Ybor City Museum State Park

The history of the immigrants who developed Ybor City in the 19th century comes alive in the displays and 20 minute movie of the museum. The Italian, Sicilian, Cuban, Spanish and German immigrants brought their families and talents to augment the birth of the cigar industry. I love the historical display of the Cuban sandwich. The Museum encompasses a courtyard with a fountain and several "shotgun houses" of workers, so named because you can fire a shot gun at the front door of the long thin houses and the shot comes out the back door. This is a great experience for $4!

Really Cool stuff such as statues and nice park! I love this city for its famous chickens! There are rooster and chickens everywhere! So unique and great.

This is a museum you can visit that explains the history of Ybor City. There are two portions: an indoor museum area with exhibits and information, and a tour through daily life of historic Ybor City. The museum has lots of information, but doesn’t have enough ‘wow’ factor that doesn’t make things definitely worth visiting. However, you’ll still learn a lot. You can get a paid 30 minute tour of some of the state-owned houses you can walk through. The park ranger guiding the tour is very knowledgeable about the house, what people usually did, social hierarchies, and technology at the time. Don’t forget to ask some insightful questions! Overall, this isn’t a top tier museum, but is still worth visiting.

Great small museum with easy to read Ybor city history. The building used to be local bakery and the original ovens were preserved - make sure to check out how LARGE they were! They have tours of “La casitas” very worth it! Last tour is at 2:30pm. $4 per person cost. The museum also has a 20 minute video. The hidden gem in the area is the “Ybor city walking tour” on trip advisor!!!!

Our visit to Ybor City: A Gem in Tampa's Cultural Tapestry Nestled northeast of downtown Tampa lies the captivating Ybor City Historic District, a testament to Tampa's rich cultural heritage and industrial prowess. Our recent visit to the Ybor City Museum State Park left us enthralled and eager to share our experience with fellow travelers. Upon arrival, we were pleased to find ample city parking conveniently scattered throughout the area, facilitating stress-free exploration. The pay-by-kiosk system streamlined our parking experience, allowing us to focus on immersing ourselves in the district's allure. The park itself may be modest in size, but it is teeming with historical significance. Wander through its hallowed grounds, and you'll encounter a plethora of meticulously preserved buildings and architectural marvels, each whispering tales of a bygone era. The diverse array of structures reflects the fusion of cultures that once thrived here, from European influences to the indelible mark of Cuban immigrants. One cannot mention Ybor City without paying homage to its most colorful residents: the free-roaming chickens. These charismatic creatures, adorned in vibrant hues and even boasting metallic plumage, add an enchanting charm to the district's streets. Watching them strut about is an experience in itself, a delightful reminder of the area's idiosyncratic character. As we strolled through the historic streets, we found ourselves spoiled for choice with dining establishments and bars catering to every palate. From traditional Cuban fare to eclectic fusion cuisine, and everything in between Ybor City offers a culinary journey like no other. And of course, no visit would be complete without indulging in the area's famed cigars. Witnessing a skilled artisan craft cigars firsthand is a testament to Ybor City's enduring legacy as the "Cigar Capital of the World." For those eager to explore beyond the park's confines, the city trolley presents a convenient and complimentary mode of transportation. Embark on a journey through time as you traverse the downtown area, all while relishing the tales of Tampa's immigrant communities that shaped Ybor City's narrative. With each step, each snapshot captured, we couldn't help but marvel at the tapestry of history woven into the fabric of Ybor City. From its humble beginnings as a cigar-making mecca to its status as a National Historic Landmark, this district stands as a testament to the resilience and cultural diversity that define Tampa's identity. In conclusion, our visit to Ybor City was nothing short of enchanting, leaving us with cherished memories and a newfound appreciation for Tampa's storied past. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a culinary connoisseur, or simply seeking an unforgettable adventure, Ybor City beckons with open arms. Don't hesitate to embark on your own journey of discovery – you won't be disappointed. Thomas Corrao #straycompassphotography #straycompasstravels

This is a fantastic spot to dive into Ybor's rich history. The experience was absolutely wonderful! Our ranger tour guide was incredible, sharing an impressive amount of knowledge and fascinating stories. Visiting an authentic casita was a real highlight; I highly recommend checking this place out!

Walking around before lunch with my family and happened upon a Puerto Rican Street Festival. Instantly regretted having lunch plans already, the food looked and smelled amazing! Lots of street art, murals, and chickens. Very cool area.

This is a very nice State Park. Preserves the history of Ybor City. The tour is very informative and a must see. Walking through the museum was amazing. Some of the things that happened are interesting. If you are in the area stop and take a look at one of Florida’s great State Parks

I love to learn about local history whenever I travel, so the Ybor City Museum was a must do. It is small but informative, located in a former bread bakery. Both the museum and the park across the street focus on Ybor City's immigrant history. I learned that Cuban, Spanish, Italian/Sicilian, Jewish and German cultures all contributed to what we know today as the Cuban sandwich. Next to the building there is a gated patio with seating. I relaxed there for a bit before walking down to 7th Avenue for shopping. I highly recommend watching the video shown at the front of the museum, it helps give a lot of historical context of the area in a short time. Admission is $4. Watch for resident chickens when parking!

