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Tampa Bay History Center

561 Reviews

#22 of 145 things to do in Tampa

Museums, History Museums

Closed Now: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

801 Old Water St, Tampa, FL 33602-5418

Open today: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Review Highlights

“Great museum - Tampa history and some cigar and craft beer history also!”

They have short, informative videos and dioramas to watch along the way. Take in all three floors... read more

Reviewed yesterday

William E

mt pleasant, sc

“So Good We Joined”

We had such an informative time at this museum that we became annual members to take advantage of... read more

Reviewed 1 week ago

Rick M

Bradenton, Florida

Read all 561 reviews

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Traveler Overview

4.5 561 reviews

Excellent54%
Very good34%
Average9%
Poor2%
Terrible1%

Travelers talk about

“columbia cafe”(81 reviews)

“native americans”(33 reviews)

“cigar industry”(37 reviews)

About

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...more

Closed Now

Hours Today: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

See all hours

Suggested duration: 2-3 hours

As featured in Guide to Tampa for Families

Contact

801 Old Water St, Tampa, FL 33602-5418

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1 - 10 of 509 reviews

William E

mt pleasant, sc

14928

Reviewed yesterday

Great museum - Tampa history and some cigar and craft beer history also!

They have short, informative videos and dioramas to watch along the way. Take in all three floors - you have the choice of taking stairs or an elevator. The history of the Tampa area is covered very well from war times to prehistoric times and...More

Date of experience: April 2019

Thank William E

Rick M

Bradenton, Florida

30367

Reviewed 1 week ago

So Good We Joined

We had such an informative time at this museum that we became annual members to take advantage of all of the reciprocal agreements and discounted deals with other Florida attractions. It doesn't hurt that one of the Columbia Restaurant Cafes is also in the same...More

Date of experience: June 2019

Thank Rick M

Clint D

Nokomis, Florida

3410

Reviewed 2 weeks ago

Good Visit

Good museum provides area history with interesting exhibits but it was easy to get lost in the maze & sometimes hard to see in a logical order.

Date of experience: May 2019

Thank Clint D

DocChesapeake

Suffolk, Virginia

22766

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Wonderful blend of history & culture

The Tampa Bay History Center features superb interactive exhibits and mini theaters and a very interesting blend of Central Florida History, from the indigenous inhabitants to the early settlers, to the peak of the Tampa Cigar Trade, to the present. My one critique is that...More

Date of experience: May 2019

Thank DocChesapeake

mellovestoexplore

Florida

134

Reviewed 4 weeks ago

Spent one of my best Mothers Day at the History Center

We decided to spend Mothers Day at the Tampa Bay History Center and will be investing in the annual membership. There are so many wonderful perks to becoming a member including free entry to museums in other states! Back to my review I highly recommend...More

Date of experience: May 2019

1 Thank mellovestoexplore

Dee C

Reviewed 4 weeks ago

4th Grade Field Trip

For the past three years, I have been bringing my 4th grade classes to the Tampa Bay History Center. The students study Florida history all year long, and then come here to see artifacts, displays, maps, and countless other pieces of Tampa's history. They Love...More

Date of experience: May 2019

Thank Dee C

cdm989

Tampa, Florida

336

Reviewed April 28, 2019

An awesome pirate exhibit

Loved the interactive exhibit about pirates, Anne Bonney and Mary Read. It works well in a pirate-loving town like Tampa.

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank cdm989

qwrryyu

South Pasadena, Florida

Reviewed April 26, 2019 via mobile

Great museum

Hit a rainy morning and we needed an indoor activity. We were pleased with this choice, very interesting history of Tampa Bay Area- pirating, Seminoles, cigars, go at your own pace. Highly recommend.

Date of experience: April 2019

Thank qwrryyu

JenCav_107

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

14439

Reviewed April 22, 2019

Nice museum

Visited the museum with our children (11, 9, 8) to get a sense of the history of the area. The exhibits are high quality. My kids especially enjoyed the Pirate / Treasure Hunter section. There are plenty of interactive exhibits for children. There is a...More

Date of experience: April 2019

Thank JenCav_107

atozmowers

Port Charlotte, Florida

10418

Reviewed April 18, 2019

"A enjoyable educational experience."

Myself and my wife went to the Tampa Bay History Center. Parking was very convenient and the Colombian restaurant was very enjoyable.

Date of experience: April 2019

Thank atozmowers

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Questions & Answers

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See all 7 questions

FGE_cbkps

When is the new pirate exhibit going to open? The website says Fall 2017. Any word on a more specific opening date OR has it already opened? Thanks!

October 20, 2017|

AnswerShow all 2 answers

Hi, The exhibit is now scheduled to open in January 2018, partially as a result of our active hurricane season. I am beyond excited and hope you visit it, too!