The “Native American vs white man” interactive video show was very woke and historically incorrect. The whole show was about how the “white man “ was against the Indians and how the Indians tired to help free the slaves of white men. First of all if you google ( slavery in Florida ) what you will find is that Indians were the first ones to own slaves in Florida , Way before white men arrived . Secondly , if you do 3 minutes of research , the Spanish were here and had slaves , before the “evil white men “arrived . Yes many people fought for the land in the United States and Florida. First off the Indians fought each other for it .. secondly the Spanish took the land and fought for it . ( don’t forget the French , that’s why they own part of Canada ) Also Europeans fought for and earned the land . Before these groups and recorded history , there were others who likely fought for the same land and owned slaves . There were slaves recorded In history thousands of years before modern USA ( less than 300 years ago ). Lastly, the Democratic Party (liberals ) were the ones who owned slaves in the south and formed the KKK. The republicans, from the north , freed the slaves and won the civil war against the liberal democrats, who owned slaves, in the south . Take three minutes and research it and you will see I , a pool cleaner man , am correct and the museum is wrong . Thx for your consideration. -B

I can't believe I forgot to post and review our visit last year. It was such an amazing day in downtown Tampa that I guess I paid more attention to the world around me than my cursed cell phone. Tampa Bay History Center is an excellent visit for the tourist and the locals. Nice exhibits and friendly staff. We were there for the Tusk to Tails exhibit and it was a very nice exhibit for sure. A little smaller than anticipated; but still a good one. Being a cigar enthusiast, I especially enjoyed the area detailing Tampa's and Ybor's "Cigar City" history. I highly encourage everyone to explore history, embrace it, don't cancel it. History is what defines us and has set us on the path in which we are living now. Lessons the younger generations really need to learn and understand without inserting the emotional non-researched opinions. Alas, I will leave the soapbox. Get downtown and explore Tampa, you won't be disappointed.

Let's chat..... On a rainy day maybe. Kinda boring. Not very interactive. Movies are okay. The pirate level is the best and the history museum's 1 Disney style movie experience. No dioramas. Some model planes. The elevator is kinda the coolest part.

What a great museum! Tampa's history certainly shines here! The exhibits are beautiful and the museum was so clean. I loved the videos on each floor and the interactive exhibits! Definitely a good option for a rainy day activity, especially since they have their own restaurant, too! Parking was a bit tough since they had so much of the street parking blocked off, but should be easier once the work is done.

Very interesting stop on a tour throughout Tampa. One of the better places that gives insight on local history dating back to Native American Indians. Very nice collection of artifacts to see and much to learn. There are several floors of displays so allow for at least 2 hours to look through them!

Beautiful museum and I had a fun experience. It was informative and well taken care of. It has 3 floors but there are elevators you can take. On the 3rd level, you can go outside and it overseas the water which was very pretty. I recommend this place if you’re in town! It is located downtown and near the aquarium and restaurants.

Enjoyed my time at the History Center! I often go to museums on the weekends so my husband and I moved forward with the membership. It was $85 for one year and you have unlimited access to the museum, Dali Museum (only in the month of Dec) and Ringling in Sarasota as well as a long list of others. Because we had wanted to go to these other museums anyway it just made sense. They send you official cards in the mail too. Another thing about this museum I should mention is that the area/streets around the museum are under construction. We had to drive around three times in order to find a place to park. We parked in the flat lot across the street and there was no charge but it was a Sunday. There is also a Greenwise Market garage nearby that you may be able to park at as well. As a member now, parking in the flat lot is free. Overall great exhibits, good way to spend 2-3 hours!

The History Center is great. We learned a lot of history of the area. Done on three floors with audio visual theaters. The one with the pirates was interactive and great. There is an elevator if needed. Well worth a visit. The view from the lookout was a surprise.

Really informative! Esp Seminole war and native people history. The pirate ship exhibit was esp interesting!

