No matter how meticulous you plan and how hard you try, you can’t control the weather. There’s a chance that the rain will disturb an otherwise gorgeous and wonderful day.
Thankfully, Anna Maria Island has some inspiring and historically rich museums and attractions. While some are huge, others are much smaller in scale- but not in their ambitions. Below are some of the museum things to do near Anna Maria on a wet and rainy day.
The Dali Museum
You may have to take a solid drive over to the Dali Museum, but it is considered the largest collection of his work anywhere in the world. Across multiple stories, you can witness the history of Dali unfold. The museum holds some of his most iconic treasures in a building that is an astonishing work of art in its own right.
Anna Maria Island Historical Society
This cozy little museum is one of the island’s most interesting little treasures. It features the island’s original jail. The main building of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society was once an icehouse. Now it is covered in historical photographs and artifacts. The museum is free to attend.
Family Heritage House
The Family Heritage House is a valued resource center for African American history and art. The modest local museum collects artifacts from the community, African mask displays, original manuscripts, books classic and contemporary, and handmade items from local African-American icons.
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
The John and Mable Ringling Museum is actually a collective of at least three different museums in one huge area. Standing as one of the leading Sarasota museums, the grounds has a rotating exhibit in the Museum of Art, usually featuring a specific country. There’s also a statue courtyard and a famed upscale castle on the water called the Ca’ d’Zan.
The main attraction is the Ringling Museum itself- a collection celebrating and immortalizing the frenetic and fun acts of Ringling’s century-old history. You can see authentic Ringling art, train car recreations, recreated displays of some of the most famous acts, and more.
If you could only go to one museum on your vacation, make it the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. You have to step outside to get between the different exhibit halls, but you will venture through beautiful walking paths and stunning butterfly gardens.
Florida Holocaust Museum
The Florida Holocaust Museum is, of course, a dedication to the millions of lives lost in our darkest era. Museum leaders strive to raise the dignity of human life, the redemptive arc we are all capable of as long as we cherish and empathize with different cultures and people. The main exhibit is a permanent addition: History, Heritage and Hope. It focuses on personal stories, showcasing the humanity behind the depravity and what we can learn from their story.
Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts is a fascinating mixture. Instead of defining one such area of art from a specific culture or time period, the museum covers four centuries of art and media from Africa, Europe, and America. It is an impressive collection, never defined by one thing and incorporating pottery, photography, painting, and everything in between.
Plan Your Trip
Stay at one of our top Anna Maria Island vacation rentals, rain, or shine. No matter the weather, you have some memorable experiences at every corner.
South Florida Museum
The South Florida Museum is a family-friendly romp featuring the entire history of Anna Maria Island, from the prehistoric to today. You can find watch a show at the digital planetarium or stop by the aquarium to see animal artifacts and living manatee in the manatee rehabilitation area.