The museum inside the old Tampa Bay Hotel on the University of Tampa campus: softly playing classical music and dim, authentic 1891 lighting, a limited number of sensory-regulating items to check out at the front desk by request, and a story book made with CARD at USF to read before you go.
Sensory supports. Sensory items at the desk, a story book to read first.
Hours
January to November: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday, 12 to 5 pm; closed Monday. Last ticket sold 30 minutes before closing. Closed on Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the Gasparilla Invasion and Parade of Pirates. Closed Friday, Nov 13 2026 for Victorian Christmas Stroll preparation. Victorian Christmas Stroll, Nov 27 to Dec 31 2026, closed Dec 23 to 25 2026: Stroll hours are 10 am to 5 pm Sunday to Thursday and 10 am to 8 pm Friday and Saturday (also listed as 10 am to 5 pm), and regular hours close on Mondays. Call 813-254-1891 to confirm Monday and evening hours during the Stroll.
401 W. Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33606 (Plant Hall, University of Tampa)
“The Museum welcomes individuals with autism and their families.”
“There are a limited number of sensory-regulating items for check out at the front desk, by request.”
“The Museum worked with the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of South Florida to provide support and optimize the museum experience for individuals with autism and their families.”
The museum's story book, linked as The Plant Museum Story on its Visit and Accessibility page, is meant to be read at home before the visit. It walks through the steps up to the entrance, the greeting at the desk, the lobby bench, the dim lights and soft music, the ropes on some chairs, the two things that are OK to touch (an old-fashioned telephone that plays music from the hotel days and an old photo book), the stuffed animals, and the gift shop on the way out.
From the story's notes to caregivers: there may be shifts from brightly lit to darker areas; the air from floor registers may be forceful; there are several fire alarms in the museum, and if one goes off, the horn and flashers will be very loud and bright; and on guided tours with several groups, there may be a short wait before the next room is free.
For a walk on your own, the museum has a free self-guided audio tour in English and Spanish that loads on your phone from a QR code by the front doors or in the lobby.
Admission: adults $12; seniors (65+) $10; students $9; youth (4 to 12) $7; infants free; members free. The museum admits parties of up to four with a current EBT card, and admits reciprocal members of SERM-participating museums (Southeastern Reciprocal Membership).
Victorian Christmas Stroll, Nov 27 to Dec 31 2026 (closed Dec 23 to 25 2026): adults $20; seniors (65+) $18; youth (4 to 18) $14; infants (0 to 3) $0. All memberships include free Stroll tickets. Tickets through the Purchase Tickets Here link on the Stroll page; for groups of 10 or more, call 813.254.1891 to reserve. During the Stroll, strollers are parked on the veranda before you go in.
Stroll extras: live music 6 to 8 pm on Nov 27, Nov 28, Dec 4, Dec 5, Dec 11, Dec 12, Dec 18, Dec 19 and Dec 26 2026; horse and carriage rides 11 am to 3 pm Dec 19 and Dec 20 2026 (Holiday Wagon $10 per person, private carriage for up to 4, $100), booked through the link on the Stroll page.
Upstairs/Downstairs: a 30-minute single-character live theater performance, most Sundays at 2 pm, included with admission; seating is limited, first come, first served.
Parking is right in front of the museum. If it is full, the free Thomas Parking Garage at 820 W. North A Street is about a 5 minute walk through the University of Tampa campus; enter campus from the North Boulevard and A Street intersection (there is no first-floor visitor entry from Spaulding Drive). For trouble finding it, call Campus Safety at 257.7777. Spaces for visitors with disabilities are next to the ramps at the north end of Plant Hall and at the back of the building.
Restrooms are off the main lobby on the first floor of Plant Hall. A free wheelchair is available first come, first served from the front desk volunteer; no advance reservations. Service animals are welcome; emotional support and comfort animals are not.
Phone photos are welcome without flash, stabilizers or selfie sticks; photoshoots are not allowed. Questions about accessibility: 813-254-1891.
