Tampa Bay History Center

We loved the self guided tour and learned lots about Tampa Bay history. The kids had a great time! There is a dress up section that's super cute. We spent about 1.5 hours and really took our time. The short history films are also excellent.

My love of history compelled me to check out this museum while in the Tampa area. It is not a hidden gem, but it is indeed a gem in downtown Tampa. It has multiple floors - each filled with great, interactive exhibits and films. There was so much to learn that my husband and I were wishing for more time as the attraction closed for the day. The exhibits cover just about all of Tampa's long, rich history. We both had a great time and it was certainly worth the price of admission. It is a large museum, so plan to spend at least 3 hours here if you don't want to feel rushed.

I only visited the ground floor, where there is an exhibition about Indian peoples. Excellent, modern, interesting! With two films in theaters and one documentary. An excellent description of the life and beliefs of mainly the Seminole tribe.

The exhibits are incredibly well-curated, blending history, culture, and local flavor. I loved the interactive displays and the way they brought Florida's past to life, from indigenous peoples to pirates and modern times. The waterfront location adds to the charm, and the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. A highlight for me was the Columbia Cafe—delicious food with a view! This is a must-visit for history buffs and anyone wanting to learn more about Tampa Bay's rich heritage.

If you find yourself with kids in Tampa, I highly suggest the Tampa Bay History Center. Staff was super nice and helpful, gift shop was great. There were also Spanish translations for all the activities.

Today I had the pleasure of visiting the Tampa Bay History Center, and it exceeded every expectation I had — so much so that I immediately purchased a family membership before leaving. The staff made the experience even more memorable; each team member I interacted with was incredibly welcoming, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic about sharing Tampa Bay’s rich story. Their kindness and professionalism set a tone of warmth and genuine pride that resonated throughout the entire visit. I spent several hours exploring the galleries, and it quickly became clear that the Tampa Bay History Center offers far more than a typical museum visit — it’s an immersive journey through centuries of fascinating history. From the deeply moving exhibits on Florida’s indigenous peoples to the vibrant and detailed displays about the cigar industry that helped shape Ybor City, every gallery was thoughtfully curated and beautifully presented. The pirate exhibit on the top floor was an absolute standout. It was not only visually stunning but packed with captivating stories and artifacts that brought the legends of Florida’s privateers and pirates vividly to life. It’s an experience that both children and adults can truly appreciate — adventurous, educational, and just downright fun. Another highlight of my visit was stepping onto the outdoor balconies. The views overlooking the Garrison Channel are simply breathtaking, offering a peaceful moment to reflect while enjoying the gorgeous Tampa Bay skyline and waterfront. What I truly appreciated about the Tampa Bay History Center is how thoroughly and authentically it tells the story of our region. From the early native cultures to Spanish exploration, Seminole history, the cattle and citrus industries, and even modern growth into a vibrant international city, the Center weaves it all together seamlessly. Every exhibit is engaging, rich with original artifacts, interactive displays, and multimedia presentations that make history accessible and exciting for all ages. The museum itself is stunning — a beautiful three-story waterfront building located in the heart of Tampa’s Water Street District, adjacent to the Tampa Riverwalk. It’s incredibly easy to combine a visit with a day downtown, whether you’re heading to Sparkman Wharf, Amalie Arena, or simply strolling along the riverfront. If you are a local resident or a visitor to Tampa Bay, I cannot recommend the Tampa Bay History Center highly enough. It offers not only a deep appreciation for where we’ve come from but a beautiful glimpse into what makes this area so special today. I am already looking forward to returning again (and again) — there is truly too much history, pride, and inspiration here to experience in just one visit.

I wanted to show friends from out of town the essence of Tampa Bay and it’s history with pirates and tobacco. This museum was the ultimate. In Incorporated both was easy to get through so you didn’t spend an entire day here and they had the infamous Columbia restaurant attached as a satellite locationto enjoy Cubans and their 1905 salad. Price was right as well.

Very nice and informative museum. Great location. Absolute day trip because you got sparkmans wharf and the street car to ride on down to ybor city.

My love of history compelled me to check out this museum while in the Tampa area. It is not a hidden gem, but it is indeed a gem in downtown Tampa. It has multiple floors - each filled with great, interactive exhibits and films. There was so much to learn that my husband and I were wishing for more time as the attraction closed for the day. The exhibits cover just about all of Tampa's long, rich history. We both had a great time and it was certainly worth the price of admission. It is a large museum, so plan to spend at least 3 hours here if you don't want to feel rushed.

We received free admission through Tampa Edition hotel. It was interesting hearing about the history of the Tampa Bay area as well as Florida. I'm not much for museums so we walked through pretty fast. It seems like there are other ways to get free tickets. If you're interested but not wanting to pay the admission price, call them to see how you can get free passes. All the staff was friendly, helpful, and passionate about the museum. You could tell they love their jobs.

