When traveling around Europe, if you’re an architecture you go to look at the old churches. Religion is not necessary a factor— they are absolutely beautiful, and the history behind them is just mind-blowing. You don’t need to be Catholic to know that Michelangelo’s David will be one of the greatest pieces of art ever created. Likewise, you don’t need to be a theater nerd or an avid moviegoer to appreciate America’s historic movie theaters. There’s more to theater than just Broadway, and here are five stunning theaters across the U.S.
1 Tampa Theatre (Tampa Bay, Florida)
Located in Downtown Tampa, Florida, this is one of Florida’s historic landmarks. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1978. It was built all the way back in 1926, and even still plays a variety of documentaries, foreign and independent films every single day. It’s the only non-profit movie palace.
Head down to bright and shiny Southern California to see this particular theater. The theater was created in 1926 and houses over 1,500 seats. In 1990 Balboa underwent a full restoration, and today it is used as a performance venue for several non-profit art groups.
Wisconsin doesn’t just have great cheese. They also have a surprising number of artists. At the theater you can find an annual fine arts and crafts fair, both a performing arts and comedy series, and other arts and culture programming. Wisconsin: there’s more to it than you think!
Built all the way back in 1904 and originally opened as the Majestic Theater, in 1942 it was remodeled into a European style movie house. In the 1960s the Majestic closed, and it wasn’t until the 1980s was it opened up again and refurbished by Harvey Lichtenstein, and in 1999 it was renamed in his honor.
Well, after you’re finished walking around all day in Catalina, or maybe come back from zip-lining, you’re going to be tired. And what better way to relax before you go to the mainland than by visiting Avalon Theater? Movies are played every night at 7:30. It was built in the Mediterranean Revival style, and is a truly beautiful sight to behold, both on the inside and out. There’s also a ballroom, a history museum and a casino on different levels of the building. It’s right along the ocean, so it makes for a great place to take pictures.
