It’s definitely feeling like the dogs days of summer with no respite from Florida’s punishing heat and high humidity. This week’s staycation encourages a visit to one (or all) of the many air-conditioned museums, all within an hour drive of Plant City, where visitors can stay cool while learning something.
While some museums do have admissions fees, free admission is available to select museums using the Discovery Pass available through the Hillsborough County Public Library. The passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. One Discovery Pass, which provides a one-time admission or tour to an attraction on the date specified, may be checked out per adult library card. Participating museums include the Tampa Bay History Center, Glazer Children’s Museum and others. For more information visit hcplc.org/services/discoverypass.
Another program, Museums for All, encourages people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum-going habits. Families and individuals receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits can gain free or reduced admission to more than 1,000 museums throughout the United States, including MOSI, Glazer Children’s Museum and Tampa Bay History Center in Tampa and Florida Children’s Museum in Lakeland, simply be presenting their EBT card and photo ID. For more information about this program visit museums4all.org.
Also, don’t forget to ask about discounts for military and veterans, teachers and first-responders.
Robert W. Willarod Railroad Museum and Train Viewing Platform
102 N. Palmer St., Plant City
Tucked right in downtown in the old Plant City train station, this free museum features a sizable collection of train memorabilia including a completely restored 1942 Whitcomb Locomotive. Visitors can also sit on the train viewing platform, a great place to catch a train going by in the evenings. The museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
For more information about the museum visit willafordrailroadmuseum.com.
Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI)
4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa
Located across the street from the University of South Florida, this museum is a scientific playground for the young and young-at-heart. It features more than 100 hands-on activities. Guests can lie on a bed of nails (ouch), explore optical illusions, challenge themselves with brain puzzles, explore another world in its NASA-funded Mission: Moonbase lunary colony, learn about the solar system in the Saunders Planetarium and defy gravity on its Sky Trail Ropes Course. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Regular admission prices are $14 for adults and $10 for children ages three to 17. Children two and under are free. For more information visit mosi.org.
Glazer Children’s Museum
110 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa
A visit to the Glazer Children’s Museum will have children exploring the world around them through imaginative play. They can master money in Central Bank, save the day in the Firehouse, scoop sweets in the Ice Cream Parlor and grocery shop at Publix. The museum is open Tuesday – Sunday 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Regular admission prices are $18 for adults and children, however admission to the museum is free for the whole family on the first Tuesday of every month from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information visit glazermuseum.org.
The Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside Dr., Tampa
There’s a lot to explore during a visit to the aquarium, from its 80-foot glass dome in the Wetlands to the 500,000-gallon Coral Reef habitat. From sharks to fish and otters to seat turtles, children will be amazed at some of the creatures that inhabit this planet. The museum is open Monday – Sunday 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Ticket prices fluctuate based on several factors, including weather, day of week, holidays, local events and attendance patterns. For more information visit flaquarium.org.
Florida Children’s Museum
600 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland
This Lakeland gem offers a 47,800 square feet state-of-the-art facility with plenty of interactive exhibits for children to explore. It’s a combination of fun and education. The museum is open Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $15 per person; children under two are free. For more information visit explorefcm.org.