This is certainly a hidden gem. We attended the Tampa Rays history class (free) and it was well done. Knowledgeable speakers and the room could not have been more comfortable. Keep them on your checklist. History lectures that are entertaining!

Tampa has a very Interesting History. I loved this museum. Especially, the Shipwreck section. It was on the Riverwalk right near our hotel. We pretty much had the place to ourselves.

I am compelled to provide feedback about a disgraceful exhibit that has everything to do with divisiveness and historical revisionism. I have attached a picture below. To place a "sign" to defund the police" is outrageous and offensive. I am a mother to a police officer and to another son who is active duty. You have NO RIGHT to display an offensive sign along with propaganda as to salaries, which are completely inaccurate for starters, and to incite and offend your law abiding citizens and patrons. I am asking you to reconsider this exhibit and take down the offensive revisionism you have somehow deemed appropriate. I will not be back to the history museum and will spread the word until this is taken down and an apology given to police officers who risk their lives to protect and defend Tampa and all other places they serve. How dare you offend an officer who you would not hesitate to call in an emergent situation.

Great history museum! My partner and I love museums and he loves history. Each floor was fun and interesting. I appreciated the attention to detail and inclusion of all, including black people. This was a refreshing American inclusion during a time when black history is being censored and erased elsewhere.

Had an amazing time visiting this beautiful history museum. There was a lot of really cool things to look and learn about. Military gets in free! So cool. Here are some pictures I took just to give a taste of the impressive history Tampa has to offer.

We've been to the Tampa Bay History Center several times, for different exhibits and functions. We've always been impressed. It has a beautiful location, on the Riverwalk, between the Aquarium and Amalie Arena. You can walk to it from either location, or take the Tampa Electric Trolley from Downtown or Ybor City or parts in between. The static exhibits are the discovery of Florida, with an engaging film when you first enter. As you move through each floor, you can explore the history of Tampa, and the individual influences contributing to its present: the Seminole Indians, cigar making, sports, the wars, and more. The visiting exhibit for now concerns fossils and artifacts. We enjoyed the interactive film about pirates, as well as the exhibit surrounding it. The pirate ship is HUGE! We also enjoyed visiting the replica of the cigar shop, and the room where workers made cigars. We did not ride on the saddles provided to watch the cattle ranching film, but we were tempted. A family before us seemed to enjoy it! We did not eat at the Columbia restaurant, outside the museum, but we did shop at the gift shop which has lots of Florida themed gifts. Note: During CoVid, masks are required inside.

This is a Tampa gem. You probably should return several times to truly learn from all of the exhibits. Great to attend with Tampa natives who have relatives that make up part of the history.

11am Saturday morning. 2 adults $33.90. Spent almost 2 hours there. Started getting busier as we were almost done. Loved the interactive movies. Loved it all. Would definitely recommend!!

A very cool museum!! Multiple levels with so much to see and do. Definitely need multiple visits. We were here for the lego exhibit and it did not disappoint but the other areas were very cool as well. The sailing and pirate history of Tampa Bay was very enlightening. There is a cool outside patio area on the top floor where you can step out and take a look of the area. Making plans to go back and see more!

A great place to learn new things about our area! Make sure to watch the films. Bring a jacket or sweater if you get cold because it definitely gets cold in the building! Plan on spending time and not rushing. There is a variety of topics to see and read about. I would recommend to the center to have some way of listening to interactive displays other than on the speakers because we weren't able to hear the information. Love the large screen map of the area and we were center able to find the area we live now and our home wasn't there yet!

Tampa bay history center was a great educational experience. Since I've just moved down here I thought visiting the history museum would be a great idea to see how Tampa became Tampa. The staff were really nice and everything inside seemed to be brand new. Lots of great natural light when you first walk in. They have 3 floors of history and each floor is different. My favorite floor was the 4th floor with the pirates. Mostly everything on the 4th floor was interactive. They also have a nice outside patio on the 4th floor with free binoculars. Lots of theatres dressed up the theme of the floor. Such as the 2nd floor was about Native Americans and the theatre was dressed up as a forest and moving parts. Tampa bays history museum is a must see!

This museum is really neat and is packed with a lot of Tampa, Florida history and US History in general. I learned a lot and the museum is set up in an easy-to-navigate way. It would be nice to have more interactive scenes, but they do have a short video aboard a ship as an interactive experience which is neat. The one thing I thought was unnecessary is the two political activist sections. While it is important to display history and this museum does a good job of it, having a section displaying materials stating "Defund the Police" as well as an LGB area is wild. Those are highly controversial political hot topics and to be displayed in a museum in that way is comical to me. But don't let that dissuade you, as it is a really cool museum overall!