Great experiance here and learned a lot about the Tampa Bay history. Loved the pirate room show. Bought tickets and added some 30$ for a Family membership...

I spent the day in downtown Tampa with friends and we explored the Tampa Bay History Center. We learned about the Seminoles and also the history of cigar making in Tampa. There were a couple of short movies that were very interesting and many other things of interest on display. We enjoyed our tour and I’m sure you will too!

Really nice place to go. Very interesting history. They have mini theater with short videos. They have fun things for kids. The view from the top is nice. Took nice pictures. Really recommended. Was happy to come here

An excellent museum! It was pretty interesting. I loved the pirate room. It has an interactive game. There is a viewing deck where you can see Tampa General Hospital. The elevators were huge. I liked walking around in it while it was going up and down. There is nothing on the first floor. They have AEDs located on walls near the restrooms and elevator. They have a cigar area. No smoking aloud. It's got a lot of history. It really does revolve around Tampa. It literally tells you the history of Tampa. They have a floor with lots of fun things. A play house thing that is adults fooled around in. Very nice films. A Good place to come rain or shine!

A wonderful museum to enjoy on a hot day. Loved the different floors and the design. As someone who grew up in Florida, I learned new things! The pirate floor was awesome.

Beautiful, lush grass and walkway along the River. Well paved and lined with small busts of historical People and a plaque giving information about their accomplishments. Lots of space to walk, ride, run and walk your dogs. Great path for riding your bike or using a Razor scooter. There are public bathrooms to be found d. As well as eateries. The entire area is kept very clean and wide open and very safe. It’s a great way you can spend the day for adults and kids ( and pets, always leashed). There is a specific doggie park where they can run unleashed.

Exelent exhibition Exelente exibision

Enjoyed an afternoon here with my family and we had a great educational experience. Each floor has something different to offer - lots of reading and interactive learning as well. Great for all ages. Make sure to visit the 4th floor and check out the amazing view from the balcony! Staff was very nice and helpful. Well kept, clean and maintained nicely.

Immersive exhibits and something for all ages from 2-99! The films have 3D elements. The exhibition spaces are dynamic. My kids ages 12 and 14 had a great time. When they were younger the pirate exhibit was their favorite. The way the museum takes you through Tampa’s history from Native Americans to Conquistadors in an interactive way was a fun and interesting way to learn the history of this amazing pice of LAND we call Tampa. Taking a couple hours to honor those that came before us here was humbling and made for a beautiful afternoon, complete with dinner outside on the river at the Columbia restaurant downstairs.

A day at The Tampa Bay History Center was a day well spent. There a multiple exhibits to look at, and things to do around the area. On the top floor there is a beautiful lookout to the Riverwalk. There’s engaging short movies for you too learn from too, as well as an interactive movie. I also loved how there was a focus on all the groups that built Tampa, even before the formation of the USA. You can tell a lot of effort and love went into this museum, and I can’t wait to come again. It is one of the most unique museums I have ever been too.

We’ve been to the Tampa Bay History Center several times, for different exhibits and functions. We’ve always been impressed. It has a beautiful location, on the Riverwalk, between the Aquarium and Amalie Arena. You can walk to it from either location, or take the Tampa Electric Trolley from Downtown or Ybor City or parts in between. The static exhibits are the discovery of Florida, with an engaging film when you first enter. As you move through each floor, you can explore the history of Tampa, and the individual influences contributing to its present: the Seminole Indians, cigar making, sports, the wars, and more. The visiting exhibit for now concerns fossils and artifacts. We enjoyed the interactive film about pirates, as well as the exhibit surrounding it. The pirate ship is HUGE! We also enjoyed visiting the replica of the cigar shop, and the room where workers made cigars. We did not ride on the saddles provided to watch the cattle ranching film, but we were tempted. A family before us seemed to enjoy it! We did not eat at the Columbia restaurant, outside the museum, but we did shop at the gift shop which has lots of Florida themed gifts. Note: During CoVid, masks are required inside.