This was a small museum. Family friendly and great pieces of history. We enjoyed seeing the start of this community that is being revitalized.

This review will be short and sweet, just like this museum. It is a small museum but there is a lot of history packed in such a small area. The price is perfect at $4 per person & kids under 5 are free. They do give guided tours. This goes well with the other history I've learned from the Ybor city walking tour that is almost always on the Yelp Events page for Tampa Bay and also my visit to the Henry B Plant museum. The museum conveys the history of the cigar and tobacco factories that Ybor City is famous for as well as innovation in the realm of train transportation. The exhibits show how people immigrated to the area as well as how racism affected the lives of some as they immigrated. This museum is a great start to laying the foundation of Tampa bay history. I would recommend doing the Ybor City walking tour, then going to the Plant Museum, then the Tampa Bay History Center to see how all the parts move together.

A very cute and cozy museum. You get the local small town feel with the great history of the city of Ybor and Tampa. A great example of early cultural acceptance and community coming together.

Excellent place to start for some Ybor City history, especially if this is your first time in the area. The museum has a lot of info in a small place. Take your time walking through the museum and I highly recommend watching the 20 minute movie as you walk in. There is also a tour of the "Casitas" included with your admission. This is definitely a must stop for anyone in the area.

The female ranger Shay Mowen was beyond rude. I asked about the tour for the casita and she said she would check for an available volunteer to not come back. Although the 'white' people next to me inquired on the same thing and she addressed them. I'm not a person that plays the race card but me and my family are Hispanic and felt discriminated. Finally after her seeing me walk toward the Casita did she come to ask if me and family wanted a tour. Wtf is what I had to say in my head. And still no tour of the Casita. I understand it is a cheap price to get in but I guess you pay for what you get. She never came back to have the tour nor did she send anyone.

we visited the museum as part of our Ybor City Cigar Industry Tour. We drove from Orlando specifically for this as my Dad is a cigar aficionado. The museum is well laid out and very informative, if you can be there when Wallace Reyes is running a tour, I really recommend it as you will find out so much more about the area. The grounds are well maintained and have their resident chickens and a very friendly cat! The information is pitched at a good level and you can learn a lot about the history without a guide. It's close enough to everything to be accessible while also being in a nice quiet neighbourhood. Check out the store next door, you can get some special bits and pieces.

I had to Dj a friends wedding reception here and I must say the outdoor courtyard for a wedding reception is absolutely beautiful! The grounds are well maintained and the staff appears to be friendly and "serving". My only draw back would be that if you have a wedding here I would highly recommend a wedding planner to control the flow and to ensure things go as planned. the space outside is rather large and there is a bit of distance between the dining area and where dancing takes place so it can be a bit of a challenge staying "connected" with the guests at times. Although I did use a wireless microphone it was a challenge reading the crowd which was on the other side of the courtyard but I still kind of felt a disconnect due to the distance between us. Also, one other challenge is the mens room is across the courtyard and around the building, what a hike!!! Overall, beautiful venue I would just recommend a planner as a part of your team to keep the flow and to ensure things stay on track. Best, George

The scenic Ybor Garden Museum was great to work with. Easily reachable via email and is good about following up with payment receipts and confirmations. The Garden has several rules that you must follow...including breakdown/set-up times but the location makes everything worth it. They have a vendor list but you can pick and choose as you go. One of the great things about it is the ability to bring in all of your liquor. All of our guests were amazed at this piece of heaven. Our event was a beautiful and very southern affair. The grounds were perfect and no random park guests were even present. If you google the museum and search thru the photos and see what others have done with the space. Other issues to consider...despite the low rental cost you must rent everything for this venue. They do not provide anything other than park ranger help. Providing your own alcohol is a great money saver though. Book your event here and you won't regret it.

Just took the tour today. Bill, our volunteer tour guide was fantastic and I could listen to him tell stories all day.

Kati our guide was knowledgeable and kind. We loved her stories on the museum and her personal attentiveness.

Semi-interesting museum about the history of Ybor as a Cuban-American cigar rolling district. The museum is located in an old Sicilian bakery that used to make the best Cuban bread in Tampa but has long since closed. Kind of a tease because there weren't any bakers at the farmer's market across the street and the only bakery that still makes this Cuban style bread in Ybor is closed on the weekend. $4 entry. It smelled a little musty, as many folksy museums do. A lot of the cigar rolling stuff I've already seen from trips to Havana so that aspect was of no interest but I left with a better understanding of this neighbourhood, which I am fond of because of the architecture and cobblestone streets. It's a mix of Cuban, Spanish and Italian - which I didn't know but something about it makes it feel sort of creole or cajun. The outdoor gardens are nice and can be used for private functions. Someone was there picking up items from a wedding the night before. It's been cold so I would hate to think these people had their wedding outside but there is a lovely fountain in the middle of the garden and lots of benches.