Excellent presentation of local and Florida history. My nine year-old son and I were engaged by the many interactive, creative exhibits. My son especially liked the pirate treasure exhibit. He liked that he could choose multiple endings for the presentation and that he could "fire" the cannon by pressing a button. We also enjoyed the Columbia Cafe next door for a convenient, delicious lunch. A great way to spend 3 hours.

The Tampa Bay History Center offers walking tours of different parts of Tampa. We just attended the Ybor City and learned so much about our own hometown. The TBHC rotates the themes and locations of the tours, so there's always something new to learn. Our tour began at the Cuban Club where we learned about the value of these "clubs" to the immigrants that made their way here from distant places. The tour touched on historic buildings, streets and public figures. We ended our Ybor tour by stepping behind iron gates into a small park that is technically considered to be Cuban soil. No passport stamps were needed and we stayed within travel guidelines. The TBHC also does a Mafia Tour that explores the seedy organized crime history that Tampa isn't very proud of. But, alas, it's history and worth the walk. Wear comfortable shoes. I opted for cute comfort and ended up with swollen piggy toes. So... wear COMFORTABLE shoes. Seriously. After the tour, be sure to dine in Ybor city as this is not just an historic area, but it's reinventing itself as a hot dining spot too.

The Tampa Bay History Center is a beautiful museum on Riverwalk with lovely views of the Hillsborough River. There are three floors of permanent and temporary exhibition galleries highlighting 12,000 years of Florida's history. The highlights for me were the following. 1. The Touchton Map Library. It is the only cartographic center in the southeastern United States and has over 8,000 original maps, charts and other documents dating back to the discovery of the New World. Very interesting! 2. The presentation of the Seminole Wars from 1817-1858 and the Seminole warrior Coacoochee  was great with really cool special effects. The exhibit explores how African slaves worked with the Seminoles to protect the land. Really enlightening! 3. I most enjoyed Treasure Seekers! You learn about pirates and privateers including thier unique form of democracy. This included the interactive Pirates Fate  which is an 8-minute action-packed  inmersion  on the high seas with Pirates Jack Rackham and Anne Bonny. This is based on two real-life Buccaneers who sailed the Caribbean in search of plunder in the early 18th century. You vote on which direction to sail and you have an opportunity to fire a cannon at the enemy. I manned the canon and picked which direction to sail. Let me tell you, when the need arose,  I did not hesitate to fire that cannon and steal the booty!! Very fun! Terry Zitek was our guide and he did an incredible job! We had a great time. You can really spend all day here!

I was impressed with my visit to the Tampa Bay History Center. Several of the local museums are disappointing because they only have minimal exhibits. That was not the case here! There are three full floors of items to look at, explore and interact with. I felt as though I learned a lot here. I could also visit a few more times and still learn much more. Everything that I am aware of with Tampa (and even Florida) history is well covered. Tampa sports, mafia, pirates, cracker culture, Fort Brooke, Cuban history, etc. It is all here. Most of it is explored in depth. They also have a lot of really neat maps and pictures of things that do not exist anymore. I found these particularly interesting. There are fun little interactive experiences throughout the museum. We rode on a saddle that was supposed to stimulate a horse, we did an interactive pirate theater show, we played on an etch-a-sketch that was on the side of a cow (that was kind of odd..). My friend and I spent three hours here and had a blast. We didn't read or do everything either. You could do the museum at a faster pace if needed, but we were having fun and taking our time. The greatest downside to the location is parking. There really is not a parking lot currently for the Tampa Bay History Center. However, you have options. You can park at Channelside or the Convention Center. You could also find street parking or take the free streetcar from a local lot to get here. I parked at Channelside which was $2/hour (max: $15). Teachers: bring your ID for a discount. I think they have discounts for military and other things too, but I would check the website before going. This museum was definitely worth the time and money. I would highly recommend it. When you are done, you can explore Riverwalk and Fort Brooke Park which I also recommend.

Good place to spend an hour or two enjoying Florida and local Tampa Bay history. As far as museums go this one isn't that large and I suggest allotting 1-2 hours depending on how you "museum" (verb). The museum is clean, well maintained, and flows well. The exhibits are well done and we enjoyed the temporary exhibits (fossils and pirates) and permanent exhibits. The price of entry is fair and if you take the pirate water taxi you get a few dollars off the cost of admission. The museum shared the building with the Columbia restaurant, so plan to have lunch it an afternoon snack as part of your day. Great place to spend a few hours!

