Welcome to Florida where it rains on almost daily, especially during the summer months which can be a problem when you are on vacation. If/when that happens, it is good to have back-up plans to keep yourself entertained. Here are five places you can visit in the Tampa area if the rains come along.
MOSI – The Museum of Science and Industry opened in North Tampa in 1976 and features many interactive displays and learning centers through both its non-profit organization side and its corporate sponsors. The museum is currently going through massive renovations and has been working to remodel since 2017 when the IMAX theater was closed for good. The museum is more geared for children now but often has traveling shows and other features and after going through its updates should once be again a great experience for both adults and children alike.
Florida Aquarium – The Florida Aquarium, located in the Channelside District of downtown Tampa is a 250,000 square foot aquarium that is home to over 7,000 plants and animals that represent various parts of the ocean including the Tampa Bay area. The aquarium, opened in 1995, is one of the most popular spots in all of Tampa for tourists to visit and being located in the Channelside district, it sits next to various other museums, sites, and restaurants, making it a great place to visit when the weather turns a little rainy.
Henry B. Plant Museum – The Henry Plant Museum is part of the University of Tampa and was opened back in the 1891 as the Tampa Bay Hotel by entrepreneur Henry Plant. The hotel, converted to a museum back in the 1930s, is home to art and history that reflects the history of both the hotel (which had the first working elevator in a hotel in the state of Florida) and the history of Florida during the Spanish-American war era. And as a bonus, the UT campus and grounds are among the most beautiful in all of the Tampa area (so enjoy!).
Tampa Bay History Center – Opened in 2009, the Tampa Bay History Center is located in Tampa’s Channelside district and is located on the Hillsborough River. The museum, with over 60,000 square feet, features artifacts and displays that inform visitors about Tampa’s history including the indigenous people, Spanish explorers, and even the industries that have made Tampa famous including the tobacco trade and cigar making. The Tampa Bay History Center also has a great local restaurant right inside, The Columbia Restaurant, featuring some of the best authentic Cuban food you can find in all of Tampa and Florida.
Glazer Children’s Museum – Opened in 1986, the Glazer Children’s Museum is non-profit organization that provides interactive exhibits and themed areas that are geared for children and their families. The newest location was opened in 2010 in the Tampa Riverwalk district, located next to Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa. The museum only allows children accompanied by adults to enter, making it ideal for parents that are looking to take their children to a fun and busy place on a rainy afternoon.
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