Showmen's Museum

This museum is filled with history and unique objects and stories. The staff were kind and professional. Be advised that although the website says $15 entry, we were each charged $20 to get in. I didn’t say anything because this place was so cool, but wanted to let others know the actual price. We will definitely share this place with friends and will return again soon.

A great place to visit and see some circus memorabilia. There's signs with information on many of the items and even those that don't have signs are interesting in their own right. They have old, non-playable games and the prizes that would have been won, as well a original costumes and promotional art. Some areas of the museum were less well-developed, but that means you'll likely see some changes if you visit again soon. It was neat to see the working ferris wheel inside the museum, but it was rather noisy.

This place was awesome. The history behind some of the games and the carnival workers, how they came to be, was really interesting. There is a movie on youtube about Barnum and Bailey that's pretty cool. How they traveled from town to town. Definitely worth checking out, the couple at the front had some cool tales.

Interesting piece of Americana. We found this place after watching an episode of the X Files (S:2,E:20, “Humbug” set in the nearby town of Gibsonton, FL. We wanted to see if it was a real carnival performers town and found this museum in Google. It is definitely worth the visit if you love the history of circus and sideshows. Check the hours before coming because it’s only open in the weekend. Drive thru the main gate in front of the building and park on the right side of the building. The staff is really friendly and will answer any questions you might have. The museum and its bathrooms are very clean.

Great museum! Knowledgeable owners/staff.

Such a fun outing on a random weekend! This place is much larger than we expected. We spent about 2 hours on a self guided tour looking at all the carnival memorabilia they've collected, dating back as early as the late 1700s. And of course, goofy pictures are encouraged! Parking was easy inside the gate and around to the right of the building. There were also a couple of neat large vehicles and train cars on the outside property. I think our favorite part, other than silly photos, was the huge diorama and the detail they put into it. It even included the little power wires on the ground originating from generators. Definitely recommend!

The Showman’s Museum was so fascinating to see. It’s off the beaten path in Gibsonton which has a rich history and where carnival folks would winter. The museum is done well and so much to see. I’m old enough to remember many things that I saw there. It is worth the visit for sure.

Really enjoyed my visit! I could’ve spent days there learning about history. Well curated collection and it’s displayed well. Really takes you back in history. Be sure to take time to talk to the people who work there - you’re sure to enjoy the conversation. Can’t wait to go back!

Amazing!! Spent close to 2 hours here. So much to see and read about. Letters, posters, coupon books, scrapbooks. Not just objects to look at but so much more. Take the time to come over and see this. Plan at least 2 hours if not more. Friendly owners. Clean restrooms. 2 floors. Only $30 for 2 adults. Would recommend!!

It's no wonder this place has a perfect 5 star rating - I was blown away by this one! Best museum in the state of FL by far. And for a $10 admission fee, it can't be beat. When you pull into the parking lot you are already getting an exhibit with really interesting amusement vehicles to look at. The staff is absolutely fabulous and passionate about what they do. This place is also a lot bigger than you'd expect when you walk in. Plan to spend about 2 hours or more because there is so much to look at. I think my favorite features were The Viking Giant (you'll understand when you go) and the functional ferris wheel in the middle of it all. It really makes you appreciate the business and the history within. Gibsonton gem - tell everyone you know to go here!

A must see! This was so interesting. $10 per person and the staff was very friendly. So much history. It takes about 1-3 hours depending on how much you want to read. My favorite were the letters written to purchase exotic animals for the circus.

Very eclectic collection of circus memorabilia. My husband decided to stop here on a whim and I am glad he did. I saw displays of side show acts from the past I was not even aware of. We were told they also have a circus once a year across the street at the Showmen property. They are hoping to start them up again now that everything is open again.

Very interesting exhibits and very well laid out. Usually only open on weekends. Highly recommended. five stars!

Neat hidden gem. Interesting exhibits and friendly staff. Definitely a must-do for folks seeking to do something alternative in Tampa.

