The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum) — Attraction in Saint Petersburg

✨ A TRULY MAGICAL EXPERIENCE ✨

I bought my tickets online (super convenient and definitely the way to go), but just be aware that parking is not included in the ticket price, it’s an extra charge. That said, once you arrive, the experience is absolutely worth every penny. The museum is stunning from the outside and even more breathtaking once you’re inside. It’s modern, thoughtfully designed, and every corner feels intentional and inspiring.

🖼️ The galleries are filled with an impressive and vast collection of Salvador Dalí’s works. There’s so much to see it’s truly overwhelming in the best possible way. A great tip: look for the small QR codes next to the titles of each piece. You can scan them with your phone to get deeper explanations, context, and fascinating details about each artwork. This digital component adds a rich layer to the visit, so definitely don’t skip it. It makes you feel more connected to Dalí’s imagination and creative process.

🕶️ One of my favorite parts was the Virtual Reality experience. It only lasts around three minutes, which honestly feels way too short because it’s AMAZING. You actually get to enter a Dalí painting. It’s immersive, surreal, and completely unique. I could’ve stayed in that world for hours…it’s just that magical.

🎨 There’s also a mural gallery that’s both modern and interactive. If I remember correctly, 13 artists contributed to this space (you can double-check that info online). The gallery is colorful, bold, and incredibly fun for photos. There’s even a dedicated spot where you can take your own picture and be part of the art. Once you snap it, you have the option to print it and take it home as a keepsake. It’s a perfect blend of creativity, technology, and personal connection to the exhibit.

🛍️ The Dalí Museum Store is packed with treasures. Everything from prints and books to apparel, home decor, and unique Dalí-inspired gifts. It’s beautifully curated and full of high-quality items. Whether you’re an art collector or just want a small souvenir, there’s something for everyone. I could’ve spent a whole hour in there just browsing.

☕ Before we left, we grabbed a coffee at the museum café and wow. Honestly, this was one of the best coffees I’ve had in St. Pete. I ordered a coffee and paired it with a Spanish dessert that blew my mind: the Tarta de Santiago. At first glance, it’s not the flashiest pastry (it looks simple, maybe even plain) but don’t be fooled. It’s made from almond with this hint of citrus, especially orange, and it was just divine. A total flavor explosion in your mouth, like something crafted by the gods. The entire café menu has a very Spanish feel, with tapas and other traditional items that transport you straight to Spain. It’s a perfect way to end the visit.

🌿 We finished by walking through the garden area, which was absolutely lovely. It’s calm, beautifully maintained, and full of little surprises. Don’t miss the unique rocks placed around the property some are at the entrance, others are hidden among the gardens. These rocks were part of the inspiration behind some of Dalí’s works, and they’re truly fascinating to look at up close. The textures, shapes, and colors are surreal in themselves.

🚗 I drove in from Orlando just to visit the Dalí Museum, and I can say with total confidence that it was 100% worth the trip. It’s not just an art museum it’s a total experience that merges surrealism, tech, nature, and history in such a beautiful way.

🌟 Highly, highly recommend. Go for the art, stay for the details, and leave with your heart...

To create true art:

“You must sleep while still being awake.” -Salvador Dali

This is THE Museum of Central FL. I am completely blown away. There’s a reason tickets have to be bought weeks out, because it’s that popular and proven to be so! So if you want to visit this amazing museum because obviously you do, you’ll want to try and get tickets way ahead of time. I think we bought ours 2 weeks out at least, and we had missed out several times even before that so you really have to watch for them.

When you get tickets you’ll have to choose a specific tour time, I think they do this to keep people flowing in and out so it doesn’t get too crowded. They don’t let you take in any bag with 2 straps, so either leave that in a car, or use one of the lockers they provide outside the entrance. Just make sure you read how to lock your locker before you close it, or you’ll be locked out and have to ask one of the workers like we did. (oops)

Just the outside of the Dali is so beautiful and mind bending. Then, you go inside and continue to have your mind blown. We went while the Van Gogh Alive exhibit was still set up, which is in such high demand that they have extended the dates that is it open at least once, if not twice. It truly made me emotional.

The Van Gogh exhibit is unique because it’s an immersive experience where you walk through a performance of sorts of all of Van Goghs works and the workings of his inner mind throughout his short life. It was just incredible and I genuinely could have stayed just in that exhibit all day to watch over and over. So powerful, to be able to see into the tortured mind of such an inspirational and truly brilliant person. It’s one of my favorite experiences to date, and I say that with no exaggeration.

All the rest of the museum features, unsurprisingly, Salvador Dali’s works. It’s so cool because you can download the Dali app and listen to a live tour at your own pace. You just click where you are at and it’ll give you background on each painting. I didn’t do the tour when I went due to lack of time but I will certainly be back and trying it the next time. Dali was such an odd man yet so genius, it was just a really one of a kind experience to be able to see so many of his pieces in one place.

Don’t forget to check out the back garden and patio area as well- you’ll want to see the rose mustache and the melting clock bench, it’s a lovely and picturesque little area. You can also spend most of the day and eat a meal at the cafe all without leaving the building- we got one of the desserts and it was fantastic. And lastly, they do have such a nice gift shop area with something to catch just about everyone’s eye. Wow, I really fell in love with this museum and I am so glad I was able to finally go....

Yesterday my wife and I, yearning for a small departure from the great outdoors that had dominated my camera lens, ventured out from our South Tampa base to St. Petersburg on a chilly Sunday. Our destination? The Dali Museum.

Our connection to Salvador Dalí went beyond history, intertwining personal memories and history with the artist's captivating legacy.

Before their 1942 marriage, Reynolds and Eleanor Morse's enchantment with Dalí's art at the Cleveland Museum of Art marked the start of a 40-year patronage, resulting in a unique collection of Dali’s work.

As patrons-turned-friends of Dali, the Morses initially housed their collection in Cleveland until 1971. Subsequently, the collection found its way to St. Petersburg in 1982, after a Wall Street Journal article about the collection captured the community's attention. The collection needed a permanent home and St. Petersburg was willing to provide it.

Dalí's surreal and unusual creations resonate with me as a photographer who views my photography as an art form. The connection to Dali's life deepens as his life echoes links to mine through my grandfather's generation when considering Dalí's celebrity status, friendship with Walt Disney, and collaboration with Hitchcock. Both have a connection to my own life. The distinctive mustache, a symbol of Dalí's personality, parallels my expression of personality through facial hair.

Entering the museum, my camera became an extension of artistic expression, capturing the artwork and the essence of the space meticulously designed around the Morse collection. The immersive event inside a domed movie screen offered a break from our now normal outdoor pursuits, allowing us to absorb Dalí's life and art uniquely.

In that enclosed space, surrounded by the unfolding story of Dalí, we found a perfect Sunday pastime, a respite from the elements, a celebration of art, and a connection to a bygone era. The surrealist masterpieces within the Dali Museum provided a backdrop to savor the unique moments of our ongoing journey. As we immersed ourselves in the surreal world of Dalí, our Sunday at the Dali Museum became a cherished interlude.

Now for those with even the slightest interest in art, I wholeheartedly recommend that you experience the magic of the Dali Museum if you’re ever in St. Petersburg, Florida. Dalí's unconventional creations, coupled with the immersive exhibits, promise an enriching escape. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. The Dali Museum awaits, ready to unfold its mesmerizing tapestry of art and history for all who seek an unforgettable experience.

#straycompassphotography #canonr5photographer #thedalimuseum #SalvadorDali #daliart #dalimuseum

Thomas Corrao Stray...