Very well laid out and presented. Be sure to see the pirate exhibit its a swashbuckling good time

We had an excellent time here. The interactive exhibits and 4D mini movies were an absolute hit with my children! I would recommend coming here for any family vacationers looking to do something educational and fun on their trip.

This is an excellent museum and great for kids. Wonderful videos, interactive history of indigenous people, Spanish Conquistadors and shipwrecks. Very good social distancing and Covid precautions.

Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and many great exhibits. I learned so much more about cut of Tampa. A must see destination

For a good dose of entertainment and education, the TBHC is the place to be. There's something for everyone. Rotating exhibits are on the third floor, and always has ties to Tampa history; sports, pirates, and pro wrestling are just some of the exhibits they've had. The second floor has several hands-on exhibits for the family, and the first floor has two theater presentations that are well worth seeing.

Great Tampa museum. I was able to reserve free tickets through the Pasco County Library.

A place to spend an afternoon sheltering from the heat, but not much history. The center is woefully short of information on the history and contributions of Florida’s First people, the Seminole and Miccosukee tribes, preferring instead to show films about clashes between the Indians and the Conquistadores and the US Army that were inevitably won by the guys with big guns, smallpox and malaria. On the third floor there are more exhibits of white guys on horses, in a pioneer cabin, or driving motorcars with a new permanent exhibit chronicling 500 years of Black History in the Tampa Bay area, then on the fourth floor we are back with European Explorers and pirates. The exhibits on the Tampa Bay sports teams is sadly out of date. Oh well, I had high hopes for this visit, but was mostly disappointed. Tickets are $16.95 for adults, $12.95 for children 7-17 and $0 for children 0-6

This museum provides a surprisingly thorough wealth of information on the Tampa Bay area. We spent 3 hours here on a cool day. The exhibits are timed to engage the viewer but not overwhelming. Many of the exhibits were geared towards children but entertaining for adults as well. The price point was just right for the amount of time spent. I recommend a visit as a refreshing alternative to the local tourist traps on the Tampa Riverwalk.

What a cool Museum! I love how they take you from the first Spanish ships to land in this area all the way through to today's culture. Some fun Hands-On activities for the kids, a couple really good short films. Don't miss the one about Port Tampa, it's narrated by a little Lego guy. The newer exhibits could use a little updating but other than that it was really cool.

Great museum. Fun for a rainy day. The Columbia restaurant outside is great too!

I spent a couple hours here but I could have spent a lot more time- there is a lot to see here. A few of the exhibits - the star gazing equipment on the pirate level, and the magnetic branding activity in the cowman/cracker exhibit- were broken, but there are a lot of good things here and I will definitely be coming back.

My wife and I came here and was very enjoyable! I loved how they had pieces of history from Tampa as well as Florida. Learning the backstory of what was here before Tampa and what would become Tampa bay was incredible. The modern WW1&2 displays of uniforms were awesome to see and heavy hearted. I do like the fact that they incorporated the entirety of the history meaning from the days of Indians and first settlers to modern day LGBTQ and other current events that have impacted the turn of history. One of my y favorite section was learning about how Florida mills and plants were formed as businessmen capitalized on the cigar trades. My other favorite portion was the pirate section. As this time is one of my favorite in history to see and read all of the facts and see some of the pieces of treasure discovered was remarkable. Definitely worth the walk and time! 8.5/10 recommend this to anyone especially if you like local history

Walking tour of historic Tampa was terrific. TJ gave us a detailed history of specific sites in downtown Tampa. His passion for knowledge was palpable. I have a better understanding of how Tampa has become what it is

The Tampa History Center maintains a wide variety of topics about Tampa and Florida history. The exhibits are very informative and include great stories, artifacts, and films to enhance the learning experience. My sons and I will be back!

Brought my grannddaughter ther she had a great time , We all learned alot. BRING THE KIDS THEY WILL LOVE IT.

