West, they were captivated by the art, landscape and wildlife. The art of action and attention to place created by contemporary artists greatly moved them, and they began buying pieces not only for their personal pleasure, but also to help the artists earn a living. These two dedicated patrons of the arts collected works in oil, in ink, in stone; works that define genres yet defy labels; works that evoke the spirit of a wide open frontier and the beauty of life in the wild. Since their first acquisition, a vast artistic legacy has grown — one populated by emerging artists and living legends and filled with tribal tradition and classical finesse.

In building this splendid home for a part of their vast personal collection of Western and wildlife art, Tom and Mary also have succeeded in their aim to share their vision and devotion to art with you and thousands of others.”

Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art

600 E. Klosterman Road, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

“The mission of the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art is to collect, conserve, exhibit, and protect the works of art entrusted to its care and stewardship. Through its exhibitions, programs, and expanding collection of 20th and 21st century art, the museum strives to engage and inspire our diverse community by providing opportunities for education, enlightenment, interpretation, and research to students, scholars, and visitors.”

Tampa Firefighters Museum

720 Zack Street, Tampa, FL 33602

“Built in 1911, this building served as headquarters for the Tampa Fire Department until 1974 when the building across the street was dedicated.

During its active service years, this building presided over the 63 year transformation from horse-drawn apparatus to diesel powered rescue and firefighting vehicles. Stables were removed and bay doors were enlarged for larger and larger vehicles. Some of the worst fires in Tampa’s history were fought by dedicated firefighters rushing out of this building.

After its active service years, the building was used as storage and office space for city programs. Realizing the importance of preserving Tampa’s fire service history, a group of citizens began a 10 year project of raising funds to restore the building and open the Museum. That the Museum is open today is a testament to the persistent hard work and determination of a handful of citizens and firefighters.”

Ybor City Museum State Park

1818 E. 9th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605

“The Ybor City Museum Society and Ybor City Museum State Park invite you to experience the rich cultural heritage of Ybor City, one of only two National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida. Visit the Museum located in the 1923-era Ferlita Bakery, its lush Mediterranean-style garden and the “casita,” representative of a typical cigar-worker’s family home. Check often for special events, programming updates and news on the many exciting activities that the Museum and Society plan for you. Education and research tools help active learners, teachers and students learn more about the role Ybor City played in Tampa’s development and its reputation as the “Cigar Capital of the World.” To help preserve this legacy and ensure that it is available for future generations, we urge you to get involved by becoming a member, volunteer or donor.”

Florida Holocaust Museum

55 5th Street South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701

“The Florida Holocaust Museum honors the memory of millions of innocent men, women and children who suffered or died in the Holocaust. The Museum is dedicated to teaching the members of all races and cultures the inherent worth and dignity of human life in order to prevent future genocides.

The Museum is home to the permanent exhibition: History, Heritage and Hope, which uses original artifacts, historical photographs and documents to tell the story of the Holocaust with a special emphasis on the personal stories of local survivors. It also houses the permanent exhibition, Kaddish in Wood: Woodcarvings by Dr. Herbert Savel. These carvings are of French children who were victims of the Holocaust.”

Tampa Bay Automobile Museum

3301 Gateway Centre Blvd, Pinellas Park, FL 33782

“The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum, located in the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg area of west central Florida, features a unique collection of vintage cars and vehicles that demonstrate special creativity and imagination in their history and engineering. They include pioneering front wheel drive and rear engine cars from the 1920’s and 1930’s, and each vehicle was chosen based on the engineering achievements that made it an important part of the evolution of the automobile. These are the cars that set the standards for the engineering of automobiles today. Visitors enjoy a provocative blend of art and science in 12,000 square feet of gallery space.

Featured automobiles include Tracta, Citroën, Panhard and Voisin (France); Tatra and Aero (Czechoslovakia); DKW, Auto Union and Mercedes (Germany); Alvis, Allard and BSA (England): DeLorean (Ireland), and Willys Knight and Ruxton (USA). A special feature at the Museum is the world’s only faithful replica of the French 1770 Fardier de Cugnot, the world’s first self-propelled vehicle.”

Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum

2240 9th Ave S, St Petersburg, FL 33712

“The history of African Americans in the St. Petersburg community and throughout the African Diaspora will be the central focus of programming at the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum. The Museum serves to preserve this rich history for present and future generations of St. Petersburg residents and visitors to St. Petersburg.

African Americans have played a crucial role in the growth and development of St. Petersburg since the late 1800s. The first African Americans came to this area seeking work. Many of the early migrants worked on the Orange Belt Railroad and other emerging enterprises. As St. Petersburg grew into a major tourist destination, more employment opportunities opened for these early residents. Settling near the downtown area to be near jobs and the railroad, African Americans established neighborhoods and the community grew, establishing independent institutions. In spite of segregation and discrimination, the area thrived culturally.”

Great Explorations Children’s Museum

1925 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704

“For over 30 years, Great Explorations has been Tampa Bay’s preeminent children’s museum supporting practical learning applications through a proven creative curriculum.   Our mission remains focused on stimulating learning through creativity, play and exploration.”

Tampa Police Museum

411 N Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602

Dunedin Fine Arts Center

1143 Michigan Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698

“The Dunedin Fine Art Center offers a little something for everyone! We hope you come out to play and see why people say the Dunedin Fine Art Center is where the art is! For more information on planning your visit to the Dunedin Fine Art Center, click here, or contact us for more information.”

Palm Harbor Museum

2043 Curlew Road, Palm Harbor, FL 34683

“Local history comes alive at the Palm Harbor Museum. Once a family home and site for a citrus ladder factory, the 100-year-old Hartley House now serves as a home to the Plam Harbor Museum. We feature exhibits highlighting our local, state and national history. Displays provide self-guided learning and discovery experience for visitors.”

St. Petersburg Museum of History

335 2nd Ave N.E., St. Petersburg, FL 33701

“Sharing the stories of the Sunshine City for nearly a century, the mission of the St. Petersburg Museum of History is to collect, preserve and communicate the history and heritage of Florida with emphasis on St. Petersburg and the Pinellas Peninsula.”

Dinosaur World – Florida

5145 Harvey Tew Road, Plant City, FL 33565

“Conveniently located between Orlando and Tampa in Plant City, Florida. Dinosaur World Florida is Central Florida’s only attraction dedicated to the giants of years past. Encounter a wide variety of dinosaurs in a unique, natural lush garden setting.”

Tampa Baseball Museum

2003 North 19th Street, Historic Ybor City, Tampa, FL 33605

“The Tampa Baseball Museum at the Al Lopez House will be a home for celebration, preservation, and education of local baseball culture – from Little League to Major League, and everything in between, including: Factory, Inter-Social, Municipal, Cigar City, and Negro leagues. In this house, there’s a carefully preserved legacy. It’s a story of hope and triumph marked by original artifacts, proudly displayed for all to see. It is the actual childhood home of Al Lopez, Tampa’s first baseball player to make it to the major leagues and inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame.”