Hottest Spots in the Tampa Art Scene

September 20, 2019 · 3 min read

Whether you live in the Tampa area or are just visiting, if you enjoy art, there are several museums and galleries worth checking out. Let's explore some of these art scene hot spots and what they have to offer.

Cracker Country

Cracker Country combines art and historical artifacts to tell the story of the settlers who arrived in Florida in the late 1800s. The museum has a collection of buildings constructed between 1870 and 1912. These buildings include the Terry Store, Okahumpka Train Depot, and Carlton House. The homes feature furnishings similar to the ones owned by the original inhabitants. The Governors Inn building houses the first complete collection of oil portraits of Florida's governors. In the Church building, you'll find a Packard Reed Organ from the early 1900s. During your visit, you can observe historically dressed educators create arts and crafts.

The Dali Museum

The Dali Museum is home to the most extensive collection of Salvador Dali's works outside of Europe. Highlights of the 2,400-piece collection include the surrealist's famous Lobster Phone sculpture and paintings such as "Catalan Bread" and "Landscape of Port Lligat." The museum is also home to several of Dali's book illustrations, prints, and personal photographs. The Dali Museum's 7,000-volume library is an excellent resource for students and scholars. While visiting the museum, you don't want to miss out on exploring the AvantGarden, situated on the Tampa Bay waterfront. This peaceful oasis features a grotto, a stunning collection of orchids, and olive trees. Throughout the year, the museum hosts yoga classes, opera performances, and film presentations.

Florida Museum of Photographic Arts

The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts (FMoPA) is dedicated to the preservation of historical and contemporary photographs while presenting them in a way that is relevant to modern life. The museum's collection includes works from such renowned photographers as Cindy Sherman, Olivia Parker, and Blake Yeager. If you're interested in honing your photography skills, FMoPA offers classes ranging in subjects from basic photography to mastering social media.

Henry B. Plant Museum

The Henry B. Plant Museum, housed in the former Tampa Bay Hotel, is a Moorish-inspired architectural wonder. Original furnishings and artifacts allow you to experience the luxury and history of the 1891 hotel. The museum also houses the Asian art collection that once belonged to the Plant family. The gardens, overlooking Tampa Bay, feature flowering plants, tropical trees, and unique statues. A visit to the Plant Museum is a unique glimpse into the beginnings of Florida's tourism industry.

Morean Arts Center

Founded to provide arts education to the Tampa Bay Community, the Morean Arts Center also houses stunning works of art from renowned local and international artists. An impressive Dale Chihuly collection features "Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier," a piece created specifically for the Center. The Morean Center for Clay is the southeast's largest working pottery studio and features a collection of historical and contemporary pieces. These are just some of the hottest spots for art in the Tampa area. No matter which one you visit, you're sure to have a memorable experience. Image via Pixabay.com

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Jan 15, 2021 in Things To Do In Tampa FL

Indulge at These 4 Tampa Spas

Everyone needs to take time out now and then to escape the stresses of everyday life. Tampa, Florida, boasts some superb spas to help rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. Here are four of the area's best day spas. more Spa Sudeva Spa Sudeva, formerly known as Spa Sundra, on South MacDill Avenue offers a holistic sanctuary where you can embrace a more natural way of being. Luxuriate in the rich textures, colors, and fabrics and the tranquil lighting of the treatment rooms and relaxation lounge. Spa Sudeva aims to take you on a journey that stimulates every sense. Begin your spa experience with some Zen time in the tea and meditation lounge while wearing the provided warm and cozy robe and slippers. You can also enjoy the infrared sauna before your treatments. Inspired by exotic and ancient treatments of Europe and the Far East, the massage, facial, and healing rituals are designed to enhance your physical and emotional well-being. Cielo Spa Voted by South Tampa magazine as the Best Day Spa in South Tampa in 2020, Cielo Spa on West Azeele Street is an elegant, modern oasis of tranquility. It even has a beautiful outdoor relaxation area. The spa aims to help you to escape the pace of your daily life, unwind your mind, and take you on a journey to well-being and relaxation. You will leave feeling focused and with a sense of renewed positivity. The massage and body treatments include an eminence body wrap or scrub, reflexology, a healing stone massage, an expecting mom massage, a relaxing scalp treatment, and the Cielo bamboo massage. You can also choose from skin treatments, waxing, facials, and brows, lashes, and nails services. Soho Wellness & Med Spa Located on South Boulevard, Soho Wellness & Med Spa is owned and operated by a mother-and-daughter duo and specializes in services for the mind, body, and soul. The owners combined their skill and training in hypnotherapy and medical aesthetics and incorporated massage treatments to provide a complete cosmetic and relaxing spa experience. On the Soho spa menu, you'll find the infrared sauna, massage and body treatments, facials, nail services, and waxing. Medical treatments include Botox, fillers, micro-needling, peels, and threads. Kybella is used for the treatment of fat under the chin area. Vivace uses radio frequency micro-needling for tightening and toning the face, neck, hands, and body. Spa Jardin Established in 1999, Spa Jardin on South MacDill Avenue specializes in treatments inspired by all things botanical. The spa is an unhurried oasis with beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces and cascading water features that create an ambiance of serenity. Your experience starts in a tranquil room with small bites and wine or hot tea. Enjoy a foot bath before your spa treatments. Revitalize your body with an immersive touch therapy such as an algae mud wrap, an herbal body polish, or a hot stone, Swedish, deep tissue or Thai fusion massage. Spa Jardin also offers manicure, pedicure, and eyelash services. Each of these Tampa spas offer packages to combine its spa treatments. Whichever one you choose, you should leave looking and feeling your best. Image via Pixabay.com

