Beyond the award-winning beaches of St. Pete-Clearwater,
travellers discover world-renowned arts and culture. Home to eight walkable
museums within the lively downtown St. Pete community and dozens more ranging
from traditional to immersive, the destination’s thriving arts and culture offering
perfectly complement its 35-miles of white sugar sand beaches.
Recognising the transformative power of art, museums across
St. Pete-Clearwater offer accessible programmes for visitors navigating the
world differently, including those with autism, sensory challenges, dementia,
and visual and auditory impairment. With the support of the Center for Autism
and Related Disabilities at The University of South Florida, museums have developed
online visual guide CARDs to help guests with sensory processing differences prepare
for their visit.
No matter one’s ability, the world of art and history in St.
Pete-Clearwater is open to all. Below is an accessible guide to some of the top
museums in destination…
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art
Telling the history of the American West,
The James Museum houses
more than 400 premier works of art, amplifying the voices not often represented
in mainstream western art. With a mission to inspire human connection and
transformation through art, the museum offers sensory-friendly mornings and dementia
friendly tours, welcoming all visitors regardless of ability.
Designed for neurodivergent and sensory processing
differences, Sensory-Friendly Mornings are hosted quarterly allowing
children and adults the chance to explore the museum in a safe, supportive
environment. Beyond these special mornings, the museum offers sensory kits and
a digital Visual Guide CARD to help visitors enjoy the galleries in comfort.
Visitor’s living with visual impairments can experience the
museum in its fullest through Touch Tours. These dedicated events allow visitors to engage the
museum’s collection through the senses of hearing, smell and touch.
For those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, Art In
Mind is an innovative and inclusive gallery experience. Led by trained
docents, this judgement-free tour fosters connection and expression through art.
Visitors can book an Art In Mind tour online ahead of their visit.
Museums of Fine Arts St. Petersburg
St. Pete’s first downtown waterfront arts museum, the
Museum of Fine Arts (MFA)
boasts the only comprehensive collection of its kind on Florida’s west coast
with over 20,000 works. Featuring art from Monet, O’Keeffee, and Morisot, the
museum ensures these masterpieces are available for all to enjoy through colour
enhancing tools, sensory-friendly resources, and American Sign Language (ASL)
tours.
To ensure all visitors can experience art the way it was
designed by the artist, MFA provides specialty glasses designed to enrich
colour vibrancy for those with colour blindness and low colour vision. Visitors
simply need to request a pair of glasses at reception upon arrival. Extending
accessibility further, ASL tours can be arranged by advanced booking, allowing
deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors to fully engage with the art.
Additionally, MFA provides sensory objects including
noise-cancelling headphones and fidget tools alongside a Sensory Guide CARD to
help guests plan and enjoy their visit.
FloridaRAMA
One of St. Pete-Clearwater’s most unique museums,
FloridaRAMA tells the
story of Florida through immersive, interactive art. With a dynamic mix of
light and sound that can be activated by visitors, the museum offers a stimulating
environment that might feel overwhelming for some guests. To create a welcoming
experience for all, the museum hosts Sensory Saturdays which feature reduced
noise and lighting.
For guests visiting outside dedicated times, sensory bags are
available at the front desk which includes headphones and fidget tools, while
the on-site quiet area offers a calming break space. Staff are also trained to
support visitors with autism and other sensory needs ensuring every guest can
explore with confidence. The online sensory maps and social narratives are
available for advanced visit planning.
St. Pete-Clearwater is committed to ensuring the joy of art
and culture is open to everyone. To learn more about accessibility offerings,
please visit individual experience websites or explore an overview at
www.visitstpeteclearwater.com.
-ENDS-
For further press information please contact:
Peter Gregory / Caitlin Lesko
Rooster
T: +44 (0) 20 3440 8930
E: teamvspc@rooster.co.uk
About Visit St. Pete-Clearwater:
Nestled on a sun-soaked
peninsula on Florida's west coast, separating the Gulf Coast from Tampa Bay,
St. Pete-Clearwater is the gateway to world-class cultural experiences along
with 35 miles of award-winning white-sand beaches annually ranked among the world's
best.
Immerse
yourself in our picturesque sunsets & go beyond the beaches to explore our
unique cultural heritage, interactive art exhibits, sporting & recreational
activities, a culinary scene serving an innovatively delicious dining
experience, & great local shopping. St. Pete-Clearwater is your only
destination with spectacular beaches complimented by world-renowned museums,
family fun & endless sunshine.
Tampa
International Airport is the gateway to St. Pete-Clearwater, conveniently
located just 30 minutes away from America’s Best Beaches and offers daily
flights from London through Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. To learn more
about St. Pete-Clearwater, visit
visitstpeteclearwater.com.
Posted by: Visit St. Pete-Clearwater
Posted on: 22/09/2025