Top Places to Visit in Tampa Bay

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is the place to experience historical art in Tampa Bay. The museum first opened in 1931 and offers a massive collection of impressive art. Magnificent exhibitions include paintings and sculptures by master artists like Rubens, Poussin, Marin, Bastianini and more. View pieces like Francesco Guardi's Allegorical Figure of Hope, created in 1747 with oil on canvas. Many displays in the museum were once part of John and Mable Ringling's personal art collection and can now be experienced inside the grand halls that beautifully wrap around the centered courtyard. Tour the art museum alone or tour the Cà d'Zan and visit the Ringling Circus Museums also. The "John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art" is one of the best places to visit in the Tampa Bay Area.

The Càd'Zan Mansion covers 36,000 square feet with 41 rooms and 15 bathrooms built with venetian gothic architecture. This mansion boasts Italian flavor with stucco, terra cotta, brick and marble.

Original art and antique furnishings fill each room taking the visitor to the early 1900's. At the peak of the mansion sits the Belvedere tower, quietly and carefully accessed through an outside spiral staircase. Special tours are offered for those who wish to overlook Sarasota Bay from the tower.

Make time to tour the mansion during your visit to the "John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art" and you will experience a magnificent trip back in time.

Take a look at the history of The Greatest Show on Earth during your visit to the Ringling Circus Museums. Tour the world's largest mini-circus: The Howard Bros. Circus Model. Walk through an amazing replica of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from 1919 – 1938 that took Howard Tibbals over 50 years to build.

One of the top places to visit in Tampa Bay is the Florida Botanical Gardens. The Gardens are home for more than 150 types of bird, mammals, and reptiles. Walk through each garden on beautiful walkways that twist and turn. Need something to send back home? Visit the gift shop in the center courtyard where you will find many items for sale. The Florida Botanical Gardens is one of the best places to visit in Tampa Bay.

Many endangered and threatened species like Bald Eagles, Gopher tortoises and Sherman Fox squirrels occupy the lush habitat. Containing over 90 acres of wetland, pine flatwoods, oak forest the gardens are a must-see. Flowing through the center is McKay Creek, home for many species of animals and plants.

Take a walk through the gardens and experience many native species. Visit the courtyard that contains the rose garden or sit near the lush palm habitat. Turn into the butterfly garden that is home to plant species that naturally attract an array of beautiful butterlfies. Venture over the McKay river accross the long wooden bridge for your next stop: Heritage Village.

Transport back in time to the old days and observe how people used to live when you visit Heritage Village. Restorations on site include a grocery store, railroad depot, caboose, fire station, gazebo, church, houses, cottages, a windmill and more. The village is nestled in the southwest portion of the Florida Botanical Gardens and offers a wonderful place to observe how life used to be. A convenient educational facility is located in the center of Heritage Village.

Walk through the railroad station and see what travelers experienced. Complete with an old wooden bench and historical train artifacts this restoration creates the feeling of really being there. Just outside the station sits a traditional red caboose for the visitor to climb into.

Just down the road you will find the old historical garage. This restoration is packed with a few wagons and other items that were used for personal transportation. Get a peak at what drivers used to maintain, store and operate their stagecoaches.

Whether you are visiting Tampa for the first time or live in the area, the Florida Botanical Gardens and Heritage Village are great places to visit year-round.

The Henry B. Plant Museum is a one of the greatest places to visit in Tampa. Located In Tampa Bay Hotel that was built in 1891 and is now a National Historic Landmark. The hotel is now part of the University of Tampa.

The museum offers a variety of old Florida artifacts. Learn about Plant and his contributions to the people of Florida as well as the nation.

Historical artifacts like old school desks, antique chairs and paintings, war memorabilia, old glass mirrors that tower over you, telephone and phonograph equipment will take you back to when Plant lived.

Plant hall surrounds those who enter with an understanding of this time. In the museum you will find intriguing architecture, fully restored rooms and grand halls. Stroll down the corridors out to the veranda and experience what life was like during the time this building was constructed.

Whether you live in Tampa or are touring through, the Henry B. Plant museum is one of the top places to visit in Tampa.