Early one Saturday morning, I was trying to find a fun activity for my wife and me to do together. I went to Groupon and saw a listing for the International Independent Showmen's Museum offering a steep discount for a two-pack of tickets, and thought it sounded fun. I didn't set any expectations of what I thought the museum would be, because even it was terrible, it would still be an adventure. The museum is located close to a couple of landfills. Yes, you read that right. It's in Gibsonton, Florida and is kind of in the middle of nowhere. The building is unremarkable, and there is little on the outside (other than a large carnival generator and a traveling carnival trailer) to mark that it's a museum. However, on entering, we were utterly blown away by the scope and depth of the exhibits that serve to mark the lives of carnival workers throughout the years. There are TONS of photos of people who lived and worked in traveling carnivals, and the placards do a great job of explaining carnival history. There are displays of (still working) carnival games, stages, and vehicles. There's even a carnival train car that served as an office for a past traveling carnival. There are exhibits dedicated to "The Viking Giant" (including a life-sized statue) as well as an antique organ that helped to entice carnival-goers to buy popcorn. Throughout the museum, everywhere you look, something is interesting to look at. My wife and I took our time going through the museum, and we were there for a couple of hours. However, we both agreed that we'd be going back to take another pass at everything because we were both sure there was a lot that we missed. Honestly, this is the best museum I've ever attended. It's a fascinating look into a way of life that is slowly disappearing, and it's evident that the staff that manages this museum is passionate about the topic.

This was a great way to spend an hour for ten bucks! There are two stories also. The woman that was working was really sweet too. It was a lot larger than I expected! They even had a merry go round and a Ferris wheel that was actually moving. And the miniatures! So cool, I couldn't help but wonder how long those took to make. They even had letters from the 20's. Definitely worth the stop.

It may be small, but I give this museum a high rating for what it is: a fantastically quirky and informative piece of local Americana. It ain't the Smithsonian, but it's still a wonderfully oddball attraction that harkens back to an earlier age of entertainment and roadside attractions. They have vintage circus costumes, old sideshow games and prizes, scrapbooks, posters, photos... and even pieces of vintage rides! Each time I've been, the place has been almost completely devoid of people, but any aficionado of local, circus sideshow history will appreciate the opportunity to wander as they please and to look as long as they'd like. There are only a few gift shop offerings, their library is small, and it seems to operate on a shoestring budget.... but I don't care - it's awesome! Perfect for weirdos like me.

Excellent museum. The staff and experience was great. It seems as if there will be more added in the future since there was one area that was under construction. I look forward to coming back in the future. Would be nice if maybe popcorn or cotton candy was available at the entrance for a bit more of that carnival experience..just a thought.

I have lived near Tampa most of my life and never knew this existed. I went this past weekend and thought it was so neat! Just a big slice of nostalgia

Such a neat place! Lots of props/antique carnival equipment/tributes to the performers. Very informative and fun. Not the hugest place but I took my time and spent about an hour inside. Upstairs on display is a diorama of a fair that took the maker 26 years to build!! It's huge! If you're in the area definitely stop by and check out this gem of a museum! Highly recommend! The staff are very kind as well and ready to answer any questions you have.

A wonderful museum with a great assortment of memorabilia from the outdoor amusement industry. It really was a joy to see all of that history in one place. I highly suggest anyone with even a mild interest in anything circus or carnival check it out.

Great attraction. Spend some time to read all the stories attached to the exhibits. You could spend hours here go in a cloudy day so you don't miss going to the beach.

This place is a national treasure you must drop in and visit if you are in the area. You'll find informative and entertaining info, displays and artifacts from the history of carnivals, circuses and Wild West shows. The museum is clean and quite impressive! Step right up!!!

What a great place to visit! So much memorabilia and interesting things to see. Lots of information along with an entire antique Ferris Wheel and merry go round indoors! We were warmly welcomed at the door and they are happy to answer any questions. It's an easy drive - don't miss it!