April 20,2017. I am a little embarrassed to admit this, but my motivation for coming to this museum was the "Finding Fairyland" exhibit. I thought I would see Cinderella's fairy godmother, Tinkerbell, Pinnochio's fairy, the fairies of Irish mythology, the fairies in Sleeping Beauty, and famous illustrations and statues of fairies. It was not what I expected... Finding Fairyland: Rediscovering Tampa's Lost Theme Park," opened Saturday, March 18. It featured many of the original sculptures from Fairyland, on view to the public for the first time in 20 years. Snow White and Seven Dwarfs. Humpty Dumpty. Little Red Riding Hood. Once upon a time in Tampa, these storybook characters frolicked near the Hillsborough River at a place called Fairyland. After closing in 1990s - the fabled figurines disappeared, but the memory of times spent at Fairyland lived on in the imaginations of Tampa residents. Opened in 1957, Fairyand was attached to Lowry Park Zoo. The free attraction was a favorite for local families, who entered via Rainbow Bridge before encountering a 20-foot-high Old Woman in the Shoe and Mary's Little Red Schoolhouse along a winding path that included vignettes from 11 different nursery rhymes. Fairyland was shuttered in the 1990s and Rainbow Bridge was demolished. The figurines were discarded, too, resigned to a city storage yard before being recently discovered. Gonzmart purchased the figurines and plans to restore them to their original condition. Sadly, I did not see one fairy! I was not disappointed though! The museum was easy to find after my navigator took me to some winding and picturesque areas. Parking was easy. As you walk from the parking lot to the museum, you get this beautiful sense of arrival as you walk through the trees and see a view of the water and park. It was very serene and relaxing. I chose to walk a flight of stairs up to the museum. I was pleased to see a restaurant at the entrance with an outdoor view of the Tampa Bay in front of the museum foyer. Admission was $12.95 for adults. $10.95 for military. I only had one hour to spare but the admission price was worth it. The museum has numerous floors. I decided to see Fairyland at the very top floor. The statues were creepy yet delightful. I did a quick walkover looking for fairies and realized there was not one fairy! I was charmed by the story and pictures of the theme park and the rainbow bridge people walked to get to Fairyland. You could see the park and children evolve from the 50s to the 80s. The park was shut down in the 90s. After spending 20 minutes in Fairyland. I explored the rest of the museum. I walked down the stairs and explored the rest of the museum. The museum draws a path through time, linking modern culture with cigar factories, sports legends, railroad tycoons, cattle drives, pioneers, Spanish conquistadors and Florida's first native inhabitants -- 12,000 years in all. My favorite part of the museum was reading up on the history of Ybor City and the first inhabitants of Florida, the Native American Indians. Closing time came quickly! They let me stay as long as I could as they started shutting down the exhibits - floor by floor. Next time, I will make sure to come here early in the morning and stay till closing.

I visited the Tampa Bay History Center for an event with a sit down dinner where a buffet was served. The banquet had a cocktail hour prior with a cash bar. I believe the history center is fully catered and shares a bar with the Columbia. The cocktail hour had a limited selection with one white wine, one red wine, several liquor selections, beer and of course sangria. Drinks were a bit pricey with a glass of one of the two wine options at $10. The buffet dinner was very good, they served the 1905 salad, rice, bread, a chicken dish, a delicious fish with fruit topping and churro with dipping sauce (always yummy!!). The event room was large enough for our group which was approximately 150 guests. All in all, I think the History center accommodated our group well for the size and offering provided. Further, the Channelside/Downtown location can't be beat.

A hidden gem in downtown Tampa, this is a great museum with state-of-the-art exhibits and a lot of content. The movie theater and all of the exhibits look almost brand new. Plenty of interactive exhibits. The pirate ship re-creation on the top floor is like a Disney attraction and you can learn a lot about how a sailing ship works at that exhibit. You could easily spend all afternoon here, or do what we did and spend a couple hours and have lunch at the Columbia Cafe which is in the lobby. This is a small franchise of the historic Columbia Restaurant from Ybor City. The food is really good and it is worth dining here (there is indoor and outdoor seating on two different levels). There is currently a lot of construction around the museum as downtown Tampa revitalizes, this makes parking somewhat problematic. We could only find a surface lot across a somewhat busy street behind the museum.

Kids 12 and under free - adults $14.95. The history center is beautiful - it includes exhibits about Florida history, Native Americans, a really cool Pirate exhibit my kids loved (there's a fun interactive video where you feel like you're literally on a pirate ship), plus a lot more. We went on a Tuesday during the summer and we were like the only people there which I loved! It was nice being able to enjoy all the exhibits - especially when they are kid friendly and interactive. Parking - horrible - I parked at the Channelside Parking Garage for $6 on level 3 so I could park on the side where the exit is closest to the History Center. There is a nice gift shop inside with Florida inspired gifts, tons of books, kids toys/games, etc. And I discovered there is a Columbia Cafe inside too which was packed at lunch time!! It is a smaller version of the bigger Columbia Restaurant - we didn't eat here bc I didn't see on their displayed menu anything my kids would want to eat. We walked to Channelside for some pizza instead. All and all worth a visit, great price and you can beat the heat by being inside during a summer day.