Dec 22, 2020 in Things To Do In Tampa FL

3 Family-Friendly Activities Around Tampa

Tampa, Florida, is full of fun activities to do with the family. Whether you are looking for some adrenalin pumping excitement or something a little more educational, there is something for everyone in Tampa Bay. Here are some activities you might want to try the next time you are looking for a new adventure. Busch Gardens At Busch Gardens, you get two experiences in one visit. This safari-themed park gives you exciting rides and an opportunity to visit over 200 different species of animals. Busch Gardens has some of Florida's best thrill rides, such as the Tigris, which is Florida's tallest launch coaster. There are other coasters, such as the Cobra's Curse, 2020 Hybrid Coaster, Cheetah Hunt, and Sheikra. If you want to cool down with a water ride, you can do the Congo River Rapids or Stanley Falls Flume. more For younger children, the Serengeti Express takes you on a train ride through the Serengeti as you look for different animals. You can also do the Air Grover, which is a Sesame Street themed roller coaster for smaller children. This theme park is also home to hundreds of animals, such as cheetahs, tigers, lions, elephants, and giraffes, to name a few. There are animal experiences that you can do, such as animal feeding opportunities, or animal connections, which lets you see the animals up close. There are also tours you can try that take you through different animal exhibits. Dinosaur World Dinosaur World takes you to the land of the dinosaurs. This park lets you see hundreds of life-sized dinosaurs in a natural setting. There are plenty of interactive exhibits that kids can experience, such as a fossil dig, dino gem excavation, and a boneyard. There is also an Exploration Cave Show that takes you on a guided tour with a Paleontologist. A unique feature of their Prehistoric museum is the motion-activated animatronics that brings the dinosaurs to life. Dinosaur World is the only dinosaur-themed park around Tampa and is a must-see for any dinosaur lover in your family. Adventure Island For hot days, you may want to find a place with water to keep you cool. Adventure Island is guaranteed to cool you down with their 10 water slides, 17,000 square foot wave pool, and lazy river. For the adrenalin junkies, Vanish Point sends you free-falling down into the water. Younger children can try the Calypso Coaster which takes two passengers down on a tube for a fun, wet ride. In addition to the wave pool, Paradise lagoon is a 9,000 square foot pool that incorporates slides and waterfalls. There is also the Rambling Bayou that is a half-mile tube trip through a lush rainforest where you can relax while keeping cool. Be sure to check out the website for ticket prices and more information about their many activities. These are only three activities out of many that are found around Tampa. For more ideas, you can visit USA Today's list of the 10 Best Things to Do With Kids in Tampa. Image via Flickr by Richard Elzey under use of CC BY 2.0

Nov 17, 2020 in Things To Do In Tampa FL

Where to Play Golf in Tampa, FL

If your idea of a good time includes playing 18 holes of golf, Tampa, Florida, is a great place to live or visit. This city houses a number of golf courses of varying levels of difficulty, many of which offer beautiful views of the green, lush natural surroundings. more Saddlebrook Resort At Saddlebrook Resort, golfers can enjoy spending the day on an Arnold Palmer-designed course. Palmer is a legend in the golf world and designed one of the courses at this high-end resort, featuring well-maintained greens and rolling fairways surrounded by palm, pine, and cypress trees. If you need a lesson, check out the classes offered at the state-of-the-art training facility, where courses are taught by professional golfers. The Palmer-designed course is a par 71, while the Saddlebrook Course is a par 70. Additional amenities include the Saddlebrook Preparatory School for junior golfers, a pro shop offering sportswear, accessories, and golf essentials, club cleaning services, rental equipment, and the 16-acre training center. Pebble Creek Golf Club Pebble Creek Golf Club is a popular place to play a round of golf in Tampa. It's also a place where golfers can enjoy great value when participating in their favorite sport. The championship course is open to both skilled and novice golfers, featuring pristine greens, mature oak trees, and a plethora of wildlife. You may even spot an alligator or sandhill crane as you stroll or drive the course. After your golf game, enjoy a meal at Mulligan's Irish Pub, an upscale eatery located near the clubhouse. Food and drinks are also served within the course clubhouse, which is a family-friendly location offering casual dining options. The Claw at USF The Claw at USF is one of the most challenging and beautiful courses in Tampa. It is situated on the University of South Florida's picturesque campus and offers stunning views of the area's natural landscape. The university's nationally-ranked men's and women's golf teams use the course for practice and events, but it's also open to the public. Throughout the course, you'll find tight, long fairways lined with mature trees, as well as enough wildlife to make you feel like you're teeing off in a nature preserve. In addition to the 18-hole course, this location features a grass tee driving center, a large chipping/putting green, and a learning center for newcomers to the game or those who want to continue improving their skills. Don't forget to grab a bite at Rocky's Sports Grill, a newly revamped restaurant located near the end of the course. Rocky Point Golf Course The city of Tampa took over Rocky Point Golf Course in 2003, and its location across from the airport makes it a great option for those traveling in and out. Of the course's 18 holes, 12 feature water features, while the wind in the area can add to the challenge. The Pointe Grille is on the property and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bar bites, alongside its selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. Book a tee time at one of these Tampa golf courses on your next day off. You're sure to enjoy the challenging terrain, beautiful scenery, and amenities offered at each location. Image via Pixabay.com

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