The great surrealist painter Salvador Dali might’ve lived and thrived in Spain, but a large collection of his works have made it all the way down to Tampa in the Salvador Dali Museum. Turns out highbrow culture can be found in the sunshine state. The museum boasts work spanning Dali’s entire career from 1904 through 1989 collected by longtime Dali lovers Reynolds and Eleanor Morse. His famous melting clocks painting might live in New York City’s MoMA, but you’ll find an elaborate collection of more off-the-beaten-path works down in Florida. The full collection includes 96 oil paintings as well as drawings, book works, sculpture, photos, manuscripts and an archive of documents from throughout the Spaniard’s career, filling three floors with seemingly never-ending Dali. The physical structure of the museum itself is as complex and playful as the seminal artist, with a free-form geodesic glass bubble, a helical staircase and an outdoor garden that includes a labyrinth. If you’re bored with the art—which we guarantee is unlikely—the space itself is a place to play and explore. Even the cafeteria, named after Dali’s wife Gala, is a lesson in Spanish cuisine and hosts events like an annual craft beer party. But the special events aren’t limited to the cafeteria, of course—the museum host’s talks, performances, films and even yoga. Stretch and enjoy the art.