Visit this museum and learn more about ybor's history. Reasonable entrance fee. I take out of town guests here and everyone has enjoyed it. Walking distance to wonderful restaurants and shops.

I didn't approach this with much hope -- I expected another dreary local ethnic museum -- but was very pleasantly surprised. Ybor City was a company town built to make cigars from Cuban tobacco and it's history was rich and interesting -- and *very* well told by a significantly better than average museum. They did a fin job of telling a coherent story, with pictures and artifacts. Recommended.

Watch a short 10 minute movie next door and walk through the small museum to see how things were back in the heyday of Ybor. Made me want to buy one of those buildings and start a cigar factory. The museum is in a great location that is central to Ybor just a quick walk from the street car. What would make this place great is if they got some donors to buy one of the old warehouse factories and made it into a working museum?! There is a row of houses open to walk through and see how the families lived back then. I liked the historical aspect of the museum, just thought maybe it could be bigger.

A Wedding in the Ybor City Museum Garden: The Ybor City Museum Garden is a beautiful park location for an outdoor wedding in Tampa. We were thrilled to find it and appreciative of the value. Our wedding couldn't have been more beautiful! : I don't want to completely trash this place because I loved my wedding. But the communication among staff here is rotten. Before, during, and after wedding week, trying to get ahold of Garden staff was difficult: lots of "She doesn't work past noon" and "She doesn't work xxxdays." No messages relayed. So it was hard to get questions answered (and we only ever had a few). Then, they told us we could have our rehearsal at a particular time on the morning of our wedding, no problem. We showed up to rehearse...and the park was filled with a yoga class. This wasn't a major deal, but we had to push the whole day forward an hour. It's like the staff just doesn't communicate with each other at all. Lastly, and most importantly, getting our deposit back was challenging. We started calling and asking about our deposit six weeks after our wedding. Finally got someone on the phone and were told that it's normal for it take two months (okey dokey). We gave them our new address for sending the check in the same conversation. Our address change was NEVER passed on--typical of their complete lack of communication. The check finally arrived (thankful for USPS forwarding it to us), and they'd docked us an extra $80, no explanation or itemized list. We'd followed the rules of the venue contract religiously and worked closely with the ranger that night; and he'd given us the thumbs-up in the end. So why the withholding? Turns out our caterer (who was fantastic) must have accidentally grabbed two Garden-owned coolers, so we were charged. No one EVER called us or sent written reason. They just docked us money for coolers we definitely don't have and waited nearly two months to send the deposit. (WHY did they even have their coolers outside in the middle of our catered wedding??) So we can't even figure out what happened because it was so long ago. And, of course, figuring out why we were charged took days of phone tag, as usual. They don't care that they sent the check to our old place in Tampa, when we live in Washington DC. They don't care that they charged us money without providing a reason until we pestered them to find out. They just don't care. I wish I could rave about this venue, but I don't appreciate the way they do business once you've committed to them. Lame! Fortunately, my wedding was wonderful, so I choose to focus on that part and not let this poor service ruin a memory :)

The museum is a terrific way to learn about Ybor and Tampa History. It is very inexpensive at $4 a person. There is a terrific video that gives background on Ybor City you can tour the museum and learn about the history of the area of the building of the city the former use of the building as an Italian bakery and to learn about the cigar making industry and see some of the benches that were used in the factories. You can also tour the Casita where the factory workers lived. There is also a large Park with waterfalls and a stage that is mentioned in some of the reviews as a venue for weddings in public events. The Park is open to the public for free and on Saturdays there is yoga there for free

Great fun experience! Great way to learn the about the real historical ybor..When it was on and cracking! !!

Very nice history of Ybor City, including an informative video, and many nice exhibits of clever little artifacts that really put the information into context. The tour wasn't as informative as hoped, with the restored home lacking period decor or most information regarding the daily lives of the workers. It was, however, an excellent spot for some real Tampa history.

One of my favorite places in Tampa! I go to the outdoor area to play and have lunch for my kids. I highly recommend taking the time to learn about Ybor City and spend time in their garden. I support the State Parks!

I visited the museum and thought it was very good. I'm giving it 5 stars since the Park Ranger, Jessica, was so energetic and could answer all the questions peppered at her from the people on the tour. Otherwise I would have given the museum a 4. It's not perfect but it does what it can with the small size and it's dedication to the history of the area. Jessica proves that having a great tour guide can really make the experience. If you're in the area please check it out.