Tampa Bay History Center makes for a great family outing. We stopped in for the Brick History event and opted to become members for the added benefits including reciprocity with other local museums and science centers. The engaging exhibits include video and interactive displays making them informative enough for adults and fun for kids. Their regular exhibits cover Florida's rich history from native peoples to modern times. My boys are looking forward to the upcoming wrestling exhibit in March. You can definitely turn this into a day long event, visiting the museum for 2-3 hours, stopping at the Columbia cafe for lunch and touring around Channelside for an hour or so afterwards.

Tampa do not has many documented history. In 14 century the Spanish does touch down at Tampa. They discover the safe harbor in this area. Then the Cuban cigar factory thrive. A lot of building turn to cigar manufacturing. Today we can find them around the downtown and YBOR city. Cigar rolling bring a lot of business. You can find some of the cigar rolling in YBOR for live demonstration. Then the McDills Air Force just celebrate the 75 year anniversary. Which make this museum with another milestone. The entrance have a symbolize restaurant Columbia Restaurant which the original store open at 1905. This one located in the museum has a nice decoration.

Informative and interactive museum. I visited with my 10 and 12 year old sons. We spent the majority of our visit at the Treasure Seekers exhibition. The Pirate Fate film was our favorite! Dave's Crows Neat was a close second with awesome views!

Wow! Loads of interesting facts here for all ages! Kids will love the interactive areas. I learned so much about the local history in Tampa! Cuban cigars and Seminole Indians..battles in the bay and orange groves of course. This museum is up to date and very clean and new! There's a beautiful balcony with a view of the bay in the distance and the Hillsborough River too. We enjoyed lunch here. Empanadas were homemade and very good! We had a nice experience here at the museum.

I am a frequent visitor to history museums when traveling. This week I decided to be a tourist at home. First off, there is no parking at the museum so that is a drag. However I found a great way to get there. Park in Centro Ybor municipal parking garage. Walk one block north and jump on the trolley. The trolley stops a few steps around the corner from the museum. The building, although a small footprint takes advantage of their space. The exhibits are great. They have some cool things like sitting on a horse saddle while watching a short film on Florida Crackers. I enjoyed every part of the museum. I recommend you get there now because there is a beautiful exhibit of Florida bird prints by local artist, John Costin. A short video explains his process. Amazing. The details of his work are astounding. But wait don't leave without heading to Dave's lookout. Fantastic views of Tampa's harbor/basin. The Columbia has a restaurant there so you can grab a bite if you are hungry afterward. Then jump on the trolley back or check out Sparkman's Wharf. Wonderful staycation day.

This is the first time I visited the museum. I had been to the Columbia restaurant inside but not the museum. I took my mom and her husband there today because I wanted to see the Clyde Butcher exhibit before it left and I thought it would be a nice afternoon. It was. The exhibits cover two full floors and a half floor. The half floor is where the rotating exhibits are. There are plenty of interactive pieces and videos to see. There is also a kids area, but overall, I don't think you would bring really small kids here. I think they would have to be at least 9 or 10 to get anything out of it. We spent about 2 hours wandering through the exhibit. Other than the Clyde Butcher exhibit, my favorite parts were about the Seminole Indians, the container/shipping video and the Cigar industry. Also, this month the community exhibit features the Tampa Theatre, which is a great place to visit. On the museum's website I saw that the community exhibit changes out several times a year. I think that is a cool idea and a great way to give a variety of groups a forum. We had lunch at the Columbia afterwards. They were quite busy. Busier than I expected but then again a lot of people may have been off work or in town for the bowl game. As far as parking is concerned, you can park in the Arena's Blue lot if nothing is going on that day. It is $5. Overall, it was a nice way to spend half a day.

I was quite impressed by this beautiful museum right on the Riverwalk. There is so much interesting information here regarding the history of the Seminole and Miccosukee tribes in the area, Spanish colonialism, the cigar industry in Ybor, war stories and MacDill AFB, area agriculture, and more. My favorite area is on the 4th floor - the Conquistadors, Pirates, and Shipwrecks exhibit. It is such a neat and fun presentation on the different European explorers, life on ships during the age of exploration, celestial navigation, pirate life, and so much more. There's also currently a Lego exhibit, Brick History, on the history of the world. That's a real treat, I'm glad I got to see it. I would give yourself at least 2 hours to enjoy this museum. We left only because it was closing, otherwise we would have been there longer. It's also great that they have Columbia Cafe, so you can grab a bite to eat after absorbing all the information. I look forward to coming back again.

