Location: Tampa
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What to do and see in Tampa, Florida (FL): The Best History Museums
Tampa is a laid-back city with a vibrant arts scene and plenty of opportunities for adventure. Busch Gardens offers thrills for families and risk-averse adrenaline junkies, as does the domed IMAX theater of the Museum of Science and Industry. Spend a day touring Tampa’s many art museums, then cheer on your favorite Tampa Bay team at a home game. Get up close and personal with the majestic lions, tigers, and leopards of the Big Cat Rescue animal sanctuary.
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1. Best Richardson African Diaspora Literature & Culture Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
New Covid-19 Hours. Our non-profit African Diaspora Literature and Culture Museum is dedicated to the literary accomplishments of people of the African Diaspora whose ancestors were not permitted to read or write and their Cultural History. We also sell new, used and rare books of the African Diaspora.
Reviewed By CMWEM
Lovely people running the place, they’re both knowledgeable on the subject of African American history and you’d do well to listen to them speak on the topic. The tour was short, sweet and to the point. It was a rundown on the history of many African Americans throughout history and how many people are actually far more African than they think themselves to be. They have a large collection of many African writers and they’re more than happy to give an introduction to anyone who isn’t knowledgeable about African American history.
2. Ybor City State Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
The Tampa enclave's colorful history unfolds here.
Reviewed By pickytravelers40
I learned so much about the immigrants and melting pot that Ybor City was and is. It is so worth a stop, don't miss the 20 minute video, as it provides so much information. You can walk at your own pace, I was pressed for time, but spent an hour and left feeling like I read really good book. While walking the town, it was interesting to see how original Ybor buildings that were used for cigar making, commerce and social clubs in the past and how the same buildings are now being used for cigars, commerce and socialization in a new century. Loved the Roosters, don't feed them, but support 'em! Fun stop, well worth it.
3. La Casita House Museum
4. Tampa Bay History Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 599 reviews
Set sail with explorers and pirates in the History Center's Treasure Seekers gallery, journey through the everglades with Florida Seminoles, ride along with a cattle drive, and roam the brick streets of Ybor City with immigrant cigar rollers. Located on the Tampa Riverwalk, the Tampa Bay History Center features three floors of interactive exhibits, theaters and displays, a museum store and waterfront dining at the Columbia Cafe.
Reviewed By jcosta003
I haven't been to the museum in a while but I do remember I loved it the last time I went. Very informative and also entertaining sets and videos and plaques to read about many different aspects of Florida's history I didn't know about like details about the Seminole Indian wars, etc.
5. Henry B. Plant Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 803 reviews
Once the Tampa Bay Hotel, this museum focuses on the hotel's role in the Spanish-American War.
Reviewed By G4887FSalrxejk - Orlando, United States
It’s interesting to see what people do with more money than they know what to do with. Henry B. Plant built this oddly out of place hotel and filled it with eclectic furniture and decorations from around the world. The cost was about $2,500,000 to build and $500,000 to furnish. The building is now a national historic landmark and well worth the visit. There is a 10-minute film that explains Henry B. Plant’s life and what was going on in that time period that helps explain what you will see in the museum. Guests are given handheld gadgets for a self-guided audio tour for you to hear more or less about the items at your own pace. Despite the large building being a quarter of a mile long, the museum is in a tiny space. Nonetheless, this museum has an impressive amount of antiquities on display. We spent more than an hour wandering through the rooms. Items on display are bunched up in a room easy to be seen but overwhelming with the volume of items in each room. The audio tells you anything you would need to know about the items; no reading is necessary. I’ve seen enough vintage furniture in my life, I was excited to see other interesting things in the museum like old books, Colonel Theodore Roosevelt room, a binder full of handwritten letters home from a soldier, train tickets, the writing room, the first elevator ever installed in Florida, etc. The architecture is also truly magnificent. You really get a sense of life in that day. There are only a handful of free parallel parking spaces in front of the museum otherwise Thomas Parking Garage is a free parking garage 5-minute walk away. The building is shared with the Tampa University so it's a little confusing to find the museum part. The museum is closed on Monday’s. If taking pictures of the building outside, try taking a panoramic photo on your cell, it turns out really neat. We really enjoyed this museum and will be back during December for the annual Victorian Christmas Stroll in which they play music, decorate the museum with trees, lights, antique toys, and fancy ornaments for a look at Christmas past.
6. Tampa Police Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Npwhere
I took my 12 year old grandson there. I wanted to show him how small the helicopter was that I flew on as an observer for a month .(I retired from this police department). There is also a Police car, many types of guns, wanted posters, and a great Memorial Room.
7. Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
