<div id="c3be0912bb716eee4ca644c1dfc4ecde4"></div>Looking for a history museum? For all the history lovers in Tampa Bay, there are plenty of museums for you to visit. Tampa has a rich history and lucky for us, there are plenty of places for us to catch a glimpse of what life was like in the earlier days of Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay History Center
801 Water St., Tampa
Sunday-Saturday: 10 am-5 pm
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The Tampa Bay History Center showcases Tampa’s roots from the very beginning. With over 90,000 artifacts, it’s easy to spend a good amount of time wandering each floor.
You can learn about the true history of Gasparilla and why pirates are such a huge part of Tampa’s past, discover how Ybor City came to be, and travel through the history of Tampa’s sports teams. Learn about Florida’s Indian Heritage and journey through 12,000 years of powerful stories. Visit the Touchton Map Library to see maps, charts, and documents dating back more than 500 years. Their current exhibit includes a glimpse of life in the 1920s through fashion, art, architecture, and politics.
After spending time wandering the museum, you can visit the Columbia Cafe, featuring a limited menu of The Columbia’s famous dishes like the 1905 Salad, Cuban Sandwich, and Sangria.
Cost: $16.95 adults, $14.95 seniors 60+ and college students, $12.95 ages 7-17
Important tip: The museum hosts a ton of special events throughout the year. Check out their website to learn more.
Henry B. Plant Museum
401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
Tuesday-Saturday: 10 am-5pm, Sunday: 12 pm-5 pm
Located in Plant Hall at the University of Tampa, visitors can learn more about this historic building as well as about Henry Plant, who is credited with helping build up Tampa, and the Spanish-American War. Admission includes an audio tour so you can enjoy the Museum at your own pace.
This Museum may be small, but it houses a lot of history. Check their calendar for their Upstairs/Downstairs events where you can step back in time with single-character performances that bring previous hotel guests and staff members back to life. During the second Saturday of every month, the museum offers “Free Saturday” where the museum is free of charge to all guests.
After visiting the Museum, check out Plant Hall. There is the grand dining room where Babe Ruth, one of the most celebrated baseball players in history, signed his first baseball contract. When Plant Hall was a hotel, the U.S. military used the hotel during the Spanish-American War as an operations base. Plant Hall is one of the most recognizable buildings in Tampa because of the building’s brick design and minarets! By visiting one building, you and your date will get to see the location of many crucial historical moments.
Cost: $12 adults, $10 seniors 65+, $9 ages 4-18
Important tip: Their hours vary in December due to their annual Victorian Christmas Stroll.
Heritage Village
11909 125th St. N, Largo
Wednesday-Saturday: 10 am- 4 pm, Sunday: 1 pm-4 pm
Heritage Village makes it feel like you’re stepping back into Florida’s early history. Nestled beside the Florida Botanical Gardens, you’ll get a peek into life from bygone days.
Walking through Heritage Village, you’ll feel as if you’ve time-traveled. It’s filled with buildings and houses that were once occupied in various areas of Pinellas County, dating back to the 1850s. These structures were relocated to their present site to protect their historical significance and to share the story of the county’s history with visitors.
See the oldest house in Pinellas County dating back to 1852! You can also walk through several other homes dating from 1868-1939. Wander through businesses like a general store from 1915, the old Safety Harbor Church from 1905, and an old schoolhouse from 1912. Most of the buildings are even arranged exactly as they were back then, with original artifacts and items.
During certain times throughout the year and on special events, you can also catch demonstrations that show first-hand what life was like in the earlier days. After you’ve explored the grounds, head to the Visitor Center on the Village’s grounds to check out two museum exhibits. Learn about the history of Pinellas County through objects from the museum’s collection along with items from the archive and museum library.
Cost: Free. Donations are welcome.
Important tip: Download the FREE Heritage Village app to follow the map, hear stories, and read about each location along the way.
St. Petersburg Museum of History
335 2nd Ave NE., St. Petersburg
Monday-Saturday: 10 am-5 pm, Sunday: 12 pm-5 pm
Located right at the entrance of the Pier district, SPMOH has many exhibits showcasing local and international history. Some exhibits include photos that show the history of St. Pete, a gallery showcasing the United State’s first commercial flight, and Korea’s forgotten war. Ancient history fans will enjoy the mummy and a replica of King Tut’s tomb that you can visit without being cursed!
is also home to Schrader’s Little Cooperstown. If you and your date love baseball, make sure you go here. The world’s largest signed baseball collection is housed here, along with artifacts from baseball legends including Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Joe Jackson and Joe DiMaggio. For any couple who wants a little bit of everything, this is the Museum to visit!
The Piers Through the Years is also a cool exhibit to check out. See how the St. Pete Pier came to life over the years and learn the significance of some of the most prominent piers in our area.
Cost: $15 adults, $12 seniors 65+, $9 military, veterans, teachers, students, and children ages 7-17
Important tip: The museum is walking distance to the St. Pete Pier, which is the perfect spot to grab a meal or drink after you wander the museum.
Ybor City Museum State Park
1818 E.9th Ave., Tampa
Wednesday-Sunday from 9 am-4 pm
Ybor City has been called the “Cigar Capital of the World” and is one of two National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida. Instead of going on a bar or club date in Ybor, visit the Ybor City Museum.
The museum is housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery (which functioned from 1835 to 1973) and gives visitors the chance to learn about Ybor from the 1800s and how it developed over time – there’s more to Ybor than the main strip! There are permanent exhibits with everything from the history of the cigar industry to various immigrant groups. This Museum is the perfect date spot to learn about one of the most unique and historical places in the state.
The Museum Garden is also on site and is a must-see. Though it’s not part of the museum’s history, the garden reflects the traditional Mediterranean style courtyards from the early days.
Cost: $4 per person, ages 5 and up
Important tip: Guided tours are available but are on a firs-come, first serve basis daily at 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, and 2:30.
Pioneer Florida Museum and Village
15602 Pioneer Museum Rd., Dade City
Tuesday-Saturday: 10 am-5 pm
The Pioneer Florida Museum and Village was chartered by the State of Florida on April 30, 1961. It’s located on a 20-acre wooded hillside and lets guests take a step back in time to see old tools, equipment, carriages, and household items from yesteryear.
Visitors will get to explore the 10 main buildings on the grounds. Eight of the buildings have been moved to the Museum from their original location, so guests can see what buildings from other parts of Florida look like too. Explore old homes, a train depot, a church, a one-room schoolhouse, a packing house, and more.
The buildings are filled with displays to show exactly what life was like during the pioneer times. Old courthouse record books are available for guests to flip through at the on-site history center. The museum also hosts special events, including a Christmas market, and a WWII Living History event, so make sure to check the calendar in advance!