I love checking out a local history center when I'm visiting another city. I get the scoop on everything from early settlers and conquests to self destruction. In Tampa Bay's case, their self destructive behavior was dumping raw sewage into the bay until someone realized that it wasn't a sustainable practice. The bay has since been protected and is now a thriving area for marine life including manatees. History is a great way to learn about our mistakes so we can avoid repeating them (easier said than done). The Tampa Bay History Center offers plenty of history lessons that we can sometimes laugh at and hopefully learn from. The museum is three stories high. It begins with a movie in a small theatre which tells the tale of explorers meeting up with natives. The video is split onto three large flat screens, the largest in the middle. Interesting video and my bias radar was on until the middle screen suddenly turned blue and stopped while the audio and both side screens continued with portions of the video. Aargh, as the pirates say. Anyway, I called the museum several days later to see if the film, called Winds of Change, was available for viewing anywhere on the internet. The person I spoke with at the center was aware of the (recurring) blue screen issue but said that the video was their own production with local actors and, sorry, it's not available on the internet. Ah well, I'll stick to Howard Zinn's history for now. The first floor included several Native American Indian exhibits and plenty of hands-on interactive exhibits for kids. The second floor included a replica of a ship that sank in the harbor with a sole survivor. There were exhibits from past wars and some interesting information on MacDill AFB. The third floor was the special Pirate exhibit which I didn't find very remarkable. There was a lot of pirate artwork, a pirate hat with feathery plumes, and books on a local pirate. Probably interesting if you're into pirates or you're Guybrush Threepwood. Super cute gift shop and you can get a cafe con leche from the upper level of Columbia Cafe which is also in the center's lobby. Lots of natural light in the lobby area and you'll notice Columbia Cafe's attractively carved wooden bar. There is an outdoor deck that overlooks the Garrison Channel. Nice location and if you park in the lot next to the history center, they will give you a parking token with your admission. Overall, it's a great little local history center with a nice cafe and gift shop.

I enjoyed my visit to the Tampa Bay History Center. I didn't know this area was so rich with history. The Coacoochee Story Theater was moving! The layout is kind of confusing. They tell you you're on the first floor, but who are they kidding? I just walked up a flight of stairs, this is obviously the second floor. Also, none of the walls are square. It's like walking around in a Picasso for plan. All kidding aside, this museum may look small, but it is three floors and has 25,000 square feet of exhibit space. The History Center has a museum store, classrooms, the Witt Research Centera, map gallery, an event hall and the Columbia Cafe (which had its own page). The museum's exhibition galleries explore 500 years of recorded history, and 12,000 years of human habitation in the Tampa Bay area. During my visit, the 3rd floor (4th floor?) was a music exhibit, showcasing the blues and rock-n-roll impact on the Tampa Bay Area. It was interesting. It's open daily from 10:00 to 5:00. Regular admission is $12 for adults, $10 for students, seniors and children between the ages of 13 and 17, and $7 for children ages four to twelve. I learned a lot, my daughter learned a lot, and we all had a good time! The only thing keeping this place from 5 stars is the price. I think it's a little expensive for what it offers.

This is a nice museum located along Downtown Riverwalk next to a canal with Colombia restaurant attached to it. There is a parking garage attached to the museum and overflow blue lot parking that costs $5 and NOT INCLUDED WITH YOUR ADMISSION. It's definitely a good place to learn about Tampa history. My husband and I have enjoyed our time meandering around the museum on Museum Day where it's free admission for the entire day. You definitely want to carve out a couple hours to explore the place. Most recently, we attended an event called Sangria and Stories (WWII and the Korean War Through the Eyes of Legendary Floridian and Fighter Pilot John F. Jack Bolt, Lt. Col. USMC) where it lasted for an hour. My hubby's grandfather and Jack where good friends in the Marine Corp, so it was fun to hear stories that Jack's son delivered at the event. It was an introductory event on May 10th 2017. Jack's son talked about his father's journey as a fighter pilot in the Marine Corp and experience in WWII and Korea. The event was popular and sold out with a maximum capacity of 50 people. You can eat shitty war bread if you want to give it a try and see what it was like during Civil War to starve and eat hard, dehydrated, hard bread. It tasted like a hard cracker and was presented at one of the stations dedicated to Tampa bay area during Civil War presentation with characters dressed up from that time period. The sangria was factored in for the cost of the event and provided by Colombia restaurant. It was as good as you can expect at an add on event. I know I've had better, but I'm not going to complain because it was a nice addition to sip on while listening to the storytelling. The museum has a good clear layout and it's an enjoyable place to be on the weekend after a busy week at work. You can get a bite to eat from Colombia café and have easy access to Riverwalk.

Cute small museum on the water. It is a great event venue, and it is also a nice place to spend an hour or two on a hot day. Parking is the Blue lot next door. I don't think I learned anything new, but some of the memorabilia was cool to see. My toddler enjoyed running around the small cabin and sitting at the children's table. I don't know if this is a place that warrants a return visit. But since I was able to visit for free due to membership reciprocity, I'm happy about the visit I made. And I've been here for a lecture, and the venue is great as it overlooks Harbour Island. Catering was by the Columbia, which was fine for a cocktail type reception.

