Tampa, Florida

History

Cracker Country is a living history museum located on the Florida State Fairgrounds. Named after the cracking whips of Florida's pioneer cowmen, the museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of rural life in Florida in the late 19th century. Thirteen restored original structures built between 1885-1910 are set on 4 acres and furnished to represent home life, transportation and commerce as it was in many rural communities just before the turn of the 20th century.

Tampa, Florida

Children's, General, Science

The Glazer Children's Museum is a educational and cultural institution dedicated to hands-on learning. Our mission is to create learning environments where children play, discover and connect to the world around them to develop as lifelong learners and leaders. We have over 29,000 square feet of permanent and traveling exhibit spaces designed for children up to 10 years of age. The Museum features 17 distinct exhibit galleries with a multi-disciplinary approach to learning.

Tampa, Florida

Science

Get hands-on in Tampa’s newly renovated science center, where curious young minds can explore space science, weather, engineering, physics, the human body and more. Become and aspiring astronaut in Mission Moonbase or let your creativity run wild in Idea Zone, where anyone can design and engineer hands-on STEAM projects. Immerse your senses on the Virtual Reality Simulator ride, discover the night sky in The Saunders Planetarium or head outside to experience an adrenaline rush like no other on the Sky Trail Ropes Course. Learn about the Jurassic Period and see our 30-foot-tall Diplodocus in the brand new Dinovations Lab.

Tampa, Florida

Culture, General, History, Library

Located along Tampa's Riverwalk, the Tampa Bay History Center interprets 12,000 years of Florida's history, highlighting Florida's first people, Florida's maritime history, including the history of conquistadors, pirates and shipwrecks, and the cigar and cattle industries. A Smithsonian Affiliate museum, the History Center's three floors of interactive exhibits and theaters focus on the Gulf Coast, from prehistoric times to the present through artifacts, artwork, textiles, documents and furniture. Collections include more than 100 rare shipwreck artifacts recovered from Florida waters, items depicting the history of Tampa's cigar industry, and a collection of Seminole Indian artifacts including tools, clothing and ceremonial items.

Tampa, Florida

General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library

Today, Tampa Historical Society focuses on its Historic Landmark headquarters: the c. 1890 Peter O. Knight House. The House, located in the larger context of Historic Hyde Park, is a perfect tool for interpreting Tampa’s middle class in the era and district where it first grew and stabilized. Through its Collection, its publications, its educational programs, and its events, Tampa Historical Society/The Peter O. Knight House continues a long and successful relationship with Tampa, linking past, present, and future.

Tampa, Florida

Culture, History, Specialized

The Tampa Police Museum is open Mon – Fri from 10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. and is located on the ground floor of the Tampa Police Department headquarters building in downtown Tampa. The entrance is on the West side of the building on N. Franklin Street.

Tampa, Florida

Botanical Garden, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library

This Folk Victorian house was the honeymoon cottage of Peter and Lillie Knight and one of the earliest residences in Hyde Park, Tampa's first neighborhood. The House exemplifies Tampa's rising middle class's lifestyle in the Gaslight Era. Originally an "umbrella organization" of local history, Tampa Historical Society, headquartered at the Knight House, is now devoted to interpreting Victorian Era Tampa life through the House, its furnishings, artifacts, and programs, and off-site programs as well. Among the off-site programs, the most popular and unique take place at Oaklawn Cemetery (c.1850, Tampa's first public burying ground)in downtown Tampa. The Society also publishes one of the South's most prestigious journals of local history, The Sunland Tribune.

Tampa, Florida

Art

USFCAM organizes exhibitions, produces relevant catalogues, schedules critically significant traveling exhibitions and underwrites new projects by artists emerging on the national and the international fronts.

Tampa, Florida

Aquarium, Botanical Garden, Children's, Culture, Nature Centers, Park, Science, Zoo

Recognized as the #1 Zoo in the U.S. by Parents magazine (2009) and Child magazine (2004), Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo features 1,000 animals on nearly 56 acres of natural habitats. Guests will find many interactive exhibits and opportunities to get closer to wildlife -- feed a giraffe, walk with wallabies, hold a lorikeet, touch a stingray and more. The Zoo's Manatee and Aquatic Center expands the traditional boundaries of a zoo, focusing efforts on critical care for injured, sick and orphaned wild manatees. Also at the Zoo: splash ground water play areas, wild rides, educational shows and restaurants.

Tampa, Florida

Art, Culture

The FLORIDA MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS is a museum dedicated to exhibiting important photographic art as central to contemporary life and culture. FMoPA collects, preserves and exhibits historic and contemporary works by nationally and internationally known photographic artists. FMoPA also enriches the community by operating outreach programs to educate children and adults.
The museum has ongoing community programs and workshops such as the at-risk Children's Literacy Through Photography Program. Children are inspired by the establishment of a close relationship between the museum and elementary and secondary schools through hands-on workshops and field trips.

Tampa, Florida

History

Tampa, Florida

Art

The University of Tampa, Scarfone/Hartley Gallery exhibits significant original works of art created by contemporary national, international and regional artists. STUDIO-f, visiting-artist program is included in the gallery events. http://studiof.utarts.com

Tampa, Florida

History

This organization's primary purposes are to: a) preserve the history and heritage of Tampa Fire Rescue's past, present and future, for the citizens and visitors of Tampa, FL and b) offer educational activities to the public regarding fire safety and emergency awareness.

Tampa, Florida

Art, Culture

The Tampa Museum of Art opened its spectacular 66,000-square-foot Cornelia Corbett Center in February 2010 to critical and public acclaim. Since opening in its new home, the museum has emerged as a center of the artistic life in the region. Its commitment to accessibility is evidenced by its operating hours (open every day and into the evenings) and its embrace of public art on its 14,000 sq ft facade. The museum specializes in modern and contemporary art while holding a prized collection of antiquities.

Tampa, Florida

Aquarium, Science

Discover over 10,000 aquatic plants & animals from Florida and the entire globe! Encounter sharks, rays, gators, river otters, rare sea dragons, a giant green sea turtle & more. See the new outdoor, watery-fun exhibit, Explore A Shore!

Tampa, Florida

Botanical Garden

The mission of the University of South Florida Botanical Gardens is to foster appreciation, understanding and stewardship of our natural and botanical heritage through living plant collections, displays, education and research. The USF Botanical Gardens serves the education and research needs of the University community and provides education and recreation opportunities for the Tampa Bay area community. Collections include: orchids, bromeliads, begonias, carnivorous plants, palms and native plants.

Tampa, Florida

History

The Ybor City Museum State Park and the adjoining gardens and house museum form the core of an interpretive complex that brings to life Ybor City’s colorful past.