From original works by Salvador Dali and a gallery of Black portraits, to Holocaust artifacts and the gallery of 1,000 Buddhas, St. Pete’s museums offer incredible variety and inspiration. And this September, you can see it all for free as part of the annual Free Museum Day. Arts Alive! is produced by the City of St. Petersburg and participating cultural organizations in conjunction with the national Smithsonian’s Free Museum Day.

On Saturday, September 17th, access to all of these incredible St. Petersburg museums is completely free as part of the nationwide Free Museum Day program. When visiting, guests are encouraged to use the downtown parking garages and take advantage of the St. Petersburg Trolley Downtown Looper or the Central Avenue Trolley. Check out our full guide on where to park in downtown.

Also, be sure to check the websites for more information on each location, as many require tickets to be reserved in advance, and some are only open to St. Pete/Pinellas residents so be sure to bring an ID. If a ticket link is not included in descriptions, advance tickets are not required.

The Florida Holocaust Museum

A deeply moving experience, the Holocaust Museum uses first-hand accounts and preserved artifacts to tell the story of the Holocaust through the eyes of those who suffered through its horrors. The journey is equal parts sobering and inspiring.

The Woodson African American Museum

Named for the Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History Month, The Woodson is one of Florida’s premier – and fastest growing – hubs for Black culture and African American history. The museum preserves the rich, and often overlooked, history of the African American community in St. Petersburg and beyond. Find tickets here

Imagine Museum

The massive, international collection of glass art and galleries at Imagine Museum is one of St. Pete’s most visually stunning experiences, and that’s saying something for a place as pretty as the Sunshine City. Color and creativity abound on all floors. Find tickets here.

The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art

One of the ‘Burg’s newest additions to the thriving arts community, the James Museum is a journey straight into the heart and soul of the American West. Utilizing more than 26,000 square feet of gallery space, the James is a deep dive into the lives and history of the people and wildlife of the west. Find tickets here.

Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg

While the MFA houses incredible artwork from such renowned creators as Monet and O’Keeffe, the massive Beach Drive museum boasts a collection of thousands of objects and artwork covering nearly 5,000 years of civilization. A walk through MFA is a walk through human history and beauty.

The Salvador Dali Museum

The largest collection of Dali pieces outside of his home country of Spain, the waterfront museum is one of St. Pete’s most recognizable buildings and most explored museums. If you haven’t been in a couple years, you’ve missed out on some fun high-tech additions, including an artificial intelligence-led tour through Dali’s life, and an augmented reality guide to his artwork. Find tickets here. (Pinellas County residents only.)

St. Petersburg Museum of History

The home of St. Pete’s history for 100 years is a journey through time, from the birth of commercial aviation and MLB spring training here in the Sunshine City to the vast accomplishments of early Pinellas Pioneers. Inside, guests will uncover surprises at every turn, including a two-headed calf, a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy, a working replica of the Benoist XIV airboat, and the world’s largest collection of autographed baseballs. (Pinellas County residents only.)

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