.
Feedback

What's the Best Museum in the Tampa Bay Area?

From Sarasota to Tarpon Springs, there are plenty of excellent museums just a day trip away.

School is almost out for the summer, and parents in the Tampa Bay area are in luck: There are plenty of esteemed museums within an hour's drive of the Tampa Bay area.

Which local museum is your favorite? Here's a rundown of art, science and history destinations across the Bay area — just follow the links for hours, directions and upcoming events.

Cast your vote for your favorite museum in the poll below. Did we miss your favorite? Please let us know in the comments.

About Readers' Choice: Voting is open from 9 a.m. Monday to 9 a.m. Friday. Any ties will be broken based on reader comments and reviews. Poll choices represent a sampling of local businesses and are not intended to be all-inclusive. Would you like a free business listing in the Patch directory? Email your business name, complete street address and phone number to chris.taylor@patch.com with "Missing Listing" in the subject line.

Andrew May 7, 2012 at 02:21 pm
What about the Circus museum in Sarasota
Emily Seawell May 7, 2012 at 03:40 pm
Hi Andrew! You're right: Even though the Circus Museum is part of the Ringling Museum complex campus, it's technically a separate museum. We'll count votes for Ringling to include the mansion, Circus Museum and all the other fun stuff there. Thanks for pointing that out!
Joy Kobasko May 7, 2012 at 04:28 pm
This one is really difficult for me, especially because *all* of the museums in the Bay area are excellent in their own way. It all depends upon the experience you wish to have. For the best family day, clearly the Glazer Children's Museum or MOSI is what you're seeking.
In my own experience, the most profound, important and education experience I ever had at a museum was at the Florida Holocaust Museum. Their goal is not simply to serve as a memorial for the Jewish holocaust, but for those which continue to happen around the world.
Alex Tiegen (Editor) May 7, 2012 at 04:35 pm
I keep meaning to pay the Holocaust Museum a visit.
Lauren Hendrickson May 7, 2012 at 05:53 pm
Most definitely Chihuly! What a wonderful place to visit and learn about glass. And where I learned about my new hobbie. Such a great experience and everyone was so nice to me and my family. Not to mention the opportunity to purchase glass pieces from local artists.
Nancy Westphal May 8, 2012 at 03:48 am
Dali Museum gets my vote! The art and the architecture and then Cafe Gala is the nicest Cafe with deliciously fresh food served daily!
Velva Lee Heraty aka Dream Momma May 8, 2012 at 04:46 am
Crasftsman House? Really? Florida Museum of Photographic Arts would have been a better fit.
Kristin May 8, 2012 at 04:39 pm
USF Contemporary Art Museum!!!
Betsy May 9, 2012 at 11:48 am
what about Heritage Village in Largo?? That's a terrible omission to not include that location!!
Audrie R May 17, 2012 at 03:50 am
Thanks for the reminder of all these wonderful venues. There are so many wonderful museums and galleries in the Tampa Bay area. We as a community are so lucky. Let's go visit all of the ones in the competition and listen to the follow up comments and visit all of those places as well!
Audrie R May 17, 2012 at 03:55 am
BTW, I just heard that St. Petersburg was voted the Best Cultural Destination in the US for a medium sized city the third year running! Hello, that speaks volumes for all of the Arts in the area!!!

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Clearwater Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Ronald Joseph Kule June 17, 2013 at 05:00 pm
The Fort Harrison is such a great venue for many events... a real showcase location for the city.