Sight guide · Tampa · United States
Visiting Henry B. Plant Museum
Railroad magnate Henry Plant's Tampa Bay Hotel opened in 1891 as a Moorish Revival fantasy topped by 13 silver minarets; it is now the University of Tampa's main building.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bbphotos, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Henry B. Plant Museum is a museum in University of Tampa, Tampa. Allow 1–1.5 hours; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- University of Tampa
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, architecture, rainy day and photo spot
- Best months
- July–September
Plan a trip to Tampa
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About Henry B. Plant Museum
Railroad magnate Henry Plant's Tampa Bay Hotel opened in 1891 as a Moorish Revival fantasy topped by 13 silver minarets; it is now the University of Tampa's main building. One wing is a museum of the hotel's Gilded Age furnishings and its role as headquarters during the Spanish–American War.
Tip: Visit in December, when the rooms are decorated for the museum's Victorian Christmas Stroll.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1–1.5 hours.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: University of Tampa.
Best time to visit Henry B. Plant Museum
Henry B. Plant Museum is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- August: 33°C (91°F) highs, about 17 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- July: 33°C (91°F) highs, about 17 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- September: 32°C (90°F) highs, about 13 rainy days, quiet crowds.
When to visit Tampa has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Tampa itinerary visits Henry B. Plant Museum on day 1, together with Tampa Riverwalk, Glazer Children's Museum and Ybor City Historic District.
- No. 6 of the 17 sights in our Tampa things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in museums in Tampa.
- One of the picks in tampa on a rainy day.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Tampa.
Near Henry B. Plant Museum
Within walking distance of Henry B. Plant Museum (straight-line distances):
- Bayshore Boulevard — about 2.3 km away, 1–2 hours, free
- The Florida Aquarium — about 1.9 km away, 2–3 hours, mid-priced
- Tampa Riverwalk — about 0.5 km away, 1–2 hours, free
If you like Henry B. Plant Museum
- Ybor City Museum State Park — Ybor City, 1 hour
- J.C. Newman Cigar Company (El Reloj) — Ybor City, 1.5 hours
- Tampa Theatre — Downtown, 2 hours with a film
- Tampa Museum of Art — Downtown, 1.5 hours
Staying near Henry B. Plant Museum
Where to stay in Tampa compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Henry B. Plant Museum?
Plan 1–1.5 hours. Bayshore Boulevard is about 2.3 km away in a straight line, so the two fit a half-day.
+Is Henry B. Plant Museum free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Henry B. Plant Museum?
July–September, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Visit in December, when the rooms are decorated for the museum's Victorian Christmas Stroll.
+Do I need to book Henry B. Plant Museum in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.