Alisha Disclosure: Our family received free tickets to experience this Florida immersive art museum. All opinions expressed are my own. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something featured in this post - at no extra cost to you.
When you need an escape from reality, an immersive art experience can transport you to an artist-made world of imagination. At Florida immersive art museum Fairgrounds St. Pete, viewing art becomes an adventure. Interactive art and technology exhibits surround you and draw you into the story.
Fairgrounds St. Pete Immersive Art Experience
If you want to explore a uniquely Florida immersive art experience, Fairgrounds St. Pete is the spot. It’s designed as a love letter to all things weird, wacky and wonderful in Florida.
A fun date night or family activity, this Florida immersive art experience becomes a memorable shared adventure as you explore and play.
Located in the Warehouse Arts District in South St. Petersburg, Florida, Fairgrounds St. Pete is home to the works of more than 64 artists with ties to the local community. The name Fairgrounds St. Pete is a nod to the way traditional fairgrounds showcase and celebrate new ideas, talent, creativity and innovation.
In this Florida immersive art experience, mermaids are real and you can explore their whimsical Mermaid Star Motel. With a bright, retro-futuristic design, the mermaid-themed motel celebrates Florida mermaid and roadside cultures.
Adventure Through the Mermaid Star Motel
The immersive art adventure begins with a road sign that directs you to the Mermaid Star Motel. As the road ahead appears to take you through a magical portal, you are transported to a new world.
A large neon sign welcomes you to the Mermaid Star Motel. This magical motel has six motel rooms, a motel lobby, a pool and a Florida Everglades area for guests to explore. Each of the rooms features art and interactive elements designed to encourage guests to discover hidden narratives within the unique installations.
The vibrant motel lobby invites guests to take a look around the front desk and browse a display of fictitious Florida tourist attraction brochures. The adjacent pool area uses a ceiling projection and lighting to make you feel like you’re really hanging by a motel pool at night.
Across from the motel lobby, the all-pink “Sunnymooner’s Suite” flamingo-filled motel room brightly beckons. Inside the suite, look around for clues that point to a mystery to solve during your Mermaid Star Motel adventure.
Across the hall, the “Lampscape” room draws you in with lovely lamps, light bulbs and mirrors that create a dream-like infinity-view effect. Another magical place to play, the Mermaid Dressing Room features a beautiful mosaic seashell wall and mer-mazing vanity.
Florida Themes Within the Mermaid Star Motel
Throughout the Mermaid Star Motel, you’ll find fun Florida tributes like the scrumptiously-designed Strawberry Room. With folksy decadence, this immersive installation celebrates the culture that surrounds strawberry growing in the greater Tampa Bay region.
Outside the motel rooms, the atmosphere gives you the sense that the Mermaid Star Motel sits alongside the Florida Everglades. As you take in the Everglades views, you’ll feel yourself pulled to investigate “Centcom,” a flying saucer-like command center shaped like Florida ice cream shop Twistee Treat. My kids had a blast discovering what happens when you press the buttons to activate gaming elements in this control room.
Planning Your Visit to Fairgrounds St. Pete
A choose-your-own adventure Florida immersive art experience, Fairgrounds St. Pete lets you participate in the narrative or just enjoy the art. For even more adventure, you can choose to add on UV searchlight hunt and themed scavenger hunt experiences like Pepe’s Plight Coin Hunt.
Fairgrounds St. Pete encourages guests to reserve their tickets online, ahead of time. Tickets are only valid for the date purchased.
How long does it take to go through Fairgrounds St. Pete? Most people spend about 60 and 90 minutes exploring in this Florida immersive art museum.
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I love visiting these kinds of places!! Thanks for sharing your photos with us.
There is this lovely K-drama called Hotel Del Luna. Your post reminded me of that show.
This looks like so much fun! We’re RVing to Fort Desoto next month, this will be a perfect outing for us!
This looks like such a cool experience! I would love to explore St. Pete’s more. Thanks for sharing!
I need to plan a weekend trip to St. Pete and check this place out!
Ooh, I love an immersive art experience! This looks super fun. Thanks for sharing!
I look forward to exploring things weird, wacky and wonderful in Florida! This immersive art experience at the Fairgrounds St. Pete sounds perfect!