Learned so many new and interesting things about Tampa Bay and the surrounding area! Right in the heart of downtown so you have to pay for parking. Plan to spend a whole day there if you want to see everything and not be rushed!

I visited on a "free day" they held July 4. It was busy and there were many historic reenactors. I was impressed with the exhibits on three levels and the media / movie rooms. The top floor of exhibit space was used as a gallery and Highwaymen paintings were being shown when I was there, which was interesting because I had heard about their work but hadn't seen it in person. Fun stuff!!! This is a relatively new local history museum with some interesting collections covering local and Florida history such as as a map room (compare your area's layout to what it looked like 100 years ago!) and themed exhibit spaces covering the cigar industry, sporting history, military history and periods of settlement, colonization, war and development. It's targeted generally at a younger audience but I found the exhibits interesting and I would say there is plenty for adults to discover. Very much enjoyed my visit and was impressed. Hopefully it will get even better with time. the gift shop is cute with some nice books and souvenirs. And the Columbia Cafe restaurant is part of the same building with patio dining, gelato, beverages, and nice smells. :)

Come here to learn about the Indians we kicked out of their home land and the Cowboys that took it over. Very moving stories.

This was our first visit. We attended an after hours lecture so didn't see everything. What we did experience was totally first rate. Afterwards we enjoyed dinner at the Columbia restaurant which is attached. Parking was an issue and Google Maps hasn't got all the streets and turns figured out since the redevelopment.

Parking is the worst. Construction isn't helping out at all either. So, go early and plan on looking for parking. And FYI, you can use the TECO cars for free if you park in Ybor and hop it at one of the stops. There is free parking in Ybor but you have to be off strip a little bit. It is an easy walk if you are capable. Today, I was suffering huge back pain so I was not able to walk hardly at all so parking off strip wasn't an option for me. So, make your way in. Check in at the counter. And make your way through the place. It is new, modern, clean and put together smartly. Staff were all very friendly. There is a small cafe and restaurant and also a gift shop. We enjoyed our time here and are contemplating a companion membership. Definitely great for history buffs. They do offer some special events which some cost $ and others are free to the public. Great view from the cafe inside.

It took me a while to make it to the Tampa Bay History Center, but I'm happy that I did. I ventured in here somewhat early on a weekend and pretty much had the place to myself, which was great. The first thing I noticed were the well-designed displays and sparkling, updated interior. It's obvious that this museum has a decent budget and has spent it well. As for the exhibits, there is a good combination of historical info and interactive activities that adults and children alike will enjoy. I learned a good deal about the sad history of the Seminole Wars and how industries developed in Tampa today. The sports exhibit was also pretty cool. The one area that could be improved is natural history and the geology of Florida. They have a small section at the beginning of the museum, but it could definitely be expanded. The staff and volunteers are great. They were more than willing to help me with my research and offer their practical suggestions. I think this would be a good place for a student to go if they needed expert input for a project or paper, or at least they could point you in the right direction. All in all a good place to visit if you live in Tamp. Give yourself about two hours for the full experience here, and don't forget the gift shop!

This Museum located in a beautiful park setting area near Channelside. There is a nice cafe at the entrance. We watched the film "Winds of Change" in the theater talked about the conflict between the Spanish conquerors and the native Indian of Tampa Bay at 1528. The 2 stories exhibition included the history of Ybor City Cigar industry, citrus industry, some school items and MacDill Air Force base items. It is a good place to visit especially for the people would like to know more about the history of Tampa Bay.

