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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Museums for All

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Library Passes

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Free & Discounted Admission Days

CLICK HERE
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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 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, Pam Iorio Garage, various surface lots, downtown street parking or, park in Ybor City and take 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 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 Garage • 369 S 12th St.
Pam Iorio Garage • 301 Channelside Dr.
Ft. Brooke Garage • 107 N Franklin St.

Streetcar Stops &
Parking Garage Locations

Channelside Garage
369 S 12th St.

Pam Iorio 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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Visiting with a junior historian?

Ask for a History Adventure Pack at the front desk! Free with admission, each themed backpack is filled with fun, including gallery scavenger hunts, games, puzzles and other activities. Backpacks are free with admission during your visit. Recommended for ages 6 and up.  
Sponsored by the Jacarlene Foundation.

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

Visiting with someone who has sensory-processing needs? Our friends at the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of South Florida (CARD) have produced a helpful guide for our visitors with ASD and their families and caregivers.

Download

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

MUSEUMS FOR ALL

Discovery Pass logo

 Families presenting a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, and a valid form of photo ID will receive free admission to the History Center for the cardholder plus three additional guests.

 

LIBRARY PASS

Discovery Pass logo  Discovery Pass Program Use your valid Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library Card to “check   out” a pass to the History Center. Go to hcplc.org to check out a pass before your visit to the History   Center. Each Discovery Pass is valid for seven days and provides free admission for up to four guests:   Two adults & two children or one adult & three children.

Pinellas County Public Library Cooperative Museum Pass Pinellas residents with a valid library card can also check out a pass to the History Center. Go to pplc.us or visit your local branch library to check out a pass before visiting the History Center. Each Museum Pass is valid for seven days and provides admission for the cardholder and up to three additional guests.

FREE & DISCOUNTED ADMISSION DAYS

Blue Star Museums Program

The History Center is proud to participate in the Blue Star Museums program, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and the Department of Defense, to offer free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Free admission is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active duty U.S. military – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps – and up to five family members.

The History Center will provide free admission and guided tours for Veteran Rehabilitation Groups who book in advance. Contact Nancy Dalance, the History Center’s curator of education, at ndalence@tampabayhistorycenter.org for details. 

Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day

Each year in September, the History Center offers free admission for all visitors during Museum Day. Visitors must download a free ticket to gain entry. Visit smithsonianmag.com/museumday/ for dates and details.

$5 for the 4th

Celebrate Independence Day at the History Center with $5 admission for all visitors. Historical reenactors representing military conflicts throughout U.S. history are on hand to interact with guests.

Group Rate Admission

Admission for groups of 10 or more booked at least two weeks in advance is $10 per person. Visit our Groups and Tours page for details.

Financial assistance for school field trips and summer camps is available. Contact Nancy Dalence, curator of education, at ndalence@tampabayhistorycenter.org for information regarding reduced-rate admission.

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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