OMG. This was amazing. I was a little apprehensive when I showed up with a 3 year old after reading…read moresome of the reviews. My little one loved it more than the aquarium. There are some areas that are hot and stuffy but there are also designated air conditioned rooms. His favorite part was going up up and up! I won't lie, I was getting nauseous looking down but outside was nice with the winds. I def recommend checking it out.

The ship is still listed as active so it could be called into service. This is a very good museum…read more It has a guided tour or you could go of by yourself. Wear some shorts, comfortable shoes, and cool tee shirts. Watch your step if you never been on a ship that isn't a cruise ship these decks are sloped. They also are uneven. Be prepared for tight spaces and a million stairs. Don't forget to ring the bell on the forward deck. It's under the forward gun on the main deck. It's a really nice museum a gift shop is there. I went on a Tuesday and it wasn't crowded at all. Lots of seating everywhere. On the main deck there are several benches all down the deck.

We purchased tickets online for the Victorian Christmas Stroll. Tickets were $20 per person. The…read morearchitecture of the building is stunning; looks like a castle! Upon entry the receptionist checks you in and encourages you to watch the 15 min video prior to exploring. They also have a scavenger hunt to keep you entertained throughout the stroll. The exhibit was very unique and filled with unique history. The museum is very tiny and leaves you wanting more. As large as it appears from the outside, you would think the museum would be congruent. It took us about 30-45 mins to stroll through it, and that included the 15 minute video. Overall it was a good experience.

This was a really great experience. It's on campus and it was a weekday so we were busy navigating…read morethat but it was very interesting to see so much history still persevered in the little wing of the original hotel. Definitely worth checking out if you love history and appreciate vintage furniture and architecture.

House built in 1877 by a ship captain. Boat parts were used un the home. Wood stoves for heating…read more Now next to 275 and in danger of being demolished for proposed TBX highway toll road expansion. Article on the house: http://www.tbo.com/central-tampa/historic-farmhouse-of-x2018capt-billx2019-jackson-for-sale-in-seminole-heights-20130822/

Wonderful house in a booming neighborhood. The location near the Interstate and the size of moving…read morethe house is a future concern for those who want to preserve Tampa's heritage.

Three on a ladies day out found this your with Scott Deitch fascinating. The walk was easy, he was…read morevery clear and concise, did not feel rushed. Will certainly go back again.

From the owner: Join us for this one-of-a-kind walking tour of Tampa's most storied neighborhood.read more

What a fun Museum type of place to go. We got in with our NARM membership so there wasn't any…read moreadditional fee. I loved how interactive the place is. There are so many videos and hands on activities. They have a rope tying station, They have stations where you lift the flaps and you can learn more. When they talk about the orange groves you walk into a little building front. Inside they have more information. When you learn about the shipping industry you walk into a shipping crate and there is a little interactive video. When you learn about the ships that carried cargo they have a room you go into and they have a video. You choose what route you take on the monitor and then it tells you a story with live action about where you go into a room and they have a video presentation. Spoiler alert, there are pirate ships involved. It has multiple screens and you feel like you're in a Hollywood live action movie. This place is a must see for those history buffs and those that like to be entertained and enjoy interactive exhibits.

We've visited the museum a few times now. It's so much fun bringing guests here to get a first hand…read morelook into the rich and diverse history of the Tampa Bay. Great spot to bring kids to.

We took the Tampa History Cruise on St. Patrick's Day, and it was a nice way to spend an afternoon…read moreon the water. The boat itself is easy to spot--it has a blue base and a yellow roof--and it takes off from right behind The Columbia Café, a great spot to grab lunch before your cruise. That's exactly what we did, and I'd highly recommend it! Our cruise was scheduled for 12:30 p.m., and Captain Larry was ready to go right on time, which we appreciated. The boat seats about 20 passengers, with most of the seating under shade, and there was a large cooler full of cold water available, which was a nice touch. If you want a prime seat with the best view, I'd suggest arriving 15-20 minutes early--we got there a bit ahead of time and ended up with a great front-row spot near the cooler. One thing to note: since it was a holiday, Captain Larry decided to skip the riverfront area, saying it was too crowded. We were a little disappointed since other boats, including the yellow water taxis, seemed to be making their way through just fine. Instead, we got a tour of the bay and some of Tampa's high-end waterfront homes, along with some historical commentary. The only hiccup was the microphone--it had a loose cord, making it hard to catch all of the narration. Other than that, it was a smooth, easy ride. Reservations were simple to make through Viator, and the cost was reasonable for what you get. Overall, it was a relaxing trip, though next time, I might try one of the yellow water taxis or another cruise to compare. If you're looking for a low-key boat tour with some history, this is a solid option--just make sure to show up early for the best seats!

