Plan Your Visit

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The History Center is open daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Galleries are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and open until 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Tickets

  • Adults – $14.95
  • Seniors (60+) – $12.95
  • Youth (7-17) – $10.95
  • Military, First Responders, Students (with ID) – $12.95
  • Children (6 & under) – Free
  • Members – Free
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The History Center's phone lines are experiencing technical difficulties. We are working to restore service as soon as possible. The History Center is open normal hours, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Galleries are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and open until 3 p.m. on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Tickets

  • Adults – $14.95
  • Seniors (60+) – $12.95
  • Youth (7-17) – $10.95
  • Military,First Responders,Students (with ID) – $12.95
  • Children (6 & under) – Free
  • Members – Free
BUY NOW

Columbia Cafe Hours

The History Center is home to the Columbia Cafe, a branch of the world famous Columbia Restaurant. Waterfront dining in the cafe is available daily from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 

Columbia Cafe Hours

The History Center is home to the Columbia Cafe, a branch of the world famous Columbia Restaurant. Waterfront dining in the cafe is available daily, from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 

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Parking Information

Visitors can park for a fee at several lots and garages near the History Center. Options include the Channelside Parking Garage, South Regional Garage, various surface lots, downtown street parking or event the Ybor City Parking Garage, taking the streetcar to the History Center. Fares on the Streetcar are now free.

Parking fees vary based on availability and scheduled events at surrounding locations. Download a downtown parking map here.

Valet parking is available for all History Center and Columbia Cafe guests daily, from 9:45 a.m. until 5:15 p.m., for $10 per car, with a $2 discount for members of the Tampa Bay History Center. If you have used the Car Park valet service and need to retrieve your vehicle, please call 813.479.7408.

We also encourage guests to use public transportation or ride sharing services. The History Center is located along Tampa’s Riverwalk and is generally walkable from all downtown hotels, the Tampa Convention Center, and is accessible via the Pirate Water Taxi and the Downtowner. 

Streetcar Stops &
Parking Garage Locations

Channelside Parking Garage • 369 S 12th St.
South Regional Garage • 301 Channelside Dr.
Ft. Brooke Garage • 107 N Franklin St.

Streetcar Stops &
Parking Garage Locations

Channelside Parking Garage
369 S 12th St.

South Regional Garage
301 Channelside Dr.

Ft. Brooke Garage
107 N Franklin St.

The History Center offers valet services for $10 per car, from 9:45 through 5:15 p.m.

Other transit options include ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft, the FREE TECO Line Streetcar, Coast Bike Share, and the Pirate Water Taxi.

The History Center is located along the Riverwalk and is generally walkable from downtown Tampa hotels.

Directions

The History Center is located at 801 Old Water Street, Tampa, FL 33602.

From I-275
Traveling north on I-275, take the Ashley Street West Tampa Exit #44 to downtown. Traveling south on I-275, take the Downtown East-West Exit #45A to downtown. Turn left on Jackson Street Turn right on Morgan Street Turn left on Channelside Drive Turn right on Old Water Street
From Gandy Blvd. & South Tampa
Take Gandy Blvd. to Bayshore Blvd., turn left Take Bayshore Blvd. until it ends at the Platt Street Bridge Go over the bridge. The road becomes Channelside Drive. Turn right on Old Water Street
From Selmon (Crosstown) Expressway
Take Selmon Expressway Exit 8 (Downtown East) Turn right on Kennedy Blvd. Turn left on Morgan Street Turn left on Channelside Drive Turn right on Old Water Street

Groups and Tours

Bring your group to the History Center. Perfect for field trips, adult and senior groups or corporate outings, spend your day exploring Florida’s past. Guided and custom tours are available, too.

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Policies & Tips

Give yourself plenty of time to visit. Generally, you should plan to spend a minimum of 2 to 3 hours viewing the exhibits; however, you can easily spend the day visiting the galleries, shopping in the Museum Store and having a delicious meal at the Columbia Cafe.

Policies & Tips

Give yourself plenty of time to visit. Generally, you should plan to spend a minimum of 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours viewing the exhibits, however, you can easily spend the day visiting the galleries, shopping in the Museum Store and having a delicious meal at the Columbia Cafe.

