Toe-tapping entertainment meets scenic views of the Hillsborough River at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. A cherished institution in the Tampa area for more than 30 years, the center is known for its professional productions of popular musicals such as “Hamilton” and “Wicked.” If opera or ballet is more your style, Opera Tampa and Tampa City Ballet perform at the center regularly.

Nestled in Tampa’s bustling Channel District, Stageworks Theatre isn’t afraid to shake up the status quo by performing provocative plays that make you think such as “The Color Purple” and “The Smell of the Kill.” As Tampa’s longest-running professional theater company, this venue aims to serve as a community catalyst, eradicating intolerance through performance art and education.

Looking for a unique place to catch a film? Built in 1926, the Tampa Theatre is a nonprofit movie palace and beloved community landmark. The single auditorium boasts a full schedule of first-run and classic films, concerts, and special events that visitors can enjoy underneath a realistic-looking starry night sky.

Prepare to laugh out loud at the Improv Comedy Theater in Centro Ybor. Known for launching the careers of David Spade and Bette Midler, this comedy club has been serving up laughs in the Tampa area for more than 50 years. After the show, grab a quick bite at the on-site restaurant. The menu features a range of cuisine, from traditional American fare to Mexican.

At the Tampa Museum of Art, rotating exhibitions highlight ancient, modern, and contemporary art styles. From highlighting the artists of Old Tampa Bay to showcasing the beauty of Black history through black and white photography, the museum’s interactive exhibits celebrate the diverse perspectives in the art community.

Don’t miss out on the galleries and exhibitions at the USF Contemporary Art Museum. Serving the community since 1989, the museum is located next to the USF College of Arts. They offer special gallery tours and a variety of rotating exhibitions like “Jesse Murry: Rising” and “Necessary Angels: Jesse Murry & Lisa Yuskavage,” so make sure to check their schedule to confirm what will be on display when you visit.

If you love photography, The Florida Museum of Photographic Art (FMoPA) is a must-see attraction. An eye-catching building featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, the museum is almost a work of art itself in the heart of downtown Tampa. Exhibitions rotate throughout the year, with past exhibitions including “The Company We Keep,” an intimate portrait of humanity’s connection with animals, and the works of internationally renowned artists Suzanne Camp Crosby and Mariette Pathy Allen.

Formerly located in the historic Ybor City entertainment district, The Orpheum is now in the up-and-coming North Tampa area. With over 20 years of shows in the books, some of today’s best-known and emerging artists from Gayle to Four Year Strong have graced The Orpheum’s stage. Not only that, but the venue also boasts other types of performances like professional wrestling, art shows, charity fundraisers, and more.