Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tampa Bay History Center
MUSEUM
813-228-0097;
www.tampabayhistorycenter.org
;
801 Old Water St; adult/
child $13/8; 10am-5pm)
This first-rate history museum presents the region's Seminole and Miccosukee people,
Cracker pioneers and cattle breeders, and Tampa's Cuban community and cigar industry.
The cartography collection, spanning six centuries, dazzles.
Henry B Plant Museum
MUSEUM
$10/5; 10am-5pm Tue-Sat, from noon Sun)
The silver minarets of Henry B Plant's 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel glint majestically, testimony
to the vaunting ambitions of its creator who first brought the railroad to the city - and then
extended it so guests could disembark straight into the lobby of his 511-room hotel. Never-
before-seen-luxuries such as private baths, telephones and electricity became the talk of
the town, as did the hotel's European decor of Venetian mirrors, French porcelain and exot-
ic furnishings. Now part of the University of Tampa, one section re-creates the original
hotel's gilded late-Victorian world.
At Christmas it is particularly atmospheric as rooms are decked out for the season with
decorated trees, antique toys and Victorian ornaments.
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
MUSEUM
gested donation $10; 10am-5pm Tue-Thu & Sat, to 8pm Fri, noon-5pm Sun)
This small, intimate photography museum is housed on the 2nd and 3rd story of the Cube,
a five-story atrium, in downtown Tampa. In addition to a permanent collection from
Harold Edgerton and Len Prince, temporary exhibits have included the work of Ansel
Adams, Andy Warhol and contemporary photographers such as David Hilliard. Three-hour
($55), one day ($60) and multi-week photography courses are also offered.
Lowry Park Zoo
ZOO
813-935-8552;
www.lowryparkzoo.com
; 1101 W Sligh Ave; adult/child $25/20;
9:30am-5pm;
)