Bags & Luggage   Large bags/backpacks (those that exceed 11×15) are not permitted in the galleries. Lockers are available free of charge for storing these items. Keys can be requested at Visitor Services. If you have a personal situation that requires you to carry a bag with you, please speak to a visitor services associate.
How long will you spend? Give yourself plenty of time to visit. Generally, you should plan to spend a minimum of 2 to 3 hours viewing the exhibits; however, you can easily spend the day visiting the galleries, shopping in the Museum Store and having a delicious meal at the Columbia Cafe.
What’s Outside? The History Center is situated at the beginning of the Tampa Riverwalk next to Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park. The park includes a sand play area and splash park for children, picnic tables, a dock (with 8 tie-ups) and lots of green space. Consider bringing comfortable shoes and walking the Riverwalk after visiting the museum.
Be Comfortable The temperature in the galleries is maintained at a cool 72 degrees. Consider bringing a sweater in case you get chilly.
Food and Drinks Please do not bring any food or drinks into the galleries. Water fountains are available on the second, third and fourth floors near the restrooms. The Columbia Cafe is open every day for lunch and dinner from 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Enjoy favorites from the restaurant’s flagship location in Ybor City, like Cuban sandwiches, chicken and yellow rice and the 1905 Salad. Indoor and outdoor waterfront seating is available. View the menu here.
Photography You are welcome to bring your camera; however, flash photography and videography are prohibited. Non-flash photography is permitted for personal use only. Commercial photography, including filming of any kind, must be coordinated and approved in advance of your visit. Contact the marketing department for more information. If you are a member of the press and need photos of the History Center for publication purposes, please visit our press page.
Lost & Found Lost and found is located at the Visitor Services desk on the second floor. You can also call Visitor Services at 813.228.0097×0.
Bags & Luggage Large bags/backpacks (those that exceed 11×15) are not permitted in the galleries. Lockers are available free of charge for storing these items. Keys can be requested at Visitor Services. If you have a personal situation that requires you to carry a bag with you, please speak to a visitor services associate.
How long will you spend? Give yourself plenty of time to visit. Generally, you should plan to spend a minimum of 2 to 3 hours viewing the exhibits; however, you can easily spend the day visiting the galleries, shopping in the Museum Store and having a delicious meal at the Columbia Cafe.
What’s Outside? The History Center is situated at the beginning of the Tampa Riverwalk next to Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park. The park includes a sand play area and splash park for children, picnic tables, a dock (with 8 tie-ups) and lots of green space. Consider bringing comfortable shoes and walking the Riverwalk after visiting the museum.
Be Comfortable The temperature in the galleries is maintained at a cool 72 degrees. Consider bringing a sweater in case you get chilly.
Food and Drinks Please do not bring any food or drinks into the galleries. Water fountains are available on the second, third and fourth floors near the restrooms. The Columbia Cafe is open every day for lunch and dinner from 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Enjoy favorites from the restaurant’s flagship location in Ybor City, like Cuban sandwiches, chicken and yellow rice and the 1905 Salad. Indoor and outdoor waterfront seating is available. View the menu here.
Photography You are welcome to bring your camera; however, flash photography and videography are prohibited. Non-flash photography is permitted for personal use only. Commercial photography, including filming of any kind, must be coordinated and approved in advance of your visit. Contact the marketing department for more information. If you are a member of the press and need photos of the History Center for publication purposes, please visit our press page.
Lost & Found Lost and found is located at the Visitor Services desk on the second floor. You can also call Visitor Services at 813.228.0097×0.

Accessibility

A limited number of wheelchairs are available to borrow during your visit – free of charge – on a first come, first served basis.

Accessibility

A limited number of wheelchairs are available to borrow during your visit, free of charge, on a first come, first served basis.

Still have questions?

We hope the list above has been helpful.  If you have any additional questions or concerns, please call 813.228.0097 to reach Visitor Services or email info@tampabayhistorycenter.org

CONTACT US

801 Old Water Street, Tampa, FL 33602

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