The Tampa Bay History Center has quickly become my favorite museum on this side of the Bay, and it is a great place to spend the afternoon. The History Museum is located in a 3-story building right alongside the waterfront, and behind the Amilie Arena (AKA Tampa Bay Times Forum). The easiest way to get to the museum is to drive across Old Water Street, directly in front of the big Marriott and the Arena, and then follow the signs back around to the museum. There is a parking lot immediately adjacent to the museum, and the cost of parking is included with your admission fee. For those who want to get out and take a stroll, you can easily reach the museum by parking your car in Channelside, or near the Convention Center, and then following the Riverwalk. The Tampa Bay History Center faces Harbour Island, and you can sit on their outside terrace at one of the umbrella-shaded tables and enjoy something to eat or drink in the fresh air. I started my afternoon at the History Center with a stop at the indoor location of the Columbia Café for a 1905 salad and a cup of their very delicious Spanish Bean soup. My high-top table overlooked the Riverwalk, as well as gave me a view of their spectacular hand-carved wooden bar. WOW! After lunch it was time to start exploring. The second level of the building is the first story of the museum, so after paying your admission it's through the doors and time to step back into history. Your self-guided tour begins with a look at Florida's first people -- the indigenous tribes of native Americans who had settled in our State. There's a very good movie which portrays the Spanish landing in the New World, and their interactions with the Indians. Walking along past the exhibits, you'll be transported back to the days of the Seminole and Miccosukee Indians, and learn about their daily lives -- hunting, fishing, simple agricultural tasks, making baskets, and weaving blankets -- quite an idyllic life. As you walk through time you'll see more about the European explorers and learn about their less-than-stellar interactions with the natives. The need to conquer land for the Queen and search for gold seemed to far outweigh our ancestors' common sense. There's a lot of information about the various Indian Wars, and the story of the famous chief Coacoochee. Next up is the story of tobacco, the Cuban immigration to Florida, and the development of the cigar industry in Ybor City -- leading to Tampa's nickname of "Cigar City". Very interesting displays about the cigar factories and the life of a cigar roller. Up the stairs and the timeline brings us to the time of the Florida cow herders and crackers. (The term "cracker" refers to cracking the tip of leather whip in mid-air as they made the cattle mosey along.) You'll learn about life on the cattle ranches in the center part of our state. From there you'll spot the exhibit about Florida's citrus industry, and hear the story of growing, picking, packing, and shipping oranges, grapefruit, and more. Tampa's history moves along quickly with stories about Italian immigrants and organized crime invading Ybor City, and living alongside the Cubans. You'll learn about the importance of the military in our region and hear stories of soldiers from the various wars. There's a great exhibit about the history of the Gasparilla Pirate Invasion, the impact of professional sports on the Bay area, and the development of the Tampa Port to enhance commercial trade. All sorts of little tidbits of history which kept me entertained for hours. The tour finished up in the map gallery where you can visually see the development of various cities and towns in Central Florida through the changes in their city maps. I was very impressed by the quality and the diversity of information shown in this museum, and will definitely be back. If you're a history buff then you might want to consider an annual membership which includes free admission, regular newsletters, and access to lectures and special events.

My family and I were out for a walk on this past, beautiful Sunday along the Riverwalk and I snuck in a museum visit! I'm the only fan of museums, the others tolerate my interest, coming along just to keep me entertained. This time though, the Tampa History Center turned out to be interesting for all of us. I really did not expect such high quality exhibits and displays. The depictions of the Seminole People and Wars of the 1800s, brief look into the colorful past of Ybor City and an overview of the importance of the Port of Tampa were all really engaging. They've also got a traveling exhibit of costumes from popular sci fi shows of the past and present that had me slightly "geeked up" :). If you're a resident OR visitor to the Tampa Bay area, the Tampa History Center is a good way to learn about what came before us. Good for kids too.

Enjoyed my visit yesterday to the museum . There were very few people there. Lunch at Columbia was good:salad,soup,Cuban sandwich. Very few people in restaurant too. The problem is parking, That area is a disaster.need to download parking app if you want to park close to museum.

For the population of Tampa, I expected the museum to a bit larger, but it is still a good size museum and packs a big punch. There was a lot of information spread over 3 floors and all different mediums. Videos, touch maps, old store fronts set ups and even more stuff in their special exhibit on Pirates. The pirate exhibit was really neat, I failed at trying to tie all the different types of knots. There was an interactive pirate experience where you would choose your adventure and could fire cannons. Some of the commands were not working that well while we were there but it was still fun. I learned a lot and if they keep getting new exhibits with interactive parts like the pirate one, it would be great to go back on another visit.

The museum is very in depth, enriching, and a real Downtown Tampa treat. I paid $12.95 because I'm a teacher. There is a lot to look at and read. In fact, it can be a bit mind boggling. I'd suggest looking at the first and second floor, then go get lunch and return after. The third floor is an entire pirate exhibit with a nice viewing deck of Downtown to clear your head. Parking for me was relatively easy. I parked at the aquarium which was $6.

I consider myself a historically minded person, but this was all fluff. The one cool thing was the multi media presentation on the Seminole Wars that was super intense. In the back on the first floor of the museum. I did like the exhibit about the importance of social clubs in Tampa history. For the rest, there just wasn't very much there, there. The third floor has an exhibit on the history of the Patio!? Seriously!? There isn't even anything up there. A large part of the museum is meant for kids, so a good place to bring them. Nice that they have an outpost of The Columbia.

I think everyone should visit this place. You can learn a lot of interesting information about Tampa Bay and Florida. A lot of interesting exhibits on three floors. You can spend 2 hours here or all day. It is also worth visiting a souvenir shop and finally cafes.

Looking for fun things to do with the kids in Tampa? Visit The History Center!!!! We loved it! There are lots of historical artifacts and history throughout and even some interactive learning for the kiddies. Our kids especially loved the Pirate Ship upstairs. And there's a spectacular view on the 3rd floor as well. We opted to walk across the street and check out the updated Sparkman Wharf, but in hindsight, we should've just stuck around and ate at the Columbia Cafe at the Center. Heads up for that. There's also a little splash area out front that the kids can play in after you're finished inside. Super cool place!