Things to Do at Mahaffey Theater

The Mahaffey Theater, built in 1965 and renovated in 2012, seats 2,050 people in its modernist auditorium overlooking Tampa Bay. Ticket prices range from 5 for upper level seats to 50 for premium orchestra - the theater hosts everything from Broadway touring productions to symphony concerts throughout its September-to-May season. The building's floor-to-ceiling windows in the lobby provide stunning bay views, while the main auditorium features excellent acoustics designed specifically for live performance. As you take your seat, the theater fills with the excited chatter of patrons and the rustle of programs, while the air conditioning creates a cool refuge from Florida's heat and humidity. The lobby's marble floors echo with footsteps and conversations, punctuated by the gentle clink of glasses from the bar service. When the lights dim and performances begin, the acoustics create an intimate atmosphere despite the theater's size - even whispered dialogue from the stage carries clearly to the back rows.

St. Petersburg's theaters are scattered throughout the historic center, but they're all reasonably accessible by metro. The Mariinsky is near Sadovaya station, while the Alexandrinsky sits right on Nevsky Prospekt near Gostiny Dvor station. Walking is actually your best bet if you're staying in the center - the distances aren't that far and you'll get a better sense of the city's layout. That said, the metro is efficient and runs until about midnight, which works well for evening performances.