Tampa Bay History Center

Discover real treasure on Water Street. Set at the very start of the Tampa Riverwalk, the Tampa Bay History Center sets the bar for what a history museum can be. Nationally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, it stands in the top tier nationwide for visitor experience, collections care, and overall excellence. In short, this is the gold standard. Inside, three floors unfold the story of Florida and the Tampa Bay region across 12,000 years. Hands-on galleries, short films, and smart interactives invite you to slow down and follow the people and places that shaped this coast. The Touchton Map Library offers a rare look at cartography that changed how the world saw Florida. Make it a day on Water Street. The museum fronts the street and backs right onto the Riverwalk, so it’s easy to pair your visit with a stroll by the water. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Tampa Bay History Center also houses the Columbia Cafe, a favorite stop for a Cuban sandwich before you head back out to explore downtown.