Great place and atmosphere! Highly recommend! Really nice place to go. Very interesting history. They have mini theater with short videos. They have fun things for kids. The view from the top is nice.

A great gem in the Tampa area that I wished we would have visited sooner. It is 3 floors packed with Tampa and Florida history. They have a few short videos, numerous interactive displays and a small section for kids with blocks and other little toys. This museum covers so many historical periods from the Indians, Cigar factories, pirates, sports teams and much more. There is an accessible balcony with a beautiful view of the bay on the fourth floor. Free entry for military. For dining there is the Columbia Cafe and Sparkman Wharf is right across the street with many options.

Fun night for children and costumed history center staff. Great displays

It’s a great place to visit for kids and adults alike. The museum has three floors of interactive exhibits, theaters, and displays that cover 12,000 years of Florida’s history. Kids will love exploring the Treasure Seekers gallery, where they can learn about the legends and lore of conquistadors, pirates, and shipwrecks. Definitely worth the stop.

This museum was excellent. If you love history, you’ll appreciate coming here. I loved how clean and well maintained everything is. The employees were helpful and polite. And most importantly, the information was diverse and well displayed. I’d come back next time I’m in town.

Great place to learn about Florida history. The 4th floor has pirates and was interactive and wonderful! Third Wednesday of month in summer, the history center is free! Parking is difficult because of construction, so get there early and plan on 2-3 hours to explore.

This place was AWESOME!! My phone went dead so I didn't get many pictures but there is sure a lot there. If you're ever in the area GO!!

The Tampa history cruise was a great experience. Mark was very knowledgeable about the city of Tampa. And the boat ride couldn't be any smoother

What a beautiful display of historic relevance. Impressive details of Tampa’s link to many of our unique local grounds still standing today. Hands on displays and short films located throughout, to break up the pace. Kids and adults alike will leave knowing why this FL west coast city is an important fixture of the economy in so many ways. Like many cities taken over by non-natives, indigenous citizens that became extinct as a result, their story lives on as proof of their presence here. Exhibits are colorful and lots of reading, so bring your 👓. Elevators are the biggest I’ve ever seen & can accommodate even side by side strollers w/ plenty of room for others. Excellent views of the area can be seen from the observation deck located off of 4th floor, through one of the exhibit room. The gift shop offers a wide variety of books related to Tampa and FL throughout. Parking is across the street @ Garrison st parking lot, not in the Publix garage. You can walk to other nearby shops, eateries and attractions easily.

This is a 4 story small to medium sized museum with the largest elevator I have ever seen in my life. The staff is super nice and will direct you and answer any questions you may have. Admission grants you a sticker in which you can go in and out as you please for the whole day. The gift shop is on the second floor as well as a restaurant/bar. Gift shop was pretty cool, mostly the same things you will see in gift shops. There are a couple of theaters with featured shows that plays continuously. I love history, so I enjoyed the museum. There was a lot of focus on Florida history however and not Tampa specifically. Good for families and children.

Very interesting

It was closed... :(

Great place to stop and learn about Tampa's extensive history. It is inexpensive and enjoyable. Take the time to go through the First Nations exhibits, there is much to learn. It is a fun stop during a warm day.

Great informational place! Right in the heart of downtown. Plan to spend a whole day there if you want to see everything and not be rushed!

(Translated by Google) There is a trolley that takes you to see the most historic places in Tampa, however, they should remove the window guards on the trolley to be able to look out. (Original) Hay un tranvía que lo lleva a uno a conocer los lugares más históricos de Tampa, sin embargo, deberían quitar los protectores de las ventanas del tranvía para poder mirar hacia afuera.

Great info. The cigar room and the Pirates were our favorite. The animations were pretty irritating but probably good for kids. Minus one star because the war related info was not chronological and it was very difficult to make sense when it went from 1942 to 1870 and back etc.

