Field trips and curriculum

Location: The History Center is located at the beginning of the Tampa Riverwalk next to Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park, right behind the Amalie Arena. Our address is 801 Water Street, Tampa, FL 33602. click here for a map.

Grade Levels: We welcome student groups of all ages! Our tours are designed for grades 3 to 12 but can be adapted for younger students. Fourth and eighth-grade teachers find that our exhibits align with Florida and U.S. history standards.

Capacity: Details regarding field trip capacity will be discussed during the registration process.

Field Trip Length: A tour takes one and a half to two hours to complete from the time your students enter our galleries. Plan additional time to check in, organize students, and use the restrooms. If you arrive late, your tour will have to be abbreviated. Remember to schedule extra time if you plan to eat lunch in the park or visit the Museum Store.

Tour Highlights: During the guided tour, students explore the significant people, ideas, and events that have helped shape our region and state. Who were Florida’s early native peoples, and how were they affected by the arrival of European explorers? What key events caused Seminole Indian culture to change and adapt over time? Which industry put Tampa on the map, and who were the immigrants central to that story? For a brief overview of all exhibits, click here.

Field Trip Admission:
Student groups (min. 10/max. 150): $8/student
Teachers/chaperones (1 per 10 students): Free
Additional adults: $10/adult

PRESCHOOL GUIDED TOURS: Bring your preschool class and explore the fun side of history! Preschool groups can enjoy an engaging, age-appropriate tour designed specifically for them. Experienced docents lead children and chaperones through our galleries for an hour of exploration and discussion.

Capacity: Details regarding field trip capacity will be discussed during the registration process.

Field Trip Length: A tour takes one hour to complete, so schedule accordingly! Plan for additional time to check in, get students organized and to use the restrooms. If you arrive late, tours will have to be abbreviated. Remember to schedule extra time if you plan to eat lunch in the park or visit the Museum Store!

Tour Highlights: During the tour, students explore in age-appropriate ways the significant people, ideas and events that have helped shape our region and state. What tools did Florida’s early native peoples use, and what were they made from? How has the Seminole Indian culture added to Florida’s rich history? Which industry put Tampa on the map, and what role did kids play? For a brief overview of all exhibits, click here.

Preschool Admission:
Student Groups (min. 10/max. 60): $7/student
Teachers/chaperones (1 per five students): Free
Additional adults: $10/adult

Pre-registration is required. For more information, contact our Curator of Education at [email protected] or (813) 675-8987.

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts can fulfill “Archaeology” and “Celebrating Community” activities by exploring the Tampa Bay History Center’s galleries.

Watch with a Florida cattle drive, learn about working in Florida’s largest port, or learn how to chart a course across the oceans using centuries-old navigational tools in our Treasure Seekers gallery! For no additional charge, a knowledgeable docent will lead your group on a tour through Tampa’s exciting past while encouraging thoughtful and interesting discussion.

Scouts can learn about Florida’s early native peoples and how they were affected by the arrival of European explorers, the key events that caused Seminole Indian culture to change and adapt over time, and the industry that put Tampa on the map.

Scout Group Admission
Scouts (min. 10 /max. 30): $8/scout
Chaperones (1 per 5 scouts): Free
Additional Chaperone: $10/adult

*Badges are not provided by the History Center. Please contact your troop leader regarding the purchase of badges and other scout materials.

For all Scout tours, pre-registration is required. For more information, contact our Curator of Education at [email protected] or (813) 675-8987.

Field trip reservations must be made in advance. Dates fill quickly, so make your reservation as early as possible to avoid disappointment. If you have specific questions, email [email protected] or call (813) 675-8960.

A $50 deposit is required after making your visitation request. The balance of your admission is due in a single lump sum payment when you arrive and will be based on the number of people in your group. We accept cash, credit card, or checks payable to the Tampa Bay History Center. After you have requested your date, read through the Field Trip Planning Guide. It includes directions to the History Center, a planning checklist, and all the other important details that go into preparing for a field trip.