We recently booked this tour through Viator and found out it was cancelled due to 'weather…read moreconditions' which was total BS. There were 6 of us waiting to be picked up and when I called to see why they hadn't come yet was told it was canceled and I would've received an email the night before. It was in fact sent to me and perhaps I would have thought to look for it had the weather been inclement, which it was not in the least. It was a gorgeous calm day on the bay with many taxi boats out and about. If I had to speculate id say they cancelled the cruise because they didn't have enough interest. Will not use Viator again and nor will I recommend the Tampa History Cruise as an activity to any of my friends. Poor customer service all round.

Are you a fan of history? The Ybor City Mafia walking tour will provide plenty of insight on the…read moregrowth of Tampa from a little cigar town called Ybor. It highlights the growth, expansion, historical markers and people. Only about an hour and a half, the leisurely stroll past old cigar factories, gambling establishments and bar/restaurants is well worth it. The mafia had a hold on this little town for most of the 19th and 20th centuries. The tour included stops where many mobster "hits" occurred and houses where Ybor Mafiosi lived. Worth the time and money. Our 13-year experienced tour guide, Scott Deitche, related stories from mobster affiliates he actually had the opportunity to interview for his book, Cigar City Mafia.

This excellent walking tour of Ybor City is an outstanding experience that locals, visitors,…read morenewcomers or anyone interested in the colorful, past of this multi-cultural community will enjoy. Manny Leto guided the group through decades of fascinating facts, very descriptive detail and really entertaining information while navigating through the busy streets to point out various landmarks and significant locations. The pace was easy and the total amount of walking was very manageable. Comfortable walking shoes and dressing for whatever weather awaits would be wise. To get the insights of author Scott Deitch presented in such a knowledgable and personable manner is really exceptional. The narrative never dragged and the information was provided in a very conversational manner. You won't feel like you are being lectured to or being read to from a script. This isn't strictly about Ybor's past but some of the shady characters and questionable activities (bootlegging and gambling, for instance) found throughout Tampa. Leto mentioned movies that have highlighted some of Ybor's history, prominent Tampa families who played a role in this community and blended in some basic history that helped to give everything, and everyone, context. Loved it, laughed at parts and learned lots.

Home tours are a great way to explore an area, get some design and decor inspiration, and spy on…read moreyour neighbors. V.M. Ybor is a historic area not far from the cigar manufacturing Ybor area. You know and love. People have fixed up many of the homes and it's less mansiony and more community pride type feel than fancier locales. At its heart is the lovely Cuscaden pool and park complex. Many of the homes have very high ceilings to keep them cooler. A gangster's home complete with wood paneling, extensive bar area, and bullet holes was one of the stops. And some British peeps have fixed up a gorgeous house that was just in its early stages of renovation last year. Another highlight this year were the homeowners who bought a boarded up place and fixed it up to have members of the original family that owned it come by amd tell.them how happy they were to see it restored. Theu even shared family pictures and it turns out both families were military and immigrants. Super beautiful!!! Everyone was very nice and friendly and the organizers did a great job. Parking and guidebook with history writeups and map. The stories told you who owned the homes originally. Lots of fun. See you next year.

We went to 1 house. Going to the second house there were people in the streets yelling at us. We…read moreattempted to look at another house but it wasn't in a safe neighborhood either. We spent $20.00 and wasted half our day driving to Tampa. Other people were leaving for the same reason. It was a waste of time and money.