Wonderful place! Good to know facts.

Great

Interesting museum about the history of Tampa Bay and Florida

Definitely an interesting place to visit. The displays have a lot of multimedia information and definitely worth spending some time here. They do require a "reservation". When I was there, I did that the day before and had no problem with it. It did not seem like it was terribly busy at the time of my visit.

Great memories and history.

Great,casual place on the river walk.

Hello, if you follow me you will know I love to see and visit every single place in Florida. So here is another place I loved The Tampa Bay History Center. And most see if you really want to learn the real History of Florida.

This museum is a pleasure to see...I adore their history of Tampa and the surrounding area as well as their revolving exhibits! Because of construction in the area, plan to park near Amalie Arena and walk on the Riverwalk!

If you wanna learn some history, this is the place you NEED to go to!!! I had so much fun! By the way: does Karen still work here??? Haha I didn't see her today! We used to be buddies in college and I hoped I could see her here today...anyways fun place! Will come here again!

Great museum filled with lots of great history. Start by following the Indians and how they survived in Tampa and Florida and go on from there. Gallery of maps of Florida throughout the centuries. We got to experience the newish Pirate exhibit and it didnt disappoint. Lots of great artifacts and a cute movie that is interactive.

Pleasantly surprised by the balanced presentation of in Tampa Bay's history from discovery by the Spanish explorer's to present day. Four floors of very good displays of artifacts with a multumedia room with presentation on each floor. The interactive pirate adventure on the fourth floor was my favorite! Good for at least two hours of educational entertainment and many more if carefully perused. The giant elevator makes for a great ride as well.

My company is proud to have worked with History Center since conception! Great place!

I went with my wife and parents the staff was super helpful, my father uses a walker and they helped us to find parking and gift us set up for a great afternoon.

Very high quality museum well worth a visit. The exhibits worked great together as well as separate displays. Super friendly staff and really interesting information put forward in a truly professional way. I visited especially for the temporary exhibit on railways through Florida and was not dissatisfied. If anything it opened my eyes to and cemented an interest in cartography, very well put together! The cigar exhibit was great too, I had never before heard anything about the cigar business, marvelous!

We were surprised how well the exhibits were displayed. This is a great place to bring your grandchildren.

Fun and interactive. Bueatiful place in downtown Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay History Center was amazing! It had a lot of exhibits and very interactive videos, would definitely recommend if you have children. The three floors were filled with tons of interesting history of Tampa Bay! 10/10 would recommend as a must see while you’re in Tampa!

Excellent, Informative, and relaxing place to go.

Wonderful experience. Felt a bit scattered. Definitely will go back. The Columbia restaurant was,as usual, fresh and as delicious as the original even with a limited menu!

Fun for kids and adults alike!!! We didn't get to see all of the exhibits unfortunately, but we still had a good time.

A good place to visit, Lots of interesting shipwreck stuff too!!

It's a lovely place but the garbage spreads.

Very nice place

I try to visit this museum everytime visit Tampa. If you become a member you get a lot of discounts too!

Excellent

Very interesting and well presented. Much better than I ever expected.

Very interesting

Beautiful! Clean, comfortable..with amazing views 💜

Great spot to take the children for a funnday

Very educational.

Museum of Tampa history going back to explorers with an interior Columbia Restaurant.

Nice and well laid out historical museum for Tampa area.

We've been to this museum many times, but I love that there's always something new to see. The Brewery History exhibit last year was excellent, and the Wrestling exhibit was really interesting. It's great that there's such a nice mix of natural history, indigenous cultures history, as well as the histories of local sports teams, military, agriculture, etc. But my absolute favorite is the pirate exhibit on the top floor. And I can easily spend an hour just in the map room. All the employees are really friendly and welcoming, and the gift shop has a nice selection of unique items.

Lot's of American history

Fabulous! Children would love the pirate ship mini theater and the views from the 3rd floor observation deck are lovely.