Plan your visit: Parking, transit and dining near the Tampa Bay History Center

A visit to the Tampa Bay History Center starts before you walk through the doors. Whether you’re attending an exhibition, a walking tour or an evening program, knowing your transportation and parking options can make all the difference.

Recommended parking facilities

Three parking locations are within walking distance of the History Center, Sparkman Wharf and Amalie Arena:

• Garrison Parking Lot
  615 Channelside Drive
  This surface lot is located directly along Channelside Drive.
• East Cumberland Garage
  1045 E. Cumberland Ave.
  A multilevel garage convenient for drivers coming from Ybor City or the Selmon Expressway.
• Channelside Parking Garage
  369 S. 12th St.
  Close to the Channel District and waterfront, this garage provides quick access to restaurants, shopping and the History Center.

Street parking and mobile payment apps

Tampa’s metered street parking can be managed using smartphone apps available in the Apple App Store or Google Play. These apps allow users to pay for parking, track time remaining and extend sessions remotely:

• ParkMobile
• Passport
• PayByPhone
• Flowbird

Each app supports downtown meters and provides real-time updates.

Reserve a spot with ParkWhiz

To avoid searching for parking on arrival, visitors can use ParkWhiz to reserve spaces in advance. Reservations can be made online or through the app. Features include:

• Upfront pricing with no hidden fees
• Mobile passes for contactless entry
• Savings of up to 50% compared to standard rates

ParkWhiz gives access to the largest network of reservable parking nationwide, including spaces near the History Center. Reserve parking with ParkWhiz

Road closures and work zones

Before heading downtown, check for real-time road closures and work zones using Causeway one.network, a digital mapping platform used by the City of Tampa. It provides updated traffic advisories and detour information. Click here to view the map

Transportation alternatives

For those skipping the car, downtown Tampa offers multiple transportation options:

• E-scooters (Bird, HOPR, Lime, Spin): Available throughout downtown and ideal for short trips.
• Pirate Water Taxi: The History Center is located at Stop No. 3 on the Island Loop. This narrated water route allows for all-day, unlimited boarding. Arrivals at Stop No. 3 occur hourly from 11:35 a.m. to 7:35 p.m.
• TECO Line Streetcar: Free and running every 15 minutes, the streetcar connects downtown to Ybor City. The closest stop is HSBC Station (No. 9) at Morgan Street and Water Street. Saturday service runs 9:18 a.m. to 1:58 a.m.; Sunday service runs 8:33 a.m. to 10:53 p.m.

Columbia Cafe at the History Center

Columbia Cafe, by the renowned Columbia Restaurant, offers Spanish-Cuban cuisine inspired by the Ybor City community. The menu includes favorites like the Cuban sandwich and the 1905 Salad. Reservations are available through OpenTable. Located on the Riverwalk, Columbia Cafe offers indoor and outdoor seating with views of Garrison Channel.