Wonder place to visit especially for a simple family day with older children or a date night.read more

From the owner: This page is intended for weddings and event bookings only. Not for museum or Ybor city tours…read more The Ybor City Museum, located in the heart of Tampa’s vibrant Ybor City, offers a historic and charming venue for weddings and special events. Its beautifully landscaped courtyard, surrounded by lush greenery and iconic brick architecture, creates a romantic and intimate atmosphere for outdoor weddings, receptions, concerts and social gatherings. The museum features a serene and elegant bridal suite plus a relaxing groom’s lounge, providing comfort and privacy for the wedding party. Combining historical charm with modern amenities, the Ybor City Museum ensures a unique and memorable experience for any celebration. Interior space includes a bridal suite, grooms lounge, board room, meeting rooms and unique photo locations. The outdoor courtyard features a stage, fountain and an intimate oasis in the heart of Ybor City. Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Ybor City at our museum and special event space. Discover the stories underneath the trees, where the community bloomed and thrived since 1886 and known as "Cigar Capital of the World".

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.

Thanks to Bob L's description, I feel like I've really missed out on being able to see the interior…read moreof this lovely structure. It's closed now to the public but this was Tampa's main library until 1968. The marker outside reads "Built with a $50,000 grant from industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, the Tampa Free Public Library opened its doors on April 27, 1917, becoming the City of Tampa's first public library. This venture was the result of a sustained community effort led by the Tampa Woman's Club adn the Tampa Board of Trade, a tax approval by citizens for annual operating costs, a 4,000-book donation by Mr. and Mrs. L.H. Lothridge, and the deciated work of head library Helen V. Stelle (1917-1947." [Review 10411 overall, 178 of 2019.]

When I first came to Tampa via USF I had to visit this classic library. It was a beautiful…read morelibrary, but too small for the booming city and in a lousy non-downtown location. I guess the people took the trolley or bus to first go here. I wish it could have a more community usage so more people can see the interior and its balconies.

The old Sulphur Springs Bank building is a cool historical site. It's right behind the theater (now…read morea recording studio space) and a couple blocks from the Sulphur Springs pool complex (around a spring) and in sight of the River Tower and greyhound track where a shopping arcade was once located. The area developed rapidly as a tourist attraction around springs along the Hillsborough River. A flood along the river in 1933 and the Great Depression ended its run. Here's more info and a tour guide for the area: http://heritagelab.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/walkingtour.pdf

The Morgan Cigar Factory building is a striking historic structure in West Tampa. There is a…read morehistorical marker in front. The West Tampa Centro Español, Cuban Club, Carnegie Library, original Alessi Bakery, Macfarlane Building and other historic buildings are also in the area, the West Tampa Historic District.

Interesting history and part of Tampa's naval history…read more http://www.jeanstreetshipyard.com/ofinterest.htm Site of a Civil War river raid. The boatyard on the Hillsborough River dates to 1847. Not much to see but interesting history.

The oldest shipyard in Tampa, probably in the state. Brought my Friendship Sloop "Salty Dog" here…read moreto do a haulout and restoration work. Great place, quiet and low key.

Historic Berriman-Morgan former cigar factory is an icon of Tampa, the "Cigar Capital of the…read moreWorld." This historic building in West Tampa is one of the remaining relics of the turn of the century cigar factory heyday. The building's restoration is impeccable.

I love old drawbridges and the best kind of old drawbridge is a "lift" bridge where the roadway is…read moreliterally lifted up, as opposed to a "swing" bridge where the roadway twists out of the way or a "bascule" bridge where the span lifts like a leaf ("bascule" is French for leaf). The Hillsborough Avenue Lift Bridge is also known as the T.N. Henderson Bridge (I have no idea why) and it carries State Route 600 and US Highway 92 over the Hillsborough River. It was built in 1939 by the Cone Brothers Construction Company and designed by J.H. Dowling of the State Road Department. What is particularly unique here is that there are two separate bridges at this crossing. The vertical lift bridge serves eastbound traffic and a neighboring bascule bridge serves westbound traffic. The lift bridge was originally part of a road expansion project connecting Tampa's northern suburbs and remains one of only two operable vertical lift bridges in Florida. The much larger Main Street Bridge (aka John T. Alsop Jr. Bridge) in Jacksonville is the other. Vertical lift highway bridges are quite rare. This one features a Warren pony truss lift span with the main span hoisted by cables from machinery housed in two steel towers containing concrete counterweights. In 1999, the bridge underwent rehabilitation to maintain its functionality which is when the bascule bridge was built. There is no toll to cross in either direction. There is a small park on the east bank to the south of the bridges or you can briefly park in the grocery store on the north side. Both bridges have a pedestrian walkway next to the outside lane. There is also a walkway under the bridge on the west bank but I wouldn't recommend going there after dark. I did hang around for a bit but did not get the opportunity to see either bridge lift today. [Review 328 of 2025 - 1983 in Florida - 23890 overall]