Cancellation PolicyL To cancel or make changes to your reservation, please call (813) 675-8960 no later than ten business days prior to your visit. You will receive a full deposit refund if you cancel your field trip before that time.

Drop-off and Parking: Buses should pull up to the History Center’s entrance to allow students to disembark. Drivers will be directed to an off-site parking lot; no parking fee is required for school buses. If you are chartering a bus, please let us know so we can provide parking information. Parking for personal vehicles is available in the Channelside Parking Garage. Chaperones driving personal vehicles will receive a complimentary parking token with their paid admission. Please note: parking availability is subject to change during events at the Amaile Area.

TRAFFIC ALERT: Downtown Tampa is undergoing various street repairs and re-alignments. Please reference this site and check current traffic conditions prior to arrival.

Arrival and Check-in A museum docent will greet your bus upon arrival. The docent will instruct you where to pay your admission, store lunches, and park the bus. Once you arrive, it takes us 10-15 minutes to get students organized and ready to begin their tour. For your students to receive a complete tour, please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time. Due to our tight field trip schedule, late arrivals will receive an abbreviated tour.

Lunch Options and Facilities We’re happy to store lunches while you visit the galleries, and most field trip groups enjoy eating lunch right outside at Cotanchobee Park, which boasts open green space, picnic tables, benches, and restrooms.

Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee a lunch space in case of inclement weather. The History Center has no cafeteria or vending machines, but boxed lunches are available for pre-order through the Columbia Cafe. A boxed lunch menu and order form are available in the “Boxed Lunches” tab below. Please note that the Columbia Cafe is a small restaurant, not a cafeteria, and they cannot accommodate same-day food orders nor use of their restaurant tables. Note that all food orders must be paid directly to the Columbia Cafe with a check or credit card.

Museum Store: We have a wonderful Museum Store with fun and educational items starting at $5. We welcome student groups but ask that no more than 15 students visit the Store at once and that all groups in the store be accompanied by an adult chaperone at all times. We appreciate your help!

Columbia Cafe Boxed Lunches Planning for a picnic lunch on the day of your field trip? Give your students a taste of Ybor City with delicious Columbia Cafe boxed lunches! Student and adult boxes are available and must be pre-ordered at least five days prior to your visit. The Cafe requires a minimum order of 10 boxed lunches.

Boxed Lunch Selections

Students $6.95
C1: Pressed Cuban sandwich (ham, salami, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickle, mustard)
C2: Peanut butter & jelly on white bread
C3: Ham & American cheese on a Cuban roll
All student lunches come with an apple, chocolate chip cookie, and bottled water.

Adults $15.95
A1: Pressed Cuban sandwich (ham, salami, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickle, mustard)
A2: Grilled eggplant w/ roasted red peppers, provolone, lettuce, tomato & pesto mayo on a ciabatta roll
A3: Grilled chicken w/ peppers, onions, black olives, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and feta in a flour tortilla with herbed cream cheese spread
All adult lunches come with fresh fruit salad, plantain chips, chocolate chip cookie, and bottled water.

The Fine Print

• Full payment is due on the day of your field trip and must be separate from your field trip admission payment.
• Cash, credit cards, and checks (payable to the Columbia Cafe) are accepted.
• If your school/organization is tax-exempt, you must submit a copy of your certificate of exemption with your payment.
• Your complete order must be received no later than 5 business days prior to your field trip date.
• Once your order has been submitted, boxed lunches are non-refundable.
• Boxed lunches are designed as a “to-go” option and may not be consumed at Cafe tables. Picnic space is available in Cotanchobee Park, in front of the History Center.

If you would like to order a Boxed Lunch, please complete the Boxed Lunch Order Form below.
If you have questions, please get in touch with the Columbia Cafe at (813) 229-5511.

• Field Trip Guide
• Chaperone Guide
• Pre-Visit Activity
• Museum Vocabulary
• K-12 Curriculum Connections